Safety and Efficacy of Methanol Fraction of Moringa oleifera as Antihypertensive in L-NAME Induced Hypertensive Rabbits: Bedside to Bench, Implications for Bench Back to Bedside

Context: Hypertension, a global menace requires innovative research into the use of Moringa oleifera being promoted and traditionally used as alternative therapy.Objective: To innovatively evaluate the mechanistic effect, safety and efficacy of the methanol fraction of M. oleifera (MMO) leaves on L-NAME induced hypertensive rabbits.Methods: Rabbits were divided into six groups: Control, L-NAME alone, L-NAME with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of MMO and enalapril. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were similar baseline parameters and Day 3 systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than baseline SBP respectively. The primary outcome was a 10% reduction of SBP on Day 21. Enalapril group was excluded from analysis. Safety was assessed with liver and renal functions, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide concentrations to elucidate mechanistic effect.Results: Moringa 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg reduced SBP by 4.75, 18.00 and 15.25 mmHg (F=22.123, p=0.000). SBP control was achieved with MMO 200mg/kg, 14% reduction and 400mg/kg, 12% reduction. Nitric oxide concentration, 0.06, 0.094 and 0.114mmol (F= 30.255, p= 0.000) dose-dependently increased and was most predictive of SBP control (r2=0.802, p=0.000). Nitric oxide production was inversely related to heart/body weight ratio which was dose-dependently reduced. MMO reduced hydrogen peroxide and ALT level but no significant effect on urea, HDL, and TG.Conclusion: MMO reduced SBP and dose-dependently increased nitric oxide concentration in L-NAME induced hypertensive rabbits. The effect may be mediated via activation of nitric oxide pathway. MMO demonstrated a potent anti-oxidant activity and safety. Effect on ventricular hypertrophy needs further evaluation

Adsorption properties of Azadirachta indica extract on corrosion of Aluminium in 1.85 M Hydrochloric acid

The crude extract of Azadirachta indica was used in the corrosion inhibition study of aluminium metal coupons in 1.85 M hydrochloric acid environment by gasometric technique. The coupons were immersed in test solutions of uninhibited 1.85 M HCl and those containing extract concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% (v/v) at room temperature. The rate of the reaction was captured by monitoring the volume of hydrogen gas evolved as a result of the interaction. The inhibition efficiency of the extracts and the adsorption isotherm of the process were calculated using Frumkin, Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin adsorption theories and the surface morphology studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the plant extract retarded the acid induced corrosion of aluminium and the volume of hydrogen gas evolved reduced with increasing extract concentration. The adsorption studies revealed that Langmuir isotherm is the best model for the adsorption of Azadirachta indica (R2 = 0.999) on aluminium surface. This implied that the Azadirachta indica extracts with aluminium metal undergoes chemisorption

Nutritional and Physico-Chemical Evaluations of Moringa oleifera Seedlings and Oil

This work was intended to respectively examine the proximate analysis; mineral compositions and physico-chemical parameters of Moringa oleifera seeds and its extracted seed oil. Harvested seedlings of Moringa oleifera plant obtained from Chukwun community in Kaduna State of Nigeria presented an oil yield of 42.51%. Percentage values of 3.47, 6.84, 3.99, 26.48, 48.29 and 12.44 respectively represents the moisture content, crude fibre content, total ash, protein content, crude fat content and carbohydrate content of the seeds. The mineral elemental concentration carried out showed potassium having the highest concentration of 368.95 mg/kg while zinc concentration was the lowest (6.82). Physico-chemical examinations of its seed oil reveal 194.75 mg KOH/g sample, 68.41 gICl/100g sample, and 5.6 mg KOH/g sample respective values for saponification, iodine and acid values. The findings from this investigation show that Moringa oleifera seed and oil extracted from it could be consumed and its oil could be used as base materials for several industrial processe

Helminth parasites in freshwater fish species from Jebba Lake and Bida Floodplain areas of River Niger, Nigeria

A total of 610 freshwater fish specimens comprising 7 scaly fishes (Sarotherodon, Oreochromis, Tilapia, Marcusenius and Brycinus) and 6 non-scaly catfishes (Clarias, Chrysichthys, Synodontis arid Physailia) belonging to 7 families and 9 genera, from Jebba Lake and Bida floodplain areas of River Niger, Nigeria, between June 2004 and May 2006, were sampled and examined parasitologically for helminth parasites. Nine species of 1331 helminth parasites comprising five nematodes Eustrongylides africanus, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Spironoura petrei, Cucullanus bavlisi and an unidentified species; cestodes Proteocephalus ambloplitis and Wenyonia virilis keinjii, and two trematodes Oiplostomum tragenona and Euclinosiomum heterostomum were obtained from 198 infected fishes. The distribution of the helminth parasites were 48.4%; 35.6%; 15.1 %; 0.3%; 0.2% and 0.1% respectively in the intestine; pyloric caeca (stomach); muscle; liver and gills, gut and kidney. There was statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the infection rate and sexes of the fish species. The examined fish population shows that the female fish species were more infected than the male. Higher infection rate, mean intensity and abundance were found in female than in males and statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).the nonscaly catfish species were more proned to helminth parasites infestation than the scaly fish species; this might be due to morphological features. The study was carried out to provide information on the types, check list and problems of helminth parasites affecting the freshwater fish species from Jebba Lake and Bida floodplain areas of River Niger, Nigeria in order to create awareness to fish handlers and/or culturists and to facilitate monitoring them when and if they occur in aquaculture

Effect of chronic administration of indomethacin on haematological parameters in rats

Chronic treatment with indomethacin (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg decreased packed cell volume (PCV) haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) and neutrophil values but increased the lymphocyte counts

Hepatoprotective effects of ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of Harungana madagascariensis on acetaminophen-induced toxicity in rats

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of stem bark extracts of Haronga (Harungana madagascariensis) in rats using Silymarin as a reference drug and to evaluate the phytochemicals contents of the bark extracts. Pilot toxicity studies conducted with administration of three doses of extracts of H. madagascariensis did not show toxicity effects. Phytochemical tests were conducted on the extracts to determine the contents. Gradient solvent extraction using Chloroform and Ethyl acetate were carried out to obtain extracts that were tested for hepatoprotective activities in 30 Albino rats divided equally into five groups. Two groups were administered with Chloroform and Ethyl acetate extracts for 7 days, given acetaminophen (750mg/kg), continued with the extracts until day 10. One group was administered with distilled water for 7 days and then acetaminophen (750mg/kg) on day 8. Another group was given Silymarin (100mg/kg) for 7 days and acetaminophen (750mg/kg) on day 8. The rats were anaesthetized and 5ml of blood was collected from each for determining biochemical parameters. The rats were sacrificed and liver and kidney were excised for histopathology. The H. madagascariensis bark extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids but lack anthraquinone and cardiac glycosides. Chloroform extracts caused increase in blood urea and creatinine levels compared to Silymarin and decrease alkaline phosphatase (ATP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels than the paracetamol group and increase in total protein compared to the ethyl acetate group. Extract of ethyl acetate showed slight difference in the level of serum biochemical parameters compared to Silymarin group making it a more effective extract. Histopathology of the liver administered with acetaminophen showed thinning of the hepatocytes but no visible lesions in the rats administered with ethyl acetate extract. In conclusion, H. madagascariensis solvent extract possessed hepatoprotective activity and Ethyl acetate extract was more potent than Chloroform extract

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant activities and essential oil constituents of Andrographis paniculata

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases which lead to urgent need to investigate new, safe and effective source of antioxidant agents. This research proposed to investigate in-vitro and phytochemical constituent of the plant Andrographis paniculata using phytochemical analysis, GC/MS, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and NO. Phytochemical analysis of Andrographis paniculata revealed the presence of tannins, total flavonoids, total phenol, total flavonols, and total proanthocyanidins. GC/MS analysis of essential oil of AP identified one major compound name benzenepropanoic acid elucited at 3.296 retention time and 0.74 area percentage. The ferric reducing potential of the extracts was concentration dependent and significantly different from that of rutin and vitamin E. The % inhibition of ABTS by the ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was concentration dependent and compared favourably well with the rutin and vitamin E. In DPPH scavenging assays, the IC50 value of the ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was &lt; 0.025 mg/ml, while IC50 of rutin and Vitamin E were &lt; 0.025 mg/ml and 0.08mg/ml. Nitric oxide IC50 for extract is 1.05mg/ml, Vitamin E is 1.2 mg/ml, and rutin is &lt; 0.025 mg/ml. The present study showed high level of radical scavenging activity by ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata with higher antioxidant activities than Vitamin E but less than that of rutin. This show that Andrographis paniculata has antioxidant properties and the plant could be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, Antioxidants, Oxidative stres

Effect of arsenic acid withdrawal on hepatotoxicity and disruption of erythrocyte antioxidant defense system

We investigated the effects of withdrawal from Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on the hepatic and antioxidant defense system in male Wistar rats using a before and after toxicant design. Rats were orally gavaged daily with varying doses of NaAsO2 for a period of 4 weeks. One half of the population was sacrificed and the remaining half had the toxicant withdrawn for another further 4 weeks. Biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess the impact of withdrawal on the erythrocyte and hepatic systems. Exposure of Wistar rats to NaASO2 led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in hepatic and erythrocyte markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, thiol contents and hydrogen peroxide generation). Concurrently, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in hepatic and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) following exposure. Withdrawal from NaAsO2 exposure led to a decline in both erythrocyte and hepatic markers of oxidative stress and together with a significant improvement in antioxidant defense system. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed varying degrees of recovery in hepatocyte ultrastructure alongside increased expression of the pro-survival protein Kinase B (Akt/PKB) after 4 weeks of NaAsO2 withdrawal. Conclusively, withdrawal from exposure led to a partial recovery from oxidative stress-mediated hepatotoxicity and derangements in erythrocyte antioxidant system through Akt/PKB pathway. Keywords: Liver, Erythrocyte, Arsenic acid, Hepatotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Akt/PKB signalin