Global Journal of Biotechnology & Biochemistry 2 (2): 51-53, 2007 ISSN 1990-9241 © IDOSI Publications, 2007 Corresponding Author: Dr. Patrick Igbinaduwa, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria 51 Effect of Dry Powdered Leaves of Loranthus bengwensis L. (African Mistletoe) on Blood Pressure and Electrolyte Level of Normal and Hypertensive Rats Kate Evbu Imafidon and Patrick Igbinaduwa 1 2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria 2 Abstract: Work has been done to determine the effect of Loranthus bengwensis supplemented diet on food intake, blood pressure and electrolyte levels in normal and hypertensive rats. Consequently, sixteen albino rats were divided into four groups of four each. The first group were fed on growers mash only (control), the second group on 92% growers mash and 8% NaCl (salt loaded group) the third on 8% NaCl, 8% mistletoe powder and 84% growers mash (salt loaded and mistletoe group) while the fourth on 8% mistletoe powder and 92% growers mash (normal and mistletoe group). The weight changes, daily food intake, faecal output, systolic and diastolic mean arterial and pulse pressures of the animals in various groups were recorded. The Na , K , Cl and + + HCO levels were determined. Results indicate that rats in the salt loaded group had significantly higher 3 systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures (P<0.05) but significantly lower pulse pressure (P<0.05) compared with control rats. Rats in the salt loaded and mistletoe group and normal and mistletoe group had lower systolic pressure and lower pulse pressure compared with control rats. Rats fed with salt loaded diet and salt loaded with mistletoe powder had higher Na and Cl levels compared with control but the K and HCO + + 3 concentrations did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from those of control rats. Rats in the three groups recorded higher food intake and faecal output but lower weight gain compared to control rats. The results showed that Loranthus bengwensis significantly reduced (P<0.05) diastolic, systolic and mean arterial pressures as well as Na and Cl concentration but significantly reduced weight gain in normal and hypertensive rat. + Key word: Hypertensive electrolyte mistletoe rats salt- loaded INTRODUCTION extract of the African mistletoe has been shown to evoke Hypertension is the most important modifiable muscle of the rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum [6]. The risk factor of cardiovascular disease. It is a disease plant have also shown a wide spectrum of antimicrobial of disordered auto-regulation of blood pressure [1]. activities against certain multiple drug resistant bacterial Presently, drugs used for the management of the disease and fungal isolates of farm animals [7]. are imported and expensive prompting many Nigerians to The purpose of this work was to investigate the seek alternative managements which includes the use of effect of the dry powdered leaves of the plant on the herbal preparations. blood pressure, pulse and electrolyte level of normal The use of plants or plant parts as source of and hypertensive rats and thereby investigates the medicines to treat different ailments and disease pharmacological basis for the successful use of the plant conditions is common to all tribes in the world. For in the management of hypertension by traditional medical example in 1996 alone, six of the top 20 pharmaceutical practitioners in Nigeria. drugs sold were natural products and more than 50% of these were linked directly to natural product research [2]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mistletoe preparations are commonly used in complementary medicines as anticancer agents [3] and in Collection of plant materials: The plant was collected the management of diabetes mellitus [4, 5]. The aqueous from uselu, Egor local government area of Edo state in a concentration dependent contraction of the smooth