Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis Leaves on Ferrous Sulphate and Sodium Nitroprusside Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat’s Testes in Vitro

Oxidative stress has been identified as one of the factors that affects fertility status. Therefore, this study sought to in-vestigate the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis leaves on FeSO4 and So-dium Nitroprusside (SNP) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes in vitro. Incubation of the testes tissue homogenate in the presence of FeSO4 and SNP caused a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the testes. The aqueous extract from both Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis leaves caused a significant decrease in the MDA contents of the testes in a dose-dependent manner. However, aqueous extract from Moringa oleifera leaf (EC50 = 0.29 mg/ml) had a significant (P < 0.05) higher inhibitory effect on Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homoge-nate than that of Newbuoldia laevis leaf extract (EC50 = 0.58 mg/ml); while there was no significant (P < 0.05) differ-ence between the plant extracts on SNP induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenates. Therefore, part of the mechanisms through which the water extractable phytochemicals in the leaves protect the testes from oxidative stress may be through their antioxidant activity; DPPH scavenging ability, Fe2+ chelating and reducing power. Therefore, these plants have potential to prevent oxidative stress in testes and improve fertility outcomes

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

Effect of Gladiolus psittascinus Hook bulb supplemented diet on nootropic-related biomolecules in scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction rats

Background: Gladiolus psittascinus (G. psittascinus) Hook, commonly known as maid of the mist, is an herbaceous and bulbous plant used frequently in folk medicine to treat mental illnesses; without any clear-cut explanations for its mode of action. Purpose: This investigation examined the impact of a G. psittascinus Hook bulb supplemented diet (GP) on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction and reformed neurochemicals linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Study design: Rats were fed GP (5 and 10%) for 14 days, and on the final day, 2 mg/kg of scopolamine was administered intraperitoneally. Methods: The Y-maze and Morris water Maze tests were used to evaluate cognitive function. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), Na+/K+ ATPase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats were determined. Furthermore, neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid and oxidative stress markers were also assessed. G. psittascinus Hook bulb was characterized using HPLC-UV/visible spectroscopy. Results: In rats treated with scopolamine, GP enhanced cognitive function by raising the memory index. Rats administered scopolamine showed increased AChE, BChE, ADA, MAO, and decreased the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. However, following administration of GP, the activities of these enzymes drastically decreased while Na+/K+ ATPase activity increased. Gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration significantly increased after treatment with GP, this also ameliorated antioxidant status impairment in scopolamine treated rats. Beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, nicotiflorin, tamarixetin-3-robinobioside, quercetin, kaempferol and isopentyl-gentiobioside were identified in G. psittascinus Hook bulb. Conclusion: The capability of the G. psittascinus bulb to enhance cognition, neurotransmitter, and mitigate cholinergic enzymes dysfunction, ADA, MAO, Na+/K ATPase activities, and neuronal antioxidant status in scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction rats may help to support the possibility of neuroprotection conferred by G. psittascinus bulb and also explains the potential mechanisms of action of the bulb as discovered in folklor

Effect of dietary inclusions of bitter kola seed on geotactic behavior and oxidative stress markers in Drosophila melanogaster

This study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusions of Garcinia kola (GK) seed on geotactic behavior and some oxidative stress markers in wildߚtype fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster ). Flies were raised on diet supplement with GK seed for 5 days. The negative geotactic behavior of flies which was used to evaluate their locomotor performance was thereafter evaluated. The flies were subsequently homogenized and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase and glutathioneߚSߚtransferase (GST) activities, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and total thiol contents were assayed. The phytochemical constituents of GK seed were also determined. It was observed that higher dietary inclusions of GK seed reduced the survival rate of D. melanogaster more significantly compared to control flies. Also, higher dietary inclusions of GK seed significantly reduced locomotor performance and AChE activity, while the ROS level was increased compared to the control. Activities of GST and catalase were significantly increased in flies fed diet supplemented with higher GK seed inclusions but their NO content was significantly reduced compared to control. Phytochemical analysis of GK seed revealed abundance of saponin &gt; glycosides &gt; alkaloids &gt; phenols &gt; flavonoids. These results have shown that dietary inclusion of GK seed at higher concentrations reduced survival rate of D. melanogaster and impaired cholinergic system, with elevated activities of some antioxidant enzymes under acute exposure. These observations could be associated with bioactivities of predominant phytochemicals in GK seed such as saponin and glycosides which have been reportedly toxic at high concentration. Therefore, this study suggests that high consumption of GK seed could induce some toxicological effects and moderate consumption is hence recommended

Phenolic characterization, antioxidant activities, and inhibitory effects of Physalis angulata and Newbouldia laevis on enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction

This study reports the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and capacity of Physalis angulata and Newbouldia laevis leaves to inhibit enzymes (phosphodiesterase-5′ [PDE-5′], arginase, acetylcholinesterase [AChE], and angiotensin-I converting enzyme [ACE]) linked to erectile dysfunction. High-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector analysis of the aqueous extracts revealed the presence of phenolic acids (caffeic, ellagic, chlorogenic, and gallic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, and quercitrin). N. laevis exhibited significantly higher inhibitory effects on PDE-5′, arginase, and ACE activities compared to P. angulata. There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the AChE inhibitory activities of both extracts. Furthermore, P. angulata exhibited lower radical scavenging and chelating abilities compared to N. laevis. These findings revealed that P. angulata and N. laevis leaves are good candidates for the development of functional foods with potentials to improve erectile function

Aqueous extract from Ficus capensis leaves inhibits key enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction and prevent oxidative stress in rats' penile tissue

Context: Ficus capensis Thunb (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions with the leaf decoction commonly taken in traditional folklore as fertility agent in men for ages. Aim: This study investigated the effects of aqueous extract from Ficus capensis leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and arginase activities in vitro. The antioxidant properties of the extract as typified by the abilities to scavenge radicals [nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)], chelate Fe2+  and inhibit Fe2+ -induced lipid peroxidation were also assessed. Methods: The aqueous extract (1:10 w/v) of Ficus capensis leaves was prepared and the ability of the extract to inhibit arginase, angiotensin I –converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant properties of the extract in rat’s penile tissue in vitro was investigated using various spectrophotometric methods. Phenolic constituent was carried-out using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC - DAD). Results: The extract inhibited ACE (IC50 = 52.17), AChE (IC50 = 172.60 μg/mL) and arginase (IC50 = 112.50 μg/mL) activities in a dose-dependent pattern. Gallic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, rutin and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the sample. Furthermore, extract scavenged NO (IC50 = 0.12 μg/mL) and OH (IC50 = 0.53 μg/mL) radicals, chelated Fe2+  (IC50 = 0.16 μg/mL) and inhibited Fe2+  lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 435.17 μg/mL) dose-dependently. Conclusion: Inhibition of ACE, AChE, arginase, Fe2+ -induced lipid peroxidation as well as radical scavenging and Fe2+ -chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which F. capensis leaves could be used in the treatment/management of erectile dysfunction (ED). Keywords: Ficus capensis, Erectile dysfunction, ACE, Arginase, AChE, Polyphenol

Antiperoxidative Activity of Tetracarpidium conophorum Leaf Extract in Reproductive Organs of Male Rats

Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull. Arg.) Hutch. & Dalz is one of the many medicinal plants used in folklore as male fertility enhancers. This research was aimed at evaluating the anti-peroxidative activity of the leaves of this plant by determining their capacity to reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) level in reproductive organs and accessory glands of rats. Adult male rats were administered orally with the aqueous leaf extract from T. conophorum at 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 21 consecutive days while clomiphene citrate (1.04 mg/kg body weight), a fertility drug was used as standard. The results of the study indicated that there was increase in relative organ weight, body weight, mean total food and water consumed by the treated groups. Testicular MDA level was highly significantly different from that of the control (p<0.0001) although a tentatively decreased MDA level was observed. However, MDA levels in the reproductive accessory glands, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland were insignificantly (p<0.05) lower than those of controls. The highest percentage decrease of MDA level (66.35, 42.68, 62.50 and 63.36%) was observed at the highest concentration of the extract (1000 mg/kg) in the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland respectively. These values were two-fold greater than the values obtained for the standard drug. Interestingly, the treatment of rats with the extract significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the levels of GSH, vitamin C and total protein. Collectively, the results suggest that the extract from T. conophorum leaves had greater capacity to reduce lipid peroxidation in reproductive organs and accessory glands and thus, this plant may be useful in the treatment/management of reproductive cellular damage involving reactive oxygen species