Abstract

EFFECT OF THE EXTRACT OF A MEDICINAL RECIPE ON ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Etou Ossibi A. W.*, Ngolo E., Elion Itou R. D. G., Mboungou Bouesse B., Ouamba J. M. and Abena A. A.

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract of a recipe based on Brillantaisia patula T. Anderson and Desmodium velutinum (Willd) D.C leaves on alcohol (ethanol 30°) and tobacco (Fine brand cigarette) induced high blood pressure (hypertension). Female rats were treated daily with ethanol 30° for eight weeks to induce hypertension; and then for four additional weeks in conjunction with the recipe (250 and 500 mg/kg/j, p.o). In another model, female rats were pretreated every day for three days with the aqueous extract of the recipe (250 and 500 mg/kg/j, p.o). On the fourth day, they were exposed to smoke of ‘Fine’ cigarette for an hour. In the two models, the SBP (systolic blood pressure) and the HR (heart rate) were measured using the invasive method. In the ethanol model, serum biochemistry was measured using R Vesir II type machine (automaton). The results obtained showed SBP and HR values substancially low in treated rats to the recipe at both doses in comparison with those of rats treated with ethanol 30° + distilled water. That recipe tended to reduce the SBP and the HR in rats exposed to cigarette smoke. In addition, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, it opposes considerably the increased levels (p < 0.05) of LDL-c (low density lipoprotein) and serum glucose; and triglycerides at 250 mg/kg. Those results suggested that the recipe had an antihypertensive effect that could justify its use in traditional medicine for high blood pressure.

Keywords: Recipe, ethanol 30°, tobacco, hypertension (high blood pressure).