dey M. O., Ujong U. P., Abam K. I., Mboso E. O. and Ategwu M. A.
Hypertension is a relatively common disorder that is probably the most important public health problem in developed countries. It is common, asymptomatic, readily detectable, usually easily managed and usually leads to lethal complications if left unmanaged. This study evaluates the serum electrolytes, lipid profile and enzymes activities as indicators of antihypertensive efficacy of stem bark extract of Nauclea latifolia. The extract produced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of sodium in the treated animals compared to that of the hypertensive. The chloride levels in the treated and control groups were not significant (p > 0.05), and the potassium levels were insignificant in the treated and control groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the Total Cholesterol levels in the treated groups compared to that of the hypertensive control, but were insignificantly higher (p > 00.05) than the normal control. The decrease changes in the Triacylglycerol levels of the treated groups were not significant (p > 0.05) when compared to the hypertensive control. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the treated groups and normal control were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the hypertensive control. Also, the low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were similarly decreased in the treated groups, but these decreases were not significant (p > 0.05). The serum enzymes; Aspartate amino transferase and Alanine amino transferase though were increased, these increases were not significant (p > 0.05). These changes in the lipid profile, especially total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein show that the extract has antihypertensive properties. Also the reduced levels of these electrolytes, especially sodium showed antihypertensive efficacy of the extract
