Abstract:
Objective: - This study was aimed at investigating the acute and sub-acute toxicities of essential
oils of Cymbopogon martini and Cymbopogon nardus in mice model.
Methods: - The median lethal dose (LD50) of essential oils of Cymbopogon martini and
Cymbopogon nardus was determined according to the method described by Chinedu et al, 2013.
The repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study was conducted in female mice in accordance with
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 407 guideline. Experimental
mice were randomly allocated in five groups of 10 mice in each. Group I received the same
volume of saline and considered as the control group. Group II and Group III were treated with
C. martini at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively. Group IV and Group
V were administered with C. nardus at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight
respectively. Acute toxicity study results and traditional claims were used for determination of
doses for sub-acute toxicity study.
Results: -The acute toxicity study showed that the LD50 of essential oils of C. martini and C. nardus
was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Treatment related signs of toxicity and
mortality were not observed in both sexes of mice treated with essential oils of C. martini and C.
nardus at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight during 4 weeks follow-up.
Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney of mice that received essential oil of these
plants at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg /kg body weight did not reveal abnormal findings.
Conclusion: - The data generated from the current study provide the safety of essential oils of
Cimbopogon martini and Cimbopogon nardus for cosmetic purpose. In conclusion, Ethiopian C.
martini and C. nardus essential oils may be considered as non-toxic.