A systematic review on COVID-19 pandemic with special emphasis on curative potentials of Nigeria based medicinal plants

Despite the frightening mortality rate associated with COVID-19, there is no known approved drug to effectively combat the pandemic. COVID-19 clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and other complications. At present, there is no known effective treatment or vaccine that can mitigate/inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Available clinical intervention for COVID-19 is only palliative and limited to support. Thus, there is an exigent need for effective and non-invasive treatment. This article evaluates the possible mechanism of actions of SARS-CoV-2 and present Nigeria based medicinal plants which have pharmacological and biological activities that can mitigate the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mode of actions includes hyper-inflammation characterized by a severe and fatal hyper-cytokinaemia with multi-organ failure; immunosuppression; reduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enhance pulmonary vascular permeability causing damage to the alveoli; and further activated by open reading frame (ORF)3a, ORF3b, and ORF7a via c-Jun N- terminal kinase (JNK) pathway which induces lung damage. These mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 can be mitigated by a combination therapy of medicinal herbs based on their pharmacological activities. Since the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multifactorial with co-morbidities, we strongly recommend the use of combined therapy such that two or more herbs with specific therapeutic actions are administered to combat the mediators of the disease.publishedVersionFil: Oladele, Johnson O. Kings University; Nigeria.Fil: Ajayi, Ebenezer Idowu O. Osun State University; Nigeria.Fil: Ajayi, Ebenezer Idowu O. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Rectorado; Argentina.Fil: Ajayi, Ebenezer Idowu O. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra.; Argentina.Fil: Oyeleke, Oyedotun M. Kings University; Nigeria.Fil: Oladele, Oluwaseun T. Osun State University; Nigeria.Fil: Olowookere, Boyede D. Kings University; Nigeria.Fil: Adeniyi, Boluwaji M. Benue State University; Nigeria.Fil: Oyewole, Olu I. Osun State University; Nigeria.Fil: Oladiji, Adenike T. University of Ilorin; Nigeria

Efecto de las características socioeconómicas de los agricultores de invernaderos en la producción de verduras en el estado de Ogun, Nigeria

In Nigeria, vegetable production is adversely affected by climate change, pest and diseases attack and unfavourably environmental condition which have made resourceful farmers and government to embark on vegetable production under greenhouse technology. Hence, this study was conducted to assess socio-economic importance of greenhouse technology for sustainable vegetable production in Ogun State, Nigeria. The specific objective is to identify major limitations to the practice of greenhouse vegetable in the study area. One hundred and twenty (120) vegetable farmers were purposively selected for this study. Data were collected using well-structured interview guide and analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. The results showed that the respondents were 32 – 40 years of age; predominantly male (90.8%), and had formal education (28.3%). Socio-economic importance of greenhouse technology includes increased yield (94.3%), available supplies all the year round (85.7%), and higher income generation (75.7%). Paradoxically, greenhouse vegetable production has not been widely spread due to difficult to establish it by individuals and high cost of construction (98.3%). So also, chi-square results showed that significant relationship existed between the major limitations and socio-economic importance of greenhouse technology at p < 0.05 level of significance. This study recommends that cost of raw materials for constructing greenhouse should be subsidized by the Federal Government of Nigeria while wealthy individuals, farmers’ groups and cooperative societies should invest in greenhouse technology for large scale vegetable farmingEn Nigeria, la producción de hortalizas se ve afectada negativamente por el cambio climático, el ataque de plagas y enfermedades y las condiciones ambientales desfavorables que han hecho que los agricultores y el gobierno ingeniosos se embarquen en la producción de hortalizas con tecnología de invernadero. Por lo tanto, este estudio se realizó para evaluar la importancia socioeconómica de la tecnología de efecto invernadero para la producción sostenible de hortalizas en el estado de Ogun, Nigeria. El objetivo específico es identificar las principales limitaciones a la práctica de hortalizas de invernadero en el área de estudio. Ciento veinte (120) productores de hortalizas fueron seleccionados deliberadamente para este estudio. Los datos se recopilaron mediante una guía de entrevista bien estructurada y se analizaron con estadísticas descriptivas y análisis de chi-cuadrado. Los resultados mostraron que los encuestados tenían entre 32 y 40 años de edad; predominantemente masculino (90.8%), y tenía educación formal (28.3%). La importancia socioeconómica de la tecnología de efecto invernadero incluye un mayor rendimiento (94.3%), suministros disponibles durante todo el año (85.7%), y mayor generación de ingresos (75.7%). Paradójicamente, la producción de hortalizas de invernadero no se ha extendido ampliamente debido a la dificultad de establecerla por parte de los individuos y el alto costo de construcción (98.3%). Así también, los resultados de chi-cuadrado mostraron que existía una relación significativa entre las principales limitaciones y la importancia socioeconómica de la tecnología de invernadero con un nivel de significancia p<0.05. Este estudio recomienda que el gobierno federal de Nigeria subsidie el costo de las materias primas para la construcción del invernadero, mientras que las personas adineradas, los grupos de agricultores y las sociedades cooperativas deberían invertir en tecnología de invernadero para el cultivo de hortalizas a gran escal

Vitamin D3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor-Cognitive Function in −D2R Parkinsonian Mice Model

Background: fourth generation antipsychotics have been implicated in the blockade of calcium signalling through inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on dopaminergic D2 Receptor (D2R). As a result of the abnormal calcium signalling associated with D2R inhibition, changes occur in the motor and memory neural axis leading to the observed behavioural deficits after prolonged haloperidol. Thus, Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R), a calcium controlling receptor in the striatum can be targeted to relief the neurological symptoms associated with haloperidol (−D2R) induced PD. Aim: This study sets to investigate the role of VD3R activation in vitro and in vivo after haloperidolinduced Dopaminergic (D2R) blockade. In addition, we examined the associated neural activity and behavioural changes in parkinsonian and VDRA intervention mice. Methods: Dopaminergic D2R inhibition was investigated in vitro using Melanocytes isolated from the scale of a Tilapia. In four separate set ups, the cells were cultured in calcium free Ringer’s solution as follows; 300 μM haloperidol, 100 μM VD3, 100 mM calcium chloride and a combination of 300 μM haloperidol and 100 μM VD3. Subsequently, dopaminergic vesicle accumulation and calcium signalling were observed in bright field microscopy using blue and green fluorescence probes. In the second phase, PD was induced in adult BALB/c mice (−D2; n = 8) after 14 days of intraperitoneal haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg). A set of n = 4 mice were untreated (−D2) while the other group (n = 4) received 100 mg/Kg of VD3 for 7 days (−D2/+VDR). The control groups (n = 4 each) were treated with normal saline (NS) and VD3 (+VDR) for 14 days. At the end of the treatment phase, the animals were assessed in Rotarod, parallel bar-, cylinder-, Y-Maze-, one trial place recognition- and novel object recognition-(NOR) tests. Neural activity was measured using chronic electrode implants placed in the M1 (motor cortex), CPu (striatum), CA1 (hippocampus) and PFC (prefrontal cortex). Neural activity was compared with the outcomes of behavioural tests for memory and motor functions and data was expressed as mean ± SEM (analysed using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test, significant level was set at 0.05). Results/Discussion: in vitro outcomes show that VDR increase calcium signalling and reverses the effect of haloperidol; specifically by reducing dopaminergic vesicle accumulation in the cell body. Similarly, in vivo neural recordings suggest an increase in calcium hyperpolarization currents in the CPu and PFC of intervention mice (−D2/+VDR) when compared with the parkinsonian mice (−D2). These animals (−D2/+VDR) also recorded an improvement in spatial working memory and motor function versus the Parkinsonian mice (−D2). These outcomes suggest the role of CPu-PFC corticostriatal outputs in the motor-cognitive decline seen in parkinsonian mice. Similarly, VDRA reduced the neural deficits through restoration of calcium currents (burst activities) in the intervention mice (−D2/+VDR). Conclusion: VDRA treatment reduced the motor-cognitive defects observed in haloperidol induced PD. Our findings suggest the role of VDRA in restoration of calcium currents associated with PFC and CPu corticostriatal outputs seen as burst frequencies in in vivo neural recording

Vitamin D 3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor Function in –D 2 R Tardive Dyskinesia Mice Model

Haloperidol-induced dyskinesia has been linked to a reduction in dopamine activity characterized by the inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on D2-receptor (D2R). As a result of D2R inhibition, calcium-linked neural activity is affected and seen as a decline in motor-cognitive function after prolonged haloperidol use in the treatment of psychotic disorders. In this study, we have elucidated the relationship between haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia and the neural activity in motor cortex (M1), basal nucleus (CPu), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (CA1). Also, we explored the role of Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R) activation as a therapeutic target in improving motor-cognitive functions in dyskinetic mice. Dyskinesia was induced in adult BALB/c mice after 28 days of haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg; intraperitoneal). We established the presence of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in the haloperidol treated mice (−D2) through assessment of the threshold and amplitude of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) for the Limbs (Li) and Orolingual (Ol) area (Li and Ol AIMs). As a confirmatory test, the dyskinetic mice (−D2) showed high global AIMs score when compared with the VD3RA intervention group (−D2/+VDR) for Li and Ol AIMs. Furthermore, in the behavioral tests, the dyskinetic mice exhibited a decrease in latency of fall (LOF; Rotarod-P < 0.05), climbing attempts (Cylinder test; P < 0.05) and latency of Turning (Parallel bar test; LOT-P < 0.05) when compared with the control. The reduced motor function in dyskinetic mice was associated with a decline in CPu-CA1 burst frequencies and an increase in M1-PFC cortical activity. However, after VD3RA intervention (−D2/+VDR), 100 mg/Kg for 7 days, CPu-CA1 burst activity was restored leading to a decrease in abnormal movement, and an increase in motor function. Ultimately, we deduced that VD3RA activation reduced the threshold of abnormal movement in haloperidol induced dyskinesia

Vitamin D 3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor - Cognitive Function in − D 2 R Parkinsonian Mice Model

fourth generation antipsychotics have been implicated in the blockade of calcium signalling through inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on dopaminergic D 2 Receptor (D 2 R). As a result of the abnormal calcium signalling associated with D 2 R inhibition, changes occur in the m o- tor and memory neural axis leading to the observed behavioural deficits after prolonged halope r- idol. Thus, Vitamin D 3 receptor (VD 3 R), a calcium controlling receptor in the striatum can be ta r- geted to relief the neurological symptoms associated with haloperidol ( − D 2 R) induced PD. Aim: This study sets to investigate the role of VD3R activation in vitro and in vivo after haloperidol - induced Dopaminergic (D 2 R) blockade. In addi tion, we examined the associated neural activity and behavioural changes in parkinsonian and VDRA intervention mice. Methods: Dopaminergic D 2 R inhibition was investigated in vitro using Melanocytes isolated from the scale of a Tilapia. In four separate set ups, the cells were cultured in calcium free Ringer’s solution as follows; 300 μM haloperidol, 100 μM VD 3 , 100 mM calcium chloride and a combination of 300 μM haloperidol and 100 μM VD 3 . Subsequently, dopaminergic vesicle accumulation and calcium signalling were observed in bright field microscopy using blue and green fluorescence probes. In the second phase, PD was induced in adult BALB/c mice ( − D 2 ; n = 8) after 14 days of intraperitoneal haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg). A set of n = 4 mice were untreated ( − D 2 ) while the other group (n = 4) r e- ceived 100 mg/Kg of VD 3 for 7 days ( − D 2 /+VDR). The control groups (n = 4 each) were treated with normal saline (NS) and VD 3 (+VDR) fo r 14 days. At the end of the treatment phase, the animals were assessed in Rotarod, parallel bar - , cylinder - , Y - Maze - , one trial place recognition - and novel object recognition - (NOR) tests. Neural activity was measured using chronic electrode implants plac ed in the M1 (motor cortex), CPu (striatum), CA1 (hippocampus) and PFC (prefrontal cortex). Neural activity was compared with the outcomes of behavioural tests for memory and motor fun c- tions and data was expressed as mean ± SEM (analysed using ANOVA with T ukey post - hoc test, significant level was set at 0.05). Results/Discussion: in vitro outcomes show that VDR increase calcium signalling and reverses the effect of haloperidol; specifically by reducing dopaminergic vesicle accumulation in the cell body. Sim ilarly, in vivo neural recordings suggest an increase in calcium hyperpolarization currents in the CPu and PFC of intervention mice ( − D 2 /+VDR) when compared with the parkinsonian mice ( − D 2 ). These animals ( − D 2 /+VDR) also recorded an i m- provement in spatial working memory and motor function versus the Parkinsonian mice ( − D 2 ). These outcomes suggest the role of CPu - PFC corticostriatal outputs in the motor - cognitive decline seen in parkinsonian mice. Similarly, VDRA reduced the neural deficits through restorati on of ca l- cium currents (burst activities) in the intervention mice ( − D 2 /+VDR). Conclusion: VDRA treatment reduced the motor - cognitive defects observed in haloperidol induced PD. Our findings suggest the role of VDRA in restoration of calcium currents assoc iated with PFC and CPu corticostriatal ou t- puts seen as burst frequencies in in vivo neural recording

Number preferences in lotteries

We explore people's preferences for numbers in large proprietary data sets from two different lottery games. We find that choice is far from uniform, and exhibits some familiar and some new tendencies and biases. Players favor personally meaningful and situationally available numbers, and are attracted towards numbers in the center of the choice form. Frequent players avoid winning numbers from recent draws, whereas infrequent players chase these. Combinations of numbers are formed with an eye for aesthetics, and players tend to spread their numbers relatively evenly across the possible range

Some Aspects of Nutrient, Antinutrient, Minerals and Sugars Contents of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Seeds

Thaumatococcus daniellii is an under-exploited, wild rhizomatous perennial herb from Africa that is classified as one of the non-timber forest products. The aril contains an intensely sweet and non-toxic protein used as sweetener in food and other related industries. This study evaluated the nutrient, antinutrient, minerals and sugars contents of T. daniellii seeds. The proximate analysis of the seeds in percent on dry basis revealed 9.18±0.04 ash, 10.52±0.10 moisture, 2.48±0.02 crude fat, 29.45±0.13 crude fibre, 6.67±0.05 protein, 41.70±0.73 carbohydrate and the energy value was calculated to be 213.29±0.11 Kcal/100 g. Minerals analysis of the seeds in mg/kg revealed the presence of sodium 113.00±0.01, potassium 155.30±0.00, calcium 56.00± 0.02, magnesium 62.00±0.01, iron 1.05±0.00, zinc 1.24±0.00, phosphorous 112.00±0.01, manganese 0.11±0.00 and copper 0.12±0.00. Anti-nutrients analyses of the seeds are phytates 7.98±0.02%, tannins 0.49±0.01 mg/g, oxalates 7.84±0.15%, flavonoids 7.89±0.01 mg/g and total phenols 6.25±0.01 mg/g. Sugar analysis of the seeds gave the presence of the followings in mg/g; glucose 74.25±0.10, fructose 78.75±0.02, invert sugar 76.35±0.21, maltose 115.20±0.05 and sucrose 71.25±0.11 while total and reducing sugars in % gave 2.06±0.01 and 8.25±0.03 respectively. The research work revealed the potentials of the seeds for both domestic and industrial usage

Growth performance and cost benefit of broiler chickens raised on mash and pellet diets accessed at different feeding periods

A total of 160 7-day old Marshall broiler chickens were used in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment to evaluate the effects of different feed forms and feed access times on growth performance and cost benefits of broiler chickens. The birds were weighed and randomly distributed into 8 treatments with 4 replicates of 5 birds each, subjected to 2 feed forms (mash and pellet) and 4 different feed access time (2, 4, 6 h, ad libitum) for 3 wk. After this period, all birds were returned to ad libitum feeding until 8 wk of age. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality, cost of feed consumed and cost per g weight gained. Results indicated that pellet fed birds on ad libitum, 4 and 6 h feed access time recorded higher (