ABSTRACT

Simaruoba glauca has been shown to be a good source of natural anti-oxidants, suppress the activities of reactive oxygen species and exhibit anti-inflammatory activities but not so much has been stated on the efficacy of the aqueous extract of the leaves of S. glauca in ameliorating hypertension. This study evaluated the prophylactic effects of aqueous extract of Simarouba glauca (S. glauca) on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and reduced glutathione activity in salt-induced hypertensive rats. The study was conducted on 24 male Wistar rats. The 24 male rats were divided into four groups of six rats in each compartment. A group was considered the normal control and was exposed to standard diet and water only, while another was considered as the untreated group and was exposed to salt-loading, another was the positive control. This group was administered the aqueous extract while the last group was the treatment group, which was exposed to salt loading and was administered the aqueous extract. Results showed that salt- loading elevate  the plasma glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P) and reduced glutathione activity (p < 0.05). Treatment with aqueous extract of S. glauca reduced the activity of plasma G-6-P and reduced glutathione (p < 0.05). Salt – loading significantly increased the systolic, diastolic and the mean arterial blood pressure. However, the heart rate was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Treatment with aqueous extract of S. glauca significantly reduced the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure when compared with the hypertensive group. This findings suggests that S. glauca possess some anti-hypertensive properties.