Effect of Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) on the Expression of Insulin sensitive and Proinflammatory Genes in the Pancreas of Diabetic Rats

Authors: Oloyede OI, Elekofehinti OO, Akinjiyan MO*, Ajayi EB, Coker F and Olabinjo IA

DOI: 10.23880/doij-16000258

Volume 7, Issue 3

Abstract

Inflammation may result from chronic hyperglycemia, a disease of macromolecule metabolism disorder caused by diabetes mellitus due to insulin malfunction. Although Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) has long been used as an anti-diabetic, not much is known about the mechanisms involved. The goal of this study was to see how C. citratus leaf extract modulates genes related to insulin sensitivity and inflammation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats' pancreas. Control, diabetic control, metformin (100 mg/kg), and C. citratus (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were the six groups of experimental rats. Alloxan (150 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to five groups. ACCU-CHEK glucometer and glucose test strips were used to measure fasting blood glucose at three-day intervals. Treatments were given for fourteen (14) days after which the animals were sacrificed and the pancreas removed for RT-PCR analysis. Image J software and graph pad prism software were respectively used to quantify and present the results. Diabetes induction by alloxan significantly (p>0.05) increased fasting blood glucose level compared to non-induced control after 3 days. Administration of C. citratus aqueous extract (14 days) reduced the blood glucose of diabetic rats significantly (p

Keywords: Medicinal plant; Diabetes mellitus; Inflammation; Insulin sensitivity; Gene expression

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