THE EFFECTS OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA LEAF EXTRACT ON SERUM ELECTROLYTE (SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM) IN ADRENALIN INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE RATS

THE EFFECTS OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA LEAF EXTRACT ON SERUM ELECTROLYTE (SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM) IN ADRENALIN INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE RATS

ABSTRACT

Electrolytes are minerals that are found in body tissues and blood in the form of dissolved salts. These electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. 36 albino rats were grouped into 6 groups and from group 2 to 6 were induced with hypertensive drug (adrenalin). Group 2 was not treated, group 3 was treated with a standard drug propranolol and group 4 to 6 were treated with various concentration of aqueous leaf extract of parkia biglobosa (250, 500, 1000mg/per body weight respectively) in other to ascertain the effectiveness of parkia biglobosa leaf extract and the standard drug in the electrolyte level of the hypertensive rat. The electrolyte tested for are sodium, potassium and calcium, the test shows that sodium and calcium level has a significant increase after being induced with adrenalin and it reduces upon treatment with standard drug (propranolol) and parkia biglobosa leaf extract. Potassium on the other hand shows a significant decrease after induction of adrenalin and a significant increased after treatment and hence reduces the blood pressure of the rat. The methodology of this electrolyte level were done by means of diluted ion selective electrode (ISE) methodology using a spectrophotometer.  

 CHAPTER  ONE

1.1       INTRODUCTION

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure or arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated (James et al, 2013). Blood pressure is expressed by two measurements, the systolic and diastolic, pressure, which are the maximum and minimum pressures respectively, in the arteries system. The systolic pressure occurs when the left ventricle is most contracted; the diastolic pressure occurs when the left ventricle is most relaxed prior to the next contraction (Chobanian et al,2003).normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100 – 140mmHg systolic and 60 – 90mmHg diastolic. Hypertension is present if the blood pressure is persistently at or above 140/90mmHg for most adults; different criteria apply to children.

Hypertension usually does not cause symptoms initially, but sustained hypertension over time is a major risk factor for hypertensive heart disease, coronary arteries disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease (Carretero and Oparil, 2000). Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no symptoms. Many people have hypertension without knowing it. There are at least 970 million people worldwide who have elevated blood pressure (hypertension). In Nigeria, 50 million people have hypertension, about 640 million people have hypertension in West Africa and about 280 million people have hypertension in Africa (Chobanion et al, 2003). Hypertension is more common in men than women and in people over the age of 65 than in younger persons. More than half of all Nigerians over the age of 65 have hypertension. Hypertension is serious because people with the condition have a higher risk for heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal pressure. Serious complications can be avoided by getting regular blood pressure checks and treating hypertension as soon as it is diagnosed (Mancia et al, 2007)