Appraisal of cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) for antibacterial activity against uropathogens

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the major public health concerns in both genders, but variations in the anatomy, physiology and behaviour of urogenital and reproduction tract make women more susceptible. UTI is more prevalent and severe in women of all ages and in older men because of multi-drug resistant strains and high recurrence, it has become an important socioeconomic burden. Due to the microbial resistance, several life-threatening side effects, repeated high doses, high cost and low effectiveness of these antibiotics motivated the researchers to explore natural remedies for UTI therapy. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus), against uropathogens isolated from UTI patients, mainly include Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Isolates were confirmed through conventional biochemicals techniques. Ethanolic extract of C. citratus was evaluated against isolates through disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration was also determined. Ethanolic extract of C. citratus was phytochemically characterized through high profile liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antibacterial susceptibility was determined by measuring zone of inhibition (ZOI) and E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae showed average14.0, 13.0, 13.0 and 8mm ZOI against ethanolic extract, respectively. HPLC showed flavonoids and phenolics components present in ethanolic extract of C. citratus. In mouse model C. citratus also decreased the significant number of uropathogens. This study reports the role of lemon grass for treating UTI and provides new remedy for the treatment of UTI.