Adaptogenic potential of Centella lujica supplement in sleep deprived mice

Background: Stress, whether internal or external, has been shown to play a role in the accumulation of oxidative free radicals which leads to cellular modification of normal organ or body function. Centella lujica (C. lujica) is a commonly cultivated herb with therapeutic benefits in various studies. This study aims to evaluate its beneficial effect on the brain and liver of mice exposed to sleep deprivation-induced stress.Methods: Albino mice were treated with distilled water (control), C. lujica (50 and 100 mg/kg) or astaxanthin (50 mg/kg) for seven days. All groups except control were then subjected to three-days of sleep deprivation using the grid suspended over water model beginning from day 4 of treatment. Behavioural assessments followed by biochemical assays and histological analysis were carried out thereafter.Results: Sleep deprivation caused an increase in blood glucose and triglycerides levels but reduced high density lipoproteins. Brain pro-oxidant levels were increased with a concomitant decrease in antioxidants, recognition memory was diminished while depressive-like symptoms were enhanced and neuronal viability of hippocampal CA1 as well as prefrontal cortex cells was reduced in sleep-deprived mice. However, supplementation with C. lujica reversed these effects as significantly as astaxanthin.Conclusions: C. lujica possesses antioxidant property that makes it an effective adaptogen against stress induced responses in mice.

Pharmacological investigations of neuroprotective potential of Centella lujica supplement on sleep deprivation-induced anxiety-like behaviour in mice

Background: Sleep deprivation has often been implicated in several neurological disorders. Centella lujica is a psychoactive herb with medically-beneficial therapeutic potential. The current study sought to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Centella lujica supplement in experimental animals.Methods: Sleep deprivation in mice was done using the multiple platforms over water model.Results: Upon treatment with Centella lujica supplement, the parameters of anxiety-like behaviour induced by sleep deprivation were found to be significantly diminished in comparison to the sleep deprived animals.Conclusions: Centella lujica treatment significantly decreased hyper locomotion, and anxiety-like behaviour caused by sleep deprivation

Food for the urban poor: safety nets and food-based social protection in Manzini, Swaziland

This paper aims to contribute to the urban food security debate by exploring the role of informal safety nets and formal food-based social protection in addressing food insecurity challenges facing low-income urban households in Manzini. The empirical data used in this paper came from two surveys: the first involved 500 households and was undertaken in three low-income areas of Manzini. The second involved a series of in-depth interviews with senior staff at supermarkets and spaza shops. The results reveal that food security challenges are considerable in the low-income areas of Manzini and that, at the same time, various forms of community and intra-household food sharing are an important food source for a minority of poor households in the city. In this regard, the national government needs to consider strengthening food-based social safety net programmes that assist poor and vulnerable groups.International Bibliography of Social Science