Rat Serum Electrolytes and Lipid Profiles Following Administration of Aqueous Extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa

Aim: Aqueous extract of the seed of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) is used in Nigerian alternative medicine for the treatment of high blood pressure. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seed extract on some electrolyte and lipid profiles of Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: A total of 36 wistar rats were used for this research. The rats were arranged in 4 groups and these groups had 3 subgroups containing 3 rats each. Varying doses of the aqueous extract of the Sphenostylis stenocarpa, were administered to the rats for a period of ten days and the biochemical parameters; cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium and potassium levels were determined.

Results: There was a significant decrease p≤ 0.05 in the sodium (Na+) concentration in the serum when compared to the control. Furthermore, the potassium (K+) concentration in the serum of the experimental animals showed a significant p≤ 0.05increase. The study also showed that the aqueous extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa had a lowering effect on the lipid profiles of the experimental rats. The highest decrease of cholesterol (2.11 ± 0.01 vs control 2.20 ± 0.12 mmol/l) was obtained on the tenth day with the highest dose of 3 ml of aqueous extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa. Also the highest decrease in the level of triglyceride (0.40 ± 0.01 vs control 0.46 ± 0.11 mmol/l) was obtained at the tenth day with the highest dose of 3 ml of the extract.

Conclusion: The lowering effect on the lipid profiles studied and the decrease in sodium Na+ and increase in K+ may be contributing to the reduction in high blood pressure in the individuals taking this aqueous extract.