Protective Effects of the Leaf Aqueous Extract of Manihot Esculenta Crantz Against High-Calorie Diet Combined with Alcohol and Sucrose Ingestion Induced Hypertension in Rats

Manihot esculenta commonly known as cassava is widely distributed across the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, its leaves and tubers are commonly eaten by local populations, who often lend this plant the properties of a traditional medicine. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of the leaf aqueous extract of Manihot esculenta Crantz against high-calorie diet combined with alcohol and sucrose ingestion induced hypertension in rats. Male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of six rats each. Antihypertension activity was evaluated by daily oral administration of Manihot esculenta aqueous extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg bw to rats exposed to high fat/high sucrose diet and daily oral ingestion of sucrose (15%, 5 mL/kg) and ethanol (40°, 5 mL/kg). At the same time, the group 2 or positive control group received high fat/high sucrose diet and daily oral ingestion of sucrose (15%, 5 mL/kg) and ethanol (40°, 5 mL/kg). The last group received standard diet and distilled water (5 mL/kg, orally). During the experimental period (8 weeks), the body weight of animals was daily recorded while the glycaemia was measured every two weeks. The hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart beat) and some serum markers of lipid profile (Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol), endothelial (NO) and liver functions (AST and ALT) as well as oxidative stress parameters (SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA and TBARS) in the serum and aorta were measured at the end of the study. Our results indicated that Manihot esculenta aqueous extract significantly reduced the body weight gain, diastolic blood pressure, aorta diameter, glycaemia, of animals submitted to both oral administration of sucrose, ethanol and high fat fat/high sucrose diet, and plant extract. Moreover, the administration of Manihot esculenta extract improved the vasodilatation by increasing the endothelial NO secretion. Furthermore, the treatment with this extract improved the balance of the oxidative stress markers and the level of triglyceride, cholesterol and transaminases. Thereby, these results suggest that the leaf aqueous extract of Manihot esculenta could have protective effects against hypertension induced by high-calorie diet combined with alcohol and sucrose ingestion in rats.