The Effects of Aframomum Melegueta Aqueous Extract on the Adrenal Gland of Adult Wistar Rats

Grain of paradise (Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum.) seeds are used in West Africa as a remedy for variety of ailments such as stomachache, snakebite, diarrhea and they have reported anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the seeds contain gingerols and related compounds that may be useful against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation. A 28-day sub-chronic toxicity study in adult wistar rats was conducted to evaluate the safety of Aframomum melegueta aqueous extract on the adrenal gland. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 180-215kg were used. They were grouped into four groups of five animals. Group A served as the control and received 0.35ml of distilled water, the experimental groups B,C & D received 0.55ml, 0.65ml and 0.75ml of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta respectively for twenty eight days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed, anaesthesized using chloroform inhalation method and dissected. Organ (adrenal gland) tissues were removed, weighed and trimmed down to a size of 3mm × 3mm thick and fixed in 10% formalin for histological studies. There were body weight gain in the experimental groups compared with the control. The organ (adrenal gland) weight of the experimental groups were statistically similar with the control. There was no apparent toxicity assessed by histological examination.