Evaluation of the Effects of Methanolic Extract of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum melegueta) on Serum creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Electrolytes in Wistar Albino Rats.

The effect of methanolic extract of Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) (AME) on the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and electrolytes were investigated in Wistar albino rats. The extraction was done by cold maceration of pulverized seeds in absolute methanol for 48 hours. The extract was filtered and concentrated in vacuo in a rotary evaporator at 40ºC. Twenty four male albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups of six animals each. Group A served as the control and received 10 ml/kg of 5 % Tween 20 while Group B-D received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, of the AME for 21 days. Twenty four hours later, blood was collected from the rats through direct cardiac puncture. The separated serum was used to determine the serum creatinine, BUN and electrolyte assay. The extract produced no significant (p > 0.05) difference in mean serum creatinine, BUN and electrolytes level in the treated rats when compared to the control group rats. In conclusion the extract did not exhibit any adverse effect on the kidney at the doses used and for the period of experiment.

Quantitative Phytochemical, Proximate Analysis and Hypolipidemic Effect of Garcinia Kola.

Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and nutrient composition of G. kola seed. Also to examine the effect of G. kola seed on the serum lipid profile of fed rats. Study Design: Quantitative phytochemical, proximate analysis and in vivo effect on serum lipid profile. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, between June 2013 and September 2013. Methodology: The seeds were cut into small pieces, dried and ground into powder. The quantitative phytochemical and proximate nutrient analyses of the powdered sample were determined using standard methods. The lipid lowering effects of the powdered sample of G. kola determined in rats. The rats were fed with feed fortified with graded levels (5, 10, 20 and 50%) of powdered sample of G. kola for 21 consecutive days and the effects on total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared with a negative control. Results: The seed sample produced significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels in fed groups of rats when compared to the control group. The seed sample also, caused significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in serum HDL-C level in fed groups of rats when compared to the control groups. The phytochemical analysis showed that the sample contained tannins (5.08%), flavonoids (0.93%), saponins (2.54%) and alkaloids (5.13%). The proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of powdered G. kola seed showed the presence of moisture, ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), crude protein (CP), ash and nitrogen free extracts (NFE) in the following proportion 7.40, 1.48, 2.94, 3.19, 4.39 and 80.58%, respectively. Conclusion: The sample demonstrated good lipid lowering effects which may suggest that the consumption of G. kola seed may help in the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients.