Nutritional and antinutritional composition of Synsepalum dulcificum seeds

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the nutritional (proximate, mineral, vitamin) and antinutritional compositions of Synsepalumdulcificum seeds.Method: proximate, mineral, vitamin and antinutritional compositions were evaluated inSynsepalum dulcificum seeds using standard procedures.Results: Proximate composition of the seeds showed moisture content (44.30 ± 0.26%), ash (1.44 ± 0.14%), crude fat (1.33 ± 0.58%), crude fibre (1.30 ± 0.26%), protein (12.32 ± 0.10%) and carbohydrates (39.31 ± 0.57%). Mineral analysis of the seeds showed the presence of some elements such as potassium, sodium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Result of the vitamin analysis showed that the seeds contain vitamin C (4.84 ± 0.95mg/g), vitamin A (3.02 ± 0.47 mg/g) and vitamin E (0.47± 0.01mg/g). The antinutritional parameters analyzed were oxalate (8.42 ± 1.63%), phytate (4.57 ± 0.48%) and hemagglutinin (3.74 ± 0.01%).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that S. dulcificum seeds have appreciable nutritional contents (such as protein, minerals and vitamins) that are of immense health benefits and low antinutrient content. Further studies aimed at the utilization of this seed in human and livestock nutrition is warranted

Marine-Derived Bioactive Proteins and Peptides:A Review of Current Knowledge on Anticancer Potentials, Clinical Trials, and Future Prospects

The rise in cancer cases has prompted searching for novel and alternative sources of natural bioactive compounds with antitumor potential. Nearly three-quarters of our planet is covered by the ocean, the habitat of numerous prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and sustainable alternative nutrient sources. The marine ecosystem is a rich reservoir of proteins and novel bioactive peptides with diverse biochemical and therapeutic potentials, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. Marine peptides are valuable due to their high stability, bioactivity, and low immunogenicity. This review focused on tracking the recent progress in studying marine-derived peptides for potential cancer treatment. We have highlighted that some of these peptides have progressed to clinical trials in the last 2 decades, while many candidates were discontinued due to failure to exhibit therapeutic-relevant activities. Due to the results from old clinical trials, interest in marine sources for antitumor peptides has dwindled in recent years. We presented other possible limitations in this field and proposed attractive future research prospects. In conclusion, we emphasize the need for increased scientific attention to explore marine organisms’ untapped nutraceutical and bioactive natural products, particularly in uncovering their potential anticancer properties

A polyherbal formulation reverses hydrogen peroxide-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats

DRHM® is a polyherbal formulation [composed of Cymbopogon citratus (17%), Carica papaya leaves (16%), Mangifera indica bark (15%), Moringa oleifera leaves (14%), Citrus limon (12%), Psidium guajava (11%), Zingiber officinale root (9%) and Allium sativum (6%)] that is indicated for many disease conditions and as a detoxifier. In this study, the effects of DRHM® on hydrogen peroxide (3 mL/kg b.w of 5% H2O2, i.p)-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats were evaluated. H2O2 significantly (p<0.05) reduced hemoglobin level, packed cell volume and red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts. It elevated the activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and levels of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde. In addition, H2O2 also decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione and antioxidant vitamins levels. However, after 14 days of treatment at 1, 2 and 3 mL/kg/d b.w. p.o, DRHM® reversed aberrations in hematological status, enhanced antioxidant status and attenuated lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage induced by H2O2, in a dose-dependent manner comparable to silymarin (100 mg/kg/d. b.w.). These findings suggest that the phytoconstituents in DRHM® might be responsible for these ameliorative effects by boosting antioxidant defense system. DRHM® was tolerable up to 10 mL/kg. b.w

A polyherbal formulation reverses hydrogen peroxide-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats

927-933DRHM® is a polyherbal formulation [composed of Cymbopogon citratus (17%), Carica papaya leaves (16%), Mangifera indica bark (15%), Moringa oleifera leaves (14%), Citrus limon (12%), Psidium guajava (11%), Zingiber officinale root (9%) and Allium sativum (6%)] that is indicated for many disease conditions and as a detoxifier. In this study, the effects of DRHM® on hydrogen peroxide (3 mL/kg b.w of 5% H2O2, i.p)-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats were evaluated. H2O2 significantly (p<0.05) reduced hemoglobin level, packed cell volume and red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts. It elevated the activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and levels of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde. In addition, H2O2 also decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione and antioxidant vitamins levels. However, after 14 days of treatment at 1, 2 and 3 mL/kg/d b.w. p.o, DRHM® reversed aberrations in hematological status, enhanced antioxidant status and attenuated lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage induced by H2O2, in a dose-dependent manner comparable to silymarin (100 mg/kg/d. b.w.). These findings suggest that the phytoconstituents in DRHM® might be responsible for these ameliorative effects by boosting antioxidant defense system. DRHM® was tolerable up to 10 mL/kg. b.w

Salvia africana-lutea L.:: a review of ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology applications and future prospects

Plants are nature’s reserve for vitality and health-boosting agents. Despite ever-rising interest and research on plant medicinal chemistry, many stones are still being left unturned. Moreover, many traditional medicinal plants are yet to be discovered or functionally characterized. This study presented an up-to-date review of a poorly explored member of the Salvia genus indigenous to Africa—Salvia africana-lutea L. (synonymous with Salvia aurea L.) with details on its geographical distribution, ethnobotany, and pharmacological applications. We reviewed all literature published on Salvia africana-lutea up to January 2023, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect as primary databases and google scholar as the secondary source. From our literature search, we found 38 documents published on S. africana-lutea, despite the popularity of the Salvia genus as a medicinal plant (having over 15,000 articles published to date). From the retrieved literature, only a few studies focused on exploiting the ethnobotanical features of the plants, such as the morphology, flowering and existence, and nature of its trichomes. Some studies have reported S. africana-lutea as an excellent source of essential oils trapped within their leaf trichomes with numerous phytochemicals and bioactivities. Other studies have reported some interesting pharmacological activities of plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals, such as their antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, analgesic, antipyretic, anticancer, cytotoxic, and other bioactivities. We identified some limitations of the few published studies, highlighting future research needs that should draw more scientific interest to foster more study on this under-explored and valuable plant species of Salvia, to harness its medicinal and industrial potential fully

Zanthoxylum Species: A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Applications

Zanthoxylum species (Syn. Fagara species) of the Rutaceae family are widely used in many countries as food and in trado-medicinal practice due to their wide geographical distribution and medicinal properties. Peer reviewed journal articles and ethnobotanical records that reported the traditional knowledge, phytoconstituents, biological activities and toxicological profiles of Z. species with a focus on metabolic and neuronal health were reviewed. It was observed that many of the plant species are used as food ingredients and in treating inflammation, pain, hypertension and brain diseases. Over 500 compounds have been isolated from Z. species, and the biological activities of both the plant extracts and their phytoconstituents, including their mechanisms of action, are discussed. The phytochemicals responsible for the biological activities of some of the species are yet to be identified. Similarly, biological activities of some isolated compounds remain unknown. Taken together, the Z. species extracts and compounds possess promising biological activities and should be further explored as potential sources of new nutraceuticals and drugs

A polyherbal formulation reverses hydrogen peroxide-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats

927-933DRHM® is a polyherbal formulation [composed of Cymbopogon citratus (17%), Carica papaya leaves (16%), Mangifera indica bark (15%), Moringa oleifera leaves (14%), Citrus limon (12%), Psidium guajava (11%), Zingiber officinale root (9%) and Allium sativum (6%)] that is indicated for many disease conditions and as a detoxifier. In this study, the effects of DRHM® on hydrogen peroxide (3 mL/kg b.w of 5% H2O2, i.p)-induced hematological and biochemical aberrations in rats were evaluated. H2O2 significantly (p<0.05) reduced hemoglobin level, packed cell volume and red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts. It elevated the activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and levels of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde. In addition, H2O2 also decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione and antioxidant vitamins levels. However, after 14 days of treatment at 1, 2 and 3 mL/kg/d b.w. p.o, DRHM® reversed aberrations in hematological status, enhanced antioxidant status and attenuated lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage induced by H2O2, in a dose-dependent manner comparable to silymarin (100 mg/kg/d. b.w.). These findings suggest that the phytoconstituents in DRHM® might be responsible for these ameliorative effects by boosting antioxidant defense system. DRHM® was tolerable up to 10 mL/kg. b.w

The use of calcium carbide in food and fruit ripening:Potential mechanisms of toxicity to humans and future prospects

The global increase in the demand for ripe fruits has induced unhealthy use of toxic chemicals in fruit ripening. One of such chemicals in common use is calcium carbide (CaC2). Due to its nature, commercial CaC2 is consistently found to contain impurities such as Arsenic and other toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Few studies have only reported acute associative effects of CaC2, whereas there is only sparse evidence of its chronic and long-term impact. This article reviewed all the information on the nature of commercial CaC2 used for food processing. Meanwhile, all reports on the acute effects of CaC2, such as skin burns, skin irritations and inflammation, were summarized. Despite reported acute cases, an increase in commercial CaC2 for fruit ripening has been reported in recent times, especially in developing countries, as many vendors may consider the toxic effects/risks as negligible. Therefore, this study highlighted the paucity in research studies on the chronic impact of commercial CaC2 while proposing possible mechanisms for CaC2 induction of cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction, diabetic mellitus and others. Furthermore, suggestions on further studies to unravel the chronic impacts of CaC2 on health and recommendations for viable alternatives of fruit ripening with minimal or zero toxicity were proffered. Finally, other suggestions such as improving CaC2 detection technologies and innovative grassroots educational programs will strengthen national and international agencies to enforce restrictions on the illicit use of the toxicant for fruit ripening.</p