Translation of Trans2Care concept to the West-African countries: looking beyond tomorrow

3siThe regional partnership established between Italy and Slovenia under the TRANS2CARE Project aims at creating innovative products and services to improve public healthcare system through enhanced knowledge transfer between project partners and stakeholders. This framework of borderless partnership has potential to be translated to the West-African region to effectively utilize the available resources of member states. Such synergistic cooperation is needed to tap into the abundant ethnopharmacological potentials of the region to create an affordable healthcare system and economic advancement. Consequently, research networks and improved healthcare system in the region will drastically reduce braindrain of researchers and physicians.nonemixedPassamonti, S.; Ziberna, L.; Ademosun, A. O.Passamonti, Sabina; Ziberna, Lovro; Ademosun, A. O

Comparative effect of quercetin and rutin on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and some prooxidant-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas

Staff PublicationThis study was designed to investigate the effect of quercetin, its glycosylated conjugate rutin and various combinations of the two flavonoids on carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes associated with type 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) in a bid to understand the possible mechanisms of action by which quercetin and rutin could be used in the prevention/management of the degenerative condition. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of quercetin, rutin, and various combinations of the two flavonoids on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities and the ability of the flavonoids to inhibit some pro-oxidants-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas. The effect of the flavonoids on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities as well as pro-oxidant (Fe2+ and SNP)-induced lipid peroxidation in rats’ pancreas homogenates was investigated. Rutin (IC50 = 0.048 μΜ) exhibited a significantly (P < 0.05) higher inhibition of Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation than quercetin (IC50 = 0.075 μΜ). Furthermore, rutin had a stronger inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 0.043 μM) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.037 μM) activities than quercetin [α-amylase (IC50 = 0.061 μM); α-glucosidase (IC50 0.038 μM)]. A combination of 25 % quercetin and 75 % rutin showed the strongest inhibition (P < 0.05) of α-amylase activity (IC50 = 313.87 μg/L) while 100 % quercetin showed the least inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 507.61 μg/L) activity and same trend was followed for α-glucosidase activity. This study revealed that glycosylation increased the inhibitory ability of quercetin on key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and combination of quercetin and rutin had higher synergistic inhibitory abilities on the enzymes than the individual flavonoids, suggesting that a combination of food sources rich in these flavonoids could be very effective in the management/prevention of type 2 diabetes

Antioxidative Properties and Inhibition of Key Enzymes Relevant to Type-2 Diabetes and Hypertension by Essential Oils from Black Pepper

The antioxidant properties and effect of essential oil of black pepper (Piper guineense) seeds on α-amylase, α-glucosidase (key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) (key enzyme linked to hypertension) were assessed. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and dried with anhydrous Na2SO4, and the phenolic content, radical [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO)] scavenging abilities as well as the ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and Fe2+-chelating ability of the essential oil were investigated. Furthermore, the effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities was also investigated. The characterization of the constituents was done using GC. The essential oil scavenged DPPH*, NO*, and ABTS* and chelated Fe2+. α-Pinene, β-pinene, cis-ocimene, myrcene, allo-ocimene, and 1,8-cineole were among the constituents identified by GC. The essential oil inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities in concentration-dependent manners, though exhibiting a stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase than α-amylase activities. Conclusively, the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities by the essential oil extract of black pepper could be part of the mechanism by which the essential oil could manage and/or prevent type-2 diabetes and hypertension

Dietary Anthocyanins: Impact on Colorectal Cancer and Mechanisms of Action

5-nonemixedTramer F.; Moze S.; Ademosun A.O.; Passamonti S.; Cvorovic J.Tramer, Federica; Moze, S.; Ademosun, A. O.; Passamonti, Sabina; Cvorovic, Jovan

Improving Nutritive Value of Maize-Ogi as Weaning Food Using Wheat Offal Addition

The deficiency in affordable nourishing foods for neonates after weaning has been major concern in developing countries and this has contributed to increased malnutrition rate, illnesses and even children’s mortality rate. The addition of wheat offal to traditionally affordable ‘Ogi’ as an alternative approach for combating the threats of protein malnutrition in neonates was explored in this work. Wheat offal was added at increasing levels of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 w/w% as fortifying feed with prepared maize-Ogi as meal. Proximate analysis, pasting characteristics, sensory evaluation, nutritive and functional properties of the resulting blends was evaluated using standard methods. Results of proximate analysis showed an increased protein (2.787 – 34.064%), fat (2.282 – 9.015%) and ash (8.913 – 17.171%) contents with increased level of wheat offal from 20 to 100 w/w addition, while decreased carbohydrate content was observed with increased addition of wheat offal. The water absorption capacity increased also with level of wheat offal addition. The pasting characteristics result indicated up to 40% fortification of maize-Ogi with wheat offal as stable blend against retrogradation in terms of setback value and viscosity. The 40% level of fortification was preferred in terms of quality index of taste, texture, color, sourness and appearance. In conclusion, the nutritional indices investigated indicated addition level of wheat offal to 40% limit to solve protein-energy malnutrition and food security issues in neonates

Free radical mediated oxidative degradation of carotenes and xanthophylls

This article reviews the excited-state quenching, pro-vitamin A activity and anticarcinogenicity of carotenes and xanthophylls in relation to their chemical structures. Excited-state quenching improved with the length of the conjugated chain structure. Pro-vitamin A activity was dependent on the presence of at least one beta-ionyl ring structure. The effectiveness of carotenoids as antioxidants depended on their ability to trap peroxyl radicals with production of resonance-stabilized carotenyl radicals. The products identified from oxidations of carotenes and xanthophylls with molecular oxygen and other oxidizing agents are presented. The free radical-mediated mechanisms that have been proposed to account for the different classes of products are reviewed.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Solanum lycopersicum and Daucus carota: effective anticancer agents (a mini review)

The high cost, scarce availability, and some extraneous side effects of some pharmaceuticals have diverted the majority's mindset towards the use of nutraceuticals as both prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives. The cancer incidence in the low and middle-income countries has risen due to several factors, but notably, it has been due to poverty and the nonavailability of screening centers. The non-toxic nature, high availability, and low cost of foodbased nutraceuticals have been a significant advantage to its users. Solanum lycopersicum is well-known to possess excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential, and this has been attributed to its potent bioactive compound, lycopene. The presence of β-carotene in Daucus Carota has also contributed immensely to its antioxidant and anticancer properties. Nutraceuticals are considered suitable for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target sites with multiple effects. This short review has explored the dietary characteristics, bioactive components and mild anticancer effects of tomatoes and carrots

Phenolics from grapefruit peels inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and angiotensin-I converting enzyme and show antioxidative properties in endothelial EA.Hy 926 cells

This study sought to investigate the possible mechanisms for the use of phenolic extracts from grapefruit peels in the management/prevention of cardiovascular complications. The effects of the phenolic extracts on key enzymes relevant to cardiovascular diseases [3-hydroxy-methyl-3-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE)], cellular antioxidant activity in human endothelial cells (EA.Hy 926) and radicals [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS)] scavenging abilities were investigated. The phenolic contents of the extracts were investigated using HPLC–DAD. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory ability of the two extracts, while the bound phenolic extracts had a stronger ACE inhibitory ability than the soluble free phenolics. The extracts also showed intracellular antioxidant activity in human endothelial (EA.Hy 926) cells. Furthermore, the bound phenolics had significantly higher radicals (DPPH* and ABTS*) scavenging abilities than the free phenolics. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), phenolics acids (resveratrol, gallic acid, ellagic acid and caffeic acid) and tannin (catechin). The cellular antioxidative properties and inhibition of enzymes relevant to the management of cardiovascular complications showed that grapefruit peels could be used as nutraceuticals for the management of such conditions

Phenolic Extract from Moringa oleifera

This study was designed to determine the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects of extract from Moringa oleifera leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and arginase activities in vitro. The extract was prepared and phenolic (total phenols and flavonoid) contents, radical (nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)) scavenging abilities, and Fe2+-chelating ability were assessed. Characterization of the phenolic constituents was done via high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the extract on Fe2+-induced MDA production in rats’ penile tissue homogenate as well as its action on ACE and arginase activities were also determined. The extract scavenged NO∗, OH∗, chelated Fe2+, and inhibited MDA production in a dose-dependent pattern with IC50 values of 1.36, 0.52, and 0.38 mg/mL and 194.23 µg/mL, respectively. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the leaf extract. The extract also inhibited ACE and arginase activities in a dose-dependent pattern and their IC50 values were 303.03 and 159.59 µg/mL, respectively. The phenolic contents, inhibition of ACE, arginase, and Fe2+-induced MDA production, and radical (OH∗, NO∗) scavenging and Fe2+-chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which M. oleifera leaves could be used in the treatment and/or management of erectile dysfunction

Corrosion inhibitive properties of Epimedium grandiflorum on mild steel in HCl acidic media

Corrosion inhibitors in controlling metal failure had been the practice for handling the menace of corrosion. Most of synthetic inhibitors is expensive and not environmental friendly, hence, the need for cheap, renewable, non-hazardous and green inhibitors to handle environmental issues. In this particular study, the inhibitory properties of Epimedium grandiflorum plant extract on the corrosion of mild steel in HCl acidic media was investigated. The gasometric, weight loss and the linear polarization methods were used in the study with adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich, Frumkin and Temkin) validating the state of the reaction. The concentration of the extract was prepared in serial dilution of 10 - 50% using a stock solution of 1.75 M HCl. Mild steel coupons of known elemental compositions were immersed in test solutions of both stock solution and extract solutions. In the gasometric method, a decrease in volume of hydrogen gas evolved was observed as concentration of extract increases. Result from the weight loss shows similar trend of inhibitory behaviour for the weight loss method as the weight loss experienced by the coupons reduces as extract concentration increases. The Taffel plot for the extract indicates good inhibitive properties with inhibition efficiency increasing with extract concentration. In all the three methods studied, the maximum inhibition efficiency was observed in the 50% extract concentration. The extract fits best into the Freundlich isotherm indicating physisorption. This study showed that this particular plant extract is an effective inhibitor in suppressing the corrosion on the surface of the metal