RESUMO
Aims: Oxidative stress sequel to hypertension exacerbates the clinical condition and accelerates associated organopathies, therefore prevention is important. Traditionally in Nigeria, hypertension is treated with Annona muricata L. leaves or Curcuma longa L. rhizomes, two medicinal plants with antioxidant properties. Study Design: This study assessed the effect of these plants on hypertension-induced oxidative stress in uninephrectomized Wistar rats daily loaded with 1% sodium chloride. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Experimental Animal House, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between August and November 2017. Methodology: Hypertensive rats were treated with methanol extracts of the plants for 42days. Two other groups of hypertensive rats were treated with lisinopril or chlorothiazide. Blood pressure was monitored by non-invasive tail plethysmography using an electro-sphygmomanometer. Oxidative stress markers were determined in blood and tissue (heart, kidney and liver); GPX, GST, GSH, SOD, MDA and NO. Results: Treatment of uninephrectomized rats with A. muricata or C. longa significantly (p<0.0001) decreased blood pressure and MDA, while elevating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms of GST, GSH, GPx and SOD, comparable to normotensive rats. NO, the ubiquitous molecule required for basal vascular tone, myocardial contractility regulation and platelet adhesion prevention, was restored in the extract-treated rats. However, hypertensive untreated rats showed evidence of oxidative damages with significant increase in MDA, especially in the heart and liver, with decreases in the antioxidant defense system. Conclusion: Results of this study justified the traditional use of A. muricata or C. longa for management of hypertension in Nigeria and showed that the extracts ameliorated oxidative damage that accompanied hypertension, thus also preventing complications of hypertension.
RESUMO
Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the male reproductive toxicity that may accompany treatment of hypertension in Wistar rats with methanol extracts of whole fruit of Lagenaria breviflora Roberty or corm of Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Animal House of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology between November, 2016 and January, 2017. Methodology: Antihypertensive study was carried out in 40 adult male Wistar rats equally and randomly distributed into 8 groups. First group was normotensive rats administered with distilled water, while hypertension was induced in groups 2-7 intraperitoneal administration of DOCA-salt twice weekly and daily inclusion of 1% sodium chloride in drinking water. Group 2 was hypertensive but untreated rats. Two hypertensive groups were administered with Lisinopril (5 mg/70 kg) or Hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg/70 kg). Two hypertensive groups were assigned to each extract and these rats were administered with the extracts at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight. The rats were treated per os for 5 weeks and sacrificed at the end of this period. The testes were harvested and semen samples were obtained from the left cauda epididymis. Semen analysis were carried out to determine sperm morphology and characteristics. Results: Result showed 1 primary and 7 secondary sperm abnormality types were observed with a non-significant (p>0.05) increase in total abnormal sperm cells. Live/dead ratio and sperm volume were unchanged but, sperm motility and count were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Conclusion: It was inferred from the study that hypertension in itself induced infertility and also treatment of the medical condition with the extracts of L. breviflora or X. sagittifolium did not reverse the infertility. Therefore, caution should be exercised when treating hypertension with these medicinal plants, particularly in male animals used for breeding.
RESUMO
Aim: The toxicity profile of management of hypertension in Wistar rats with the methanol extracts of the whole fruit of Lagenaria breviflora Roberty or corms of Xanthosoma sagittifolium was assessed in this study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Animal House of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, between November, 2016 and January, 2017. Methodology: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n=5). Group 1 served as the control and was administered with distilled water. Hypertension was induced in groups 2-8 by intraperitoneal administration of DOCA-salt twice weekly and daily inclusion of 1% sodium chloride in drinking water. Group 2 (hypertensive but untreated), groups 3 and 4 (lisinopril or hydrochlorothiazide), groups 5 and 6 (L. breviflora at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg), and groups 7 and 8 (X. sagittifolium at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg). Urine samples (over 24 hours) and blood samples were collected for urinalysis, hematology and serum biochemistry respectively. Results: Management of hypertension with the extracts of L. breviflora or X. sagittifolium showed that the extracts did not further progress the haematological and metabolic derangement associated with hypertension. L. breviflora showed non-significant haematopoietic and immunomodulatory effects, while the extract of X. sagittifolium reversed renal damage caused by hypertension. Both extracts showed potent hypocholesterolemic effects and the atherogenic index of plasma of rats treated with the extracts also improved, indicating reduction of risks of development of coronary arterial disease or heart disease (CAD or CHD). Conclusion: Management of hypertension with fruit of Lagenaria breviflora or corm of Xanthosoma sagittifolium is safe and the haematological and metabolic derangement associated with hypertension will not further deteriorate but will rather improve.