Comparative Evaluation of Antiaging Potential of Cymbopogon Citratus Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles and Citral Against D-galactose Induced Aging in Mice.

Aging and age-associated disorders are a major global concern leading to morbidity and mortality. A key player is oxidative stress arising from excessive reactive oxygen species, which accelerates cellular damage and functional decline. Phytochemicals with antioxidant properties represent promising candidates for anti-aging interventions. This study intended to elucidate the antiaging potential of Cymbopogon citratus against D-galactose induced aging in mice. In vitro antioxidant activity of Cymbopogon citratus extract (CCE), Cymbopogon citratus-loaded silver nanoparticles (CCE AgNPs) and Citral was measured by Total Phenolic content (TPC), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS assay), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In vitro assays showed dose-dependent increase in all groups with extract consistently exhibiting the strongest reducing capacity, followed by CCE AgNPs and Citral. For in vivo study, a dose of D-galactose (250 mg/kg) was administered by the intraperitoneal route at a volume of 0.2 mL daily for a continuous 60-days period to establish an aging mice model. Different doses of CCE (100, 150, 250 mg/Kg), CCE AgNPs (50,100,200 mg/Kg), and Citral (50,100,150 mg/Kg) were subsequently assessed through a range of biochemical assays. Animals were divided into 12 groups, including normal control, D-gal control, CCE-treated groups (100, 150, and 250 mg/kg), groups treated with CCE AgNPs (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), groups treated with Citral (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), and a metformin group (150 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally for 30 consecutive days following D-gal induction. The biochemical analysis showed a dose-dependent increase/decrease in biomarkers with highest dose of each treatment group showing the most pronounced effect. Of all the treatment groups, CCE AgNPs showed the maximum efficacy at dose 200 mg/kg resulting in peak values of CAT (117.8 ± 4.8 U/mL), SOD (89.0 ± 3.8 U/mL), GPx (35.6 ± 1.7 U/mL), GRx (30.2 ± 1.3 U/mL). Also, decrease in MDA (5.2 ± 0.2 nmol/mL), FSH (6.9 ± 0.4 ng/mL) and cortisol (90.5 ± 3.4 ng/mL) demonstrated that AgNPs of Cymbopogon citratus have significant antiaging potential.