Abstract

Introduction: Plant based therapy might be relevant in managing ethanol related complications. Alcohol abuse is currently pervasive in societies, hence the search for substances that would enhances its clearance or removal from the blood might be pertinent to reducing blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and hence its associated consequences. Method: Eight Sylvilagusnuttallii rabbits weighing between 1.2kg -1.5kg were divided into two sets (A and B) of four animals each. In the first occasion, animals in both groups were treated with 1.1g (20% ethanol/ kg body weight) once in the first month to generate alcohol oxidation curve. On the second occasion Garcinia Kola seed extract of 500mg/kg body weight and 2000mg extract/kg body weights were administered to group A and B respectively 20 minutes of ingesting the alcohol. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was analyzed every 20 minutes for 120 minutes using 0.5ml whole blood collected from the animals’ ear vein. Quantification of Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was performed by the alcohol dehydrogenase method. Result: Result indicates that the time to zero BAC i.e. the intoxication time was decreased upon co-administration of Garcinia kolaextract with the ethanol. The intoxication time was dropped from 145.7 minutes to 138.1 minutes upon treatment with 500mg/kg extract and from 158.5 min to 140.1 min upon 2000mg/kg administration of Garcinia kola extract. The treatment value at dose 2000mg/kg was significantly different (p<0.05) when compared with the ethanol treatment alone. On assessing the kinetic parameters (β60 and BEER),results indicated a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in β60 and BEER upon the administration of 2000mg/kg extract0.077%/h and 684.31mg/kg/h respectively as to 0.062%/h and 416.67mg/kg/h of ethanol treatment alone. While at 500m/kg extract values obtained were 0.058%/h and 459.13mg/kg/hrespectively as against 0.056%/h and 452.67mg/kg/h on ethanol alone application. Dosage at 500mg/kg extract were not statistically different (p>0.05) in β60 and BEER upon co-administration with ethanol. However, a reduced Mean ± S.D value was obtained. Conclusion: The decrease in intoxication time and also increase in the elimination rate are possible indications thatGarcinia Kola might possess anti-intoxicating properties as postulated by folkloretraditional practice.This study tends to corroborate thatGarcinia Kolamight possess some alcohol reducing property. Keyword: Garcinia kola (G. K.), anti-intoxicating, ethanol, blood alcohol concentration (BAC)