Abstract

Study investigated the effects of Garcinia kola on the micro architecture of the rostral colliculus and lateral geniculate body of rats, and its effects on some enzymes were as well investigated. Sixteen F1 adult Wistar rats with an average weight of 195.5 g were randomly assigned into a control and an experimental group. Both groups consisted of eight animals each (4 males and females each). Aqueous extract of Garcinia kola was prepared and the stock solution was mixed with phosphate buffered saline. Each animal in the experimental group was administered 2.4 g/kg body weight/day of the extract for 21 days, while each of the animals in the control group were administered with equal volume of phosphate buffered saline for the same duration of time. Weight measurements were recorded on daily basis. After sacrifice, the tissues were excised and fixed in formolcalcium for routine histological examination (hematoxylin and eosin). Tissues for biochemical assay were homogenized in 0.25M sucrose to demonstrate the activities of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Histological analysis showed normal cytoarchitecture of the tissues in the experimental group when compared with those in the control group, but there was a significant increase in the activities of LDH and G6PDH, suggesting that Garcinia kola increased carbohydrate metabolism and energy production through the Embden meyerhoff’s pathway and hexose monophosphate shunt respectively in the tissues of interest. The effects were however not sex dependent.

Key words: Rostral colliculus, Garcinia kola, phosphate buffered saline, formolcalcium, Bouin’s fluid, lateral geniculate body.