Bioquímica y Bioquímica Analítica

Abstracto

Comparative Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Gongronema latifolium and Piper guineense on Blood Electrolytes in Ethanol Exposed Wistar Rats

Ali Fredrick U, Ominyi MC, Nwankwo OVU, Ibiam UA and Ogbanshi ME

Aim: The effects of ethanolic extract of Gonngronema latifolium and Piper guineense on serum electrolytes, function indices and liver marker enzymes on wistar rats exposed with ethanol were investigated.

Methology: Forty male albino rats (weighing 150-220 g) were used. The animals were divided into four groups A, B, C, and D with C and D subdivided into four subgroups; C1, C2, C3 and C4; D1, D2, D3 and D4 for G. latifolium and Piper guineense respectively, each contained four rats. Group B, and sub groups C and D rats were exposed with 70% ethanol for 7 days to induce liver damage and later treated group C and D with ethanol extracts for 21 days. The following quantities were administered orally to the albino rat per kg body weight: 200, 400,600, and 800 mg; while 0.9% normal saline was served to both the control group. The levels of serum electrolytes and liver marker enzymes were monitored in order to evaluate the protective effects of the plant extracts. The blood was collected through cardiac puncture under chloroform anesthesia after 21 days. Thereafter, the sera were analyzed to determine the status of selected blood electrolytes: sodium (Na+), potassium, (K+), calcium, zinc, bicarbonate, and biochemical indices ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin levels.

Results: The results showed that the level biochemical indices increased significantly (p<0.05) whereas electrolytes, in negative control were significantly (p<0.05) reduced compared to positive control and treated groups. A significant increase (p<0.05 ) in Na, K, Zn, Ca, and HCO2 in ethanol exposed and treated groups attaining near normalization in a dose - dependent fashion in both G. latifolium and Piper guineense after 21 days therapy were observed. These results highlight the ability of Gongronema latifolium at high doses and Piper guineense at lower doses to ameliorate electrolytes imbalance in wistar rats exposed to ethanol by reducing liver markers towards normal and the observed effects are associated with their antioxidant activities.