Antihypertensive and Cardio-Protective Potentials of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Mucuna Pruriens in Male Albino Rats

Hypertension is a risk factor for a variety of morbidities, especially stroke, myocardial infarction, and the development of congestive heart failure, as well as death. Several treatment options are used for treatment of hypertension; however, a lot of short comings have been associated with them. In order to proffer a possibly better and cheaper means of preventing hypertension, this study aims at investigating the antihypertensive and cardio-protective effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens. Thirty-six male albino rats were used for the study. Oral administration of 8% salt diet was used to induce hypertension which significantly increased blood pressure and oxidative stress in the hypertensive animals compared to the control group. The phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out, the weight of the experimental animals was monitored, hematological indices was assessed, and systolic and diastolic rates were evaluated at different concentrations of the extract. The screening indicated the presence of tannin, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenols while reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, glycoside, alkaloids and steroids were absent. The weight of the liver of rats given standard drug, 150 mg/ml of the extract, 250 mg/ml of the extract and untreated groups were significant lower (p<0.05) when compared with the control group while the group administered with 100 mg/ml was higher. The white blood count