Effect of ethanolic extract of Daniella Oliveri leaves on some cardiovascular indices in rats

Effects of ethanolic extract of Daniella oliveri leaves (50, 100 and 200mg/Kg body weight) on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in rat heart were investigated after fourteen days of oral administration. Effects of the extract on total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations in the serum with the atherogenic index (total cholesterol concentration/HDL-cholesterol concentration ratio) were also evaluated. The extract had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on serum HDL- cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations when compared with controls. However, the extract significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol concentration at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight while it only significantly increased (P <0.05) the atherogenic index at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight when compared with controls. The extract had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on heart AST activity while it significantly increased (P <0.05) heart ALT activity at all doses administered when compared with controls. ALP activity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the heart at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract when compared with controls. Moreover, heart ACP activity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg body weight of the extract whereas 50mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly increased (P < 0.05) it when compared with controls. The results of this study suggest that the administration of the ethanolic extract of D. oliveri leaves may predispose subjects to some cardiovascular problems.