Micronutrients as therapeutic tools in the management of sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes

The Global use of micronutrients in health care delivery has taken center stage due to the realization of their importance in disease management. Sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes are among the diseases plaguing a good population of the developing world and the cost implication for theirmanagement is very high. Sickle cell disease and malari  have anemia as a common factor and immunological disturbances are also prevalent in these disease conditions. Free radicals are generated in sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes so a balance between minerals and antioxidants isimperative to maintain membrane integrity and function. Protection of red cell membranes from free radical-mediated oxidative stress is crucial to their management. Minerals such as copper, iron, chromium, magnesium, selenium and vanadium as well as vitamins like A, C, E, folate and the B grouphave been found to relieve oxidative stress associated with them. Micronutrients and their importance in the management of sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes is reviewed here, with emphasis on the need to harness the natural resources abundant in our environment

Chemo-preventive Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Newbouldia laevis and Olax subscorpioidea Leaves on Methylnitrosourea–induced Stroma Fibrosis in Breast Tissues of Female Albino Rats

Breast cancer represents the most common neoplastic disease in females, accounting for up to one third of new diagnoses of women’s cancer in certain regions of the world. The chemo-preventive activity of ethanolic extracts of Newbouldia laevis and Olax subscorpioidea leaves on methylnitrosourea (MNU)–induced stroma fibrosis in female albino rats was evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify and determine the quantity of bioactive compounds. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining procedure was used to assess breast tissues of experimental animals. Cancer antigen (CA) markers 15-3, 27-29 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood of experimental animals were evaluated using an automated procedure. Quantitative phytochemical screening showed that Olax subscorpioidea and Newbouldia laevis contained alkaloid in the highest amount. Histopathological assay revealed the presence of stromal fibrosis in the breast tissues of 8 out of 10 rats administered with NMU. Levels of CA 15-3, CA 27-29, CEA were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in MNU administered group in comparison to the negative control. Treatment with Olax subscorpioidea leave extract significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated CA 15-3, CA 27-29 and CEA levels. However, treatment with Newbouldia laevis leave extract significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated CA 15-3 and CEA levels only. Findings from this study showed that ethanolic extracts of Olax subscorpioidea and Newbouldia laevis leaves have chemo-preventive activity in NMU-induced stroma fibrosis in the breast tissue of female albino rats. However more studies on the discovery and validation of bioactive components of the plants are needed

Comparison of an African herbal formula with commercially available haematinics

The haematological changes observed with commercially available haematinics (Fagon 9® and Chemiron®) were compared with those of a local haematinic referred to as African Herbal Formula (AHF). Results showed that AHF produced effects in haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) levels, which are reasonably comparable with the reference commercial and chemically defined haematinics. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(8): 237-240

Mitragyna ciliata and its trypanocidal activity

The trypanocidal activity of different fractions of hydroethanolic root extract of Mitragyna ciliata Aubrev and Pellegr (Rubiaceae) were evaluated in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei field isolates from acow. Oral administration of the fractions at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 5 days (10 days post-infection) indicated that only butanol fraction showed trypanocidal activity with inhibition percent of 68.68. Theactivities of oxidative stress enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in the infected rats were determined. SOD activity was significantly higher than control (1.64 ± 0.026 I/U) in all fractionsexcept ethyl acetate (1.56 ± 0.031 I/U). Catalase showed a significant decrease in activity in butanol (2.05 ± 0.015 I/U) and chloroform (2.18 ± 0.061 I/U) fractions compared to control (2.30 ± 0.015 I/U). Butanolfraction might have affected the redox equilibrium of the infected animals causing oxidative stress to the parasites. This is the basis of inhibition of growth of the parasites by the butanol fraction

The influence of African Herbal Formula on the haematological parameters of trypanosome infected rats

A herbal mixture of herbs code named African Herbal Formula (AFH) influenced the state of anaemia in trypanosome infected rats. Observations showed that the formula has an effect on the haemopoietic system manifested by a positive increase in the levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell while the white blood cell and lymphocyte levels were decreased. AHF also delayed the proliferation of the parasites and improved the level of the characteristic weight loss associated with trypanosomiasis. Key words: African Herbal Formula, trypanosomiasis, anaemia. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(9) 2003: 312-31

Tolerance and Antiplasmodial Screening of Ritchea longipedicellata in Plasmodium berghei

The tolerance and antiplasmodial activity of methanolic root extract of R. longipedicellata in P. berghei infected mice was investigated. Extract was administered to mice at 1500mg/kg for 30days and liver andkidney parameters were analysed. Mice were infected with P. berghei and administered the extract and reference drugs 2hrs and 5days post-infection for suppressive and therapeutic activities respectively. At 1500mg/kg dose, R. longipedicellata extract exhibited a significant decrease (p 0.05) in ALP, GOT, GPT and Creatinine. Bilirubin showed no significant change while PCV was increased (p 0.05). Inhibition insuppressive activity at 50 and 100mg/kg doses of the extracts were 86.8% and 65.43% while artesunate (120mg/kg) and chloroquine (8mg/kg) were 100%. Clearance rate in therapeutic activity for 50 and100mg/kg dose of R. longipedicellata extract were 36.73% and 64.60%, lower than chloroquine (80.85%) and artesunate (100%). Longest survival period was observed in 50mg/kg suppressive group than all the groups treated with R. longipedicellata methanolic root extract. This study suggests that the methanolic root extract of R. longipedicellata is well tolerated and possesses antiplasmodial activity in mice infected with P.berghei

Prevalence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degrading bacteria in contaminated tropical soil in Lagos, Nigeria: involvement of plasmid in degradation

Recalcitrant pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are difficult to degrade and have been the focus for biodegradation. They form a class of pollutant on a global scale. In an attempt to contribute to the search for suitable microbial culture with potential to biodegrade low and high molecular weight PAHs, bacterial strains were isolated from engine-oil polluted sites in Lagos, Nigeria. These isolates were evaluated for possession of plasmid DNA and the role it played in PAH degradation. Out of sixteen strains isolated, two were Gram negative while the others were Gram positive isolates. They belonged to genera Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Kurthia sp., Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium. All the isolates grew on the PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene) at varying rates utilizing them as sole sourceof carbon and energy. All the isolates also possessed plasmid DNA ranging from 17.8 to 38.9 kbp. Subjection of plasmid cured isolates to PAHs biodegradation suggest that PAHs degradation may be plasmid and/orchromosomally mediated depending on the bacterial isolate and PAHs being degraded. This study has revealed that different compounds induce varied genetic changes in bacterial isolates in response to the stimuli

A Genetic Circuit Design for Targeted Viral RNA Degradation

Advances in synthetic biology have led to the design of biological parts that can be assembled in different ways to perform specific functions. For example, genetic circuits can be designed to execute specific therapeutic functions, including gene therapy or targeted detection and the destruction of invading viruses. Viral infections are difficult to manage through drug treatment. Due to their high mutation rates and their ability to hijack the host's ribosomes to make viral proteins, very few therapeutic options are available. One approach to addressing this problem is to disrupt the process of converting viral RNA into proteins, thereby disrupting the mechanism for assembling new viral particles that could infect other cells. This can be done by ensuring precise control over the abundance of viral RNA (vRNA) inside host cells by designing biological circuits to target vRNA for degradation. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have become important biological devices in regulating RNA processing. Incorporating naturally upregulated RBPs into a gene circuit could be advantageous because such a circuit could mimic the natural pathway for RNA degradation. This review highlights the process of viral RNA degradation and different approaches to designing genetic circuits. We also provide a customizable template for designing genetic circuits that utilize RBPs as transcription activators for viral RNA degradation, with the overall goal of taking advantage of the natural functions of RBPs in host cells to activate targeted viral RNA degradation

Potentials of microorganisms associated with plantain peels in the Lagos metropolis for biodegradation and bioconversion.

The role of microbes in the degradation of plantain derived-wastes and their potential to produce cellulolytic enzymes was assessed. Soil samples of decomposing waste piles were collected from two major plantain markets in the Lagos metropolis and analyzed for physicochemical properties, toxic heavy metal content and microbial populations. Findings revealed that the values of moisture content of the two soils varied between 7.27±0.04 and 8.06±0.19 %. M-12 site had the highest organic matter content of 6.89±0.14 %. A similar pattern was observed for nitrate, phosphate and chloride levels while some heavy metals were also detected in varying and high amounts. The highest viable bacterial counts was 58.0±2.9 x 104 cfu/g at MU and there were no fungi at the site whereas M-12 had a fungal count of 40.0±3.3 x 103 cfu/g. Out of the total of 34 isolates encountered, 8 isolates having maximum cellulase activities were selected for further studies by the primary screening technique. These test organisms were then evaluated by secondary screening for enzyme production. The test organisms were phenotypically and biochemically characterized and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae spp pneumoniae (2 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae spp ozaenae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Providencia alcalifaciens, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger respectively. Both the bacteria and moulds were found to be capable of utilizing lignin and cellulosic substrates for growth and for production of cellulolytic enzymes. It is suggested that such microorganisms could be useful in bioconversion of cellulosic substrates like plantain-derived wastes for biotechnological application