EFFECT OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS LIPOSACCHARIDE INDUCED SICKNESS BEHAVIOR IN MICE

Chandana G., *Raghu J.D. and Dr. Babitha S.

ABSTRACT

Cymbopogen citratus also known as lemongrass is a rich source of phenolics and flavonoids that has been used for centuries to cure a variety of illness. The current study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of hot water extract of Cymbopogen citratus on LPS-induced sickness behaviour in mice. Swiss albino mice were pre-treated for 3 days with hot water extract of Cymbopogen citratus (AECC) 50,100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o, and Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) one hour prior to LPS (0.83 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. After 2 hours, sickness behaviour in the mice was assessed using a variety of behavioural assays such as plus maze, open field, light–dark box, forced swim, social behaviour tests, sucrose preference, thermal hyperalgesia, and food and water intake at various time intervals following with LPS challenge. Oxidative stress markers such as reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation, and nitrate were also measured in the brain tissue homogenate of mice. Pre-treatment with (AECC) 50,100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o, significantly attenuated the behavioural alterations, anhedonia, and anorexia ameliorated the changes in brain oxidative stress markers due to LPS induced sickness. Cymbopogen citratus showed protective effect against LPS induced sickness behaviour in mice and the observed effect could be due to its potential antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Cymbopogen citratus, lipopolysaccharide, sickness behaviour, anorexia.