The influence of a multiple combination liquid product on the immune status of HIV-positive/AIDS patients

ThesisThe relationship between nutrition and HIV infection/AIDS is well recognised. HIV infection compromises the nutritional status of infected persons and in turn, poor nutritional status affects the progression of HIV infection. Nutritional supplementation has been shown to be associated with a significant slowing of disease progression, assists in maintaining and· optimising the nutritional status and the immune function of HIV-infected persons. The value of nutritional supplementation on the immune function of HIV-positive/AIDS patients from low socio-economic communities in the Free State is not yet known. Hence, the main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a nutritional supplement (Africa's Solution) on the immune status of HIVpositive/ AIDS patients from the low socio-economic communities of Bloemfontein in the Free State Province. The study entailed a clinical trial that consisted of one screening visit and three monthly visits. A total of 35 respondents were selected according to specific inclusion criteria. Food frequency questionnaires were completed during the screening visit. Haematological parameters, CD4+T-cell counts and CD8+T-cell counts were determined at the screening visit, monthly visits and by the end of nutrient supplementation (final visit). The patients studied, demonstrated energy and dietary intake of major macronutrients, higher than the RDNAI and higher (P<O.05) in the male than in the female subjects. It was also observed that the mineral and trace element intakes exceeded the RDNAI, except for iodine and selenium. A majority of the patients reported adequate intake of most vitamins with the exception of folate and vitamin D. It is envisaged that the high dietary intake of major macronutrients and micronutrients would help in maintaining the nutritional status and in curtailing wasting in the patients. The anthropometric profiles and the viral load were determined at baseline (n= 35) and at the end of study (n=28). There was no significant difference (P>O.05) in the fat percentage and body weight before and after nutrient supplementation; however, fat percentage differed significantly (P<O.05) between genders. The body mass index (BMI) and the lean body mass (LBM) produced a trend towards an improvement. There was a positive correlation between BMI and fat percentage. The CD4+T-cell count showed no correlation with the anthropometric profiles, while the viral load showed a negative correlation with the LBM, the fat percentage and the BMI. Results of the influence of the supplement on the immune status, haematological and clinical conditions showed that the viral load decreased significantly (P<0.002) with time following supplementation. The mean cell volume (MCV) and the mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased significantly (P<0.002, P<0.0002 respectively), reflecting the positive effect of the supplement on a few of the haematological parameters. The supplement demonstrated no effect on the CD4+T-cell count and the CD4+T-cell count decreased significantly (P<0.05) with HIV disease progression. The non-positive effect of the supplement on the CD4+T-cell count may be related to the already low CD4+T-cell counts before supplementation (lower than 200 cells/mm3 in the majority of patients); short duration; inter-assay variation; changes due to inter-current illness; impaired production of CD4+T -cells; red istribution within the intravascular spaces and drug-nutrient interactions. The supplement showed observable positive effects on the general well-being (clinical conditions) of the patients. Although, the nutritional supplement did not indicate a positive effect on the CD4+T-cell counts, the reduction in the viral load is very important, since median survival time is known to increase with reduction in HIV viral load. Because of certain limitations (small sample size, short duration, late stage of the infection and inter-assay variation), further study is needed to confirm the efficacy of the supplement

Therapeutic potentials and pharmacological properties of Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus and other conditions

There is a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants. Previously, the assumption was that the use of medicinal plants is peculiar to developing and poor nations. However, due to advances in technology, innovative and scientific research on medicinal plants, the trend has changed. The number of people using medicinal plants for various reasons has increased significantly in developed countries. Research studies have shown that several plants display antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer and antiulcer activities and that these plants and their bioactive molecules play important role in retarding the progression of acute and chronic disease conditions such as bacterial infections, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. These and other factors have stimulated interest in documenting and investigating medicinal plants for their nutritional and therapeutic benefits. In addition, vegetables such as Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. are cheap and affordable sources of protein, vital amino acids, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Used as supplements, vegetables provide tangible and correct proportions of nutrients and therapeutic ingredients. As part of the documentation of medicinal plants in Africa and contributing to the pool of knowledge in the field, this review examines the various potentials of T. triangulare. It is envisaged that it would stimulate further interest and research in the plant and medicinal plants in general

Global mapping of research trends on antibacterial activity of green silver nanoparticles

Over the years, the quest for antibacterial agents from green nanoparticles has attracted great attention due to the global rise in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Although several studies on the antibacterial activity of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles have been documented, no bibliometric studies on the subject have been reported to date. As a result, the present study aimed to assess the global research trends on the antibacterial activity of green silver nanoparticles from 2000 to 2020. In the present study, we explored Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) to extract research articles written in English on the subject within the specified period. Two hundred and sixty-nine (269) eligible research articles were included in the bibliometric analysis and R-package “bibliometrix” was used to analyse the documents for annual scientific publications, authors’ impact, most relevant institutions, countries productivity, frequent words, co-occurrence network, co-citation network and authors/institutions/countries collaboration networks. Based on the analysis, the top three (3) authors, journals, institutions and countries were Kumar V (n = 5), Zangeneh MM (n = 5) and Oh BT (n = 4); King Saud University, Banaras Hindu University and Islamic Azad University; Journal of Cluster Science (n = 10), Applied Organometallic Chemistry (n = 8) and Microbial Pathogenesis (n = 8); India, Iran, and Korea. The study findings highlighted the gaps in a research collaboration that negate productivity. Therefore, we are optimitic that this study would enlighten researchers in the field about the research lapses and the need for research collaboration in future studies

Antidiabetic Botanicals and their Potential Benefits in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Book ChapterPlease refer to full text

Reproductive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, protective and antidiabetic activities of Helichrysum Mill. species

South African Helichrysum species are known for diverse medicinal use and treatment of different illnesses. Ethnopharmacological studies have revealed the potential use of Helichrysum plants in drug discovery. Although some of these species have been documented, there is still paucity of information on most species. This review seeks to provide a compilation of documented traditional uses, reproductive potential, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, protective and antidiabetic activities and other therapeutic properties of some Helichrysum species of South Africa. Information on Helichrysum cymosum, H. foetidum, H. odoratissimum, H. patulum and H. petiolare were collected from such scientific databases as Google scholar, Scifinder, PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Science direct in the form of journal articles, scientific reports, theses and books from the Library of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Our findings show that these species have historic values in traditional medicine through their diverse use for the management and treatment of such illnesses as cold, diabetes, headaches, digestive problems, sores and wounds, HIV, cancer etc. Additionally, the reported bioactive constituents isolated from these species have been shown to indicate several activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotection, reproductive potentials and others. Thus, the current review highlights the phytochemical and bioactive constituents as well as some of the pharmacological properties of the five selected Helichrysum species with a view to providing validation for their use in the pharmaceutical drug development process

Antioxidant-Rich Vegetables: Impact on Human Health

Antioxidants are valuable ingredients present in vegetables. Vegetables are essential and crucial in human’s health and diet because of their minerals, antioxidant vitamins, phytochemical compounds, and dietary fibre content. This is the reason why an adequate consumption of vegetables has been linked with reduced risk and protection against various chronic diseases. Notably, each vegetable belongs to a group that contains a unique quantity of phytochemical compounds, which distinguish them from other groups and even within their group. The exact mechanisms by which the consumption of vegetables protects against human diseases are yet to be fully understood. However, the phytochemicals present in vegetables could be responsible for attenuating some of them. These phytochemicals are strong antioxidants that reduce the risk of chronic diseases by mounting resistance against the generation of free radicals and their damage. They are also involved in the modification of metabolic activation, detoxification of carcinogenic compounds, or attack of tumour formation in cells. This review highlights the inherent antioxidant potentials of vegetables, their roles as an excellent source of antioxidants and their impact on human health and diseases. Information provided in this review will provide more insight into the roles of antioxidants present in vegetables

Palm oil and ground nut oil supplementation effects on blood glucose and antioxidant status in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study investigated the effects of two common cooking oils (palm oil, PO) and (groundnut oil, GO) supplementation on the antioxidant status and diabetic indices in Alloxan (100mg/kg) induced diabetic Wistar rats. A total of forty-eight Wistar rats of both sexes were used for this study. They were divided into four groups of 12 animals each as: control, diabetic non-supplemented, diabetic supplemented with PO (200mg/kg/day)and diabetic supplemented with GO (200mg/kg/day) rats. Blood glucose, plasma vitamin E,SOD, Total Protein and Albumin levels were measured using standard laboratory procedures. After three weeks of supplementation there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose of supplemented groups compared with the diabetic non-supplemented group. Plasma Vitamins C and E, SOD, and Albumin levels were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the supplemented groups when compared with the diabetic non-supplemented group. However, the plasma levels of these parameters were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the GO supplemented rats compared with the PO supplemented group. The plasma vitamin C levels in the diabetic groups were lower than in other groups while increased levels in the plasma total protein were not significant. There was no significant difference in the measured parameters in reference to the gender of the animals. It was concluded from this study that GO exhibited superior antioxidant activities and that the supplementation of red palm oil and ground nut oil as a source of antioxidant was beneficialin diabetic state as it reduced blood glucose and enhance antioxidant status

Chemical and functional properties of nutrient-dense beverages developed from underutilised crops

Beverages are typically seen as wholesome snacks that can be included in a daily diet. Despite being part of the regular diet, the majority of these beverages are low in nutrients and high in calories. Worldwide, a variety of industrial processes, raw ingredients and microorganisms are used to manufacture fermented food. Many indigenous or traditional fermented foods and beverages are still prepared today as a form of domestic art. They are created in small businesses, communities and homes. Among the fermented foods that are important to people's diets worldwide are beverages that might have a non-dairy origin. In this study, Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder (MoLP) was used to fortify two beverages, including Amasi (Bambara groundnut) and Mageu (sorghum), at 0% (control), 1% and 5%. After fortifying the fermented and unfermented variations, the beverages' biochemical, chemical and functional properties were analysed. The effects of MoLP (1% and 5%) on the stress, viscosity and torque characteristics of Amasi were significant (p ?0.05). For all of the samples, Amasi and Mageu's values for protein, ash and moisture increased significantly (p ?0.05) due to the inclusion of MoLP. These findings indicate that MoLP-fortified beverages can act as a source of nutrients to address micronutrient deficiencies in children and adults.

The potential effect of elevated root zone temperature on the concentration of chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acids and the biological activity of some pigmented solanum tuberosum l. cultivar extracts

Without a doubt, potatoes play a vital food and nutrition security role in the world as more than a billion people consume this vegetable. Furthermore, the polyphenolic constituents of pigmented potato cultivars and their associated health benefits have been reported. However, the antioxidant, anticancer, and antimycobacterial activity of pigmented cultivars are scanty. Therefore, the present study explores the phenolic acids and biological activities of cv. Salad Blue (SB) and non-pigmented control (BP1) extracts. The antiproliferative activity of S. tuberosum L. against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) was investigated, as well as the ability to inhibit Mycobacterium smegmatis. Chlorogenic acid was the most prominent phenolic acid in both treatments as well as cultivars. In the current trial, 24 ◦C significantly increased chlorogenic acid in cv. SB and BP1. Ethanolic extracts of all the samples showed no activity at the highest test concentration of 1000 µg/mL (ciprofloxacin MIC of 0.325 µg/mL) against M. smegmatis. The antiproliferative activity of the tuber samples against HepG2 liver cells had IC50 values ranging between 267.7 ± 36.17 µg/mL and >400 µg/mL. Since the health benefits of these cultivars are highly valued, the present study provides useful information for future oncology studies, for human nutrition, as well as for how these underutilized cultivars can be fortified to improve their health benefits.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/applscipm2021Plant Production and Soil Scienc