Rat serum electrolytes, lipid profile and cardiovascular activity onNauclea latifolia leaf extract administration

Abstract

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.

In vivo anti-plasmodial activity and histopathological analysis of water and ethanol extracts of a polyherbal antimalarial recipe

“…Udobre et al (2013) reported that the methanol leaf extract of N. latifolia reduced parasitemia in a dose dependent manner in albino mice infected with P. berghei. Akpanabiatu et al (2005) also confirmed the vasodilatory property of the ethanol extract of N. latifolia and its action on aorta as well as the lipid profiles of rat upon administration with an increase in potassium concentration. All these reports are in line with the activity obtained for the combination of the plants.…”

Antipyretic and antinociceptive effects ofNauclea latifoliaroot decoction and possible mechanisms of action

“…The plant also has been reported to have antihypertensive and laxative activities (Akpanabiantu et al, 2005). Previous works have shown that the aqueous extract of the bark of Nauclea latifolia (freeze-dried extract) attenuated writhing episodes induced by acetic acid and increased the threshold for pain perception in the hot-plate test in mice.…”

Comparative Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Ethnomedicinal Plants Used In Western Nigeria

“…In Africa and most Asian countries, the use of folk medicine is rampant and the patronage for herbal cure is a regular practice (Akpanabiatu et al, 2005). These herbs claim to provide health care to majority of the people as a cure and also as preventive approach in the developing countries for common sicknesses (Gabriel et al, 2007).…”

“…Many plants have phytochemicals and also possess antioxidant activity which may reduce the risk of infection, cancer and diseases, for example, alkyl sulfide (found in onions and garlic), carotenoids (from carrots), and flavonoids (present in fruits and vegetables) (Akpanabiatu et al, 2005). Also Reactive oxygen-free radicals (ROS) have been implicated in many of these diseases and cancer, these free radicals, which cause tissue damage via oxidative stress, are generated by aerobic respiration, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation.…”