Micro-Anatomical Effect Of Tahitian Noni Dietary Supplement On The Heart Of Caffeine-Treated Sprague- Dawley Rats

摘要

AIM: This study was designed to assess the effects of Tahitian Noni on the heart of Caffeine-treated rats.METHODS: Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 105-200 g were used. They were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was the control. Group 2 received 200mg/kg of caffeine for 8 weeks, group 3 received 200mg/kg of caffeine for 4 weeks and 5ml/kg of Noni for another 4 weeks, group 4 received both 200mg/kg of caffeine and 5ml/kg of Noni for 8 weeks, group 5 received 5ml/kg of Noni for 8 weeks, group 6 received 5ml/kg of Noni for 4 weeks and 200mg/kg of caffeine for another 4 weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in cholesterol levels and body weights of treated groups when compared to control. The histological sections showed focal necrosis in groups 2, 3and 4 with degenerative changes observed in group 2. Groups 5 and 6 tended towards normal.CONCLUSION: Tahitian noni dietary supplement modulates the effect of a high dose of caffeine on the heart. Introduction Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but unlike most other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all jurisdictions [5]. An estimated 80% of the world’s population consumes a caffeine-containing substance daily [1].Caffeine is considered a psychoactive substance since it stimulates the central nervous system and alters mood and behavior. Heroin, cocaine, marijuana, nicotine and alcohol are also examples of psychoactive drugs. Physiological effects may be seen in adults after as little as one cup of coffee or two cans of cola [4].Heart disease is currently the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States and in many other developing countries [11]. Caffeine and coffee consumption adversely affects cholesterol and other lipid levels, homocysteine, blood pressure, arrhythmias and stress levels, increasing the risk of heart disease [8].For people who are genetically slow metabolizers of caffeine, drinking coffee significantly raises the risk of developing a heart attack, or experiencing a myocardial infarction [3].The Tahitian Noni dietary supplement is a liquid dietary supplement. Noni, a common name for Morinda citrifolia is one of the most common plants used in herbal remedies. The fruit juice is in high demand in alternative medicine for different kinds of illnesses such as Arthritis, Diabetes, High blood pressure, Muscle aches and pains, Menstrual difficulties, Headaches, Heart disease, AIDS, Cancer, Gastric ulcers, Sprains, Mental depression, Senility, Poor digestion, Atherosclerosis, Blood vessel problems, and Drug addiction [10].This work is therefore designed to evaluate experimentally the effect of Tahitian Noni on the heart of caffeine-treated rats. Materials and Methods Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, 16-20 weeks old and weighing between 105-200 g were obtained from the Department of Biochemistry, College of medicine, University of Lagos. The rats were housed in well-ventilated metal cages under standard conditions of temperature (25 ± 5°C) in the department of Anatomy, College of medicine, University of Lagos. Animals were exposed to a photo period of 12 hours light, alternating with 12 hours darkness. They were allowed access to standard laboratory food and water ad libitum throughout the experiment. The animals were kept for at least 2 weeks to acclimatize to the laboratory conditions before experimentation.The thirty male rats were divided randomly into six groups of five rats each. The experimental groups received daily oral doses of the drugs as follows: Group 1, the control received daily oral dose of distilled water. Group 2 received 200 mg/kg of caffeine for 8 weeks, Group 3 received 200 mg/kg of caffeine for 4 weeks and 5 ml/kg of Noni for another 4 weeks, Group 4 received both 200 mg/kg of caffeine and 5 ml/kg of Noni for 8 weeks, Group 5 received 5 ml/kg of Noni for 8 weeks, Group 6 received 5 ml/kg of Noni for 4 weeks and 200 mg