Reversal of Sodium Arsenite Inhibition of Rat Liver Microsomal Ca2+ Pumping ATPase by Vitamin C

Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2), at 10% of its median lethal dose, was administered to rats with and without vitamin C pretreatment. Liver microsomal fraction was isolated and the activity of Ca2+-ATPase was assayed. Sodium arsenite was found to inhibit the activity of the liver microsomal Ca2+-ATPase to 50% to that of control rats. The specific activity of the enzyme in rats administered sodium arsenite with vitamin C pretreatment was not significantly different from that of control rats

Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in Erythrocyte Membranes of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Nigerians

The presence of higher level of endogenous free radical reaction products in the erythrocyte ghost membrane (EGM) of Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects compared with that of normal healthy controls has been demonstrated. The EGMs of NIDDM subjects were also shown to be more susceptible to exogenously generated oxidative stress than those of normal healthy individuals. The decreased level of reactive thiol groups in the EGM of NIDDM individuals supported this observation. We propose that the presence of significant levels of non-heme iron in the EGM of NIDDM subjects is an indication of the potential for iron-catalysed production of hydroxy and other toxic radicals which could cause continuous oxidative stress and tissue damage. Oxygen free radicals could therefore be responsible for most of the erythrocyte abnormalities associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and could indeed be intimately involved in the mechanism of tissue damage in diabetic complications

Methanol fraction of Calliandra portoricensis root bark activates caspases via alteration in mitochondrial viability in vivo

Introduction: Dysregulated apoptosis is associated with a number of disease conditions. Traditionally, Calliandra portoricensis is used in the management of prostate enlargement. This study investigates the in vivo effect of potent methanol fraction of C. portoricensis (MFCP) on mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore, an important pharmacological target in treatment of various diseases, and examines the toxicities associated with its oral administration. Methods: Forty-two male Wistar strain rats (70-80 g) were divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each. Each group was orally administered 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg MFCP and the control group received distilled water for 21 and 30 days, respectively. mPT, assay for serum enzymes and hematological parameters were assessed spectrophotometrically while activation of caspases 3 and 9 was done by ELISA technique. Histological assessment of vital organs (liver, kidney, prostate) was carried out according to standard procedures. Results: There were no significant effects on mPT pore at all doses administered after 21 days of oral administration. However, after 30 days of administration, MFCP induced mPT pore opening at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg with induction folds of 2.6 and 3.3, respectively while there was no induction of mPT pore opening at lower doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum enzymes (ALT, AST) were observed at all doses administered when compared with control after 30 days of oral administration. Cell counts (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC) were adversely affected at the highest dose (200 mg/kg) compared with control and other treated groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) after 30 days of administration. Similarly, activation of caspases 9 and 3 were observed in rat liver homogenate at high doses of the fraction while histological evaluation showed degeneration and distortion of organs at the highest dose. Conclusion: MFCP contains phytochemicals that elicit the opening of the pore and induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. This would be relevant in treatment of degenerative diseases that results from down-regulation of apoptosis. However, caution should be exercised in using high doses of the plant

Effect of Crude Methanol Extract of Heliotropium indicum on Certain Biochemical Parameters in Rats with Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Fibroids

Background: Uterine fibroids or uterine leiomyoma are the commonest non-cancerous tumor affecting mostly women of age between 30-45 years. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries cause the regeneration of the uterine lining which may stimulate the growth of fibroids. It has been established that monosodium glutamate (MSG) (a commonly used food seasoning) induces fibroids by increasing the levels of cholesterol, estradiol and total protein. Heliotropium indicum has been indicated in folkloric medicine to be anti-tumoric. The effect of crude Methanol Extract of Heliotropium indicum (MEHI) on some biochemical parameters in MSG-induced fibroid was studied. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five female Wistar rats were divided into five study groups; A(Control), B(MEHI – 50mg/kg bdwt), C(MSG – 50mg/kg bdwt), D(MSG - 50mg/kg bdwt + MEHI - 50mg/kg bdwt) and E(MSG - 50mg/kg bdwt + MEHI - 100mg/kg bdwt). The administration was carried out through intraperitoneal injection for 10days. The animals were fasted for 24hours before sacrifice after which the blood was collected into appropriate sample bottles. The levels of progesterone, estradiol, cholesterol, liver enzymes, antioxidant and hematological parameters were estimated using standard procedures. Results: The results showed that the MEHI has an ameliorative effect on MSG-induced fibroid as seen in its ability to reduce elevated levels of cholesterol, progesterone and estradiol. Also the extract elevated the levels of liver enzymes and antioxidants. Although there was insignificant decrease in the levels of antioxidants, this might be because the extract competes with the antioxidants for active site. Also, the plant extract improved packed cell volume and thus, elicits its ability as co-treatment for anaemia. Lesions at histopathology of uterus exposed to MSG alone revealed striking lesions ranging from moderate diffuse cellular infiltrates and hyperplastic endometrial glands in uterine mucosa to degenerate and necrotizing endometrial mucosa with atrophy of glands, while the ovaries exhibited lesions ranging from obliteration of ovarian follicles to attenuation of germinal epithelium (diffuse oophoritis). On the other hand the inclusion of MEHI in MSG- fibroid induced rat led to acute endometritis, moderate diffuse endometritis and glandular hyperplasia (uterus), while lesions in the ovaries ranged slightly from follicular atresia, atrophy of the gonads to normal ovaries in a dose dependent manner.Conclusion: These findings showed that the plant extract can be used for the treatment of uterine fibroid and its use could lead to improved packed cell volume of the patient, antioxidants activities and regulation of female reproductive hormones. Also, MSG has high fibroid generation tendencies which could lead to destruction of ovaries and uterus when consumed incessantly, while MEHI, showed a great potential in ameliorating the effect of MSG on ovaries and uterus, hence, MEHI is ovariohysteric protective. Keywords: Uterine Fibroids, MSG, Heliotropiumindicum, PCV, Antioxidant

Distinct Metal Ion Requirements for the Phosphomonoesterase and Phosphodiesterase Activities of Calf Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase

The roles of Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions in promoting phosphoryl transfer catalysed by alkaline phosphatase are yet to be fully characterised. We investigated the divalent metal ion requirements for the monoesterase and diesterase activities of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. The synergistic effect of Mg2+ and Zn2+ in promoting the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl phosphate (monoesterase reaction) by alkaline phosphatase is not observed in the hydrolysis of the diesterase substrate, bis-para-nitrophenyl phosphate. Indeed, the diesterase reaction is inhibited by concentrations of Mg2+ that were optimal for the monoesterase reaction. This study reveals that the substrate specificities of alkaline phosphatases and related bimetalloenzymes are subject to regulation by changes in the nature and availability of cofactors, and the different cofactor requirements of the monoesterase and diesterase reactions of mammalian alkaline phosphatases could have significance for the biological functions of the enzymes

Hepatoprotective Activity and Inhibitory Effect of Flavonoid -Rich Extract of Brysocarpus Coccineus Leaves on Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition Pore

ABSTRAC

Toksični učinci nekih biljaka roda Euphorbia na hematološke i biokemijske pokazatelje u štakora

The toxic effects of 5 suspected poisonous plants of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, E. heterophylla L., E. hirta L., E. hyssopifolia L., and E. lateriflora Schum and Thonn), which are commonly found in the Nigerian pasture, were evaluated in albino rats using crude aqueous extracts for 14 days. Changes in haematological as well as biochemical parameters were used as indices of toxicosis. Clinical signs were also noted. The extracts of all the plants caused dullness, anorexia, stairy haircoat, and 20% mortality rate in E. hirta and E. hyssopifolia. Animals that received the extracts of E. balsamifera, E. hyssopifolia, E. heterophylla, and E. lateriflora appeared to show an excitatory effect. However, it was noted that the animals became dull afterwards. E. hirta produced the highest mortality rate. The crude extracts that were administered orally produced anaemia in the animals. While E. heterophylla, E. hyssopifolia and E. lateriflora caused leucopaenia, E. hirta and E. balsamifera caused leucocytosis. Three of the plants caused a significantly increased (P<0.05) level of total protein; the remaining 2 (E. balsamifera and E. heterophylla) caused an insignificant increase. While all the plants caused a significant increase in the level of albumin, the reverse was the case for globulin. All the plants also caused significant increase in levels of ALT and AST.Istraženi su toksični učinci pet na otrovnost sumnjivih biljaka roda Euphorbia (Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, E. heterophyla L., E. hirta L., E. hyssopifolia L. i E. lateriflora Schum et Thonn), koje se često nalaze na pašnjacima Nigerije. Istraživanje je provedeno na albino štakorima upotrebom sirovog vodenog iscrpka u tijeku 14 dana. Hematološki i biokemijski poremećaji uzeti su kao pokazatelji toksičnosti. Promatrani su i klinički znakovi trovanja. Iscrpci svih biljaka uzrokovali su potištenost, anoreksiju i neuredan dlačni pokrivač, a iscrpci E. hirta i E. hyssopifolia 20%-tni pomor štakora. životinje koje su dobivale iscrpak E. balsamifera, E. hyssopifolia, E. heterophyla i E. Lateriflora pokazivale su najprije razdražljivost, a potom potištenost. E. hirta uzrokovala je najveći stupanj pomora. Sirovi iscrpci davani peroralno uzrokovali su anemiju. Dok su E. heterophyla, E. hyssopifolia i E. ateriflora uzrokovale leukopeniju, E. hirta i E. balsamifera uzrokovale su leukocitozu. Tri pretraživane biljke uzrokovale su značajno (P<0,05), a preostale dvije (E. balsamifera i E. heterophyla) neznatno povećanje razine ukupnih proteina. Za razliku od razine globulina, sve su biljke uzrokovale značajno povećanje razine albumina. Sve su također dovele do značajnog povećanja razine ALT i AST

Hypoglycaemic and Biochemical Properties of Cnestis Ferruginea

Increasing incidences of diabetes in Africa has prompted the search for safe and readily available alternative herbal remedies for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Cnestis ferruginea was extracted with methanol and ethylacetate and the extracts obtained were tested for hypoglycaemic activities in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and mice. The extracts (250mg/kg body weight) were administered orally for 10 consecutive days to STZ-induced diabetic rats while a single dose (250mg/kg body weight) of the extracts were administered to STZ-induced diabetic mice. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined in the two groups of animals after extract administration. There was significant reduction in FBG (P< 0.005) by MCF and ECF within 4 hrs of extract administration in a time- dependent manner. Furthermore, administration of MCF and ECF for 10 days significantly lowered FBG in STZ diabetic rats (P<0.005) by 74% and 68%, respectively, whereas, glibenclamide - a standard antidiabetic drug reduced FBG by 60%. The levels of serum creatinine, urea, triglyceride, total cholesterol, total protein and level of lipid peroxidation were also evaluated. The extracts reduced significantly (P<0.005) the elevated levels of serum ALT and AST in diabetic treated rats. Similarly, both extracts significantly lowered (P<0.005) the levels of serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS)