CHARACTERIZATION OF COCOA (THEOBROMA COCOA) POD

Cocoa pod is a waste product of cocoa seeds and have been found very useful industrially for making black soaps which are highly medicinal for treating various ailment. The oil of the pod was investigated to reveal the various compounds present in the oil, Essential fatty acids and other organic compounds were revealed by the use of Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotomete

Pasting characteristics of plantain (Balbisiana Hybrids) and banana (Musa acuminata) starches

The starch powdered samples were analyzed for their pasting characteristics using Rapid visco analyser (RVA). From the graph of viscosity versus time, the final viscosity of plantain starch (298.67Rvu) was higher than that of Banana starch (165.67Rvu). The higher viscosity recorded in plantain starch showed that there was re-association between the starch molecules which led to formation of gel and caused by not only simple kinetic effect of cooling but re-association of amylose. The hold period of plantain starch (141.75minutes) was higher than that of Banana starch (112.33minutes). The hold period is accomplished by a breakdown in viscosity. The breakdown of banana starch (29.42Rvu)was higher than that of protein (24.25Rvu). The high breakdown in viscosity of Banana starch will be of great usefulness industrially. The peak viscosity of plantain (116.00Rvu) was higher than that of Banana starch (141.75Rvu). The high peak viscosity in plantain showed that the starch formed a paste on cooling at pasting temperature of 94.50C

Effect of rana galamensis-based diet on the activities of some enzymes and histopathology of selected tissues of albino rats

The effect of Rana galamensis-based diet on the activities of some enzymes and histopathology of selected tissues of albino rats was investigated for eight weeks. A total of sixteen albino rats weighing between 29.15 and 26.01g (21 days old) were divided into two groups. The first group contains animals fed on casein-based diet (control); the second group was fed on Rana galamensis-based diet. The animals were fed with their appropriate diet on daily basis and on the eight weeks of the experiment the animals were sacrificed using diethyl ether as anesthesia, blood was collected by cardiac puncture and organs of interest were harvested. Thereafter, organ to body weight ratio, some biochemical parameters and histopathology examination were carried out. There was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the organ to body weight ratio of the animals fed on control and Rana galamensis-based diets. Also, there was no significant different (p >0.05) in the activities of all the enzymes (ALP [alkaline phosphatase], AST [asparate transaminase], ALT [alanine transaminase], and γGT [gamma glutamyl transferase]) investigated in the selected tissues and serum of rats fed on Rana galamensis- based diet when compared with the control. In addition, histological examinations of hepatocyte's rats fed on Rana galamensis- based diet show normal architecture structure when compared with the control. The insignificant different in the activities of all the enzymes studies (ALP, AST, ALT and γGT) indicated no organ damage, supported by the normal histology studies. The obtained results may imply that Rana galamensis is safe for consumption.&nbsp

Helianthus annuus Leaf Ameliorates Postprandial Hyperglycaemia by Inhibiting Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes Associated with Type-2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease. Decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia by retarding glucose absorption through inhibiting carbohydrates digesting enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) is one of many approaches used for the management of this disease. This study was aimed at evaluating the normoglycaemic potential of Helianthus annuus leaf. Methods: The effect of the in vitro inhibitory of different extracts (acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane) of the plant was assessed on the activities of diabetes-related enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Results: The hexane extract of H. annuus leaf displayed the best inhibitory activity against α- amylase and α-glucosidase as indicated by the IC50 values (3.92 ± 0.02 mg mL-1) and (3.29 ± 0.12 mg mL-1), respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plot of inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by this extract showed that it was competitive and non-competitive mode, respectively. Conclusion: H. annuus leaf possesses hypoglycaemic potential which may be due to the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase

Health and commercial relevance of Garcinia species: Key scientometric analyses from three decades of research

Garcinia species (G. indica, G. cambogia, G. kola and G. mangostana) represent some of the most sought-after herbs globally due to their impressive medicinal qualities, hence the ever-growing interest of researchers into these plants. In this study, an extensive bibliometric analysis of the available research outputs on the widely-known Garcinia species was conducted to appraise the progress made and also highlight the future focus of research on the plants. The published articles (original and conference articles) on the selected species from 1991 to 2021 were retrieved from Scopus® database, scrutinized and further analyzed using the VOS viewer software. Over 2000 research outputs were published posting an annual publication rate of 75 articles, which have altogether garnered almost 37000 citations within the period under review. Of the 85 country affiliations on the publications, 5, which include India, Thailand, Nigeria, Indonesia, and the United States have cumulatively contributed two-thirds of the total outputs. The institutions; the University of Ibadan (97), Prince Songkla University (52) and Mahidol University (50) have the most publications revealing their research focus on herbs. However, in terms of individual influence, Prof E.O. Farombi, of the University of Ibadan, led the pack with an impressive 42 publications (1585 citations) on Garcinia kola followed by Prof Y.W. Chin of the Seoul National University, South Korea with 23 publications (452 citations) on Garcinia mangostana. The versatility in the health applications of these species especially as sources for new therapeutics, nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients, has been the main driver of the research within the past three decades. Recent research undertakings have demonstrated the potential industrial uses of herbs in the clothing and petroleum industries and these may dominate the research emphases in the immediate future

In silico pharmacology and bioavailability of bioactive constituents from Triclisia subcordata (Oliv), an underutilized medicinal plant in Nigeria

Medicinal plants are rich sources of traditional medicines from which many modern medicines are made. Triclisia subcordata Oliv. is one among the underutilized medicinal plants in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. Therefore, this study was designed to present comprehensive data from the literature on pharmacological uses of T. subcordata and its phytochemistry, and to predict the pharmacology and bioavailability of the phytoconstituents isolated so far from Triclisia subcordata through an in silico approach. T. subcordata has high antioxidant activity and so it isthus used to treat oxidative stress-related diseases such as inflammation and diabetes. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and smooth muscle relaxing properties. It is a potent inhibitor of enzymes such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. It has also traditionally been used in cancer treatment. One of the bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids isolated from this plant, cycleanine, showed selectivity for ovarian cancer cell lines. The presence of phytochemicals such as cyanogenic glycosides and tannins in low concentrations in T. subcordata has also been reported to make it edible to humans. The results of predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity was analyzed on the webserver ’ADEMTLab 2.0‘ . Prediction of activity studies for the four bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated so far from this plant supported anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antimalarial activities as well as muscle relaxant effect. Moreover, new activities including stimulation of leukopoiesis, inhibition of membrane permeability , inhibition of kinase and nicotinic alpha4beta4 receptor agonist properties were also predicted through in silico investigation. From our findings, these phytoconstituents could be lead candidates in drug discovery, since this plant is safe for human consumption

Protective effect of Irvingia gabonensis stem bark extract on cadmiuminduced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Cadmium has been considered a risk factor for humans as it accumulates in body tissues, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis (IG) against cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity. The study was performed on twenty (20) male rats divided into four groups: control group, cadmium group (4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), cadmium + extract (200 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage) and cadmium + extract (400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage). Changes in the kidney biochemical markers, namely glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), urea, and creatinine were determined in serum. Histological examinations were monitored. Exposure to Cd lowered the activities of kidney antioxidants, while it increased LPO levels. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of IG extract. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with the untreated cadmium rats. Yet the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) when the cadmium animals treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were compared with the cadmium control. Furthermore, histological alterations in the kidney were observed in cadmium untreated rats and these were ameliorated in cadmium treated rats by co-administration of IG extract. IG showed apparent protective and curative effect on Cd-induced nephrotoxicity

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES AND HEMATOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF BLIGHIA SAPIDA KOENIG BARK IN ALLOXANINDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Blighia sapida(BS) has been shown to be rich sources of antioxidant, thus, we evaluated effects of B. sapida Koenig stem bark ethanol extract (BSE) on lipid metabolism and hematological indices in diabetes rats. Th irty male rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Diabetes was elicited by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg body weight) once and orally administered with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), B. sapidaextract (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight (bw) once daily for 21 days. Serum lipid profi le, markers of hepato-renal toxicity and hematological indices were examined using automated analyzer. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically different. Diabetic untreated animals showed considerably elevated total cholesterol p < 0.05, also, significant increase in AST, ALT, ALP, urea and creatinine compared to control. Triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, AI and CRI decreased with extract administration and HDL-c increased considerable compared to untreated diabetic rats. Furthermore, significant lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBCs) levels, white blood cells (WBCs) compared to normal animals was recorded in the untreated group. Th ese changes were returned to normal after the administration of extract 50, 100 and 150 mg/ kg body weight. Hence, these effects were most prominent in the animals treated with 150 mg/kg body weight of B. sapidabark. Th is indicates that B. sapida stem bark possess anti-hyperlipidemic activity and improved the biochemical parameters within the hematological profile of diabetic rats. Keyword: Blighia sapida, antihyperlipidemic, hematological profile, diabete

Prophylactic Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Alstonia boonei Stem Bark Against DDVP-induced Toxicity in Albino Rats

The prophylactic effect of ethanolic extract of Alstonia boonei(AB) stem bark on(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate)DDVP-induced oxidative damage in male albino rats’ liver was investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, DDVP and treatment groups. In the prophylactic experiment, AB, (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered by oral gavage for 21th days before exposure to DDVP. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were then determined in the liver and heart alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored and histological examination was carried out. Results indicate that DDVP-induced rats had significantly increased relative weight of liver and heart when compared to controls. Treatment with AB at 200 and 400mg/kg caused a significant reduction in relative weight of the organs. In DDVP-induced rats, serum ALT and AST activities and levels of LPO were increased whereas hepatic and cardiac SOD, CAT and GPx were significantly decreased. Furthermore, histological alteration in the liver and aorta were observed in DDVP untreated rats and were ameliorated in DDVP-induced treated rats with AB. In conclusion, the extract possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties that eliminate the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of DDVP

Inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of raw and roasted Sesamum indicum L. seeds on key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and Alzheimer’s disease (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum&nbsp;L.) seeds are nutritional food, but researches have limited knowledge about the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities of the seed. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory potential (&alpha;-amylase and &alpha;-glucosidase) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory property of aqueous extracts of raw and roasted sesame seeds. Antioxidant activities were analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging property, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging ability, iron chelating ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Anti-Alzheimer's potential was determined using acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition assay. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in the roasted S. indicum sample with the values of 19.81mg/100g and 17.19 mg/100g respectively. The raw S. indicum sample showed higher antioxidant activity in DPPH, and iron chelation assays; while roasted S. indicum sample showed higher in the reducing power and ABTS scavenging activity. However, anticholinesterase activity was higher in the roasted S. indicum sample than in the raw S. indicum sample. The extracts inhibited &alpha;-amylase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (20 - 100 &micro;g.mL-1). The raw sample (16.55 &plusmn;0.89%) had higher inhibitory &alpha;-amylase activity compared to the roasted sample (15.78 &plusmn;0.48%) at 100 &micro;g.mL-1. Inhibition of &alpha;-glucosidase was higher in the roasted sample at 100 &micro;g.mL-1 (19.40 &plusmn;0.26%) compared to the raw sample at the same concentration (3.65 &plusmn;0.52%). These findings suggest that S. indicum L. is not only nutritious but also showed potential pharmacological properties.</p