The Effect of Aqueous Extract of P. Americana Mill. (Avocado) Seeds on Blood Pressures and Electrolytes In Hypertensive Rats

Kate E. Imafidon¹* And P. Igbinaduwa²

¹Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Edo state Nigeria.

Corresponding Author E-mail:k.imafidon@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: The effects of aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill. (avocado) on blood pressures and electrolytes of albino rats have been studied. Twenty rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group1 (normal control), group 2 (hypertensive control), group 3 (hypertensive + 200 mg/kg body weight of extract), and group 4 (hypertensive + 500 mg/kg body weight of extract). Except for group 1 which received 100% growers mash, all other groups received 92% growers mash and 8% NaCl as their daily meal for 4 weeks. Results showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood pressures and sodium concentration of rats administered aqueous seed extract of avocado compared with the hypertensive control. Potassium and magnesium levels of tested rats were not significantly altered compared with normal control while calcium levels were significantly increased in tested rats compared with normal control. These results demonstrate the antihypertensive and sodium lowering effect of avocado seed extract.

KEYWORDS: Avocado; blood pressure; electrolyte; hypertensive; seed.

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