ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD’s) remain the dominant course of mortality in developed and developing countries. Due to changing life styles, socio-economic status and decline in provision of healthcare services in developing countries such as Nigeria, myocardial infraction is making a significant contribution to national healthcare burden and mortality statistics.
Aim: This present study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum on some cardiac function biomarkers in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats.
Methodology:
Acute toxicity test and haemotological and biochemical analysis of the extract was done using standard methods. Wister rates aged 2 – 3 months weighing 150 to 200 grams were acclimatized for 2 weeks and grouped into 4 (A – D) groups.
B and C orally received graded doses of extracts (B = 50, C = 100, mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days. Group A served as control and group D served as standard group 2ml/kg of cargradenol Blood samples (5ml) were collected into ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) containers and analysed using haemetological automety following manufacturers guidelines.
Isoprenaline was induced 85mg/kg on 26th and 27th day in all groups.
Result
Gnetum africanium extract displayed no accurate toxicity up to 5g/kg; at doses of 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg, it demonstrated no significant effects on cardiac biomarkers when compared with the control against isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats across parameters including organ weight, body weight changes, cardiac biomarkers and oxidative-antioxidant balances.
Conclusion
Despite the traditional therapeutic use and notable tolerance in acute toxicity tests, the specific therapeutic potential of Gnetum africanium in cardio parameters requires further exploration.
