Abstract

In this study, we screened Garcinia kola seed (GKS), Kola nitida seed (KNS) andCamellia sinensis Leaves (TEA) for adaptogenic potentials. The investigation was carried out in albino rats to determine the ability of these plant materials to increase non-specific resistance against physical, chemical and biological stressors. The results show that the three plant materials protected the animals from bacteria-induced mortality and morbidity and significantly reduced infection-induced leucocytosis in the rats. This confirms the ability of the herbs to protect the organisms from biological stress. However, while GKS was more effective than the other adaptogens in reducing monocytosis, KNS and TEA were effective in reducing neutropenia. Only KNS alleviated lymphocytosis. The effect of the adaptogens in alleviating physical stress was evaluated by the cold immobilization stress-induced ulcer models. The three adaptogens significantly (P < 0.05) protected the rats from cold-immobili-sation stress ulcers when compared to the control treatment. The ulcer protection property of these adaptogens is of the order: KNS > GKS > TEA. The result shows that G. kola seed (GKS) alleviated the hepatic degenerative changes associated with ciprofloxacin. G. kola seed, K. nitida seed, andC. sinensis leaves have shown remarkable ability to increase non-specific resistance to biologic, physical and chemical stressors and could therefore qualify as adaptogens.

Key words: adaptogens, Camellia sinensis, Garcinia kola, kola nitida, phytoadaptogens, stress.