Effect of Cymbopogon citratus Decoctions on Gasoline Vapour-induced Reproductive Toxicity in Female Rats

Aims: Recent research indicates that plant molecules, particularly those that are rich with antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory constituents, can modify and prevent the detrimental
effects of gasoline compounds on reproductive endpoints. However, whether C. citratus decoction can
alleviate gasoline vapour (GV)-induced derangement of female reproductive hormones has not yet
been documented. In this study, the capacity of C. citratus decoction was evaluated for its ability to
alleviate GV-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.
Study Design: Seventy-two female Wistar albino rats weighing 185 ± 11.2 g were placed into six
groups (n = 12 per group): The control (group 1, G1), GV alone (G2), GV plus C. citratus decoction
(500 mg/kg; G3), (1000 mg/kg; G4), (1500 mg/kg; G5), and GV plus vitamin C (200 mg/kg; G6).
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
Nigeria. All groups were treated for 35 days.
Methodology: Serum levels of the female reproductive hormones progesterone (P3) estradiol (E2),
luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as superoxide dismutase
(SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA; an oxidative stress marker) in the animals were assessed using
standard procedures.
Results: The results showed that GV significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum levels of P3, E2, LH,
FSH, SOD and increased serum MDA levels compared to the levels in the control animals.
However, co-administration of C. citratus at different doses to the animals in G3, G4, and G5 and
vitamin C to the animals in G6 dose-dependently significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of the
GV-reduced reproductive hormones and antioxidant enzyme and decreased the GV-increased
oxidative stress marker levels to levels similar to those in the control group.
Conclusion: Thus, C. citratus decoction has an ameliorative effect on GV-induced reproductive
dysfunction and oxidative stress.