Polyherbal Therapies Attenuated Diabetes Induced Liver Damage

To evaluate glucose, liver function, lipid profile, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin and weight of liver tissues in diabetic rats. Thirteen groups of 6 rats each were used. Groups 1 and 2 Normal and Diabetic Control received 0.5 ml Dimethylsulphoxide; 3 and 4 received 5UI/Kg b.w insulin and 5mg/Kg b.w glibenclamide; 5, 6, 7 and 8  received 500 mg/Kg b.w of Vernonia amygdalina,  Moringa oleifera, Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum extracts respectively; 9, 10 and 11 received 250 mg/ Kg b.w of M. oleifera/V. amygdalina, M. oleifera/ G. latifolium and M. oleifera/O. gratissimum respectively; 12 received 166.66mg/kg b.w of V. amygdalina/ G. latifolium/ O. gratissimum while 13 received 125mg/kg b.w of all extracts. There was reduction in liver weight, glucose, lipid profile and urea in all treated groups. Total protein, albumin, globulin and HDL-cholesterol increased in the treatment groups. Polyherbal treatments are potent at attenuating diabetes induced liver damage. Keywords: Hepatoprotective, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygdalina, Gongronema latifolium, Ocimum gratissimu

GC-MS Characterization of Unsweetened and Sweetened “Kunun-zaki” Beverage and Pulp

Aims: To characterize unsweetened and sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink/pulp using GC-MS. Study Design: The experimental groups were divided into four: unsweetened “kunun-zaki” drink, sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink, unsweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp and sweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp respectively. Place of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State and Central Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: The processes involved sorting, cleaning, soaking, decanting, washing, milling, gelatinization, fermentation, and sieving. Unsweetened “kunun-zaki” beverage was made from millet, sorghum, soybean, dried sweet potatoes, germinated rice, ginger, and cloves. The same process was followed for the sweetened variety, with addition of dried dates. After sieving to collect “kunun-zaki” beverage, the remnant was the pulp. Hydrodistillation and Soxhlet apparatus were used to extract the essential oils, and fatty acids respectively. Fatty acid methyl esters of the samples were then analysed using GC-MS. Results: The GC chromatogram identified three constituents in unsweetened “kunun-zaki” drink. The dominant constituents were 9,12-octadecadienenoic acid (z,)- (73.36%), and n-hexadecanoic acid (19.31%). Eleven compounds were identified in sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink. The most abundant was 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- 54.062%, followed by n-hexadecanoic acid (17.278%). Twenty-one peaks corresponding to eighteen compounds were detected in unsweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp. The dominant constituents were gingerol (20.262%), 1H-3a,7-methanoazulene,2,3,4,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,6,8,8-teramethyl-,[3R-(3α,3aβ,7 β,8aα)]- (19.925%),  2-Butanone,4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- (15.59%), and cedrene (10.977%). For sweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp, four compounds were detected. The dominant compounds being 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (z,z)- (68.664%), n-hexadecanoic acid (18.654%), and oleic acid (10.199%). Conclusion: The results showed safe fatty acid profile of all samples for different health status. Other components showed bioactivities with significant health benefits. This study identified compounds which validate the medicinal claims of “kunun-zaki.” This is the first documentation of GC-MS profiling of “kunun-zaki” parts

Zinc, copper, CD4 T-cell count and some hematological parameters of HIV-infected subjects in Southern Nigeria

Background: Low concentration of trace elements has been associated with poor prognosis and mortality in HIV infection. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 HIV-infected subjects (70 were on ART treatment, while 30 were ART naïve). Fifty (50) apparently healthy controls were enrolled. Concentration of serum levels of zinc and copper was done using atomic absorption spectrometric method, while complete blood count was determined using automated blood analyzer. CD4+ T-cell count was done using cyflow cytometer. Aim and setting: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of some trace elements and some hematological parameters of HIV-seropositive subjects attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Clinic as well as prevalence of trace elements deficiency and anemic status and compare same with HIV-seronegative control. Results: Mean serum zinc, CD4+ T-cell count, Hb, PCV, RBC, MXD, were significantly (p  0.05) with the control. ART treatment had no effect on all the parameters assessed except CD4+ T-cell count. Twenty five percent (25%), 3% and 56% of the HIV-infected subjects were zinc deficient, copper deficient and anemic, respectively. Gender was found as a predictor of zinc deficiency. Copper and zinc showed weak positive correlation with CD4+ T-cell count. Conclusion: ART treatment did not complement zinc status in HIV infection while improving CD4+ T-cell count, hence the need to consider supplementation. Keywords: Anemia, CD4 count, HIV, Serum zinc, Serum coppe