Moderation of the Plasma Chemistry and Hematological Indices of Normal and Salt-loaded Rats by an Aqueous Extract of the Rhizomes of Sansevieria Liberica: Implications for the Management of Hypertension and Associated Complications

The rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica is used in southern Nigeria for the management of hypertension, yet little is known about the biochemical basis of this action. So, in this study, the ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to moderate plasma chemistry and hematological indices was investigated in normal and subchronic salt-loaded rats. The normal and treatment control groups received a diet consisting 100% of the commercial feed, while the test control, reference and test treatment groups received an 8% salt-loaded diet. The extract was orally administered daily at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight; while the moduretics was administered at 1 mg/kg body weight. The test control, reference and control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route. Compared to test control, the extract dose-dependently, significantly (P<0.05) lowered the neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, plasma activities of alanine and aspartate transaminase, and plasma concentrations of urea and sodium. It however, significantly (P<0.05) raised the hematocrit, red cell, total white cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin concentration, and plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, creatinine, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate. This result suggests that the extract may be a diuretic that improves the hemopoietic system, causes leukocytosis, and has a tonic effect on the liver and kidney, at least at the doses at which it was administered in this study. It also supports the use of Sansevieria liberica in traditional health care, for the management of hypertension, and in addition, suggests that its antihypertensive action may be mediated via alteration of plasma sodium and potassium levels or increases in muscle tone brought about by changes in plasma calcium levels.