Biomaterial Database

Some preliminary observations on the effects of kola nut on the cardiovascular system. 1978

M Agatha, and C Breckenridge, and E A Soyemi

The prevalence of kola nut chewing and the effects attributed to it are briefly reviewed. Except for a generalisation that its effects are probably due to its caffeine content, no attempts have been made to quantify its specific actions. Preliminary observations on the cardiovascular system of the cat show that aqueous extracts of the nut evoke a dose dependent differential response - the 8 - 9% hypertensive effect of 0.01 ug - 1mg/ml doses contrasting with the 18--71% hypotensive response of 10--1000mgs/ml doses. Adrenergic receptor blockade showed no significant alteration of the response. With larger doses a bradycardia developed and cardiac arrythmias were observed as a terminal event. These results are compatible with the action of xanthines on the heart and peripheral vasculature. The possible role of the habitually chewed kola nut in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and its implications have been briefly discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009549	Nigeria	A republic in western Africa, south of NIGER between BENIN and CAMEROON. Its capital is Abuja.	Federal Republic of Nigeria
D009754	Nuts	Botanically, a type of single-seeded fruit in which the pericarp enclosing the seed is a hard woody shell. In common usage the term is used loosely for any hard, oil-rich kernel. Of those commonly eaten, only hazel, filbert, and chestnut are strictly nuts. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and coconuts are really drupes. Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamias, and cashews are really seeds with a hard shell derived from the testa rather than the pericarp.	Nut
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002319	Cardiovascular System	The HEART and the BLOOD VESSELS by which BLOOD is pumped and circulated through the body.	Circulatory System,Cardiovascular Systems,Circulatory Systems
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D006339	Heart Rate	The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute.	Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia