Changes in serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in citral and Cymbopogon Citratus Essential Oil (CCEO) topically treated rats

Abstract

Background: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf has been widely used as a detoxifier in traditional medicine and there was dearth of information on its renal function
Objective: The study investigated effects of citral and Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (CCEO) on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine as indices of renal function in rats.
Material and Method: Eighty four rats weighing between 140 – 150g were used for the study and divided into two groups, each group contain forty two rats and sub -divided into seven study groups (n= 6). Rat hind limb fur in control and study groups were shaved with a clean razor blade for topical application of the test samples for 2 months. Rat blood was collected through cardiac puncture into specimen bottle. Serum sodium and potassium levels were determined using the Flame photometry methods, while Serum bicarbonate, urea and creatinine were determined using the standard assay kit.
Results: the study showed significant p<0.05 decrease in level of sodium at 15% paraffin but no significant changes in the levels of potassium, chloride and bicarbonate, but significant p<0.05 increase in the urea level in all the rats treated with citral compared with the control. While at 10% citral, there was significant increase in the creatinine level compared with the control group. CCEO significantly p<0.05 decrease potassium level at 1.0% and 10% paraffin respectively, no significant changes in sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. But significant decrease in the urea level at 15% and increase in the creatinine level at 15% DEET.

Conclusion: It is thus concluded that topical use of high concentration of citral may leads to renal impairment and nephrotoxicity as evident in serum urea clearance and creatinine, but CCEO may not cause renal dysfunction.