Abstract

Anthonia Onyinye Ngwoke, Tobechukwu Chigha Iyidobi and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

The nutritional status of a woman before and during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome . This study investigated the effect of flavonoid-rich extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa on plasma glucocorticoid level of pregnant Wistar rats. 20 female Wistar rats weighing 120-220g was used for this study. They were divided into control, low dose group (given 10mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract), medium dose group (given 20mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract), and high dose group (given 50mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract). There was a significant increase in corticosterone. The use of flavonoid-rich extract by the mother does not have a toxic effect on the offspring hence, consumption of flavonoids as supplement should be encouraged among pregnant women to enable them shed weight (weight loss) that resulted from fat accumulation during pregnancy.