Journal of Cell Biology and Biochemistry Research Vol. 2(1), pp.

001-005, October, 2015

Available online at http://www.apexjournal.org
ISSN 2315-8870© 2015 Apex Journal International

Full Length Research

Effect of Haematostaphis barteri fruits on some

selected cardiovascular risk factors
Yunana Y. and Umaru H. A.

Department of Biochemistry, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Modibbo Adama University of Technology,
P. M. B. 2076 Yola, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 August, 2015; Published 01 October, 2015

The effect of Haematostaphis barteri fruit on some selected cardiovascular risk factors in albino rats
was carried out. A total of thirty six albino rats were used; the animals were divided into six group (n=6).
Three groups were fed with 30% high fat diet (saturated fats from animal’s sources) for six weeks in
addition to the normal diet. At the end of six weeks, H. barteri fruits extract was administered for two
weeks. Results obtained shows that, animals with high fat diet, had remarkable increase in the level of
total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly (p<0.05)
compared to other groups that fed on normal diets. Administration of the crude extract of H. barteri
fruits at 500 mg/kg body weigh and 1000 mg/kg body weight for two weeks to the high fat fed rats,
significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of LDL,TC and TG with increased HDL values compared to
control group. This study suggests that H. barteri may have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease
and its risk factors.

Key words: High fat diet, cardiovascular disease, lipid profile, Haematostaphis barteri.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease describes a range of conditions
that affect the heart. Diseases under the heart disease
umbrella include: blood vessel diseases, such as
coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems
(arrhythmias); and heart defects born with (congenital
heart defects), among others. The term "heart disease" is
often used interchangeably with the term "cardiovascular
disease." Cardiovascular disease generally refers to
conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels
that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or
stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect
heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered
forms of heart disease [American Heart Association,
2014]. Cardiovascular disease is the number one world
wide killer of men and women including United States.
For example 40% of all deaths in the united state, are
attributed to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular
disease causes more harm than all forms of cancer
[http://ww.mayoclinic.com/health/cardiovasculardisease,
2008].
*Corresponding author. E-mail: adaizata@yahoo.com.
Cardiovascular disease can be acquired or developed
from a life time of unhealthy habit, such as smoking
which can damage arteries and cause atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of
cardiovascular disease. It can be caused by unhealthy
diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking
[http:// www.mayoclinic.org/appointments, 2014.]. There
are, however, multiple genetic influences on lipoprotein
metabolism that may render certain individuals in the
same Population as either, dietary responsive ‘or dietary
non responsive’’ to fat intake [Ye and Kwiterovinch,
2000]. Some of specific terms used to describe the
various forms of cardiovascular diseases include:
Coronary heart disease, Hypertension, Stroke,
Congenital heart disease, Rheumatic heart disease and
Congestive failure.
Studies on wild edible fruit has shown that wild fruits
are good sources of food, since they contained almost all
the essential vitamins and mineral elements in addition to
carbohydrate, fats and proteins etc. which are very much
essential to the body in significant proportion. Wild fruits
are commonly consumed in northern Nigeria as the
dominant source of fruits especially in rural communities
where a variety of edible fruits bearing trees abound
 002 J. Cell. Biol. Biochem. Res
[Nkafamiya et al., 2006]. In northern Nigeria, malnutrition
and vitamins deficiency are quite common among infants
and children, this is largely due to their greater
susceptibility to infection and poor nutrition. Vitamin
deficiency impairs growth and development as a result of
their involvement in metabolic function [Umaru et al., 2006].
Fruits and vegetables are low in fat, salt and sugar and
they are a good source of dietary fibre, as part of a well-
balanced regular diet and a healthy, active lifestyle, a
high intake of fruit and vegetables has been found to
reduce obesity and maintain a healthy weight, lower
cholesterol and lower blood pressure generally reduces
the risk of colon cancer and other cancers [Health care
clinic org, 2014; www.betterheart.v., 2014]. Fruits are
excellent sources of healthy phytochemical, antioxidants,
and fibre too. Taken high content of catechins (a group of
flavonoids), green tea may protect against death from all
causes, especially cardiovascular disease CVD [Janet,
2011; Mak, 2012].
James et al. [2005] investigation suggested that oat
and garden egg plant reduces plasma LDL +VLDL level
more efficiently than apple Also the study shows that the
garden egg plant increased plasma HDL which is an
indication of the beneficial effect of this fruits on blood
lipid.
The plant Haematostaphis barteri is called blood plum
or cherry in English and is known as jinin Kafiri in Hausa.
It is a wild tree that can grow up to 30 m or more in length
with leaves. The fruit is about 2-3 cm in diameter, green
when unripe and reddish in colour when ripe with a sour
taste, is harvested between July and August. The bark of
the plant is used in treating liver, gall bladder, spleen
disorders and jaundice. The leaves are used to nurse
victims of snake bite. The wood is used as firewood
[Ghazanfar, 1989]. Tadzabia et al., [2013] reported that
the leaves and stem bark of H. barteri plant in Hong
contained tannins, saponins, alkaloid and flavonoids,
considerable amount of some essential elements (Na, K,
Mg and heavy metals Cu, Zn, and Cd) were also
recorded within safe limits as prescribed by WHO except
cadmium whose concentration was slightly above the
safe limit (0.20 µg/g). The fruit has oily seed which is
edible [Bokhari and Ahmed, 1979].
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of H.
barteri fruit on cardiovascular risk factors on albino rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fresh sample of H. barteri fruits were collected from farm
around the Modibbo Adama University of Technology
Yola and were properly identified by plant scientist in
Botany department of Modibbo Adama University of
technology Yola.
Preparation of the crude extract
The fruits of H. barteri collected were washed with clean
water (tap water) and the fresh mesocap part sliced into
small fragment and dried under room temperature in the
laboratory and sieved into fine power using 1 mm sieve.
The sieved sample was stored in refrigerator pending
use.
Animals
Thirty six (36) young albino male rats weighing (40-45 g)
were purchased from the veterinary research institute Jos
Plateau state Nigeria and kept in well ventilated and
allowed them to acclimatize for a week in a plastic cage.
Experimental design
The animals (rats) were grouped into six (n = 6). The rats
in each of the groups were all allowed to free access of
feed diet and water. Groups 1, 5 and 6 were fed with
normal diet while Group 2, 3 and 4 were fed with 30%
high fat diets (saturated fats from animal source) in
addition to their normal diet. After six weeks blood was
collected through the tails for test of the lipid profile
analysis and obtained the base line values. After which
H. barteri crude extract was administer to Group 3 and 4
at 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight also the same dose
were administered to Group 5 and 6. At the end of the
eight weeks of the experiment rats were sacrifice under
die-ethyl-ether and blood collected by cardiac puncture of
the animals in all the groups. The serum from each blood
sample was recovered by centrifugation at 3,000 rpm and
obtained clear serum, which was used for the lipid profile
analysis.
Biochemical analysis
The enzymatic end point method of Richmond [1973] was
used to estimate total cholesterol (TC). The serum HDL-
cholesterol was determined by the method of Hiller
[1987]. A serum triglyceride level was determined by the
method of Friedewald et al. [1972] and Stens and Myers
[1975]. LDL-cholesterol (lipoprotein) in the serum was
obtained by subtracting the value for HDL cholesterol
from total cholesterol.
Statistical analysis
Statistical evaluation of data was done using student t-
test SPSS version 17. Means found to be significantly
different at (p<0.05). The results were expressed as
mean ± S.E.M.
RESULTS
Table 1 values shows that, there is a linear increased in
weight gain of animals in Group 2, 3 and 4 that were fed

Table 1. The body weight of rats in gram.
Group 1 Group 2
Body weight
Nor Diet High fat (30%)
First week 40.03 ± 0.98 43.28 ± 0.83
After Six wks 111.17 ± 6.21 148.20 ± 8.57*
Crude H. barteri
Nil Nil
For 2 weeks
After two weeks
146.23 ± 1.39 170.15 ± 14.4
Weight gain
Result are expressed as mean +/-- SEM N =6 *. Significantly higher than group 1, 5 and 6 t (p< 0.05). ** . Significantly lower than group2 at (p< 0.05)
with 30% of the high fats diet for six weeks. The rats in
the groups were low active and their body weight
increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 42.27 to 143.78 g
average mean value of the three groups (2, 3 and 4)
compared with control group (that is Group 1, 5 and 6)
their body weight gain was from 41.37 to 112.75 g.
Table 2 below shows the level of cholesterol (CHO),
low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein
(HDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels at the end of six
weeks. The investigation indicates that, the animals that
fed with high fats diets that is Group 2, 3 and 4 had
higher levels of cholesterol CHO, LDL, TG, HDL
significantly (p< 0.05) compared to Groups 1, 5 and 6 that
fed on normal diet.
After administration of the crude extract of H. barteri
fruits for 2 weeks in different concentration to Group 3, 4,
5 and 6, had result into decreasing the level of CHO,
LDL, and TG significantly (p< 0.05), while the level of
HDL increased compared to the values before the
administration with crude extract H. barteri fruit (Table 3).
DISCUSSION
The ultimate causes of atherosclerosis is unhealthy diet
lots of saturated fat resulting in the increasing
concentration of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) that
contains rich triglyceride, cholesterol esterase and
cholesterol which are utilized by extra-hepatic tissue at
slower rate, this may be regarded as artherogenic
[Robert et al., 2003]. It is believed that the incidence of
CVD related deaths in Nigeria is on the rise and high
blood pressure is a major contributor to these diseases.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are important lipids
associated with CVD and other diseases.
Result obtained from the work conducted demonstrated
that, taking high fats diets (saturated fats) from animal
source can greatly increases the body weight of the rats
and level of cholesterol, triglyceride and low density
lipoprotein. This was observed from the experiment
carried out were by animals in the groups that were fed
with 20% high fats diets for six weeks had significantly at
(P<0.05) increase in the level of; low density lipoprotein
Yunana and Umaru 003
Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
High fat (30%) High fat (30%) Normal diet Normal diet
42.25 ± 0.99 41.28 ± 0.83 42.30 ± 0.82 41.78 ± 0.54
140.85 ± 11.94* 142.25 ± 5.09* 112.99 ± 2.71 114.09 ± 4.80
500 mg 1000 mg 500 mg 1000 mg
154.8 ± 7.80** 145.25 ± 2.80** 128.48 ± 5.50** 121.78 ± 5.83**
(LDL=1.30 mmo1/1), high density lipoprotein (HDL=0.69
mmol/l) cholesterol (CH= 2.68 mmol/l) and triglyceride
(TG =1.56 mmol/l) mean values Groups 2, 3 and 4
compared with Group 1, 5 and 6, had low level of
Cholesterol (CHO= 1.9 mmol/l) low density lipoprotein
(LDL 0.56 mmol/l), high density lipoprotein (HDL=0.82
mmol/l) and triglyceride (TG= 1.14 mmol/l). This result is
in line with the findings of Dele [2003], who reported that
the principal causes for the development of coronary
heart disease “arthrosclerosis” arises as a result of high
build up of fatty acid, cholesterol and cholesterol esterase
(Lipoprotein).
Result obtained from the study also reveal that
administration of the crude extract of H. barteri fruits for
two weeks significantly at (p < 0.05) reduced the level of
cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride with
increased level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in dose
dependent manner with 1000 mg/kg having highest
reduction of lipid profile (CHO, TG and LDL) parameters
than those groups administered with 500 mg/kg. This
report tallied with the earlier reports of Mak [2012] that
fruits and vegetables packed with vitamins, minerals, the
healthy plant chemicals called phytochemical and
antioxidants, vegetables help fight low-density lipoprotein
(LDL, or "bad") cholesterol that can lead to the build-up of
plaque in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart
disease, heart attack, and stroke. It also stated by
Jennifer et al. [1975] that eating a diet rich in fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy
products, and sea food is linked to a smaller chance of
getting heart disease or cancer [Tadzaba et al., 2013].
Potential cholesterol-lowering effect from any medicinal
plants or pharmaceutical drugs has been shown to have
inhibitory effects on the HMG-CoA Reductase enzymes
[Williams, 2002]. Afa et al. [2012] shows that result from
the in-vitro bioassay indicates that a commercial noni fruit
juice blend (Tahitia Noni original bioactive (TNOB) and
Noni fruit juice methanol extract), inhibited both HMG-
COA Reductase and ACAT (hepatic and intestine)
enzymes concentration dependently. These enzymes are
also known to be involved in the biosynthesis,
homeostasis and cholesterol trafficking in humans
interestingly [Kamiya et al., 2004]. Since the fruit grow
 004 J. Cell. Biol. Biochem. Res

Table 2. Values for cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG)
before administration of crude extract of H. barteri fruits.

Group1 Group2 Group3 Group4 Group5 Group6

Lipid Profile
Normal Diet High fat 30% High fat 30% High fat 30% Normal Diet Normal Diet
H. barteri Nil Nil 500 mg/kg 1000 mg/kg 500 mg/kg 1000 mg/kg
CHO 1.65 ± 0.06 2.78 ± 0.09 2.65 + 0.03* 2.60 ± 0.08* 2.03 ± 0.05 1.96 ± 0.10
HDL 0.82 ± 0.05 0.750 ± 0.04 0.72 ± 0.04 0.60 ± 0.04 0.84 ± 0.03 0.79 ± 0.04
LDL 0.57 ± 0.09 1.65 ± 0.55* 1.47 ± 0.03* 1.58 ± 0.02* 0.79 ± 0.06 0.73 ± 0.12
TG 1.28 ± 0.02 1.90 ± 0.24* 1.98 ± 0.05* 2.08 ± 0.05* 1.03 ± 0.07 1.23 ± 0.075
Result are expressed as mean +/-- SEM N =6 *. Significantly higher than Group 1, 5 and 6 at (p< 0.05).

Table 3. After administration with crude extract of H. berteri for two weeks.

Group1 Group2 Group3 Group4 Group5 Group6

Lipid Profile
Normal Diet High fat 30% High fat 30% High fat 30% Normal Diet Normal Diet
H. berteri Nil Nil 500 mg/kg 500 mg/kg 500 mg/kg 500 mg/kg
CHO 1.74 ± 0.18 2.88 ± 0.08 2.35 ± 0.20** 2.20 ± 0.10** 1.65 ± 0.05** 1.57 ± 0.10**
HDL 0.84 ± 0.10 0.75 ± 0.05 0.88 ± 0.08 0.95 ± 0.01 0.85 ± 0.05 0.90 ± 0.04
LDL 0.64 ± 0.09 1.73 ± 0.11 1.18 ± 0.2** 1.00 ± 0.03** 0.59 ± 0.04** 0.44 ± 0.09**
TG 1.30 ± 0.05 2.00 ± 0.24 1.43 ± 0.15** 1.25 ± 0.40** 1.00 ± 0.05 1.13 ± 0.08
Result are expressed as mean +/-- SEM N =6 **. Significantly lower than lower Group 2.

wild and are consumed by both adult and children in the
rural areas without any cultural restriction, therefore H.
barteri fruits it may be used to restrict the level of
cholesterol in the body.
Conclusion
H. barteri fruits contain some components that has the
ability to reduce the level of cardiovascular risk factors
based on the experiment conducted, since it reduces the
level of low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol and
triglyceride, Suggesting that the fruits may have both or
one of the following properties; depression of hepatic
activities on lipogenic and choleterogenic enzymes such
as; malic enzyme, fatty acids synthase, glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase or HMG-CoA reductase.
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