Safety Assessment of Supplementation with Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. (Lemongrass) Extract in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3: A Preliminary 90-Days Prospective Study

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a major public health issue, and due to resource constraints, many can't access dialysis. C. citratus, lemongrass is globally prevalent and known to increase urine output without toxicity. Objective: To examine the safety of C. citratus in patients with CKD stage 3. Materials and Methods: The major compound of C. citratus was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 64 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to control or C. citratus groups. The control group received a placebo, whereas the C. citratus group received 900 mg of C. citratus daily for 90 days. All participants were examined BUN, Scr, Cys-C, and eGFR, liver functions, RBC, HCT, Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3, and other biochemical parameters. Results: HPLC showed C. citratus contains of phenolic compounds. Clinically, C. citratus group had no notable side effects on T-Bil, AST, ALT and ALP. Also, maintained eGFR, SCys-C, K+ and Cl level. The level of blood Na+ was significant increase at day 30 (p < 0.05). The control group had a significant decrease in eGFR and HCO3 levels (p < 0.05) and a significant increase of Cl- and SCys-C. In addition, no statistical differences had found between groups in eGFR, BUN, Cr, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO3, PO4, RBC and HCT levels. Throughout the 90 days, no drug allergies or side effects were reported. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with C. citratus may have a favorable effect on delaying the course of CKD and is safe to use for patients with CKD stage 3.