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

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

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

Mitochondrial defects in pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases: Pathogenesis and therapeutic applications

Financiaciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGMitochondria malfunction is linked to the development of β-cell failure and a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Pancreatic β-cells are normally configured to detect glucose and other food secretagogues in order to adjust insulin exocytosis and maintain glucose homeostasis. As a result of the increased glucose level, mitochondria metabolites and nucleotides are produced, which operate in concert with cytosolic Ca2+ to stimulate insulin secretion. Furthermore, mitochondria are the primary generators of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis regulation. Mitochondria are concentrated in synapses, and any substantial changes in synaptic mitochondria location, shape, quantity, or function might cause oxidative stress, resulting in faulty synaptic transmission, a symptom of various degenerative disorders at an early stage. However, a greater understanding of the role of mitochondria in the etiology of β-cell dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorder should pave the way for a more effective approach to addressing these health issues. This review looks at the widespread occurrence of mitochondria depletion in humans, and its significance to mitochondria biogenesis in signaling and mitophagy. Proper understanding of the processes might be extremely beneficial in ameliorating the rising worries about mitochondria biogenesis and triggering mitophagy to remove depleted mitochondria, therefore reducing disease pathogenesi

Ameliorative potential of Aframomum melegueta extract in cadmiuminduced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on cadmium-induced hepatic damage in rats. Toxicity was induced by daily administration of 200 mg/L cadmium: Cd (Cd as CdCl2) in the animals’ main drinking water for 21 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the liver while total protein, albumin, direct bilirubin and t otal bilirubin concentration as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored in the serum and histological examination was carried out. Exposure to cadmium resulted in various alterations in all the evaluated parameters. Treatment with AM (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) extract showed a significant (P <0.05) reversal effect that mitigated the deleterious effect of cadmium. Results of the histological examination also support the above findings. The results suggest that aqueous extracts of A. melegueta when administered orally, could ameliorate cadmium-associated oxidative stress in male Wistar rats in a dose dependant manner via its free radical-scavenging mechanism which could be linked to the synergetic effects between the bioactive constituents present in the extract

Ocimum gratissimumLinn. Leaves reducethe key enzymes activities relevant toerectile dysfunction in isolated penile andtesticular tissues of rats

Background:Ocimum gratissimumL. is a medicinal plant widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions with theleafdecoctionusuallytakeninfolkmedicinetoenhanceerectileperformanceinmenalthoughtheprobablemechanism of actions remains undetermined. This study examined the inhibitory potentials ofOcimum gratissimumleaves on some key enzymes associated with erectile dysfunction in penile and testicular tissues of the rat.Methods:Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract (1:10w/v)ofO. gratissimumleaves on the activities of phosphodiesterase-5(PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin I–converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in penile and testicular tissueswere assessed. Also, the extract was investigated for ferric reducing antioxidant property(FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging abilities.Results:The extract showed higher PDE-5 (IC50=43.19μg/mL), ACE (IC50= 44.23μg/mL), AChE (IC50= 55.51μg/mL) andarginase (IC50= 46.12μg/mL) inhibitory activity in thepeniletissuethanPDE-5(IC50= 44.67μg/mL), ACE (IC50= 53.99μg/mL), AChE (IC50= 60.03μg/mL) and arginase (IC50=49.12μg/mL) inhibitory activity in the testicular tissue homogenate.Furthermore, the extract scavenged free radicals and in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion:Theenzymeactivitiesdisplayedmightbeassociatedwiththebioactivecompoundspresentintheextractwhich could possibly explain its use in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED)

Aqueous extract of Carica papaya Linn. roots potentially attenuates arsenic induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats

In Africa, the fruit, leaf, seed and roots of Carica papaya Linn. are generally used to treat a variety of diseases such as malaria, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the protective potentials of aqueous extract of C. papaya roots on arsenic-induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats. Rats were induced intraperitoneal with sodium arsenate (dissolved in distilled water at 3 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days and the animals were administered simultaneously with 200 mg/kg body weight vitamin C, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of the C. papaya Linn. root aqueous extract once daily for three weeks. Results obtained reveals that activities of plasma 8-OHdG, serum lipids concentration, atherogenic index (AI), coronary artery index (CRI), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin levels were elevated significantly (p < 0.05) and catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma hematological profile were progressively reduced (p < 0.05) in arsenic-alone exposed rats. Significant increase in the quantity of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN) frequency, oxidative damages in the bone marrow cells from arsenic alone rats was observed. Though, mitotic index scores in these cells were progressively reduced (p < 0.05). In animals administered with aqueous extract of C. papaya roots and vitamin C, the altered parameters were significantly recovered towards the levels observed in normal control rats. These results suggest that aqueous C. papaya roots preparations might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in arsenic poisoning

Profiling the antidiabetic potential of compounds identified from fractionated extracts of Entada africana toward glucokinase stimulation: computational insight

Abstract: Glucokinase plays an important role in regulating the blood glucose level and serves as an essential therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes management. Entada africana is a medicinal plant and highly rich source of bioactive ligands with the potency to develop new target drugs for glucokinase such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the study explored a computational approach to predict identified compounds from Entada africana following its intermolecular interactions with the allosteric binding site of the enzymes. We retrieved the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure of glucokinase (PDB ID: 4L3Q) from the online protein data bank and prepared it using the Maestro 13.5, Schrödinger Suite 2022-3. The compounds identified were subjected to ADME, docking analysis, pharmacophore modeling, and molecular simulation. The results show the binding potential of the identified ligands to the amino acid residues, thereby suggesting an interaction of the amino acids with the ligand at the binding site of the glucokinase activator through conventional chemical bonds such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The compatibility of the molecules was highly observed when compared with the standard ligand, thereby leading to structural and functional changes. Therefore, the bioactive components from Entada africana could be a good driver of glucokinase, thereby paving the way for the discovery of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications