Effect of aqueous extract of alligator pepper (Aframomum malegueta) on serum electrolytes

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of intraperitoneally injected aqueous extract of alligator pepper (AP) on the serum levels of Sodium (Na), Potassium (K) and chloride (Cl). Twenty adult female Sprague dawley rats aged five months and weighing between 150 - 200g were randomly allocated into 5 groups: A, B, C, D and E (n=4 each). Group A served as control, while B, C, D, and E served as the experimental groups. Baseline values of the specified serum electrolytes were obtained from group A rats which were not treated with aqueous extract of (AP), while the rats in groups B, C, D and E, received 13.3 mg/kg body weight of the extract of AP. Blood samples from the experimental animals in group B, C, D and E were then collected and analyzed 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days post intervention respectively. The results showed that there was a reversible increase in K+ concentration 24 hours post intervention; a significant decrease in Na⁺ concentration 7days post intervention; and a significant decrease in Cl⁻ concentration 14 days post-intervention. Our findings suggest that intraperitoneally injected aqueous extract of alligator pepper induces reversible changes in serum electrolytes.

Key words: Alligator pepper, Electrolytes, Homeostasis, Renal function