Acute Toxicity and Vascular Properties of Seed of Parkia Biglobosa (Jacq) R. Br Gift (Mimosaceae) on Rat Aorta

Abstract

The authors report here the results of study on Parkia biglobosa seeds used in Burkina Faso for arterial hypertension treatment. Investigations were done on acute toxicity and vascular properties of fermented and roasted seeds. Acute toxicity test using mice, revealed by the intraperitoneal route a lethal dose 50 (LD 50 ) of 1800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg of body weight for aqueous extract from roasted and fermented seeds respectively. According to the scale of Hodge and Sterner and that of the World Health Organization, such drugs would be classified lightly toxic. Oral administration (up to 3000 mg/kg) did not induce any death of animal. For the vascular properties, the effects of these products were tested on the aorta isolated from rats. The cumulative administration of extract from roasted and fermented seeds (0.1-10 mg/mL) in an organ bath induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the aorta pre contracted by phenylephrine, with or without functional endothelium. The extracts (10 mg/mL) inhibited for 100% the contraction induced by phenylephrine. The EC 50 values in presence and absence of endothelium were respectively of 5.37 ± 0.12 and 4.19 ± 1.02 mg/mL for fermented seeds; for roasted seeds these values were respectively, 5.39 ± 1.12 and 5.93 ± 0.95 mg/mL. Nevertheless, low concentration of roasted seeds (1-4 mg/mL) induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and this effect was inhibited by indomethacin (10 -5 M), and not by L-NAME (310 -4 M). These experimental results revealed a vasorelaxant effect of P. biglobosa seeds. P. biglobosa seems to act directly on the smooth muscle and via endothelium involving the generation of vasodilatating prostaglandins. This vasodilator effect would be in favor of an anti hypertensive property of P. biglobosa seeds.

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension Sold in the Makola Market, Accra, Ghana

“…These plants can be developed into alternative medicines for the management of hypertension. The literature search revealed that a number of these plant species are multipurpose plants that are used simultaneously for the treatment of several other diseases [18,28,33,34,38,40,43,45]. Similar to the New World findings [11], these herbs (47%) were mostly sold in the form of leaves, followed by roots (20%), seed (20%) and stem bark (13%).…”

“…Documented phytochemical properties Documented antihypertensive activity tannins, coumarins, anthocyanosides and flavonosides are present in both bark and leaf but in different concentrations [33]. treatment of hypertension [33,34].…”

Climate Change and Fading Genetic Resources of <em>Parkia biglobosa</em> (Jacq.) in Nigeria Based on SSR Markers

“…of the Fabaceae family is one of the important woody forest tree legumes in the semi-arid and sub-tropical farming systems of West Africa [5]. It is a perennial multi-purpose tree species widely used for food, medicine and ecological purposes [5,6].…”

“…The pods containing-seeds are highly nutritious and rich in protein [6][7][8]. Locally, the seeds are prepared as spicy food/condiments and consumed in soups in many African households [9,10].…”

“…The species is threatened by over-exploitation, bush fires, and a progressive habitat degradation leading to fragmentation of tree populations [18]. In addition, overgrazing by domestic animals causes a lack of regeneration and an over-aging of tree individuals in savanna parklands; additional potential threats are also envisaged as a result of the absence or declining number of pollinators [5,6,17]. Our recent survey of the species in Nigeria also indicated poor conservation and poor management of its genetic resources throughout out its ecological range, yet there is increased demand for its use and derivable products [19].…”