The effects of various doses of dietary intake of
Garcinia kola
seed powder [incorporated in animal feed at levels of 5% w/w, 10% w/w and 20% w/w and fed daily for six weeks] on serum levels of selected electrolytes (K
+, Na
+, CI
-, HCO
-3, Mg
2+ and Ca
2+) and trace metals (Cu
2+ Zn
2+ and Mn
2+) were studied in male albino rats (100-150g body wt). The pair –fed controls received basal feed diet daily for six weeks. Results showed a significant (P< 0.05) dose dependent elevation of serum CI-, HCO
-3, Ca
2+, Mg
2+, Cu
2+, Zn
2+ and Mn
2+. These findings point to a possible relationship with already documented histopathology of various organs (such as the gonads) induced by Garcinia kolaseed. It is also conjectured that the documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antidiabetic and antifertility effects of
Garcinia kola seed may have underlying involvement of alterations in body levels of trace metals and electrolytes.
