Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) Seed Phenolic Extract Modulates the Activities of Selected Enzymes of Cardiovascular and Neurological Relevance

Background: African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) root, leaf and seed are used to treat variety of ailments in ethno-medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of phenolic extract of T. conophorum seed on some enzymes of cardiovascular and neurological significance. Materials and Methods: Pulverized seed (400g) of T. conophorum was extracted with methanol-acetone using standard extraction procedures. Total phenolic content (TPC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry analysis of free phenolic of T. conophorum seed (FPTC) extract were determined. Fifteen albino rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Lung, heart and muscle, and brain tissues were freshly harvested, homogenized using standard laboratory procedures and used as enzyme extracts for angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sodium-potassium (Na+/K)+-ATPase, and acetylcholinesterase, AChE assays respectively. Effects of FPTC on ACE, LDH, Na+/K-+ATPase and AChE activities were assessed exvivo. Results and Conclusion: TPC of FPTC was 86.99 mg/GAE/g dry weight. FPTC