Biochemical Indices of Cardaic Function of Albino Wistar Rats Exposed to Hippocratea Africana Root Bark Extract

The effect of Hippocratea africana root bark extract used traditionally in the treatment of malaria in the South Eastern part of Nigerian on markers of cardiac function (creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Troponin-I) on adult male albino Wistar rats was investigated.adult male albino Wistar rats weighing between 100 -160g were used for the study.They were randomly divided into four (4) groups of six ( 6) animals each.Group I animals served as the control and were administered 1ml distilled water.Groups II, III and IV served as the test groups and were administered 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of the root bark extract for 14 days, orally once daily by use of cannula attached to a syringe.All the experimental animals were given normal rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the treatment period.The result showed a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum CK-MB, LDH and troponin compared with the control.The deceases obtained inferred a non-cardiac function disturbance or derangement in critical tissues or organ function by the herb.The observed reductions in the concentration of markers of cardiac function imply that the herb maybe safe for its use for its antiplasmodial property.