Inhibitory effect of tannic acid and its derivative (gallic acid) against cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney – in vitro

Increasing amounts of evidence suggests tannic acid (TA) and its derivative, gallic acid (GA) has beneficial effects against nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TA and GA (two structurally related phenolic acids) against cisplatin-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney in vitro. The effect of both phenolic acids on kidney TBARS level in the presence of cisplatin, an antineoplastic drug used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers which has its chief side effect in nephrotoxicity, was assessed. Thereafter, the antioxidant properties were also determined. Incubation of the kidney tissue homogenate in the presence of cisplatin (1 mM) caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the TBARS level. However, both phenolic acids caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the TBARS content of the kidney in a dose dependent manner (0 – 12.5 µM). Nevertheless, TA had a significantly higher (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on TBARS production than gallic acid judging by their IC50 value. Furthermore, TA possesses stronger antioxidant properties than GA as revealed by their scavenging, chelating and reducing ability. The inhibition of cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney by both TA and GA could be due to their antioxidant properties and this provide further insight into the mechanism of action for their nephroprotective properties from previous reported experimental studies. However, the study revealed that hydrolysis of TA reduces its potenc

Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by ethanolic extract of Amaranthus cruentus leaf as affected by blanching.

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of Amaranthus cruentus leaf on key enzyme linked to type- 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) as well as assessing the effect of blanching (a commonly practiced food processing technique) of the vegetable on these key enzymes. Fresh leaves of A. cruentus were blanched in hot water for 10 min, and the ethanolic extracts of both the fresh and blanched vegetables were prepared and used for subsequent analysis. The inhibitory effect of the extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities as well as some antioxidant parameter was determined in vitro. The result revealed that extract of unprocessed A. cruentus leaf reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ and also inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in a dose dependent manner. However, blanching of the leafy vegetables caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the antioxidant properties but decreased their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. This antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibition could be part of the mechanism by which they are used in the treatment/prevention of type-2 diabetes. However, the blanched vegetable reduced their ability to inhibit both α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity in vitro

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordinationlinked behaviour in male rats

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2–4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage

Impacts of Dietary Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit Pulp on Brain Cholinesterase Function in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Epidemiologic studies have shown strong correlations between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes mellitus. The exact mechanism through which this happens remains unclear. However, the dependence on glucose for brain function has been proposed as one possible mechanism. Hence, this study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp (CAPP) with hypoglycaemic properties in diabetic rats induced with high-fat diet/streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were grouped into seven units as follows: control, STZ-induced, STZ + metformin (positive control), STZ + 5% CAPP, STZ + 10% CAPP, control + 5% CAPP and control + 10% CAPP and each group was made up of six rats. The animals were first placed on normal diet (non-diabetic groups) and high fat diet (diabetic groups) for a fortnight, respectively before induction with STZ and were treated with diets containing 5 and 10% CAPP for 14 days. After the experiment, the rat brain cholinesterase and antioxidant activities were determined. The results revealed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butylcholinesterase (BuChE), arginase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and antioxidant activities were altered in STZ-diabetic group in comparison to the control. However, a significant decrease at p &lt; 0.05 was found in the activities of AChE, BuChE, arginase and ADA. In addition, there was a concomitant rise in the levels of antioxidant in all the groups administered supplemented diets and the group treated with metformin in comparison to the STZ-diabetic group. Conclusively, we can suggest that the fruit pulp prevents neurological damage in diabetic rats via anticholinesterase activity and improvement of brain antioxidant status

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordinationlinked behaviour in male rats

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagneticfields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2–4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage

Dietary supplementation of ginger and turmeric improves reproductive function in hypertensive male rats

AbstractGinger [Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)] and turmeric [Curcuma longa Linn (Zingiberaceae)] rhizomes have been reportedly used in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension. However, the prevention of its complication such as male infertility remains unexplored. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the preventive effects of ginger and turmeric rhizomes on some biomarkers of male reproductive function in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n=10): normotensive control rats; induced (L-NAME hypertensive) rats; hypertensive rats treated with atenolol (10mg/kg/day); normotensive and hypertensive rats treated with 4% supplementation of turmeric or ginger, respectively. After 14 days of pre-treatment, the animals were induced with hypertension by oral administration of L-NAME (40mg/kg/day). The results revealed significant decrease in serum total testosterone and epididymal sperm progressive motility without affecting sperm viability in hypertensive rats. Moreover, increased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymides of hypertensive rats was evidenced by significant decrease in total and non-protein thiol levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity with concomitant increase in 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DFCH) oxidation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production. Similarly, decreased testicular and epididymal NO level with concomitant elevation in arginase activity was observed in hypertensive rats. However, dietary supplementation with turmeric or ginger efficiently prevented these alterations in biomarkers of reproductive function in hypertensive rats. The inhibition of arginase activity and increase in NO and testosterone levels by both rhizomes could suggest possible mechanism of action for the prevention of male infertility in hypertension. Therefore, both rhizomes could be harnessed as functional foods to prevent hypertension-mediated male reproductive dysfunction

Effect of Essential Oils from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizomes on Some Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cadmium Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Studies have revealed that anti-inflammatory agents could provide beneficial effect in lowering the incidence/progression of neurological diseases. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of essential oils from Nigeria ginger and turmeric rhizomes on some cytokines in cadmium induced neurotoxicity. The result revealed that essential oil from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exerts anti-inflammatory effect by preventing alterations of some cytokines/inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-Alpha) levels and inhibits both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities (important enzymes relevant in the management/prevention of neurodegenerative diseases) in Cd treated rats. In conclusion, essential oil from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exerts anti-inflammatory properties in Cd induced neurotoxicity. The observed effect could be due to the volatile compounds as revealed by GC-MS analysis

Inhibitory effect of tannic acid and its derivative (gallic acid) against cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)production in rat kidney –in vitro

Increasing amounts of evidence suggests tannic acid (TA) and its derivative, gallic acid (GA) has beneficial effects against nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectof TA and GA (two structurally related phenolic acids)against cisplatin-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) production in rat kidney in vitro. The effect of both phenolic acids on kidney TBARS level in the presence of cisplatin, an anti-neoplastic drug used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers which has its chief side effect in nephrotoxicity, was assessed. Thereafter, the antioxidant properties were also determined. Incubation of the kidney tissue homogenate in the presence of cisplatin (1 mM) caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the TBARS level. However, both phenolic acids caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the TBARS content of the kidney in a dose dependent manner (0 –12.5 μM). Nevertheless, TA had a significantly higher (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on TBARS production than gallic acid judging by their IC50value.Furthermore, TA possesses stronger antioxidant properties than GA as revealed by their scavenging, chelating and reducing ability.The inhibition of cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)production in rat kidney by both TA and GA could be due to their antioxidant properties and this provide further insight into the mechanism of action for their nephroprotective properties from previous reported experimental studies.However, the study revealed that hydrolysis of TA reduces its potenc

Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of different parts of Gossypium herbaceum on key enzymes linked with type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress in rat pancreas in vitro

This study sought to determine the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of different parts (bark, leaf, and flower) of cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum) on key enzymes linked with type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress in rat pancreas in vitro. The aqueous extract (1:10 w/v) of Gossypium herbaceum was prepared and the ability of the extract to inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase as well as activities of pro-oxidant Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation was determined spectrophotometrically. The results revealed that the three varieties were able to inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in rat's pancreas in a dose dependent manner (0–88.8 mg/ml). Also, the incubation of pancreas tissue homogenate in the presence of Fe2+ caused a significant increase (233.3%) in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of pancreas homogenate, nevertheless, the introduction of the aqueous extract inhibited MDA production dose dependently (0–33.33 mg/ml) and also exhibited further antioxidant properties as represented by their high radical scavenging and Fe2+ chelating abilities. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities has been the primary treatment for the management/prevention of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of aqueous extracts of different parts of Gossypium herbaceum in rat pancreas and prevention of lipid peroxidation in the tissue may be attributed to the presence of polyphenol content of the plant

Curcumin inhibits adenosine deaminase and arginase activities in cadmium-induced renal toxicity in rat kidney

In this study, the effect of enzymes involved in degradation of renal adenosine and l-arginine was investigated in rats exposed to cadmium (Cd) and treated with curcumin, the principal active phytochemical in turmeric rhizome. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6): saline/vehicle, saline/curcumin 12.5 mg/kg, saline/curcumin 25 mg/kg, Cd/vehicle, Cd/curcumin 12.5 mg/kg, and Cd/curcumin 25 mg/kg. The results of this study revealed that the activities of renal adenosine deaminase and arginase were significantly increased in Cd-treated rats when compared with the control (p < 0.05). However, co-treatment with curcumin inhibits the activities of these enzymes compared with Cd-treated rats. Furthermore, Cd intoxication increased the levels of some renal biomarkers (serum urea, creatinine, and electrolytes) and malondialdehyde level with a concomitant decrease in functional sulfhydryl group and nitric oxide (NO). However, co-treatment with curcumin at 12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively, increases the nonenzymatic antioxidant status and NO in the kidney, with a concomitant decrease in the levels of malondialdehyde and renal biomarkers. Therefore, our results reinforce the importance of adenosine deaminase and arginase activities in Cd poisoning conditions and suggest some possible mechanisms of action by which curcumin prevent Cd-induced renal toxicity in rats