Antipyretic and Anxiolytic Properties of Aqueous Extract of Cymbopogon giganteus in Rats Model

Aim: This present study aimed to assess the antipyretic and anxiolytic activities of Cymbopogon giganteus decoction in rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Experiments were conducted in the laboratory of Biological Sciences for bioassays and laboratory of Chemistry for phytochemical screening, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon from August to October 2013.

Methodology: For its medicinal vertues, the decoction of this plant was evaluated for its anxiolytic properties using Elevated plus maze, stress-induced hyperthermia and open field tests in rats. The decoction of C. giganteus was administrated orally to rats at doses of 34, 85, 170 and 340 mg/kg.

Results: The decoction of C. giganteus exhibited a significant anxiolytic activities in the three tests used. The plant decoction significantly reduced the body temperature in rats ranging from 36.83°C in the control to 35.43°C at the dose of 340 mg/kg. C. giganteus decoction antagonised the increase of temperature in which ΔT°C decreased from 1.06°C in the control to 0.30°C at 340 mg/kg dose in stress-induced hyperthermia test. The decoction of C. giganteus also significantly increased the number of entries ant time spent into the open arms and reduced the percentage of entries and time into the closed arms in the elevated plus maze test. Moreover in this test, the number of rearing and head dipping were also decreased. In the open field test, the decoction of the plant significantly reduced the number rearing and defecation and increased the number of crossing, centre time and grooming.

Conclusion: C. giganteus decoction possesses antipyretic and anxiolytic activities in rats and could be uses in traditional medicine to treat fever and anxiety.