ABSTRACT

Efficacy of Gongronema latifolium and Garcinia kola on high salt-induced hypertension in albino rats was evaluated. Twenty five male albino rats, about 4 — 6 weeks old and weighing 110 150g were used for this study. The rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. About 16g of sodium chloride (salt) was dissolved in 1 0Omls of water. 1 ml of the solution was administered to the rats in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 for seven days to induce hypertension. Group 1 served as the normal control group, and was given feed and water only. Group 2 rats were hypertensive, but untreated, Group 3 rats were give 400mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of G. latifolium, Group 4 were given 400mg/kg body weight of G. kola, and Group 5 rats were given 400mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of G. latfolium + 400mg/kg body weight of G. kola. Al administrations were through oral route and the experimental animals were treated with the extract for 21 days before the sacrifice. Statistical analysis showed significant (p< 0.05) increase in the serum levels of Nat, K and C1 in all the extract treated groups when compared to the normal control group. However, there was a significant (p <0.05) decrease in the extract treated groups when compared with the hypertensive untreated group. There was no significant (p > 0.05) effect in the serum bicarbonate level in all the groups when compared with both the normal control and hypertensive untreated groups. Only group 3 administered with 400mg/kg body weight of G. latifolium showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the bicarbonate level in animals in the extract treated groups when compared to the ones in the hypertensive untreated group. Only rats in group 4, administered with 400mg/kg body weights of G. kola and group 5 administered with 400mg/kg body weight of G. latifolium and 400mg/kg body weight of G. kola, revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the urea level when compared to the group 2 (hypertensive untreated) rats. The therapeutic potential of the ethanol extracts of G. latifolium leaves and G. kola revealed in this study justifies the wide use of these plants in ethnomedicine. Hence, our findings indicated probable anti-hypertensive potentials of G. latifolium and G. kola potentials.