Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of two Nigerian retailed polyherbal formulations

Oxidative stress has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and even ageing processes. This warrants that dietary antioxidants are needed to complement endogenous antioxidant defence system and prevent the development of these chronic diseases. In this study, the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of two retailed Nigerian polyherbal formulations (DRHM® and GCHM®) were evaluated in vitro using DPPH radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) models. Aside for saponins, glycosides, anthraquinones and anthocyanins which were higher in DRHM and alkaloids which were higher in GCHM, there was no significant (p < 0.05) difference among the amount of other phytochemicals detected in the two polyherbal formulations. The DPPH radical scavenging effect exhibited by DRHM (EC50 = 1.62x106 µg/ml) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than GCHM (EC50 = 574.5 µg/ml) but that of ascorbic acid (EC50 = 10.58 µg/ml) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than both DRHM and GCHM. Similarly, GCHM (EC50 = 0.005414 µg/ml) had higher FRAP than DRHM (EC50 = 5.302 µg/ml). However, the TAC of GCHM (EC50 = 1675 µg/ml) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of DRHM (EC50 = 6.101 µg/ml). These findings suggest that the two polyherbal formulations possess appreciable antioxidant potentials which could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals with antioxidant potentials. The polyherbal formulations can further be explored for possible harnessing of their antioxidant effect in prevention and management of oxidative stress-related disorders and ageing process. Keywords: polyherbal formulations, phytochemicals, antioxidants, DPPH, FRAP, TA

Alcohol overuse increases susceptibility to malaria and its complications: a pilot study

Malaria has remained a dangerous disease that has been posing great burden to man and his wellbeing. Several factors influence the susceptibility to this disease including genetic and environmental determinants. The role of alcohol on malaria parasite infection and its complications is not well-defined. It is established that malaria infection and alcohol independently influence the immune system of man and other animals. Therefore, it is logical to reason that their combined influence may be additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol on determinants of malaria infection in mice. Nine groups of mice (n = 5) were used with group one serving as normal control, group 2 (alcohol control) received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 50% absolute ethanol p.o only for 7 days and group 3 was parasitized only (parasite control). Groups 4-6 received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 10, 30 and 50% ethanol, respectively for 7 days prior to parasite inoculation. Similarly, groups 7-9 were parasitized and thereafter received 12 g/kg b.w/d. of 10, 30 and 50 % ethanol, respectively 24-h after parasite inoculation till the next 7 days. In each case, malaria infection was confirmed 72-h post-inoculation. Thereafter, overnight fasted blood samples were analyzed for malaria parasitemia (malaria parasite density), hematological indices (hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and erythrocyte and leukocyte counts), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low and high density lipoproteins), and liver (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and total bilirubin) and kidney (urea and creatinine) status using standard methods. The results of various analyzed parameters in alcohol exposed mice infected with malaria parasite were compared with mice exposed to alcohol and malaria parasite alone using one-way analyses of variance. The result showed that parasitized alcohol-treated mice had higher malaria parasitemia (34.33 ± 2.53, 39.49 ± 1.71 and 54.12 ± 2.76 x104 parasites/μL, respectively for 10, 30 and 50 % ethanol) relative to parasitized mice not treated with alcohol (22.01 ± 1.35 x104 parasites/μL). In addition, concentration-based reduction in hematological status (packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte and leukocyte counts) was observed in alcohol-fed parasitized mice relative to parasite only and alcohol only controls. Furthermore, biochemical status indicating dyslipidemia as characterized by the elevation in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol concentrations and decrease in high density lipoprotein level, hypoglycemia, renal and hepatic dysfunctions as indicated by increase in liver function markers as well as creatinine and urea levels in serum were observed in infected mice treated with alcohol relative to parasite only and alcohol only controls. In conclusion, this observation suggests that alcohol overuse exacerbates malaria parasitemia and suppresses immune response to malaria parasites, in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby promoting the progression and severity of complications associated with malaria. Further study to investigate the mechanism behind this preliminary observation is warranted

Antidiabetic and antioxidant potentials of Pleurotus ostreatus -derived compounds: An in vitro and in silico approach

Many health benefits have reportedly been associated with mushroom consumption. This study determined the chemical constituents of Pleurotus ostreatus methanol extract (MEPO) and investigated its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects using in vitro and in silico approaches. The chemical composition of MEPO was determined using the gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) technique, while 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods were used to determine antioxidant activity. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated using α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, while molecular docking was done to give insight into the binding potentials of MEPO constituents against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase activities. Thirteen compounds, including ephedrine, oxalate, rutin, naringin, and kaempferol, were identified in MEPO. The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity, as observed from the DPPH (IC50 = 732.41 mg/ml) and FRAP studies. The extract also demonstrated stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase activity (IC50 = 246.58 mg/ml) than α-amylase activity (IC50 = 1074.05 mg/ml). Docking studies revealed that rutin and naringin interacted effectively with amino acid residues crucial for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and PEP carboxykinase activities via hydrogen bonds. The result shows that MEPO is a rich store of beneficial compounds which could be explored for the management of diabetes and associated complications