Anthonio Research Publications (ARP): THE EFFECT OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA LEAVES ON BODY WEIGHT AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE

International Journal of Herbs and Pharmacological Research IJHPR, 2013, 2(2): 14 – 19.

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RESEARCH PAPER:

THE EFFECT OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA LEAVES ON BODY WEIGHT AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE

*1Obodo B.N., 2Iweka F.K.,1Obhakhan J.O., 3Oyadonghan G.P. 1Agbo G.E.

Department of 1Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma-Nigeria. 2Chemical Pathology; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Department of Anatomy, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State. Nigeria.

Corresponding Author: namecforme2@gmail.com

Received: 21st February, 2013 Accepted: 11th April, 2013 Published: 31st April, 2013

ABSTRACT

The effect of Xylopia aethiopica leaves on body weight and growth performance was studied on growing Wistar rats. The study involved twenty-four rats of comparable sizes and weights ranging from 150 to 300g and divided into four groups of six rats each. Group A served as the control while groups B, C and D served as the test and received 1.2g, 3.0g and 6.0g per day of Xylopia aethiopica leaves respectively for 21 days. The feed intake and weights of both the test animal and control were monitored weekly. Results showed that during the 21 days of Xylopia aethiopica leaves administrations, the control (Group A) had a greater mean body weight than those of the test groups. On growth performance, the average daily growth increased in the control but decreased in the test groups in a dose dependent manner. On the other hand, the feed conversion rate (FCR) was observed to decrease with time in the control compared to the test groups where it increased with time. Based on the findings of this study therefore, Xylopia aethiopica may possibly influence body weight and growth performances.

Keywords: Growth, Feed Conversion Rate, Body weight, Xylopia aethiopica, Plants.

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INTRODUCTION

Plants and derivatives of plants play a key role in health and have long been known to possess biological activity (Abass, 2012). It is a known fact that thirty percent of all modern drugs are derived from plants and available evidence suggests that approximately 80% of Africans rely on traditional healthcare practitioners and medicinal plants for their daily healthcare needs (Burns, 2000; Johnson et al., 2007; McKay et al., 2007). Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost 75% of the world's population has therapeutic experience with herbal remedies principally because of a belief that herbal remedies may have fewer side effects and can enhance the effects of conventional agents (Liu et al., 2007; Desai et al., 2009). Of interest is Xylopia aethiopica, commonly known as “African guinea pepper” or “Ethiopian pepper”. It is an angiosperm of the Annonaceae family, and grows predominantly in humid forest zones of West Africa (Puri and Talata 1978; Woode et al., 2011). In Nigeria, it is found all over the lowland rain forest and most fringe forest in the savannah zones (Sofowara, 1978). It is used as a pepper substitute in Europe and India (Sofowara, 1978) and highly valued in other countries because of its medicinal and pharmacological properties (Okeke et al., 2008). The fruits are used as spices and the aqueous decoctions are used especially after child birth, probably due to its antiseptic potential to arrest bleeding (Burkhill, 1985; Okeke et al., 2008).

Interestingly, compounds derived from plants could act as potential therapeutic weapons against various human, animal and even plant diseases, and this potential has made plants invaluable and indispensable to human and animal lives (Ogbonnia et al., 2008). Xylopia aethiopica is indeed a plant that has been widely used in traditional medicine and unfortunately, most herbal concoctions are not officially regulated like conventional drugs. This may account for the high prevalence of its misuse and abuse (Riddle, 1992; Onyeyili, 2000; Hashemi et al., 2008).

Beyond its therapeutic uses however, Xylopia aethiopica has been reported to be widely used as a food supplements (Sofowara, 1978; Evans, 2003; Okeke et al., 2008). Moreover, available evidence has shown that every food substance consumed by humans has either a therapeutic, nutritional or toxic effect on the body (Chike and Adienbo, 2010; Uzodike and Onuoha, 2010). In fact, it has been shown that Xylopia aethiopica can also induce liver damage (Cotran et al., 2005). This study therefore, investigates the effect of Xylopia aethiopica leaves on body weight and growth performance using Wistar rats.