Strycnos spinosa decreases the blood glucose and lipid levels of diabetic albino rats

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels with an estimate of 451 million cases worldwide in 2017. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin. Strychnos spinosa has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases including diabetes but the exact mechanism of action is still unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of the methanolic extract of the Strychnos spinosa leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 150 mg/kg. The pure extract of S. spinosa leaf was given orally once daily for 2 weeks in three graded doses of 150, 300 and 500 mg/kg and glibenclamide was used to treat the positive control group. Following treatments, the glucose level and lipid profile assay were carried out using colorimetric methods. The extracts significantly reduced (p<0.05) the fasting blood glucose, TAG and cholesterol levels of the diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Treatment with the extract also decreased mortalities of the diabetic rats. These findings provides evidence to the increased use of the plant in folk medicine

Nutrient and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Jam Prepared from Pineapple Ananas Comosus

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the nutrient and anti-nutritional composition of jam prepared from Pineapple (Ananas comosus). The result of the proximate analysis indicated that processing caused a reduction in the moisture (30.0 + 0.08) protein content (0.8 + 0.008). However, processing  pineapple to jam caused an increase in the crude lipid (3.4 + 0.26), Carbohydrate (58.6 + 0.30), Ash content (5.0 + 0.8) and crude fibre (2.2 + 0.08). The result obtained for the anti-nutritional factors showed that processing caused a reduction in phytate content (0.67 + 0.004), Tannin (0.19 + 0.004) and Oxalate (8.64 + 0.008). Keywords: Ananas comosus, Processing, Jam, Tannin, Crude Fat, Oxalate

Isolation and Estimation of DNA Level in Coconut Leaf (Coccos Nucifera)

The DNA Level of Coconut leaf was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and UV-double beam spectrophotometer. 30?g leaf sample was weighed; chemical homogenization using mortar and pestle was done using lyses buffer and “Morning fresh” detergent. Whole sample was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes; the supernatant was decamped into clean microcentruifuge tubes. Ethanol (500ml) was added and mixed thoroughly and incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. DNA is insoluble in ethanol and so will appear as white precipitate at the bottom of the tube. Sample was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes, thereafter the content was exposed to the atmosphere for 10 minutes to rid off remaining solvent (Ethanol). The pellets were dissolved in 50ml of TE (Tris-EDTA) buffer. The DNA (25ml) was taken and diluted in 1.75ml of TE Buffer and absorbance read at 260nm and 280nm with purity of DNA calculated followed by Electrophoresis. 25ml of the DNA sample was taken and ran on 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis using a standard marker for 60 minutes. The analysis was done in triplicate with the ratio of absorbance at 260 and 280nm (1.79, 1.76 and 1.84) showing the purity of the DNA sample. Keywords: Coccos nucifera, Percentage Purity, DNA Sample, TE Buffer, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Characterization of GMG-ITC isolated from aerial parts of moringa oleifera tree

Isothicyanate is a major bioactive compound in Moringa oleifera Lam. There are numerous literatures that report the therapeutic effects of isothiocyanates. It is for this reason that the local consumption of the plant is increasing. In the current study, we devised a rapid protocol for the extraction of ITC from the aerial parts of M. oleifera and also determined the plant part with the highest yield. The purity of the ITCs was confirmed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis. Our findings revealed that the seeds contain the highest proportion of isothiocyanate. This implies that the seeds of M. oleifera could serve as invaluable feedstock for large scale extraction of the ITCs for pharmaceutical and food industries

The chemopreventive properties of isothiocyanate isolated from the seeds of moringa oleifera lam

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are a group of plant phytochemicals believed to have numerous therapeutic properties. In the current study, Glucomoringin Isothiocyanate (GMG-ITC) was isolated and purified from the seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. and used to treat Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Cancer in rats. We observed that GMG-ITC treatment attenuated liver damage and significantly prevented the release of liver enzymes into blood plasma. In addition, the treatment significantly increased total antioxidant capacity of liver cancer induced rats that could have decreased the level of alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) in the blood. Thus, we postulate that pure isothiocyanate from the seeds of M. oleifera has potential anti-Liver Cancer activity

In vivo ameliorative effect of methanolic extract of Boswellia dalzielli Hutch (Mebdh) stem bark on Triton X-100 induced hyperlipidaemia

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart diseases and ischemia that leading to high rates of mortalities. Conventionally, hyperlipidemia is managed using agents that facilitate the clearance of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TAG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) from the body. Despite the use of these drugs, the disease still remained a global burden that affects the quality of life. The current study was done to investigate hypolipidemic properties of the methanolic extract of Boswellia dalzielli hutch (MEBDH) stem bark in rodents. The phytochemicals of the MEBDH were screened and determined qualitatively before performing acute toxicity study to determine the LD50 of the extract. Twenty five male albino rats 2-3 months old (150-210) g were distributed randomly into five groups [Group 1: normal control received 200 μL normal saline daily for 3 weeks, Group 2: hyperlipidemic control induced by a single dose of Triton X-100 (150 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously, followed by oral administration of 200 μL normal saline daily for 3 weeks. Group 2 and 4: hyperlipidemic rats treated orally with MEBDH (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) respectively for 21 days. Group 5: hyperlipidemic rats treated with Simvastatin (5 mg/kg body weight) daily throughout the experimental period as positive control]. Administration of the extract did not cause any mortality regardless of the dose. However, the extract caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in TC, TAG and LDL-cholesterol levels in the treated rats. The decrease observed is significantly lower than that of untreated rats. In contrast, the level of HDL increased significantly (p<0.05) after treating the rats with the MEBDH stem bark. The extract of MEBDH possessed hypolipidemic agents and could be the potential substitute hyperlipidemic agents with side effect.Keywords: Albino Rats, Atherosclerosis, Boswellia dalzielli hutch, Coronary Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Triton X10

Clausenidin from Clausena excavata induces apoptosis in hepG2 cells via the mitochondrial pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Clausena excavata Burm.f. is used locally in folk medicine for the treatment of cancer in South East Asia. Aim of the study: To determine the mechanism of action of pure clausenidin crystals in the induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (hepG2) cells apoptosis. Materials and methods: Pure clausenidin was isolated from Clausena excavata Burm.f. and characterized using 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Clausenidin-induced cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. The morphology of hepG2 after treatment with clausenidin was determined by fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The effect of clausenidin on the apoptotic genes and proteins were determined by real-time qPCR and protein array profiling, respectively. The involvement of the mitochondria in clausenidin-induced apoptosis was investigated using MMP, caspase 3 and 9 assays. Results: Clausenidin induced significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent apoptosis of hepG2 cells. Cell cycle assay showed that clausenidin induced a G2/M phase arrest, caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization and significantly (p<0.05) increased expression of caspases 3 and 9, which suggest the involvement of the mitochondria in the apoptotic signals. In addition, clausenidin caused decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl 2 and increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax. This finding was confirmed by the downregulation of Bcl-2 gene and upregulation of the Bax gene in the treated hepG2 cells. Conclusion: Clausenidin extracted from Clausena excavata Burm.f. is an anti-hepG2 cell compound as shown by its ability to induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Clausenidin can potentially be developed into an anticancer compound

Notes and Comments on Recent Decisions

Background Breast cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death among women. Thus, therapeutic alternatives from nature should be explored to lessen this burden. This is vital owing to the common occurrences of resistance in conventional therapies alongside their alarming side effects. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of Artonin E in female mice bearing 4T1 mammary tumour. Methods 4T1 cells in 100 mu L PBS were injected into the right mammary fat pad of each female Balb/c mice aged between six to eight weeks. Treatment was commenced when the palpable tumour attained a size of 50-200mm(3). The treatment groups included Artonin E, at dosages of 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg per oral bi-weekly, 10mg/kg of paclitaxel weekly and 5 percent tween 20 biweekly. Tumour volume and body weight changes were recorded at the staging day and then twice every week throughout the study period. At the end of the study, the vital tissues were collected for histopathologcal assessment and blood samples were taken for serum biochemical analyses. Results From the results, the group treated with either 50mg/kg or 100mg/kg of Artonin E showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in tumour volume. Artonin E delayed quadruple tumour growth by more than five days in comparison to the untreated control group. Histopathology and biochemical analysis revealed no toxicity in the dosages of artonin E used in this study. Secondary tumour, which had metastasized to distant organs were seen to reduce upon treatment with Artonin E. Conclusion With the capacity to reduce in vivo tumour growth, Artonin E has a great prospect to be developed into an anticancer agent

Cytotoxic prenylated xanthone and coumarin derivatives from Malaysian Mesua beccariana

Our recent research on the phytochemical constituents of the stem bark of Mesua beccariana gave one new xanthone, beccarixanthone T (1) and one new coumarin, beccamarin T (2) together with three known xanthones mesuarianone (3), mesuasinone (4), 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone (5) and four known terpenoids, friedelin (6), stigmasterol (7), beta-sitosterol (8) and gamma-sitosterol (9). The structures of these compounds were elucidated and determined using spectroscopic techniques such as NMR and MS. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-4 as well as the crude extracts were tested against two cancer cell lines, Hep G2 (liver cancer cell line) and HT-29 (colon cancer cell line) using MTT assays. Mesuarianone (3) gave a significant activity on the HT-29 cell line while mesuasinone (4) gave moderate activity against HT-29 cell line