Lemongrass Leaf Extract Attenuates Hydrocarbon-Induced Oxidative Stress and Macrocytic Hypochromic Anaemia in Rats

Abstract

The therapeutic use of medicinal plants and plant products to mitigate solvent/xenobiotic-induced haematological disorders has not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) leaf decoctions on gasoline vapour (GV)-induced haematological disorders and oxidative stress in rats. Seventy-two female rats weighing 180-200g were randomly selected and divided into six groups (n = 12 per group). Animals in group 1 served as unexposed controls, while animals in group 2 were exposed to gasoline vapour (GV) alone for 35 days. Animals in groups 3, 4, and 5 were exposed to GV and co-administered C. citratus leaf extract (500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 1500 mg/kg, respectively), and animals in group 6 were exposed to GV and co-administered vitamin C (200 mg/kg) for the same time period. Exposure of animals to GV alone significantly (p < 0.05) decreased packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), total red blood cells (RBC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Total white blood cells (WBC), WBC lineages and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the corresponding values in the control group. Supplementation with C. citratus leaf decoction and vitamin C reversed these GV-induced changes in haematological indices and MDA levels. Therefore, C. citratus leaf decoctions and vitamin C supplementation provided an ameliorative effect on GV-induced haematotoxicity and oxidative stress in a rat model of gasoline exposure.