Hydrogen peroxide is believed to cause DNA strand
breakage by generation of hydroxyl radicals close to
the DNA molecule. It is an extremely reactive species
formed in biological systems and is capable of damaging
almost every molecule found in living cells. This radical
has the capacity to join nucleotides in DNA and cause
strand breakage, which contributes to carcinogenesis,
mutagenesis and cytotoxicity. The presence of flavanoid
compounds in lemongrass leaves extracts showed DNA
protective activity against free radicals generated by
H2O2[16].
This research suggested that the lemongrass plant (C.
citratus) extract has antimicrobial activity, antioxidant
activity and DNA damage protectively, which could be
helpful in preventing various human pathogenic organisms
and oxidative stress induced disease. The results of the
present study also indicate that the plant leaves possess
many phytochemical which could be beneficial for human
health