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.