Journal of Natural Sciences Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0921 (Online) Vol.6, No.6, 2016 7 Effects of Herbal “Gadagi” Tea on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Experimental Rats *Ibrahim, A., Imam I. U., Abubakar S. M., Murtala, Y., Auwal, S.M. and Babandi, A. Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano-Nigeria Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality worldwide in spite of the recent advances in medical and surgical treatment. Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into Four (4) equal groups each comprising of five (5) members. The groups (A, B & C) were orally administered with prepared Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” Tea, at low dose (3 mg/kg), standard dose (6 mg/kg) and high dose (12 mg/kg) respectively. Group D served as normal control. After two weeks of Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea administration, all the 20 Wistar albino rats were sacrificed by decapitation and their blood samples were collected and used for biochemical analyses. Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Sodium, Potassium, AST, CK, and LDH were analysed using standard methods. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of TC, LDL-Cholesterol, Potassium and CK in group C compared to control and significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL-Cholesterol in group A compared to normal. Dose- dependent increases were observed (P<0.05) in TC, LDL-cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDH at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; Potassium at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses and at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; CK at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses respectively. Generally, the current research suggests that herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea might be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and may be toxic to both the heart and peripheral vascular tissues at doses beyond 6 mg/kg. Keywords: Gadagi, cardiovascular diseases, herbal medicine, tissue damage markers 1.0 Introduction Cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart diseases or coronary artery diseases, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, endocarditis, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial diseases among others. Almost all cardiovascular diseases in a population can be explained in terms of a limited number of risk factors: age, gender, high blood pressure, high serum cholesterol level, tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, family history, obesity and lack of physical activity, psychosocial factors, diabetes mellitus and air pollution (Bridget and Kelly, 2010; WHO, 2012). While the individual contribution of each risk factor varies between different communities or ethnic groups, the consistency of the overall contributions of these risk factors is remarkably strong (Yusuf et al., 2004). Some of these risk factors, such as age, gender or family history are immutable, however many important cardiovascular risk factors are modifiable by life style change, drug treatment or social change (Martin, 2006). While the causes of cardiovascular diseases are diverse, atherosclerosis and/or hypertension are the most common. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the world (WHO, 2012). Although a large proportion of cardiovascular diseases are preventable, they continue to rise mainly because preventive measures are inadequate (WHO, 2012). “Gadagi” (meaning energy in Hausa) is a type of tea that is consumed mostly in the northern part of Nigeria. The tea consumption dates back 65 years with consumption in few spots. It is still a new entrant as a stimulant. Its preparation is not radically different from the way normal tea is prepared. It is a mixture of sugar and tea of highland brand boiled in water with some plants such as African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and mint plant (Mentha palustris). It is consumed as a hot beverage mostly by drivers and commercial motorcyclists in Northern Nigeria and more particularly in Kano state (Atiku et al., 2009). Other silent users are tailors and labourers involved in strenuous physical jobs. Those who use it believe that, it can increase their power of endurance and their ability to forego food and sleep. It is also believed to be a source of energy probably due to its enriched sugar content. There are three major types of “Gadagi” tea, viz: “Sak”, “Sada” and “Magani”. Some of the users add some drugs such as Alabukun (acetylsalicylic acid), marijuana and buta(butazolidin) to enrich the “Gadagi” tea (Atiku et al., 2009). Despite the fact that “Gadagi” tea is being consumed indiscriminately, there is little or no scientific evidence to show that its consumption is safer or has no effect on the heart tissues. Individual parts of different plants used in herbal “Gadagi” tea preparation were known to have certain medicinal value, but synergistic effect of multiple herbal “Gadagi” tea concoction on cardiovascular risk factors remains unknown. However, an estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008; over 80% of CVDs death takes place in low and middle income countries(Nigeria inclusive); and by 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs. Hence, investigation of herbal “Gadagi” tea effects on cardiovascular risk factors would be of significance to humanity, as it may positively or negatively influence the pre-estimated mortality and disability by World Health Organisation.