ABSTRACT

 This study analysed and compared the effect of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) oils in wistar albino rats induced with hypertension using salt. A total of 16 male wistar albino rats weighing between 55 to 85 grams and assigned into the following groups: Group 1: normal control rats; Group 2: test hypertensive rats treated with G. kola. Group 3: test hypertensive rats treated with Zingiber officinale. Group 4: test hypertensive rats treated with G. kola and Z. officinale, which lasted for 21 days after which they were sacrificed using ocular puncture and blood was collected for biochemical assays using standard methods. The results obtained showed a significantly (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST and ALP activities of group 2, 3 and 4. The total protein of group 4 shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease as compared with the control and group 3 whereas group 2 and 3 shows a non-significant (p>0.05) decrease when compared with the control. Total bilirubin ofthe treated groups shows a significant (p<0.05) increase as compared to the control group whereas group 4 is significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared with the other treated groups. Catalase activity shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the treated groups (group 2, 3 and 4) when compared with the control.SOD activity shows a significant (p<0.05) decrease in group 2, 3 and 4 when compared to the control while group 3 and 4 shows a non-significant (p>0.05) increase when compared with group 2. MDA and GPx show significant (p<0.05) increase in groups treated with bitter kola and ginger when compared with the control. From these results, it is seen that the extracts possess no antihypertensive properties.