Acta Pharm. 68 (2018) 185-197
Original research paper
Effect of lemongrass water extract
supplementation on atherogenic index and antioxidant status in rats
NUNTIYA SOMPARN, SUPHAKET SAENTHAWEEUK, JARINYAPORN NAOWABOOT, ATCHARAPORN
THAEOMOR and VEERAPOL KUKONGVIRIYAPAN
1 Department of
Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine
Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, PathumThani,
Thailand 12120
2 School of Biology,
Institute of Science
Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 3000
3 Department of
Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Khon Kaen
University, Khon Kaen,
Thailand 40002
Accepted January 8, 2018
Published online February 6,
2018
Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf., commonly known as lemongrass, possesses strong antioxidant and cardiotonic properties. Lemongrass water extract contains several polyphenolic compounds including gallic acid, isoquercetin, quercetin, rutin, catechin and tannic acid. Rutin, isoquercetin catechin and quercetin are the flavonoids most abundantly found in the extract. The extract significantly decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and atherogenic index in rats after treatment (p < 0.05). Expression of genes and protein of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) was also lowered significantly in treated groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, serum antioxidant capacity increased in treated rats in comparison with untreated ones (p < 0.05) and was associated with decreased serum lipid peroxidation.
Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus, lipid
profile, antioxidant, SREBP1c, HMG-CoA
reductase