Comparative Study of the Effects of Ethanolic and n-Hexane Extracts of Garcinia kola Seeds on the Serum Electrolyte of Albino Rats

Abstract

Garcinia kola (bitter kola) plays an important role in Africa ethnomedicine and traditional hospitality. Proximate and phytochemical composition of G. kola seeds as well as the effects of ethanolic and n-hexane extracts on the serum electrolytes of albino rats were studied using standard methods. Thirty-six albino rats of both sexes were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into nine groups of four rats per group. The groups were designated 1-9. Group 1 served as the control which was treated with normal saline. Groups 2-5 served as the groups treated with ethanolic extract of G. kola seeds and received 50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, while groups 6-9 served as the groups treated with n-hexane extract. After three weeks of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples analyzed. Result of the proximate analysis showed that carbohydrate content was the highest (78.06%) while ash was the lowest (0.70%). Phytochemical result of G. kola seeds showed that tannins (0.342%) was the highest in terms of percent composition, followed by flavonoids (0.00764%); while alkaloids (0.00075%) was the lowest. Also, biochemical analysis revealed that the n-hexane extract of G. kola seeds was found to have slightly increased the activities of the serum electrolytes than the ethanolic extract. Conclusively, the results of this study showed that both extracts had effect on serum electrolytes of the albino rats, but the n-hexane extract had more toxic effect.