Effect Of Gavage Treatment With Pulverised Garcinia Kola Seeds On Erythrocyte Membrane Integrity And Selected Haematological Indices In Male Albino Wistar Rats

Summary: This study examines the effect of the whole seed of Garcinia kola (GKS) on various blood parameters, in adult male albino rats. Five groups, of 6 animals per group, were treated by gavage with suspensions of graded concentrations of GKS daily for 5 weeks. The animals were then sacrificed and blood was obtained for estimation of the data herein presented. Packed red cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and red blood cell count (RBC) showed significantly (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test) increased response to treatment with GKS; while the platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts showed no corresponding increase with increasing GKS dosage. The mean red blood cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) levels decreased with increasing GKS dosage. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partialthromboplastin time (APPT) were both prolonged with increased GKS dosage; while the serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) decreased significantly (P< 0.05, Student’s t-test) with increased GKS dosage

Effects of crude alkaloid extract of Garcinia Kola seed on serum gonadotrophins and testosterone levels in male rats

The effects of daily oral administration of alkaloid extract of Garcinia kola seed (GKA) at 1500mg/kg on serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (TST) were studied in male rats (100-150g) for six to seven weeks. The pair-fed control rats received oral doses of methanolic saline daily for six to seven weeks. The animals were injected i.m. with Menotrophin (1.07IU/kg) or Testosterone (2.6mg/kg) during the seventh week of receiving GKA or following six weeks of treatment with GKA. The control rats were injected with normal saline or olive oil vehicles during the seventh week. At the end of the seventh week, all animals were exsanguinated to collect serum for hormone assays. Results showed that levels of serum gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) were significantly elevated, while serum TST levels were markedly reduced, compared to the pair-fed controls.RUNNING TITLE: G. kola alkaloid effects on endocrine organ

Effect Of Dietary Garcinia Kola Seed On Selected Serum Electrolytes And Trace Metals In Male Albino Rats

Summary: The effects of various doses of dietary intake of Garcinia kola seed powder [incorporated in animal feed at levels of 5% w/w, 10% w/w and 20% w/w and fed daily for six weeks] on serum levels of selected electrolytes (K+, Na+, CI-, HCO- 3, Mg2+ and Ca2+) and trace metals (Cu2+ Zn2+ and Mn2+) were studied in male albino rats (100-150g body wt). The pair –fed controls received basal feed diet daily for six weeks. Results showed a significant (P< 0.05) dose dependent elevation of serum CI-, HCO-3, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+. These findings point to a possible relationship with already documented histopathology of various organs (such as the gonads) induced by Garcinia kola seed. It is also conjectured that the documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antidiabetic and antifertility effects of Garcinia kola seed may have underlying involvement of alterations in body levels of trace metals and electrolytes

Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Over the past years, there has been a growing number of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients who are not willing to comply with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment and wish to use herbal anti- rheumatic medicine. This study assessed the clinical effects of <it>Garcinia kola </it>(GK) in KOA patients.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>Prospective randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trial approved by the institutional medical ethics review board and written informed consent obtained from each patient. All KOA patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex were recruited into the study. The patients were grouped into four (A = Placebo, B = Naproxen, C = <it>Garcinia kola</it>, D = Celebrex). The drugs and placebo were given twice a day per oral route. Each dose consisted of 200 mg of <it>G. kola</it>, Naproxen (500 mg), Celebrex (200 mg) and Ascorbic acid (100 mg). The primary outcome measure over six weeks study period was the change in mean WOMAC pain visual analogue scales (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included the mean change in joint stiffness and physical function (mobility/walking).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>143 patients were recruited, 84 (58.7%, males – 24, females – 60) satisfied the selection criteria and completed the study. The effect of knee osteoarthritis bilateralism among the subjects was not significant on their outcome (p > 0.05). The change in the mean WOMAC pain VAS after six weeks of <it>G. kola </it>was significantly reduced compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons of the mean VAS pain change of <it>G. kola </it>group was not lowered significantly against the naproxen and celebrex groups (p > 0.05). The onset of <it>G. kola </it>symptomatic pain relief was faster than the placebo (p < 0.001). However, it was slower than the active comparators (p > 0.05). The duration of therapeutic effect of <it>Garcinia kola </it>was longer than the placebo (p > 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>period of effect was less than naproxen and celebrex (p < 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>subjects had improved mean change mobility/walking after six weeks better than the control group(p < 0.001). The mean change in mobility of the <it>G. kola </it>group when compared to the active comparators was not significantly better (p < 0.05). The mean change of knee joint stiffness (p < 0.001) and the change of mean WOMAC score (p < 0.001) were improved on <it>Garcinia kola </it>as compared to the placebo. The mid term outcome of eleven <it>Garcinia kola </it>subjects after cessation of use had a mean pain relief period of 17.27 +/- 5.15 days (range: 9–26 days). There was no significant cardiovascular, renal or drug induced adverse reaction to <it>Garcinia kola</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Garcinia kola </it>appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. <it>Garcinia kola </it>is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier with good mid term outcome. Further studies are required for standardization of dosages and to determine long-term effects.</p

Histological alterations by a diet containing seeds of Garcinia kola: effect on liver, kidney, and intestine in the rat.

Histological examination of liver, kidney, and duodenum of rats fed a diet containing 10% (w/w) dry powdered seeds of Garcinia kola for 6 weeks revealed cellular changes that were not observed in pair-fed control animals. The main cellular changes observed in the rats fed on Garcinia kola diet included vacuolation of duodenal villous epithelial cells, numerous intracytoplasmic vacuoles in hepatocytes, and mild hydropic degeneration in cells of the renal proximal tubular epithelium. These changes are probably due to the flavonoids contained in G. kola seeds

Calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate toxicity in the rat: ultrastructural effects on skin collagen.

The effect of calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaEDTA) i.v. infusion on skin ultrastructure was studied in the rat with the aid of transmission electron microscopy. High magnification electron micrographs of collagen fibrils were analysed with a computer aided image analyser, in terms of the Gaussian distribution of fibril diameter and the distance between cross striations of collagen fibrils (D-spacing). CaEDTA caused marked depletion of collagen fibrils in the skin. The collagen fibrils from CaEDTA treated rats exhibited significant increases in D-spacing (about 30%) and diameter (about 40%) compared to saline treated controls. These findings are consistent with earlier published biochemical data indicating that CaEDTA enhances collagen degradation in the rat

Effect Of Garcinia Kola Seed Alkaloid Extract On Levels Of Gonadal Hormones And Pitutary Gonadotrophins In Rat Serum

The effects of three tolerated oral doses (350 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg) of methanolic alkaloid extract of Garcinia kola seed (GKA) on serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, FSH and LH were observed in female rats (125-170 g). The control animals received 2ml oral doses of methanolic saline (0.9% NaCl) daily and the treatment period of dosing for all animals lasted 3, 7 or 30 days, at the end of which they were exsanguinated to collect serum for hormonal assays. In another study, the effects of daily oral doses of GKA (350 mg/kg or 2000 mg/kg for days; 300 mg/kg, 1300 mg/kg or 2000 mg/kg for days; 1500 mg/kg for 14 days) on serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH were observed in male rats (150 – 175). The experiments showed that serum LH, FSH and prolactin levels were lower, while estradiol and progesterone levels were higher, than control values in females. There was marked reduction in serum testosterone and a concomitant elevation of serum FSH and LH in males. The findings suggest a possible antifertility consequence of treatment with GKA. Key words: Garcinia kola seeds; alkaloids; gonadotrophins; sex hormones. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.18(1-2) 2003: 59-6