Effects of Aqueous Fruit Extract of Tamarindus indica on Body Weight, Lipid Profile, Some Electrolytes and Urea of Wistar Rats: Experimental Investigation

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of T. indica  on the body weight, lipid profile some electrolytes and urea of Wistar rats. The tamarind tree is well adapted to semi-arid regions of the tropics and can withstand drought conditions relatively well.  Twenty-five Wistar rats were distributed into four groups consisting of six rats each. Group I served as the control group, while Group II received 100mg/kg of Aqueous extract, Group III received 150mg/kg of Aqueous extract, and Group IV received 200mg/kg of Aqueous extract. The administration lasted seven days, and The Animals were sacrificed on the eighth day. The blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and analysed with a visible spectrophotometer.   The findings showed that there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in body weight of Wistar rats.  In the Test Groups; Serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Very Low-density Lipoprotein and Triglycerides showed a significant increase (p<0.05) compared to Group 1 which is the control Group but had a significant decrease (p<0.05) compared within test groups. For electrolytes concentrations, potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Urea concentrations was significant at p<0.05.  According to the findings, T. indica extract may help to maintain a healthy weight, may have hypolipidemic properties, may aid in body homeostasis and fluid balance, and may also assist in avoiding renal damage.