EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM ON CARDIOVASCULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES TO SALT LOADING IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Background: Excessive salt consumption has been associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. While salt-induced hypertension represents one of the most prevalent and modifiable forms of hypertension in Nigeria, the role of aqueous Gongronema latifolium extract on salt-induced hypertension has not been fully investigated. Objective: The study investigated effects of aqueous Gongronema latifolium extract on cardiovascular and biochemical responses to salt loading in male Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups of six rats each namely: the control, salt-loaded (8% salt diet), salt loaded + low dose extract (200 mg/kg), salt loaded + high dose extract (400 mg/kg) and extract only (400 mg/kg). Gongronema latifolium extract was administered by oral gavage for six weeks. Cardiovascular parameters (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate) were measured via an invasive method while biochemical parameters (plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, sodium, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels) were determined via assays. Results: Salt loading significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), mean arterial blood pressure (p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.01), plasma sodium (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein levels (p<0.01) and significantly reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p<0.01). However, concomitant administration of the extract significantly attenuated the salt-induced increases in blood pressure (p<0.05; p<0.01), sodium (p<0.05; p<0.01) in dose-dependent manner and LDL (p< 0.01). Plasma triglyceride concentrations were also significantly lowered (p<0.05) while high- density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were appreciably raised (p < 0.05) by the extract. Conclusion: These findings suggest that aqueous Gongronema latifolium extract ameliorates salt-induced hypertension by suppressing hypernatremia and improving dyslipidaemia.