Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health problem with high morbidity and mortality, mainly attributable to cardiovascular risk. Garcinia lucida is traditionally used in Cameroon for the management of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects of the aqueous extract from the stem bark of G. lucida (AEGL). The in vitro antioxidant effect of AEGL was assessed at concentrations ranging 1–300 μg/mL against DPPH, lipid peroxidation, and AAPH-induced hemolysis. The reducing power and phenolic and flavonoids contents were also determined. CKD was induced by intraperitoneal bolus injection of adenine (50 mg/kg/day) for 4 consecutive weeks to male Wistar rats. AEGL (150 and 300 mg/kg/day) or captopril (20 mg/kg/day) was concomitantly administered with adenine per os. Bodyweight and blood pressure were monitored at baseline and weekly during the test. At the end of the experiment, plasma creatinine, urea, AST, and ALT were quantified. Proteinuria, creatinine excretion, and creatinine clearance were also assessed. The effect on GSH, CAT, and SOD activity was evaluated in cardiac and renal homogenates. Sections of the heart and kidney were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. AEGL exhibited a potent in vitro antioxidant activity and was shown to possess a large amount of phenolic compounds. Adenine alone increased blood pressure, cardiac and kidney mass, proteinuria, protein to creatinine ratio, plasma creatinine, AST, and urea levels (
p
<
0.05
, 0.01, and 0.001). Besides, the bodyweight and creatinine clearance were significantly reduced (
p
<
0.05
and
p
<
0.01
). All these alterations were blunted by the plant extract, except the bodyweight loss. In addition, AEGL improved GSH levels and CAT and SOD activities. AEGL attenuated adenine-induced glomerular necrosis, tubular dilatation, and cardiac inflammation. AEGL exhibits cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects that may be ascribed to its antihypertensive and antioxidant activities.
Ricinodendron rautanenii is a plant, used in traditional medecine to treat fever, eczema, back pain, cancer and stomacal disorders. This work was carried out to evaluate the safety of the aqueous extract from the stem bark of Ricinodendron rautanenii by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subacute administration in Wistar rats. In Acute toxicity assay, the animals received the extract at the single dose of 5000 mg/Kg and were observed during 48h for mortality and any toxicity manifestations. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined for up to 14 days post treatment. In subacute toxicity assay, extract was given orally to rats at doses of 6, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/day for 28 days respectively. Animal body weight, water and food intake, biochemical and hematological parameters were determined. Liver and kidney were examined histologically for any signs of organ damage. No behavioral changes or mortality were recorded in the treated groups. No significant hematological changes were observed in the both sex. The biochemical analysis indicated a significant increase of high density lipoprotein levels in both male and female rats. Histopathological analysis of the liver and kidney did not show any observable cellular damages. The overall finding of this study suggest that, extract of Ricinodendron rautanenii did not cause any death up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg and can be considered non-toxic. Biochemical and histological studies of the extract did not revealed major signs in subacute toxicity.
Ricinodendron heudelotii stem bark is commonly used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The present study was designed to investigate the antihypertensive and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of Ricinodendron heudelotii in salt-induced hypertensive rats. Analysis by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify various chemical components of the extract. A total of thirty rats were used for each test. High-salt hypertension was induced in rats by oral administration of NaCl for 12 weeks. Mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored by noninvasive methods. Oral administration of Ricinodendron heudelotii significantly (
p
<
0.01
) reduced the increase of mean blood pressure (23.12%, 26.14%, and 24.34%) and heart rate (31.19%, 31.09%, and 26.98%), respectively, at the doses of 40, 20, and 6 mg/kg, compared to the hypertensive group. All the doses tested significantly reduced or/and ameliorated biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Histological analysis showed that Ricinodendron heudelotii restored renal disorders induced by the administration of salt. The aqueous extract of Ricinodendron heudelotii exerts a cardioprotective effect, and the antihypertensive activity seems associated with an improvement in antioxidant status. Overall, the results justify and support the traditional use of Ricinodendron heudelotii.
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