Antioxidant activity of Carica Papaya juice in diabetic rats

Diabetes the Killer disease known worldwide has been implicated to generate oxidative stress and Carica papaya has been suggested to manage this effect. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of C. papaya juice in diabetic rats with a view of proposing a management scheme. Adult male Wister rats (n = 8) were divided into three groups: Two experimental groups; group 1(diabetic treated with C. papaya juice), group 2 (diabetic untreated) and control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed 14 days after treatment with C. papaya juice. The blood glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, vitamin C and MDA concentrations were estimated. The results showed that the blood glucose concentration significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 1 (diabetic treated with C. papaya juice) compared to group 2 and 3. The total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations were highest in the control group compared to the experimental groups (1 and 2). Group 1 showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C  concentrations compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated). Group 1 (diabetic and treated with C. papaya juice had the highest MDA concentration compared to groups 2 and 3). The present study suggests that C. papaya juice has antioxidant activity that could be beneficial in the management of diabetes. However, C. papaya intake must be rationed since its consumption increases blood glucose concentration and invariably lipid peroxidation.Keywords: Antioxidant, Carica papaya, Diabetes, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stres

Emeka Godwin Anaduaka's Quick Files

The Quick Files feature was discontinued and it’s files were migrated into this Project on March 11, 2022. The file URL’s will still resolve properly, and the Quick Files logs are available in the Project’s Recent Activity

Meat tenderization using acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP): A review on deductive biochemical mechanisms, toxicological implications and strategies for mitigation

Meats consist of edible portions originating from domestic and wild animals. Meat's palatability and sensory accessibility largely depend on its tenderness to consumers. Although many factors influence meat tenderness, the cooking method cannot be neglected. Different chemical, mechanical, and natural means of meat tenderization have been considered healthy and safe for consumers. However, many households, food vendors, and bars in developing countries engage in the unhealthy use of acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP) in meat tenderization due to the cost reduction it offers in the overall cooking process. Acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP) is one of the most popular, relatively cheap, and ubiquitous over-the-counter drugs that induce serious toxicity challenges when misused. It is important to note that acetaminophen during cooking is hydrolyses into a toxic compound known as 4-aminophenol, which damages the liver and kidney and results in organ failure. Despite the reports on the increase in the use of acetaminophen for meat tenderizing in many web reports, there have not been any serious scientific publications on this subject. This study adopted classical/traditional methodology to review relevant literature retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using relevant key terms (Acetaminophen, Toxicity, Meat tenderization, APAP, paracetamol, mechanisms) and Boolean operators (AND and OR). This paper provides in-depth information on the hazard and health implications of consuming acetaminophen tenderized meat via genetic and metabolic pathways deductions. Understanding these unsafe practices will promote awareness and mitigation strategies

Nature-derived ingredients as sustainable alternatives for tenderizing meat and meat products:an updated review

Tenderness is one of the most desirable meat qualities and a significant determinant of consumers’ preference. Estimating/achieving optimal tenderness are not straightforward because of their susceptibility to complex factors. Efforts toward fostering optimal tenderness in meat are called meat tenderization and can be categorized under physical, chemical, and biological approaches. While physical tenderization involves mechanically breaking the muscle myofibrillar/connective tissues, chemical techniques apply chemical/synthetic additives. Conversely, the most sustainable biological approaches use natural products (mainly proteases) to foster meat tenderness. This study presents an updated review of natural products from plants, animals, and microbes that have gained applicability as meat tenderizers. We have discussed in detail the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the different natural sources of tenderizers and presented some overarching factors that limit the widespread acceptance of natural tenderizers over synthetic chemicals. Finally, prospects for achieving natural products as a more global choice for tenderizing meat were suggested.</p

Nature-derived ingredients as sustainable alternatives for tenderizing meat and meat products:an updated review

Tenderness is one of the most desirable meat qualities and a significant determinant of consumers’ preference. Estimating/achieving optimal tenderness are not straightforward because of their susceptibility to complex factors. Efforts toward fostering optimal tenderness in meat are called meat tenderization and can be categorized under physical, chemical, and biological approaches. While physical tenderization involves mechanically breaking the muscle myofibrillar/connective tissues, chemical techniques apply chemical/synthetic additives. Conversely, the most sustainable biological approaches use natural products (mainly proteases) to foster meat tenderness. This study presents an updated review of natural products from plants, animals, and microbes that have gained applicability as meat tenderizers. We have discussed in detail the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the different natural sources of tenderizers and presented some overarching factors that limit the widespread acceptance of natural tenderizers over synthetic chemicals. Finally, prospects for achieving natural products as a more global choice for tenderizing meat were suggested.</p

Aquatic Phlorotannins and Human Health:Bioavailability, Toxicity, and Future Prospects

Medicinal chemists and pharmacognosists have relied on terrestrial sources for bioactive phytochemicals to manage and treat disease conditions. However, minimal interest is given to sea life, especially macroalgae and their inherent phytochemical reserves. Phlorotannins are a special class of phytochemicals mainly predominant in brown algae of marine and estuarine habitats. Phlorotannins are formed through the polymerization of phloroglucinol residues and derivatives via the polyketide (acetate–malonate) pathway. Studies over the past decades have implicated phlorotannins with several bioactivities, including anti-herbivory, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, radio-protective, adipogenic, anti-allergic, and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) properties. All these activities are reflected in their applications as nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical agents. This article reviews the chemical composition of phlorotannins, their biological roles, and their applications. Moreover, very few studies on phlorotannin bioavailability, safety, and toxicity have been thoroughly reviewed. The paper concludes by suggesting exciting research questions for further studies.</p

Aquatic Phlorotannins and Human Health:Bioavailability, Toxicity, and Future Prospects

Medicinal chemists and pharmacognosists have relied on terrestrial sources for bioactive phytochemicals to manage and treat disease conditions. However, minimal interest is given to sea life, especially macroalgae and their inherent phytochemical reserves. Phlorotannins are a special class of phytochemicals mainly predominant in brown algae of marine and estuarine habitats. Phlorotannins are formed through the polymerization of phloroglucinol residues and derivatives via the polyketide (acetate–malonate) pathway. Studies over the past decades have implicated phlorotannins with several bioactivities, including anti-herbivory, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, radio-protective, adipogenic, anti-allergic, and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) properties. All these activities are reflected in their applications as nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical agents. This article reviews the chemical composition of phlorotannins, their biological roles, and their applications. Moreover, very few studies on phlorotannin bioavailability, safety, and toxicity have been thoroughly reviewed. The paper concludes by suggesting exciting research questions for further studies.</p