Effects of catechin, quercetin and taxifolin on redox parameters and metabolites linked with renal health in rotenone-toxified rats

Summary: Nephrotoxicity, with the attendant risk of progression to kidney failure, is a growing problem in many parts of the world. Current orthodox treatment options for nephrotoxicity and kidney failure are limited and there is need for alternative or complementary approaches. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of three structurally related flavonoids, catechin, quercetin and taxifolin on renal redox and metabolite biochemical disturbances in rotenone intoxicated animals. Male Wistar rats were administered 1.5 mg/kg rotenone (s.c.) for ten days followed by post-treatment with catechin (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg), quercetin (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) and taxifolin (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) (s.c.), for 3 days. Renal redox indices and levels of renal-related metabolites (creatinine, urea and uric acid) were assessed after sacrifice of animals. Catechin, quercetin and taxifolin significantly attenuated rotenone-induced effects on oxidative stress markers and metabolites linked to renal health. Quercetin was clearly more effective than catechin. The activity demonstrated by taxifolin, despite being administered at the lowest doses, was compelling. The results highlight the potential of these phytochemicals in the management of renal dysfunction. The findings additionally suggest a correlation between the structure of the flavonoids and their activity but also indicate that additional structural considerations beyond conventionally acknowledged ones may be involved.Keywords: Flavonoids, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, structure-activity relationshi

Antimicrobial activities of phenolic containing extracts of some tropical vegetables

The present study sought to investigate the antimicrobial properties of phenolic containing extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (Va), Ocimum gratissimum (Og) and Manihot utilissima (Mu). Phenolic compound was characterized with the aid of a reversed phase HPLC/DAD/MS, and the antimicrobial activities of the extracts was assessed using agar-well diffusion method against some microorganisms, namely; Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aereus, Shigella spp, Enterobacter, Clostridium sporogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus vulgaris. Ten, eight and four phenolic compounds were identified in Va, Og, and Mu respectively. The major phenolic compounds identified in Va were, Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, luteolin and 1,5 dicaffeoyl quinic acid; nevadensin, vicenin-2, cichoric acid and rosmarinic acid in Og, while the major polyphenol in Mu were rutin and Kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside. The antimicrobial investigation showed that M. utilissima is active against only B. cereus of the entire tested organism. V. amygdalina is active against B. cereus, S. aereus and Shigella spp, while O. gratissimum is active against B. cereus, S. aereus and Shigella spp. The results obtained in the present investigation showed that the use of the vegetable materials as nutraceuticals may reduce the risk of microbial infections, which may partly be due to their phenolic composition.ICTP/IAEA.http://www.academicjournals.org/ajp

Enriching nutritive value of cassava root by yeast fermentation

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is extensively cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics regions due to its ability to grow in diverse soil conditions and minimal management. Experiments were made to study the cassava root fermentation by yeasts in order to enhance the nutritive value of their products (fresh pulp and chips). Both cassava chip (CC) and fresh cassava root pulp (FCR) samples were fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in solid-liquid media fermentation conditions during 132 hours and dried at 30ºC. Products were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral composition, essential aminoacids and antinutrient content. There were increases (p A mandioca (Manihot esculenta) é extensivamente cultivada nas regiões tropical e subtropical devido à sua habilidade de crescer em diveresas condições de clima e manejo. Experimentos foram efetuados para estudar o aumento do valor nutritivo de subprodutos derivados de raízes de mandioca (polpa fresca e raspas) por processos de fermentação. Amostras de raspas (RM) e de polpa fresca (PF) foram fermentadas por Saccharomyces cerevisiae, em condições de meio sólido-líquido durante 132 horas e secas a 30ºC. Foram avaliados a composição aproximada, composição mineral, aminoácidos essenciais e conteúdo de antinutrientes dos produtos obtidos. Houve aumentos (p < 0.01) em proteínas (30,4% em RM e 13,5% in PF) e conteúdo de gorduras (5,8% em RM e 3,0% in PF). Os subprodutos de mandioca fermentados por S. cerevisiae apresentaram baixos conteúdos de ácido hidrocianídrico (RM, 0,5 mg kg-1 e PF 47,3 mg kg-1). Houve aumento considerável de lisina nas raspas fermentadas (RMF). Valores aceitáveis de cor, textura e aroma das raspas de mandioca enriquecidas formam obtidos após 132 de bioprocessamento. Sugere-se que a RMF pode ser nutricionalmente melhorada para alimentação animal pelo uso de S. cerevisiae

Zmodyfikowane, niezawodnościowo zorientowane krzywe obciążeniowe w projektowaniu wzmacnianych kolumn betonowych

The provision of a safe structural system is a major object of structural designs. Due to uncertainties of varying magnitudes associated with loadings, the material and geometrical properties, current design methods that are not fully based on the probability concept are not able to yield a constant reliability level. This paper examined the criteria of British Standard Code of Practice (BS 8110, 1997) currently in use in Nigeria, for the design of reinforced concrete columns subjected to axial and bending loads using the probability-based concept. In order to offer designs capable of maintaining a predefined safety level, a computer program in FORTRAN language was developed. The modules in the program were based on BS 8110 (1997) design requirements and the First Order Reliability Method. Individual parameters were considered random with practical probability distributions. The program starts with a preliminary design and iteratively selects values of the design variables that lead to the predefined safety level. Interaction curves were plotted for varying safety indices. On the curves, design decisions relating to ratios of dead to live loads, effective to the gross depth of a section and reinforcement can be made. In contrast to the current method of BS 8110 (1997), the proposed design curves guide the designer to the knowledge of the expected level of safety of the section being designed.Dostarczenie zamawiającemu konstrukcji spełniającej wymogi bezpieczeństwa jest jednym z głównych celów projektowania. Z powodu niepewności co do wartości spodziewanych obciążeń oraz rozkładu materiałowych i geometrycznych parametrów da- nego obiektu, konstruowanie nie oparte całkowicie na rachunku prawdopodobieństwa nie jest w stanie zapewnić jednoznacznego wyniku ze stałym poziomem niezawodności. W niniejszej pracy dokonano analizy brytyjskiej normy zarządzania ryzykiem, tzw. British Standard Code of Practice BS 8110 z 1997 r., która opiera się na rachunku prawdopodobieństwa i obecnie jest stosowana w Nigerii przy projektowaniu wzmacnianych kolumn betonowych przenoszących obciążenie osiowe i gnące. Do tworzenia konstrukcji mogących zapewnić utrzymanie założonego poziomu bezpieczeństwa ułożono program komputerowy w języku FORTRAN. Moduły tego programu oparto właśnie na zaleceniach BS 8110 oraz procedurze iteracyjnej analizy niezawodności pierwszego rzędu (tzw. FORM). Poszczególne parametry potraktowano jako wartości losowe z obserwowanymi w praktyce rozkładami prawdopodobieństwa. Opracowany program rozpoczyna działanie od sformułowania konstrukcji wstępnej i iteracyjnie dobiera wartości zmiennych parametrów konstrukcyjnych, zmierzając do uzyskania założonego poziomu bezpieczeństwa. W artykule, otrzymane krzywe obciążeniowe narysowano dla różnych wskaźników bezpieczeństwa. Na ich podstawie można podjąć decyzje projektowe dotyczące stosunku ciężaru własnego do użytkowego oraz w konsekwencji parametrów przekroju i wzmocnienia. W odróżnieniu od procedury według dotychczasowo stosowanej normy BS 8110, krzywe obciążeniowe interakcji moment gnący – siła osiowa zaprezentowane w tej pracy dają konstruktorowi jednoznaczną znajomość oczekiwanego poziomu bezpieczeństwa projektowanego przekroju kolumny

Sub-chronic exposure to EOMABRS leachate induces germinal epithelial cell lesions, sperm abnormalities and oxidative damage in rats

Objectives: To explore the possible link between reproductive abnormalities among men and exposure of toxic chemicals in the environment. Methods: The study investigated the sperm functions and the antioxidant defence system of rats exposed to leachate obtained from Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling site (EOMABRSL) via oral route. Results: EOMABRSL had significant effects on both absolute and relative testicular weight. Formation of sperm abnormalities was observed following EOMABRSL exposure. Antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly altered in the testes resulting into increased lipid peroxidation. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) depleted relative to the control group. Considerable necrosis of leydig cells and loss of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules with the clumping of interstitial space were seen in EOMABRSL-treated rats. The mechanism of toxicity is linked to individual, synergistic, antagonistic, competitive or collective interaction of the metals with normal testicular biochemical processes. Conclusion: The study concluded that possible mechanisms by which EOMABRSL at the investigated doses elicits spermatotoxicity could be linked to the testicular oxidative stress and damage to germinal epithelial cells by mixed-metal exposure. However, this may suggest possible reproductive health hazards in subjects with environmental or industrial exposure

Salubrious effect of Parinari curatellifolia seed extract in doxorubicin intoxicated rats

The seed of Parinari curatellifolia Ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae) is widely used in Southwestern Nigeria for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension, important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Parinari curatellifolia seed extract (PCE) on the antioxidant status, lipid profile and cardiac health in doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. Phenolic profile of the extract was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups that were pretreated with ramipril (10 mg/kg) or PCE (50-, 100-, 150- and 200 mg/kg) orally for two weeks. On the 13th day, single dose of (15 mg/kg i.p) DOX was administered to all the groups except control. Antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase {SOD}, glutathione peroxidase {GPx}, glutathione transferase {GT}, reduced glutathione {GSH}, thiobarbituric reacting substance {TBARS}), cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK-MB) were evaluated in cardiac tissue homogenate or plasma. Catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, rutin, kaempferol and quercitrin were confirmed present in PCE. DOX intoxication in experimental rats resulted in significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in plasma activities of LDH and CK-MB, concentrations of all lipid types, except HDL which was significantly (P&lt;0.05) reduced, as well as the tissue level of TBARS as compared with control. In addition, activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GT and GPx) were reduced (P&lt;0.05) in the DOX intoxicated group. However, pretreatment with PCE significantly ameliorated the alterations caused by doxorubicin. PCE protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats possibly through positive modulation of the cardiac antioxidant defense system and amelioration of dyslipidemia by the constituent flavonols.Keywords: Parinari curatellifolia, cardiotoxicity, Doxorubicin, antioxidant, phenolic compounds, dyslipidemi

Comparative studies on the nutritional quality of some improved cultivars and some market samples of cowpea

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Comparative studies on the nutritional quality of some improved cultivars and some market samples of Cowpea

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Effect of fermenting cassava with Rhizopus Oryzae on the chemical composition of its flour and gari products

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Effect of some post-harvest treatments on the bioavailability of zinc from some selected tropical vegetables

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal