The Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Cnidosculus Aconitifolius on Cardiorenal Functions in Hypertensive and Normotensive Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is widely used by traditional healers in treating plethora of ailments either alone, in combination with other therapeutic agents or as addictive to food/drinks. This study investigated the effect of different doses of C. aconitifolius on cardiorenal function in both normotensive and hypertensive male Wistar rats.Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats (120-150 g) were categorized into two normotensive and hypertensive groups. Normotensive was group 1 receiving food and water; while normotensive groups 2 and 3 received food and water together with 200 mg and 800 mg of C. aconitifolius for 4 weeks. The hypertensive group 1 received only high salt diet (HSD) and water and hypertensive groups 2 and 3 received HSD and water together with 200 mg and 800 mg of C. aconitifolius, respectively for 4 weeks after confirmation of hypertension. The animals were sacrifice by cervical dislocation and blood sample was collected, and serum was decanted for assays; while heart and kidney were harvested for histological investigation.Results: There were significant reductions in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive animals; while was not different in normotensive animals. Urine creatinine and fractional excretion decreased; while the histomorphology of the heart in hypertensive animals showed restorative and regenerative effects of C. aconitifolius.Conclusion: This study suggests that C. aconitifolius potentiates cardiorenal functions by affecting the functional markers, as well as histology.

Keywords

• cnidosculus aconitifolius
• cardiorenal
• hypertension
• creatinine
• rat