Therapeutic potential of citral on lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative organopathy in rat

Citral is an active compound of lemongrass oil which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigates, for the first time, the simultaneous protective effects of citral on both liver and kidney in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction, a condition relevant to sepsis-associated multi-organ injury.

Male rats were divided into six groups of six animals each pretreated orally with citral (10, 20, and 40 mg kg^-1, body weight (b.w.)) for 7 days before LPS intoxication (8 mg kg^-1, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). Citral significantly prevented oxidative damage induced by LPS. This was evidenced by the decrease in elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), restoration of the enzymatic antioxidant (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), and non-enzymatic defenses (glutathione (GSH) and thiol groups). In addition, citral improved liver and kidney function markers, as shown by decrease levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels, and also stabilized lipid profiles. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were similarly mitigated.

Citral gives strong protection against LPS-induced hepatorenal injuries, likely mediated through its antioxidant, lipid regulatory and anti-inflammatory actions. These results highlight citral's translational potential as a natural therapeutic agent for preventing or treating endotoxin-mediated organ damage, suggesting promise for future clinical applications in sepsis or systemic inflammatory disorders. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.