African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (5), pp. 596-598, 5 March 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Hypocholesterolaemic effect of ethanolic extract of fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass)

Agbafor K N¹ and Akubugwo E I²*

¹Department of Biochemistry/Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University,PMB 053, Abakaliki  Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, PMB 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: akubugwoei@yahoo.com.

Accepted 8 November, 2006

Hypocholesterolaemic effect of ethanolic extract of fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) was investigated using albino rats. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced in the animals by feeding with egg yolk fortified diet for 14 days. The plant extract was administered orally to two groups, doses of 200 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively for 7 days. Physical activities, food and water intake and body weight increased before the administration of extract. These parameters, however, decreased after administration of extract. The elevated cholesterol concentration were significantly (P<05) lowered in the animals given the plant extract. This reduction was found to be dose dependent. This result shows that the extract possesses hypocholestecolaemic potential. This may explain its efficacy in the management of heart diseases.

Key words: Cymbopogon citratus and hypocholesterolemia, rat serum.