Effect of n-hexane extract of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit on biochemical parameters of l-ng-nitro arginine methyl ester induced hypertension in rats

L-NG-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to induce hypertension in this experiment and the intervention plant extract was Adansonia digitata fruit. A total of 30 rats were used for this research and divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Group 1 was control (water and feed ad libidum), group 2 (L-NAME), group 3 (ramipril 10 mg/kg), group 4 (A. digitata 200 mg/kg), group 5 (A. digitata 400 mg/kg) and group 6 (A. digitata 400 mg/kg no induction). Extract administration lasted 21 days after which animals were anesthetized and blood samples taken for analyses. Prior to this, recordings of blood pressure and weights were recorded. The fruits extract of the baobab plant was found to significantly reduce (P<0.05) the blood pressure in the hypertensive animals compared to the control and test drug. The Na and Cl concentrations in blood were significantly reduced compared to the control and L-NAME group at dose of 400 mg/kg. It was also found to prevent hyperkalemia and normalized creatinine as well as serum protein levels. The extract also significantly reduced the body weight of the animals at same dose. In conclusion, the extract reduced blood pressure in this experiment by reduction of Na (salt) concentration. It is a promising plant that will help sufferers from hypertension. Further studies are needed to study about molecular mechanisms involved in its activities. Key words: L-name, adansonia digitata, hypertension, Nacl, antioxidant.