Helianthus annuus Leaf Ameliorates Postprandial Hyperglycaemia by Inhibiting Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes Associated with Type-2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease. Decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia by retarding glucose absorption through inhibiting carbohydrates digesting enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) is one of many approaches used for the management of this disease. This study was aimed at evaluating the normoglycaemic potential of Helianthus annuus leaf. Methods: The effect of the in vitro inhibitory of different extracts (acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane) of the plant was assessed on the activities of diabetes-related enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Results: The hexane extract of H. annuus leaf displayed the best inhibitory activity against α- amylase and α-glucosidase as indicated by the IC50 values (3.92 ± 0.02 mg mL-1) and (3.29 ± 0.12 mg mL-1), respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plot of inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by this extract showed that it was competitive and non-competitive mode, respectively. Conclusion: H. annuus leaf possesses hypoglycaemic potential which may be due to the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase

Protective effect of Irvingia gabonensis stem bark extract on cadmiuminduced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Cadmium has been considered a risk factor for humans as it accumulates in body tissues, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis (IG) against cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity. The study was performed on twenty (20) male rats divided into four groups: control group, cadmium group (4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), cadmium + extract (200 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage) and cadmium + extract (400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage). Changes in the kidney biochemical markers, namely glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), urea, and creatinine were determined in serum. Histological examinations were monitored. Exposure to Cd lowered the activities of kidney antioxidants, while it increased LPO levels. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of IG extract. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with the untreated cadmium rats. Yet the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) when the cadmium animals treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were compared with the cadmium control. Furthermore, histological alterations in the kidney were observed in cadmium untreated rats and these were ameliorated in cadmium treated rats by co-administration of IG extract. IG showed apparent protective and curative effect on Cd-induced nephrotoxicity

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES AND HEMATOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF BLIGHIA SAPIDA KOENIG BARK IN ALLOXANINDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Blighia sapida(BS) has been shown to be rich sources of antioxidant, thus, we evaluated effects of B. sapida Koenig stem bark ethanol extract (BSE) on lipid metabolism and hematological indices in diabetes rats. Th irty male rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Diabetes was elicited by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg body weight) once and orally administered with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), B. sapidaextract (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight (bw) once daily for 21 days. Serum lipid profi le, markers of hepato-renal toxicity and hematological indices were examined using automated analyzer. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically different. Diabetic untreated animals showed considerably elevated total cholesterol p < 0.05, also, significant increase in AST, ALT, ALP, urea and creatinine compared to control. Triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, AI and CRI decreased with extract administration and HDL-c increased considerable compared to untreated diabetic rats. Furthermore, significant lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBCs) levels, white blood cells (WBCs) compared to normal animals was recorded in the untreated group. Th ese changes were returned to normal after the administration of extract 50, 100 and 150 mg/ kg body weight. Hence, these effects were most prominent in the animals treated with 150 mg/kg body weight of B. sapidabark. Th is indicates that B. sapida stem bark possess anti-hyperlipidemic activity and improved the biochemical parameters within the hematological profile of diabetic rats. Keyword: Blighia sapida, antihyperlipidemic, hematological profile, diabete

Ocimum gratissimumLinn. Leaves reducethe key enzymes activities relevant toerectile dysfunction in isolated penile andtesticular tissues of rats

Background:Ocimum gratissimumL. is a medicinal plant widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions with theleafdecoctionusuallytakeninfolkmedicinetoenhanceerectileperformanceinmenalthoughtheprobablemechanism of actions remains undetermined. This study examined the inhibitory potentials ofOcimum gratissimumleaves on some key enzymes associated with erectile dysfunction in penile and testicular tissues of the rat.Methods:Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract (1:10w/v)ofO. gratissimumleaves on the activities of phosphodiesterase-5(PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin I–converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in penile and testicular tissueswere assessed. Also, the extract was investigated for ferric reducing antioxidant property(FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging abilities.Results:The extract showed higher PDE-5 (IC50=43.19μg/mL), ACE (IC50= 44.23μg/mL), AChE (IC50= 55.51μg/mL) andarginase (IC50= 46.12μg/mL) inhibitory activity in thepeniletissuethanPDE-5(IC50= 44.67μg/mL), ACE (IC50= 53.99μg/mL), AChE (IC50= 60.03μg/mL) and arginase (IC50=49.12μg/mL) inhibitory activity in the testicular tissue homogenate.Furthermore, the extract scavenged free radicals and in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion:Theenzymeactivitiesdisplayedmightbeassociatedwiththebioactivecompoundspresentintheextractwhich could possibly explain its use in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED)

Aqueous extract of Carica papaya Linn. roots potentially attenuates arsenic induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats

In Africa, the fruit, leaf, seed and roots of Carica papaya Linn. are generally used to treat a variety of diseases such as malaria, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the protective potentials of aqueous extract of C. papaya roots on arsenic-induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats. Rats were induced intraperitoneal with sodium arsenate (dissolved in distilled water at 3 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days and the animals were administered simultaneously with 200 mg/kg body weight vitamin C, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of the C. papaya Linn. root aqueous extract once daily for three weeks. Results obtained reveals that activities of plasma 8-OHdG, serum lipids concentration, atherogenic index (AI), coronary artery index (CRI), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin levels were elevated significantly (p < 0.05) and catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma hematological profile were progressively reduced (p < 0.05) in arsenic-alone exposed rats. Significant increase in the quantity of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN) frequency, oxidative damages in the bone marrow cells from arsenic alone rats was observed. Though, mitotic index scores in these cells were progressively reduced (p < 0.05). In animals administered with aqueous extract of C. papaya roots and vitamin C, the altered parameters were significantly recovered towards the levels observed in normal control rats. These results suggest that aqueous C. papaya roots preparations might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in arsenic poisoning

Helianthus annuus Leaf Ameliorates Postprandial Hyperglycaemia by Inhibiting Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes Associated with Type-2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease. Decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia by retarding glucose absorption through inhibiting carbohydrates digesting enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) is one of many approaches used for the management of this disease. This study was aimed at evaluating the normoglycaemic potential of Helianthus annuus leaf. Methods: The effect of the in vitro inhibitory of different extracts (acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane) of the plant was assessed on the activities of diabetes-related enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Results: The hexane extract of H. annuus leaf displayed the best inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase as indicated by the IC50 values (3.92 ± 0.02 mg mL-1) and (3.29 ± 0.12 mg mL-1), respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plot of inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by this extract showed that it was competitive and non-competitive mode, respectively. Conclusion: H. annuus leaf possesses hypoglycaemic potential which may be due to the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase

Prophylactic Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Irvingia gabonensis Stem Bark against Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Albino Rats

The prophylactic effect of ethanolic extract of Irvingia gabonensis stem bark on cadmium-induced oxidative damage in male albino rats’ liver was investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, cadmium, and treatment groups. In the prophylactic experiment, Irvingia gabonensis (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered by oral gavage for 21 days before exposure to cadmium. Antioxidant marker enzymes such as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were determined in the liver and heart alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored and histological examination was carried out. Results indicate that cadmium-induced rats had significantly increased relative weight of liver and heart when compared to controls. Treatment with Irvingia gabonensis at 200 and 400 mg/kg caused a significant decrease in relative weight of the organs. In cadmium-induced rats, serum ALT and AST activities and levels of LPO were increased whereas hepatic and cardiac marker enzymes significantly decreased. Furthermore, histological alteration in liver and aorta was observed in cadmium untreated rats and was ameliorated in cadmium rats treated with Irvingia gabonensis. In conclusion, the extract indicates antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties that eliminate the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of cadmium

Aqueous Extract of Carica Papaya Linn Roots Halts Sodium Arsenite-Induced Renal Inflammation through Inhibiting Adenosine Deaminase, 8-Hydroxy-2′-Deoxyguanosine, C-Reactive Protein and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity

Objectives: Inflammation plays a crucial role in many of the metabolic abnormalities. The prototypic marker of inflammation is C-reactive protein (CRP), Nitric Oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and their inhibition is considered a promising strategy to combat inflammation. Here, we report the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Carica papaya root aqueous extract in sodium arsenic-induced renal dysfunction

Protective effect of Irvingia gabonensisstem bark extract on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cadmium has been considered a risk factor for humans as it accumulates in body tissues, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis (IG) against cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity. The study was performed on twenty (20) male rats divided into four groups: control group, cadmium group(4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), cadmium + extract (200 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage) and cadmium + extract (400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage). Changes in the kidney biochemical markers, namely glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), urea, and creatinine were determined in serum. Histological examinations were monitored. Exposure to Cd lowered the activities of kidney antioxidants, while it increased LPO levels. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of IG extract. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with the untreated cadmium rats. Yet the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) when the cad-mium animals treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were compared with the cadmium control. Furthermore, histological alterations in the kidney were observed in cadmium untreated rats and these were ameliorated in cadmium treated rats by co-administration of IG extract. IG showed apparent protective and curative effect on Cd-induced nephrotoxicit