Antihypertensive activity of Wakouba, a salt extracted from Elaeis guineensis, on blood pressure of rabbit

Abstract

Wakouba, a salt extracted from the fronds of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. oroil palm tree, is traditionally used by the people originating from the Western-Centre and South-western regions of Côte d'Ivoire for the treatment of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of this salt on blood pressure of rabbit. To do this, we used direct measurement of Ludwig. A mercury manometer or Ludwig gauge comprising of a recording cylinder connected to a catheter toward the heart direction that was used to incubate the rabbit carotid artery. Different concentrations of salt extract of Elaeis guineensis (Wakouba) was injected into the rabbit through the catheter and blood pressure changes was recorded on the smoked paper wrapped around the cylinder. The study of the effects of Wakouba on the changes in blood pressure and hypertension induced by adrenaline in rabbits revealed that Wakouba at concentrations ranging from 4.16 to 25 mg/kgbw causes dose-dependent hypotension similar to that of acetylcholine (ACh) a well-known hypotension inducer. This Hypotension is totally suppressed by atropine at concentration of 2 10^-1mg/kgbw. Wakouba thus contain muscarinic cholinergic compounds. Moreover, the comparative study on Wakouba and tenordate (nifedipine and atenolol), a commercially available antihypertensive substance, performed on an hypertensive rabbit showed that Wakouba at dose of 12mg/kgbw completely suppressed the hypertension induced by adrenaline. Wakouba have an hypotensive and antihypertensive effects on blood pressure of rabbit similar to those of tenordate Therefore Wakouba would have the same mechanism of action like that of tenordate thus a β blocker. These results justify its use in traditional medicine as an antihypertensive.