International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

The Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Cnidosculus Aconitifolius on Cardiorenal Functions in Hypertensive and Normotensive Male Wistar Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2 Department of Physiology, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is widely used by traditional healers in treating plethora of ailments either alone, in combination with other therapeutic agents or as addictive to food/drinks. This study investigated the effect of different doses of C. aconitifolius on cardiorenal function in both normotensive and hypertensive male Wistar rats.
Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats (120-150 g) were categorized into two normotensive and hypertensive groups. Normotensive was group 1 receiving food and water; while normotensive groups 2 and 3 received food and water together with 200 mg and 800 mg of C. aconitifolius for 4 weeks. The hypertensive group 1 received only high salt diet (HSD) and water and hypertensive groups 2 and 3 received HSD and water together with 200 mg and 800 mg of C. aconitifolius, respectively for 4 weeks after confirmation of hypertension. The animals were sacrifice by cervical dislocation and blood sample was collected, and serum was decanted for assays; while heart and kidney were harvested for histological investigation.
Results: There were significant reductions in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive animals; while was not different in normotensive animals. Urine creatinine and fractional excretion decreased; while the histomorphology of the heart in hypertensive animals showed restorative and regenerative effects of C. aconitifolius.
Conclusion: This study suggests that C. aconitifolius potentiates cardiorenal functions by affecting the functional markers, as well as histology.
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