Comparison of the histology of the skin of the Windsnyer, Kolbroek and Large White pigs

The skin is a protective barrier, and an endocrine, sensory and thermoregulatory organ. We investigated whether the skin of local pigs had beneficial anatomical traits compared to exotic pigs to withstand the increased heat loads predicted under future climate change scenarios. Full-thickness skin specimens were obtained from the dorsal interscapular, lateral thoraco-abdominal and ventral abdominal regions of intact boars (age 6–8 months) of two local breeds of pigs (Windsnyer [n = 5] and Kolbroek [n = 4]) and an exotic pig breed (Large White [n = 7]). The skin sections were stained with a one-step Mallory–Heidenhain stain and Fontana stain (melanin). Sweat gland perimeter was measured using Image J software. The Windsnyer breed had the thinnest dermis layer while the Large White had the thickest dermis layer across all the three body regions (analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p < 0.001). The Windsnyers had widely spaced dermal pegs compared to the other breeds. The Windsnyers had significantly more superficial and larger (~1 mm depth; 4.4 mm perimeter) sweat glands than the Kolbroek (~3 mm depth; 2.2 mm perimeter) and Large White (~4 mm depth; 2.0 mm perimeter) pigs (ANOVA; p < 0.001). The Windsnyers had visibly more melanin in the basal layer, the Kolbroek pigs had very little and the Large Whites had none. The functionality of the sweat glands of the Windsnyer breed needs to be established. The skin from the Windsnyer breed possesses traits that may confer a protective advantage for the increased solar radiation and ambient temperatures predicted with climate change

Early postnatal administration of oleanolic acid attenuates the development of non- alcoholic fatty liver disease in fructose fed adult female rats

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstrac

Insulinotropic effect of S-Allyl cysteine in rat pups

Abstract: S-Allyl cysteine (SAC) is found in garlic and has been reported to exert antidiabetic and antiobesity properties in drug-induced adult experimental models of metabolic dysfunction, but its potential beneficial effects in high-fructose diet neonatal rat models have not been determined. This study investigated the potential prophylactic effects of SAC in high-fructose diet fed suckling rat pups modelling human neonates fed a high-fructose diet. Four-day-old male (n=32) and female (n=32) Wistar rat pups, were randomly assigned to and administered the following treatment regimens daily for 15 days: group I, distilled water; group II, 20% fructose solution (FS); group III, SAC; group IV, SAC+FS. The pups' blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, plasma leptin and insulin concentration, liver lipid content, and liver histology were determined at termination. In female rat pups, orally administered SAC prevented FS-induced hypoinsulinemia but significantly increased (P≤0.05) liver lipid content. Oral administration of SAC significantly increased (P≤0.05) plasma insulin concentration and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance in the male pups. The potential sexually dimorphic effects of SAC (insulinotropic effects in male pups and protection of female pups against fructose-induced hypoinsulinemia) suggest that SAC could be potentially exploited as an antidiabetic and insulinotropic agent. Caution should, however, be exercised in the use of SAC during suckling as it could result in excessive liver lipid accumulation and insulin resistance

PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINAL USES OF FICUS THONNINGII (BLUME MORACEAE): A REVIEW

The common wild fig, Ficus thonningii, is extensively used in African ethnomedicine for treating a number of disease conditions which include diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, gonorrhoea, respiratory infections, and mental illnesses. This review aims to present a logical analysis of the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of F. thonningii in relation to its therapeutic applications. A bibliographic analysis of the uses, phytochemical constituents and phytophamacological properties of Ficus thonningii was carried out using published papers, medicinal plant databases and various ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological books. Ficus thonningii contains various bioactive compounds which include alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins and active proteins, all of which contribute to its curative properties. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies revealed that F. thonningii possesses antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal, antihelmintic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies have shown that Ficus thonningii is non-toxic if administered orally in low doses. Scientific research has validated the ethnomedicinal claims that Ficus thonningii is useful in disease management. However, there is need to continue identifying, isolating and quantifying the active principles and possibly determine the mechanisms underlying its curative properties

Proximate content and lipid profile of seeds from rapanea melanophloeos (the Cape beech) tree

Abstract: Rapanea melanophloeos (Cape beech) is a fruit-bearing tree indigenous to Southern Africa which produces edible fruit. Previous studies have focussed on investigating the nutritional potential of the tree’s fruit pulp. The nutritional potential of R. melanophloeos seeds is unknown. Seed samples obtained from ripe fruit of the Cape beech trees had their proximate analysis and lipid profiling done. The dry matter and ash contributed 91.29 ± 0.00 %, 1.50 ± 0.01 % of the mass of the seed. Whilst the other proximate analytes namely crude fibre, crude protein and ether extract made up 5.71 ± 0.43 % , 10.50 ± 0.49 % and 4.75 ± 0.09 % the mass of the seeds respectively. The fatty acid profile of the seed oil revealed Linoleic acid (50.43 ± 0.38 %) to be the most dominant. R. melanophloeos seeds are not a viable source of nutrients

The potential therapeutic value of medicinal plants in the management of metabolic disorders

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent, multifactorial and complex disease that is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes and other major cardiovascular complications. The rise in the global prevalence of MetS has been attributed to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The adoption of sedentary lifestyles that are characterized by low physical activity and the consumption of high-energy diets contributes to MetS development. Current management criteria for MetS risk factors involve changes in lifestyle and the use of pharmacological agents that target specific biochemical pathways involved in the metabolism of nutrients. Pharmaceutical drugs are usually expensive and are associated with several undesirable side e ects. Alternative management strategies of MetS risk factors involve the use of medicinal plants that are considered to have multiple therapeutic targets and are easily accessible. Medicinal plants contain several di erent biologically active compounds that provide health benefits. The impact of phytochemicals present in local medicinal plants on sustainable health and well-being of individuals has been studied for many years and found to involve a plethora of complex biochemical, metabolic, and physiological mechanisms. While some of these phytochemicals are the basis of mainstream prescribed drugs (e.g., metformin, reserpine, quinine, and salicin), there is a need to identify more medicinal plants that can be used for the management of components of MetS and to describe their possible mechanisms of action. In this review, we assess the potential health benefits of South African ethnomedicinal plants in protecting against the development of health outcomes associated with MetS. We aim to provide the state of the current knowledge on the use of medicinal plants and their therapeutically important phytochemicals by discussing the current trends, with critical examples from recent primary references of how medicinal plants are being used in South African rural and urban communities.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/moleculesam2021Physiolog

Modulatory effects of oleanolic acid on cardiac anti-oxidant status and inflammatory response in high fructose-fed neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats

This present study investigated the antioxidant and inflammatory properties of oleanolic acid (OA) on neonatal rats administered with high fructose diet (HFD). Neonatal rats (24) were assigned at random to four (4) groups namely: Group A (control) which had distilled water only; Group B was administered with OA only; Group C was administered with HFD; Group D received HFD and OA. Animals were administered orally using orogastric gavage at a dosage of 10 ml/kg for 7 days (postnatal day 7-14. The antioxidant status of the hearts such as TEAC, Ferric Reducing Anti-oxidant Power, FRAP, Trolox Equivalence Antioxidant Capacity and oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, Malondialdehyde and GSH, Glutathione) were evaluated using standard procedures. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the hearts were determined using magnetic bead-based assays procedure. The TEAC values were significantly decreased in HFD+OA treatment (p < 0.05) in comparison with HFD group. Glutathione concentration in the HFD group had significant increase (p < 0.05) following treatment with oleanolic acid. FRAP values and MDA level were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated post exposure to HFD and treatment with oleanolic acid insignificantly decreased MDA level when compared with HFD group. The pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-a and MCP-1) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased HFD group when compared to the control. Oleanolic acid administration significantly reduced inflammation in postexposure to HFD. Neonatal intake of oleanolic acid may help to prevent inflammation and oxidative damage in the progression of cardiovascular related diseases.https://www.tjnpr.orgam2023Physiolog

Long-term dietary supplementation with natural honey does not predispose growing male rats to metabolic syndrome

No abstract available.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1753-6561/6/S3/P3ab201

Comparative effect of cane syrup and natural honey on abdominal viscera of growing male and female rats

The high intake of refined sugars, mainly fructose has been implicated in the epidemiology of metabolic diseases in adults and children. With an aim to determine whether honey can substitute refined sugars without adverse effect, the long-term effects of natural honey and cane syrup have been compared on visceral morphology in growing rats fed from neonatal age. Honey increased the caecum and pancreas weights in male rats, which could enhance enzymatic activities of pancreas and digestive functions by intestinal microflora of caecum. Unlike honey, cane syrup caused fatty degenerations in the liver of both male and female rats. Honey enhanced intestinal villi growth, and did not cause pathology in the rodents’ abdominal viscera, suggesting potential nutritional benefit as substitution for refined sugars in animal feed.Part of work was accepted for oral presentation as an abstract titled "Comarative effects of honey and sugar on the morphometry of viscera in growing Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)" at the 31 Scientific Conference, Physiological Society of Nigeria (PSN) held at Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria during 7-9 September, 2011.http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/39am201