Project Abstract

Abstract
Combretum micranthum is a plant known for its medicinal properties, including its potential as an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and antioxidant agent. In this study, the aqueous extract of Combretum micranthum leaves was evaluated for its ACE inhibitory activity and antioxidant properties. The ACE inhibitory activity was determined using an in vitro assay, while the antioxidant activities were assessed through various methods such as DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, and total phenolic content determination. The results showed that the aqueous extract of Combretum micranthum leaves exhibited significant ACE inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value comparable to that of the positive control (captopril). This suggests that the extract has the potential to inhibit ACE, an enzyme involved in regulating blood pressure. The antioxidant activities of the extract were also notable, with strong DPPH radical scavenging activity and high reducing power. The total phenolic content of the extract was found to be substantial, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds that contribute to its antioxidant properties. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate the potential of the aqueous extract of Combretum micranthum leaves as a natural ACE inhibitor and antioxidant agent. These properties are of interest in the management of conditions such as hypertension and oxidative stress-related diseases. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these activities and to explore the extract's potential as a therapeutic agent.

Project Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The word hypertension is defined as a persistence increase in systemic arterial blood pressure (Sembulingam and Sembuligam, 2006). Clinically, when the systolic pressure remains elevated above 140mmHg and diastolic pressure remains elevated above 90mmHg, it is considered as hypertension. The prevalence varies with age, race, education, occupation and many other variables (Benowitz, 2009). In Nigeria for example, the true incidence of hypertension remains unknown but its prevalence among male and female is estimated to be 11.2% with age adjusted figure of 9.3% (Nurudeenet al., 2013). This translates into approximately 13.4 million Nigerians becoming hypertensive at the age of 15years and above, using the projected national population census figure of 120million (Akinkungbe, 1998). In fact, hypertension is reported to be next to malaria as most serious health problems in developing tropical countries (Agunwa, 1988).

The global dimension of hypertension is immense, as it ranks the most common cardiovascular ailment afflicting about one billion people in the world and causing roughly 7.1 million deaths annually (Brundtland, 2002). Hypertension is said to be the most common cardiovascular disease among Africans and congestive cardiac failure its commonest complication (Akinkungbe 1972, 1985). Earlier studies suggested that hypertension was rare in African population (Sharper et al., 1969, Pobeeet al., 1977), however, epidemiological transition, urbanization, adoption of urban and foreign lifestyles and improved case findings, among others, have made hypertension more prevalent as shown in some studies (Cooper et al., 1998). The last Nigerian National Non-communicable Disease Survey (NNCDS) conducted in 1997 reported 11.4% prevalence of adult hypertension, varying from 14.8% in urban to 9.8% in rural residences respectively. However, a report on Nigeria from the World