Cochorous olitorous and Adasonia digitata leaves extracts protects against gamma radiation induced anaemia

This paper proposes that exposure to radiation could generate free radicals, which could lead to disorders such as heamolysis-induced anaemia. We evaluated the radioprotective potentials of Cochorous olitorious and Adasonia digitata methanol leaves extract in gamma radiation induced anaemia. Fifty four adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of 6 animals. Except for the control group, the other the animals were treated with a single dose of whole body gamma radiation of 6Gy and received either 500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of A. digitata and C. olitorious either singly or combination and vitamin C was used as reference. A. digitata and C. olitorious were screened for phytochemical content and had saponin (16.59±1.85 and 22.12±0.24), tannins (311.98±0.01 and 287.07±0.16), polyphenols (170.90±0.68 and 330.07±0.32), alkaloids (81.56±0.56 and 68.65±2.05) and flavonoids (25.38±2.88 and 157.38±0.38) respectively. There was significant loss in body weight, depletion in red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin concentration (HBC) in untreated rats exposed to gamma radiation. Administration of the plant extract to rats exposed to radiation was able to attenuate and ameliorate loss in body weight and changes in blood cells (HBC, PCV, PLT and RBC) especially in radiated rats on combination therapy of both extracts at 1000 mg/kg bwt group. Hepatoprotective and safety evaluation was done by measuring the serum ALT, AST and ALP, these parameters were significantly (p<0.05) increased in untreated rats exposed to gamma radiation compared to normal control rats and these decreased in rats on plant extract

Nutritional Potentials of Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum and Malus domestica Dried Fleshy Portion as Additives in Diet

Epidemiological studies had shown that increased intake of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and mortality. The spices (ginger and garlic) and fruit (apple) were evaluated for the nutritional values of important body defense nutrients, phytochemical, minerals and vitamin C. All nutrients are present in the three samples in various proportion with lipids found significantly (P<0.05) highest in garlic and crude fibres predominantly obtained in ginger rhizomes. Saponins, flavonoids, minerals (potassium, iron, copper and zinc) and vitamin C are obtainable in these plants in significant (P<0.05) proportions. Considerable amounts of macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipid and preventive micronutrients and bioactive substances present in these plants, should form nutritional intakes especially for the ailing and elderly member of society, to mediate health challenges associated with diseases and ageing

Ameliorative effect of stem bark extract of Piptadenia africana on ethanol- induced toxicity in male wistar rats

Alcohol consumption is a major culprit in the produ ction of reactive oxygen species that enhances lipi d peroxidation in the liver. In the present study, we evaluated th e effect of daily oral administration of methanol s tem bark extract of Piptadenia africana in ethanol induced hepatotox icity. Thirty six male rats were randomly assigned into six groups. Ethanol toxicity was induced by exposing th e rats to 45% ethanol (4.8 g/kg bw) administered by oral gavage. After treatment for 8 weeks, the animals we re sacrificed and biochemical parameters like lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, indices o f liver toxicity such as aspartate amino transferas e (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosph atase (ALP), extent of lipid peroxidation as well a s histopathological examination of the liver sections were evaluated. Chronic alcohol administration cau sed marked injury to liver cells as seen on the liver sections as well as elevated serum levels of AST, ALT and A LP with concomitant increase in triglycerides, total choles terol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and malonydialdehde (MDA). Decrease in antioxidant acti vities as well as high-density-lipoprotein choleste rol (HDL-c) was also noticed. Rats pretreated with plant extrac t prior to ethanol exposure had decreased levels of AST, ALT, ALP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDLc, MDA and enhanced levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic ant ioxidants as well as HDL-c. Intake of P. africana at the dosa ge of 100 or 200 mg/kg bw in this study was able to ameliorate the toxic response to chronic ethanol consumption i n rats and this could be attributed to its bioactiv e constituents

The radio-protective effects of n-Hexane extracts of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f. and Cucumeropsis mannii Naud. seed oils on the liver of irradiated male Wistar rats

The human population is predisposed to some considerable amounts of radiation especially ionizing radiation which may negatively impact their metabolic processes. Herbal extracts can mitigate these harmful effects. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of n-Hexane extracts of Telfairia occidentalis and Cucumeropsis mannii seeds oils against radiation-mediated oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Sixty male rats were randomly distributed into six groups of six animals each and n-hexane extracts of T. occidentalis and C. mannii were administered at a dose of 2.4 or 4.8 mg/kg b. wt., orally for 7 days before irradiation and 10 days after irradiation, when they were sacrificed. Lipid peroxidation was measured, hepatic antioxidant status; SOD, CAT, GSH, Gpx and GST were estimated. The activities of liver enzymes: ALT, AST and ALP were measured and histological examination of sections of the liver was carried out. Radiation significantly increased MDA levels, SOD, GPx, AST, ALT and ALP activities but reduced body weights, total proteins, CAT, GSH and GST activities. Administration of the extracts significantly reduces the levels of MDA, SOD, GPx, ALT, AST and ALP activities while they increase the activities of CAT, GSH and GST at a dosage of 4.8 mg/kg. Histological examination showed increased levels of toxicity in radiated and groups administered 2.4 mg/kg extracts. From these findings, extracts of T. occidentalis and C. mannii at 4.8 mg/kg b. wt are effective herbal remedies in the prevention and amelioration of the consequences of oxidative stress due to exposure to ionizing radiation

Defatted Detarium senegalense seed-based diet alters lipid profile, antioxidants level and sperm morphology in male albino rats

Due to high cost of protein relative to other major nutrients, as part of search for cheaper alternative source for good quality protein for dietary purposes, we evaluated Detarium senegalense seed meal by comparing growth performance, tissue and reproductive toxicity markers in rats with those on soybean. Defatted Detarium senegalense (DDS) ground seed powder was used for feed formulation for test animals while the control group had soybean as protein source for eight weeks. Maximum percentage protein was 19% for all compounded feeds, soybean diet feed rats served as control (T1), T2 had 19% DDS only, while T3 - T6 had 16%, 12%, 8% and 4.8% DDS and protein content was made up to 19% using soybeans. Body weights, lipid profile, markers of liver toxicity, lipid peroxidation, sperm morphology and characteristics as well as tissue histology (liver, kidney and testes) were examined using standard methods. Whole seed residue, DDS seed flour and control diets (soybeans) were analyzed for proximate content. DDS seed residue-based diet (T2) caused decrease in both body and organ weights compared to control rats (T1). DDS residue-based feed caused increase in liver protein concentration while kidney protein content decreased except in groups T5 and T6 on 8% and 4.8% DDS residue. There was no significant variations (P > 0.05) in sperm viability but there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm count in group T2 compared to control (T1). Statistically significant morphological changes were observed in head less tail, bent tail, curved tail and bent mid-piece. DDS elicited increase in serum total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c in all test groups compared to control but caused decrease in triglyceride in T2. Serum urea level, AST and ALT were higher in T2 relative to control rats. Histopathological examination showed evidence of liver tissue damage but none in the kidney and testes.Keywords: DDS seed residue feed, growth, antioxidants, lipid profile, sperm morphology, toxicity

Comparative Study of Biochemical and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy/radiotherapy in Ibadan

A comparative study of BCA patients on chemotherapy/radiotherapy and immune booster supplements (combination of essential vitamins and minerals) with apparently healthy controls was investigated by assessing the lipid profile, hepatic transaminases (plasma AST, ALT) total bilurubin, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma vitamins C and E respectively. There was no significant difference (p0.05) in total cholesterol, but we observed a significant increase in triglyceride level in BCA patients compared to control. Protein concentration decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients, compared to control. SOD and vitamin C levels were not significantly different while vitamin E decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. Lipid peroxidation increased (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. We observed an increase in AST, a decrease in ALT and total proteins in BCA patients that were significant and a non-significant decrease in the bilirubin level when compared with control.The results support the fact that BCA patients on chemotherapy have altered dietary intake and the enhanced metabolism of lipids and proteins may increased oxidative stress

Cochorous olitorous and Adasonia digitata leaves extracts protects against gamma radiation induced anaemia

This paper proposes that exposure to radiation could generate free radicals, which could lead to disorders such as heamolysis-induced anaemia. We evaluated the radioprotective potentials of Cochorous olitorious and Adasonia digitata methanol leaves extract in gamma radiation induced anaemia. Fifty four adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of 6 animals. Except for the control group, the other the animals were treated with a single dose of whole body gamma radiation of 6Gy and received either 500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of A. digitata and C. olitorious either singly or combination and vitamin C was used as reference. A. digitata and C. olitorious were screened for phytochemical content and had saponin (16.59±1.85 and 22.12±0.24), tannins (311.98±0.01 and 287.07±0.16), polyphenols (170.90±0.68 and 330.07±0.32), alkaloids (81.56±0.56 and 68.65±2.05) and flavonoids (25.38±2.88 and 157.38±0.38) respectively. There was significant loss in body weight, depletion in red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin concentration (HBC) in untreated rats exposed to gamma radiation. Administration of the plant extract to rats exposed to radiation was able to attenuate and ameliorate loss in body weight and changes in blood cells (HBC, PCV, PLT and RBC) especially in radiated rats on combination therapy of both extracts at 1000 mg/kg bwt group. Hepatoprotective and safety evaluation was done by measuring the serum ALT, AST and ALP, these parameters were significantly (p<0.05) increased in untreated rats exposed to gamma radiation compared to normal control rats and these decreased in rats on plant extract

High‐pressure acidified steaming with varied citric acid dosing can successfully detoxify mycotoxins

Abstract Mycotoxins are toxic fungal metabolites that exert various toxicities, including leading to death in lethal doses. This study developed a novel high‐pressure acidified steaming (HPAS) for detoxification of mycotoxins in foods and feed. The raw materials, maize and peanut/groundnut, were used for the study. The samples were separated into raw and processed categories. Processed samples were treated using HPAS at different citric acid concentrations (CCC) adjusted to pH 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit method for mycotoxins analysis was used to determine the levels of mycotoxins in the grains, with specific focus on total aflatoxins (AT), aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and citrinin. The mean values of the AT, AFB1, AFG1, OTA, and citrinin in the raw samples were 10.06 ± 0.02, 8.21 ± 0.01, 6.79 ± 0.00, 8.11 ± 0.02, and 7.39 ± 0.01 μg/kg for maize, respectively (p ≤ .05); and for groundnut (peanut), they were 8.11 ± 0.01, 4.88 ± 0.01, 7.04 ± 0.02, 6.75 ± 0.01, and 4.71 ± 0.00 μg/kg, respectively. At CCC adjusted to pH 5.0, the AT, AFB1, AFG1, OTA, and citrinin in the samples significantly reduced by 30%–51% and 17%–38% for maize and groundnut, respectively, and were reduced to 28%–100% when CCC was adjusted to pH 4.5 and 4.0 (p ≤ .05). The HPAS process either completely detoxified the mycotoxins or at least reduced them to levels below the maximum limits of 4.00–6.00, 2.00, 2.00, 5.00, and 100 μg/kg for AT, AFB1, AFG1, OTA, and citrinin, respectively, set by the European Union, WHO/FAO, and USDA. The study clearly demonstrates that mycotoxins can be completely detoxified using HPAS at CCC adjusted to pH 4.0 or below. This can be widely applied or integrated into many agricultural and production processes in the food, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, and nutraceutical industries where pressurized steaming can be applied for the successful detoxification of mycotoxins

Antioxidant, phytochemical, and therapeutic properties of medicinal plants: a review

ABSTRACTOxidation is an integral part of aerobic processes of life. It involves the transfer of electrons or hydrogen via a chemical reaction from a substance to an oxidizing agent leading to the production of free radicals. These free radicals which are highly reactive in turn initiate a chain of reactions that lead to cellular damage. The etiology of plethora diseases has been linked to the generation of free radicals beyond the body’s antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative stress. Consequently, the focus of research has tilted toward plants which provide natural products rich in antioxidants capable of scavenging and distrupting the harmful effects of these free radicals. A large group of compounds produced by plants referred to as phytochemicals possessing high antioxidant properties have been seen to be helpful in tackling numerous diseases. This review covered the antioxidant potential of some plants with medicinal properties beneficial to people, industries, and health institutions who desire their potential benefits. A total of two hundred and fifty plants from the following families; Asteraceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae and Malvaceae were reviewed. These plants exert important biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, among others

Amides from the Stem Bark of Fagara macrophylla

Wansi J, Nwozo SO, Mbaze LM'a, et al. Amides from the Stem Bark of Fagara macrophylla. Planta Medica. 2009;75(05):517-521.Five new amide alkaloids, N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)octacosanamide (1), N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)hexacosanamide (2), N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)decanamide (3), N-vanilloyltyramine (4), and N-[O-docosanoylvanilloyl]tyramine (5), were isolated from Fagara macrophylla, together with 15 known compounds. Their structures were established by using spectroscopic techniques, chemical reactions, and comparison with previously known analogues. A cytotoxicity assay was performed with the isolates, in which compounds 4, 8, and 9 were found to possess moderate to weak activity, with IC50 values of 30.5, 11.5, and 13.5 mu g/mL, respectively