Potential Phytochemical, Analgesic and Anticancerous Activities of Cymbopogon citratus Leaf

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate phytochemical, analgesic and anticancerous activities of Cymbopogon citratus. Methods: Phytochemical screening, analgesic test and anticancerous activities were evaluated by the different chemical tests, writhing test and tail immersion test, brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: In the case of acetic acid induced writhing test, C. citratus showed highest percent of inhibition at 400 mg/kg, p.o. which is 49.01% whereas standard diclofenac sodium showed 73.76% at 10 mg/kg, i.p. In the case of tail immersion method, C. citratus exhibited its highest activity at 400 mg/kg, p.o. in 90 min which is 5.56±0.88 whereas diclofenac sodium showed 6.71±0.15 at 10 mg/kg, i.p. in 90 min. In the case of anticancerous activity, methanolic leaf extract of C. citratus demonstrated significant activity which is 113.74 µg/ml and standard vincristine sulphate showed 12.59 µg/ml. Conclusions: The result of phytochemical screening revealed that, methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus contain alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and carbohydrates. Methanolic leaf extracts of this plant possess moderate analgesic activity as well as exhibited significant anticancerous activity.