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ABSTRACT
Throughout history, plant extracts have been used in the cure and management of a wide range of diseases. This study investigates the antioxidant activity of extracts of Kigelia africana fruit and its effect on Electrolyte balance of rats induced with Complete Freund’s Adjuvant. The antioxidant activity was measured by in vitro determination of Total Phenolic Content of methanol and flavonoid-rich extracts of Kigelia africana using standard spectrophotometric method. Chemotherapeutic agents presently in use to treat Rheumatoid arthritis cause electrolyte imbalance and thus affect normal kidney function. Both extracts were administered in varying doses (methanol extract – 200mg and 400mg per Kg body weight; flavonoid-rich extract – 100mg and 200mg per Kg body weight), in comparison to Standard reference drugs to evaluate kidney function. The effect of these extracts on serum electrolyte (potassium K+ , sodium Na+ , chloride Cl- ), of Sprague dawley rats induced with complete freund’s adjuvant was assayed. The results obtained revealed that both extracts are rich in phenolic compounds, however methanol extract had the highest concentration of phenolic compound (0.0217 ± 0.000267 mg Gallic acid equivalent/ mg of extract) and a lower dose gave minimal shift in electrolyte balance. The results obtained supports the use of Kigelia africana fruit extract in the management of Rheumatoid arthritis by local medicine practitioners.
