Mechanism of the decreased food consumption and weight gain in rats following consumption of aqueous extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffaduring pregnancy

• Published in: 亚太热带医药杂志（英文版） no. 3; pp. 185 - 188
• Main Authors: Eghosa E Iyare, Olufeyi A Adegoke, Uchenna I Nwagha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria%Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idiaraba, Lagos, Nigeria%Department of Physiology/0bstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria 2010
• Subjects: Hibiscus sabdariffa; Pregnancy; Fluid consumption; Plasma sodium; Food consumption; Weight gain; Mechanism
• ISSN: 1995-7645; 2352-4146

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanisms of the decreasing fluid and food consumption followingHibiscussabdariffa(HS) consumption.Methods: On the 1st day of pregnancy, rats were randomly divided into three groups with six animals per each group. One group was given tap water, one was given with extract at 0.6 g/100 mL while the third group was given with extract at 1.8 g/100 mL as their drinking solution. All groups received normal rat chow and drinking solutionad libitum. Fluid& food intake and weight were measured daily throughout pregnancy and Na+ concentration in plasma was determined on the 18th day of pregnancy.Results: Results showed decreased fluid and food consumption, decreased weight gain and increased sodium ion concentration in plasma of rats withHS extract compared with the control group.Conclusions:Consumption of aqueous extract of the calyx ofHS during pregnancy decreases food consumption and weight gain through mechanisms that may depend on Na+ inHScontent and elevating Na+ concentration.