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Aqueous extract of the leaf and root ofNauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension. This work is carried out to investigate the effect ofNauclea latifolia leaf extract on lipid profile and cardiovascular activity of rats. Normal and 10% coconut oil fed rats were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia leaf for 2 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain were divided into two experiments of four groups, each group having 6 animals. Experiment I animals were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract whilst experiment II animals were fed 10% coconut oil meal before treatment with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. A single oral dose ofNauclea latifolia was 170, 340 and 510 mg/kg body wt/day of the extracts respectively for 2 wks. There was no significant change in the lipid profile of the experimental animals as compared with the controls. There was about 40% relaxation on contracted thoracic aorta that was pre-contracted with 2 μM phenylephrine. The viability of the tissue was tested against 10 μM of acetylcholine. There was no significant (P>0.05) change in Na(+) concentration in the serum. However, the K(+) concentration in the serum of the experimental animals showed a significant increase. The study shows that ethanol extract ofNauclea latifolia has vasodilator action on the aorta and that lipid profiles of experimental rats were not affected. Furthermore, the increase in the K(+) may be contributing to the vasodilator effect ofNauclea latifolia.

The oxalate, hydrocyanic acid, phytic acid and phosphorus contents of twelve leafy vegetables were determined. The values ranged from 47.7-194.3 mg/100 g DM, 4.32-23.8 mg/100 g DM, 90-260 mg/100 g DM and 215-1110 mg/100 g DM, respectively. The ratio of phytic acid to phosphorus ranged from 13.9-90.7. The leaves contained low levels of hydrocyanic acid, while the oxalate, phytic acid and phosphorus contents were high. The results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications and nutritive values.

Sacoglottis gabonensis (Baillon) Urb. (Humiriaceae) is used as a palm wine additive in Nigeria. When a saline extract was administered to rats at i.p. doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight, serum enzymes indicative of liver damage were elavated in a dosedependant manner. Histological examination of the livers of the treated animals showed mild sinusoidal dilatation and early necrosis (125 mg/kg) or moderate sinusoidal dilatation and congestion with focal hepatocyte necrosis (250 mg/kg). These results showed that the bark extract of Sacoglottis gabonensis is hepatotoxic.

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