Ameliorative Activity of Ethanol Extract of Artocarpus heterophyllusStem Bark on Pancreaticb-Cell Dysfunction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study sought to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanol extractArtocarpus heterophyllus(EAH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups, with groups 1 and 2 serving as nondiabetic and diabetic control, respectively; group 3 serving as diabetic rats treated with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide; and groups 4 to 6 were diabetic rats treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of EAH, respectively. Assays determined were serum insulin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. EAH stem bark reduced fasting blood glucose and lipid peroxidation levels and increased serum insulin levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Data obtained demonstrated the ability of EAH stem bark to ameliorate pancreaticb-cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The Protective Effect of Polyphenol - Rich Extract of Syzygium cumini Leaves on Cholinesterase and Brain Antioxidant Status in Alloxan - Induced Diabetic Rats

Syzygium cumini leaves are used locally especially in Nigeria for the treatment \ management of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini l eaves on the occurrence of oxidative stress in the brain of rats with diabetes, which can trigger Alzheimer’s disease by determining both in vitro and in vivo c holinesterase, the antioxidant defense system, and the extent of oxidative damage. The effect of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves was investigated on in vitro c holinesterase. Thereafter, the extract (400 mg/kg body weight) of both free and bound polyphenols was administered orally to alloxan - induced rats, and the effect were monitore d on in vivo c holinesterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides. The extract demonstrated inhibitory effects against in vitro c holinesterase. A significant reduction in the c ho linesterase activities increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione. A reduction in lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxide concentrations was observed in the brain of diabetic rats treated with p olyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves. This study suggests that the polyphenols of Syzygium cumini leaves have anti - Alzheimer and antioxidant boosters, as well as antiperoxidative activities. Therefore, the plant is recommended for both diabetic and Alzheimer’s disease patients worldwid

Antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activity of Musa paradisiaca‐based diet in alloxan‐induced diabetic rats

This study was aimed at investigating the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activity of Musa paradisiaca‐based diets in alloxan‐induced diabetic mellitus rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg b.w) in 48 randomly selected rats. The rats were randomly grouped into four as follows: normal rats fed Dioscorea rotundata‐based diet, diabetic control rats fed D. rotundata‐based diet, diabetic rats fed D. rotundata‐based diet and administered metformin (14.2 mg/kg body weight) orally per day, and diabetic rats fed M. paradisiaca‐based diet. Body weight and fasting blood glucose level were monitored, on 28th days the rats were sacrificed, liver was excised. Thereafter, the hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic statii of the induced diabetic animals were determined. The M. paradisiaca‐based diet significantly (p < .05) reversed the levels of fasting blood glucose, with significant (p < .05) increase in insulin and glycogen concentrations. The diet also increased the activity of hexokinase with significant reduction (p < .05) in glucose‐6‐phosphatase and fructose‐1‐6‐diphosphatase activities. M. paradisiaca‐based diet demonstrated significant reduction (p < .05) in cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and significant increase (p < .05) in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) compared with those of diabetic control group. Also, M. paradisiaca‐based diet significantly (p < .05) reversed the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase when compared with diabetic control animals. The consumption of this diet may be useful in ameliorating hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus patients

Syringic acid demonstrates an anti-inflammatory effect via modulation of the NF-κB-iNOS-COX-2 and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in methyl cellosolve-induced hepato-testicular inflammation in rats

Syringic acid (SACI) is an emerging nutraceutical and antioxidant used in modern Chinese medicine. It has potential neuroprotective, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-angiogenic properties. Methyl cellosolve (MCEL) has been reported to induce tissue inflammation in the testis, kidney, liver, and lung. This study aimed to investigate the effect and probable mechanism of action of SACI on MCEL-induced hepatic and testicular inflammation in male rats. Compared to the control group, administration of MCEL to rats significantly increased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB in the liver and testis. Additionally, the total mRNA expressions of JAK1 (in the liver only), STAT1, and SOCS1 were significantly increased in both the liver and testis, while testicular JAK1 total mRNA levels were significantly decreased.The expression of PIAS1 protein was significantly higher in the liver and testis. Treatments with SACI at 25 (except liver iNOS), 50, and 75 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB compared to the control group. Furthermore, the total mRNA expressions of JAK1 and SOCS1 in the liver were significantly reduced by all doses of SACI investigated, while the total mRNA levels of liver and testis STAT1 were significantly reduced by 25 and 50 mg/kg of SACI only. In the testis, the mRNA level of SOCS1 was significantly reduced by all doses of SACI compared to MCEL only. Additionally, SACI (at 75 mg/kg) significantly reduced PIAS1 protein expression in the liver, while in the testis, SACI at all investigated doses significantly reduced the expression of PIAS1. In conclusion, SACI demonstrated a hepatic and testicular anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the MCEL-induced activation of the NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in rats

Methyl cellosolve-induced hepatic oxidative stress: The modulatory effect of syringic acid on Nrf2-Keap1-Hmox1-NQO1 signaling pathway in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Syringic acid (SAC) is a phenolic compound and an antioxidant that has been identified in honey, grapes, red wine, marigold and sugar apple. Due to its potent antioxidant prowess, SAC possesses hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Aim of the study: Judging by these credentials, this study investigated the effect of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of SAC on hepatotoxicity induced by 100 mg/kg body weight of methyl cellosolve (MECE) in male Wistar rats. Results: Compared with control, MECE decreased the liver relative weight, nitric oxide (NO) concentration, glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, while liver malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) levels were significantly increased. Treatments with 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg of SAC significantly decreased the concentration of MDA, Nrf2, Keap1 (by 50 and 75 mg/kg only), mRNA expressions of Hmox1, NQO1 and increased the concentration of NO, activities of GPx, GST, SOD and CAT compared with MECE only administered rats. Conclusion: In conclusion, SAC demonstrated a strong hepatoprotective role against MECE-induced hepatic depletion of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of MECE-induced cytosolic Nrf2 activation and antioxidant response element (ARE)-dependent genes in rats

Promising influences of caffeic acid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester against natural and chemical toxins: A comprehensive and mechanistic review

Caffeic acid (CA) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) are natural compounds that have been found in various foods and plants. These compounds have attracted much attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits, including their ability to protect against natural and chemical toxins. This article comprehensively reviews the promising effects of caffeic acid and CAPE against natural and chemical toxins. Mechanisms supporting the protective effects of these compounds, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, are discussed. Studies have shown that caffeic acid and CAPE can protect against a wide range of toxins, including mycotoxins, heavy metals, and environmental toxins. These compounds have also been shown to protect against chemical toxins such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Overall, the promising effects of caffeic acid and CAPE against natural and chemical toxins make them potential candidates for developing novel therapeutics and functional foods

Antihyperglycaemia and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Gongronema latifolium Benth (Asclepiadaceae) has been highly utilized in controlling diabetes mellitus traditionally in the eastern part of Nigeria. Objectives: Antihyperglycaemic and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were induced intraperitoneally using alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). The rats were separated into six groups (n = 8) as follows: non-diabetic control, diabetic control, diabetic rats administered 5 mg/kg body weight of metformin, and diabetic rats administered 6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg/kg body weight (ethnobotanical doses) of G. latifolium orally daily. On the 14th day, the animals were sacrificed and different antihyperglycaemic parameters were evaluated as well as its related gene expressions. Results: Diabetic rats administered three doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation (5.62–1.2 μ/mg protein) levels, as well as gene expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the liver glycogen content (16.23–112.5 mg glucose/2 g), antioxidant enzymes activities, glucose transporter (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4) levels and relative gene expression of hexokinase in diabetic rats administered different doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium. Discussion and conclusions: It can be deduced that the aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf at these doses may be useful in managing diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Therefore, this extract may be a potent antidiabetic agent in clinical therapy in the future

In vitro antioxidant activities and inhibitory effects of phenolic extract of Senecio biafrae (Oliv and Hiern) against key enzymes linked with type II diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease

The phenolic extract of Senecio biafrae leaves was investigated to determine the in vitro antioxidant, phenolic profiles, and inhibition of key enzymes relevant to type II diabetes mellitus (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase) and Alzheimer's disease (acetylcholinesterase and butrylcholinesterase). The phenolic extract demonstrated significant scavenging abilities against all in vitro antioxidant parameters assessed. Reversed‐phase HPLC of the extract revealed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol. The extract also inhibited activities of α‐amylase (IC 50 = 126.90 μg/ml), α‐glucosidase (IC 50 = 139.66 μg/ml), acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 = 347.22 μg/ml), and butrylcholinesterase (IC 50 = 378.79 μg/ml), which may be attributed to the antioxidant potential of the extract and its phenolic composition. Therefore, this study suggests that the leaves of S. biafrae may be useful in the management of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease

Molecular docking, MMGBSA, and ADMET studies of phytoconstituents of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> on multiple breast cancer targets

O. gratissimum is one of the most common medicinal plants in every community in Nigeria. This plant has been presumed to be useful in the management of diseases including breast cancer, which is one the commonest cancers affecting women globally. Hence, this study aimed to computationally investigate the phytochemicals present in O. gratissimum by elucidate their binding dynamics against five selected molecular targets of breast cancer and predict their pharmacokinetics properties. Molecular docking, MMGBSA calculation and ADMET prediction were used. The results showed that isovitexin has the highest binding affinity of −9.11 kcal/mol and −9.80 kcal/mol for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) respectively. Rosmarinic acid has the highest binding affinity of −12.15 kcal/mol for Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Nepetoidin A has the highest binding affinity of −9.14 kcal/mol for oestrogen receptor (ER), and Vitexin has the highest binding affinity of −12.90 kcal/mol for Progesterone receptor (PR). MMGBSA provided total binding energy that confirmed the stability of the complexes under physiological conditions. The ADMET profiles showed that O. gratissimum top phytochemicals identified would be safe for oral administration with no hepatoxicity. Overall, this study identified isovitexin, vitexin, rosmarinic acid, nepetoidin A and luteolin among others, as compounds that exhibit strong anti-cancer properties against breast cancer cells.</p