Effect Of Dietary Garcinia Kola Seed On Selected Serum Electrolytes And Trace Metals In Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Summary: The effects of various doses of dietary intake of Garcinia kola seed powder [incorporated in animal feed at levels of 5% w/w, 10% w/w and 20% w/w and fed daily for six weeks] on serum levels of selected electrolytes (K⁺, Na⁺, CI^-, HCO^- 3, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) and trace metals (Cu²⁺ Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺) were studied in male albino rats (100-150g body wt). The pair –fed controls received basal feed diet daily for six weeks. Results showed a significant (P< 0.05) dose dependent elevation of serum CI^-, HCO^-3, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺. These findings point to a possible relationship with already documented histopathology of various organs (such as the gonads) induced by Garcinia kola seed. It is also conjectured that the documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antidiabetic and antifertility effects of Garcinia kola seed may have underlying involvement of alterations in body levels of trace metals and electrolytes.