Ameliorative effect of stem bark extract of Piptadenia africana on ethanol- induced toxicity in male wistar rats

Alcohol consumption is a major culprit in the produ ction of reactive oxygen species that enhances lipi d peroxidation in the liver. In the present study, we evaluated th e effect of daily oral administration of methanol s tem bark extract of Piptadenia africana in ethanol induced hepatotox icity. Thirty six male rats were randomly assigned into six groups. Ethanol toxicity was induced by exposing th e rats to 45% ethanol (4.8 g/kg bw) administered by oral gavage. After treatment for 8 weeks, the animals we re sacrificed and biochemical parameters like lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, indices o f liver toxicity such as aspartate amino transferas e (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosph atase (ALP), extent of lipid peroxidation as well a s histopathological examination of the liver sections were evaluated. Chronic alcohol administration cau sed marked injury to liver cells as seen on the liver sections as well as elevated serum levels of AST, ALT and A LP with concomitant increase in triglycerides, total choles terol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and malonydialdehde (MDA). Decrease in antioxidant acti vities as well as high-density-lipoprotein choleste rol (HDL-c) was also noticed. Rats pretreated with plant extrac t prior to ethanol exposure had decreased levels of AST, ALT, ALP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDLc, MDA and enhanced levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic ant ioxidants as well as HDL-c. Intake of P. africana at the dosa ge of 100 or 200 mg/kg bw in this study was able to ameliorate the toxic response to chronic ethanol consumption i n rats and this could be attributed to its bioactiv e constituents

Defatted Detarium senegalense seed-based diet alters lipid profile, antioxidants level and sperm morphology in male albino rats

Due to high cost of protein relative to other major nutrients, as part of search for cheaper alternative source for good quality protein for dietary purposes, we evaluated Detarium senegalense seed meal by comparing growth performance, tissue and reproductive toxicity markers in rats with those on soybean. Defatted Detarium senegalense (DDS) ground seed powder was used for feed formulation for test animals while the control group had soybean as protein source for eight weeks. Maximum percentage protein was 19% for all compounded feeds, soybean diet feed rats served as control (T1), T2 had 19% DDS only, while T3 - T6 had 16%, 12%, 8% and 4.8% DDS and protein content was made up to 19% using soybeans. Body weights, lipid profile, markers of liver toxicity, lipid peroxidation, sperm morphology and characteristics as well as tissue histology (liver, kidney and testes) were examined using standard methods. Whole seed residue, DDS seed flour and control diets (soybeans) were analyzed for proximate content. DDS seed residue-based diet (T2) caused decrease in both body and organ weights compared to control rats (T1). DDS residue-based feed caused increase in liver protein concentration while kidney protein content decreased except in groups T5 and T6 on 8% and 4.8% DDS residue. There was no significant variations (P > 0.05) in sperm viability but there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm count in group T2 compared to control (T1). Statistically significant morphological changes were observed in head less tail, bent tail, curved tail and bent mid-piece. DDS elicited increase in serum total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c in all test groups compared to control but caused decrease in triglyceride in T2. Serum urea level, AST and ALT were higher in T2 relative to control rats. Histopathological examination showed evidence of liver tissue damage but none in the kidney and testes.Keywords: DDS seed residue feed, growth, antioxidants, lipid profile, sperm morphology, toxicity

Reactive Oxygen Species, Apoptosis, Antimicrobial Peptides and Human Inflammatory Diseases

Excessive free radical generation, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative stress in the biological system, has been implicated in the pathogenesis and pathological conditions associated with diverse human inflammatory diseases (HIDs). Although inflammation which is considered advantageous is a defensive mechanism in response to xenobiotics and foreign pathogen; as a result of cellular damage arising from oxidative stress, if uncontrolled, it may degenerate to chronic inflammation when the ROS levels exceed the antioxidant capacity. Therefore, in the normal resolution of inflammatory reactions, apoptosis is acknowledged to play a crucial role, while on the other hand, dysregulation in the induction of apoptosis by enhanced ROS production could also result in excessive apoptosis identified in the pathogenesis of HIDs. Apparently, a careful balance must be maintained in this complex environment. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed in this review as an excellent candidate capable of playing prominent roles in maintaining this balance. Consequently, in novel drug design for the treatment and management of HIDs, AMPs are promising candidates owing to their size and multidimensional properties as well as their wide spectrum of activities and indications of reduced rate of resistance

Prophylactic Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Alstonia boonei Stem Bark Against DDVP-induced Toxicity in Albino Rats

The prophylactic effect of ethanolic extract of Alstonia boonei(AB) stem bark on(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate)DDVP-induced oxidative damage in male albino rats’ liver was investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, DDVP and treatment groups. In the prophylactic experiment, AB, (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered by oral gavage for 21th days before exposure to DDVP. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were then 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 DDVP-induced rats had significantly increased relative weight of liver and heart when compared to controls. Treatment with AB at 200 and 400mg/kg caused a significant reduction in relative weight of the organs. In DDVP-induced rats, serum ALT and AST activities and levels of LPO were increased whereas hepatic and cardiac SOD, CAT and GPx were significantly decreased. Furthermore, histological alteration in the liver and aorta were observed in DDVP untreated rats and were ameliorated in DDVP-induced treated rats with AB. In conclusion, the extract possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties that eliminate the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of DDVP

POTENTIALS OF SOME PLANT-DERIVED FOODS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES AND ASSOCIATED COMPLICATIONS.

Background and Objective: Diabetes is an insidious as well as a debilitating metabolic disease with variety of causes that could lead to severe complications in multiple organs within the body system. There has been no documented scientific evidence as regards total cure of this complex chronic disease; therefore, it demands a lifelong management. This has necessitated the recent evaluation of several plant derived foods as costeffective alternatives in the management of diabetes and its associated complication. Materials and Methods: This review is based on integration of information from multi-databases after a comprehensive literature search on the various plant derived foods that have been reported to have shown a certain degree of amelioration in the management of diabetes and diabetic complications. Result and Discussion: Published reports suggest that oxidative stress primarily mediated by uncontrolled hyperglycemia play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its associated complications. Therefore, various plant-derived foods are believed to delay, prevent or manage diabetes and its associated complications using different mechanisms which could be established through their potential to increase insulin sensitivity, free radicals scavenging abilities, hypolipidemic, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Conclusion: Based on the evidence presented in this review, plant-derived foods possess bioactive constituents believed to be rich in antioxidants and proteins which may be responsible for their mode of actions; we propose that Cucuma longa (curcumin), Garcinia kola (kolaviron), Telfairia occidentalis and Parkia biglobosa be explored in the management of diabetes and its associated complications due to their outstanding beneficial effects

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

Mitochondrial defects in pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases: Pathogenesis and therapeutic applications

Financiaciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGMitochondria malfunction is linked to the development of β-cell failure and a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Pancreatic β-cells are normally configured to detect glucose and other food secretagogues in order to adjust insulin exocytosis and maintain glucose homeostasis. As a result of the increased glucose level, mitochondria metabolites and nucleotides are produced, which operate in concert with cytosolic Ca2+ to stimulate insulin secretion. Furthermore, mitochondria are the primary generators of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis regulation. Mitochondria are concentrated in synapses, and any substantial changes in synaptic mitochondria location, shape, quantity, or function might cause oxidative stress, resulting in faulty synaptic transmission, a symptom of various degenerative disorders at an early stage. However, a greater understanding of the role of mitochondria in the etiology of β-cell dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorder should pave the way for a more effective approach to addressing these health issues. This review looks at the widespread occurrence of mitochondria depletion in humans, and its significance to mitochondria biogenesis in signaling and mitophagy. Proper understanding of the processes might be extremely beneficial in ameliorating the rising worries about mitochondria biogenesis and triggering mitophagy to remove depleted mitochondria, therefore reducing disease pathogenesi

Ameliorative potential of Aframomum melegueta extract in cadmiuminduced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on cadmium-induced hepatic damage in rats. Toxicity was induced by daily administration of 200 mg/L cadmium: Cd (Cd as CdCl2) in the animals’ main drinking water for 21 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the liver while total protein, albumin, direct bilirubin and t otal bilirubin concentration as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored in the serum and histological examination was carried out. Exposure to cadmium resulted in various alterations in all the evaluated parameters. Treatment with AM (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) extract showed a significant (P <0.05) reversal effect that mitigated the deleterious effect of cadmium. Results of the histological examination also support the above findings. The results suggest that aqueous extracts of A. melegueta when administered orally, could ameliorate cadmium-associated oxidative stress in male Wistar rats in a dose dependant manner via its free radical-scavenging mechanism which could be linked to the synergetic effects between the bioactive constituents present in the extract

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