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

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

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

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

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

Water Extractable Phytochemicals from Peppers (Capsicum spp.) Inhibit Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Activities and Prooxidants Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Brain In Vitro

Background. This study sought to investigate antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of two pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum var. accuminatum (SM) and Capsicum chinense (RO)) and their inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities. Methods. The antioxidant capacity of the peppers was evaluated by the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant property. The inhibition of prooxidant induced lipid peroxidation and cholinesterase activities in rat brain homogenates was also evaluated. Results. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the total phenol contents of the unripe and ripe Capsicum spp. extracts. Ripe and unripe SM samples had significantly higher (P<0.05) ABTS* scavenging ability than RO samples, while the ripe fruits had significantly higher (P<0.05) ferric reducing properties in the varieties. Furthermore, the extracts inhibited Fe2+ and quinolinic acid induced lipid peroxidation in rats brain homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. Ripe and unripe samples from SM had significantly higher AChE inhibitory abilities than RO samples, while there was no significant difference in the BuChE inhibitory abilities of the pepper samples. Conclusion. The antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties of Capsicum spp. may be a possible dietary means by which oxidative stress and symptomatic cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative conditions could be alleviated

Hypocholesterolemic properties of grapefruit (Citrus paradisii) and shaddock (Citrus maxima) juices and inhibition of angiotensin-1-converting enzyme activity

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisii) and shaddock (Citrus maxima) juices are used in folk medicine for the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanism of action by which they exert their therapeutic action is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of grapefruit and shaddock juices on angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in vitro and the hypocholesterolemic properties of the juices in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Grapefruit juice had higher total phenol and flavonoid contents than shaddock juice, while both juices inhibited ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, administration of the juices to rats fed a high-cholesterol diet caused a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels. The inhibition of ACE activity in vitro and in vivo hypocholesterolemic effect of the juices could explain the use of the juices in the management of cardiovascular diseases

Almond-citrus peel enriched short bread modulates sexual behaviour and enzymes linked with erectle dysfunction in hypertensive rats

Almond nut (Terminalia catappa) and orange peel (Citrus sinensis) are commonly used as nutraceuticals in folklore for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Erectile dysfunction is a pathology with various predisposing factors such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. This study aim to evaluate the effect of almond-citrus peel enriched shortbread on sexual function and biochemical parameters linked with erectile dysfunction in high fat diet (HFD)/Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME)- induced male rats. The experimental rats were distributed into eight groups and fed with shortbread enriched with varying inclusions of almond and citrus peel. Sexual behavioral assessments (mounting number, mounting latency, intromission number and intromission latency) were evaluated. Thereafter, the activities of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5),arginase, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant indices and nitric oxide (NO) level were evaluated. The result showed significant elevation in mounting latency, intromission latency, MDA level as well as arginase and PDE-5 activities in the penile tissue of the untreated rats. Conversely, the mounting number, intromission number, antioxidant status and NO level were significantly decreased in the untreated groups. Notably, the treatment with almond-citrus peel enriched shortbread and the individual effect of almond (50%) and citrus peel (0.2%) all reversed these trends in the hypertensive rats. However, treatment with the almond (50%)-citrus peel (0.2%) shortbread reinstated the altered sexual behaviour in male rats, enhanced antioxidant status and suppressedphosphodiesterase-5 and arginase activities in HFD/l-NAME-induced rats. The results suggest that almond and citrus peel offer potentials as therapeutic agent in the prevention and management of erectile dysfunction associated with hypertension. Intriguingly, the almond (50%)-citrus (0.2%) formulated shortbread had the best antioxidative and erectogenic effects.However, further in vivo experiments and clinical trials are recommended