Gongronema Latifolium A Plant with Cardioprotective Potentials

Gongronema latifolium GL has gained research interest in the field of Medicine. The present study investigated the cardioprotective potentials of the ethanolic and ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves extract of G.L. 18 Male Wistar rats were divided equally into three groups. Group 1 was the control group, and was administered 0.9 normal saline. Group 2 was administered 200mg kg ethanolic leaves extract of GL. Group 3 received 200mg kg ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves extract of GL. Administration was via oral gavage and lasted for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture, allowed to clot, and later centrifuged to get serum. Laboratory assays were done for serum concentrations of total cholesterol Tc , total triglycerides Tg , high density lipoprotein HDL-c , low density lipoprotein LDL , malondialedyde MDA , total antioxidant capacity TAC , and total plasma peroxide TPP . The heart, aorta, and kidneys were also harvested for organ weight and histological studies. Administration of GL extracts resulted in an increase p 0.001 serum concentrations of HDL-c and TAC, with a consequent reduction in the serum concentrations of Tg, LDL-c, VLDL, MDA, and TPP. There was no significant p 0.01 change in organ weights of the heart, aorta, and kidneys across the groups. Histology of the blood vessels showed intact layers across the groups. There was no derangement of cellular architecture in the heart and kidney. This study therefore concludes that Gongronema latifolium leaves extract is cardioprotective, and thus provides a basis for the use of this plant as an alternative for the prevention, management or control of cardiovascular diseases. Justin Atiang Beshel | Favour Nyoh Beshel | Clement Oshie Nku | Daniel Udofia Owu "Gongronema Latifolium: A Plant with Cardioprotective Potentials" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-3 | Issue-2 , February 2019, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd21431.pdf