Alaba Oladipupo Adeyemi

Solenostemon monostachyus, Ipomoea involucrata and Carica papaya seed oil versus Glutathione, or Vernonia amygdalina: Methanolic extracts of novel plants for the management of sickle cell anemia disease

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease caused by an individual inheriting an allele for sickle cell hemoglobin from both parents and is associated with unusually large numbers of immature blood cells, containing many long, thin, crescent-shaped erythrocytes. It is a disease prevalent throughout many populations. The use of medicinal plants and nutrition in managing SCD is gaining increasing attention.MethodsThe antisickling effects of Solenostemon monostachyus (SolMon), Carica papaya seed oil (Cari-oil) and Ipomoea involucrata (Ipocrata) in male (HbSSM) and female (HbSSF) human sickle cell blood was examined in vitro and compared with controls, or cells treated with glutathione or an antisickling plant (Vernonia amygdalina; VerMyg).ResultsLevels of sickle blood cells were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all the plant-extract treated SCD patients’ blood compared with that of untreated SCD patients. RBCs in SolMon, Ipocrata, and Cari-oil treated samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg-treated samples. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all plant extract-treated HbSSM samples compared with controls. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by SolMon treatment in HbSSF compared with VerMyg. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition exhibited by SolMon was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with that of VerMyg in HbSSF blood. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition in SolMon and Ipocrata were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg in HbSSM blood. All plant extracts significantly reduced (P < 0.05) lactate dehydrogenase activity in both HbSSM and HbSSF-treated blood. Catalase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in HbSSF blood treated with Ipocrata compared with glutathione. Cari-oil treated HbSSM and HbSSF blood had significantly increased (P < 0.05) peroxidase activity compared with controls.ConclusionsMethanolic extracts from S. monostachyus, C. papaya seed oil and I. involucrata exhibited particular antisickling properties coupled with the potential to reduce stress in sickle cell patients. Each plant individually or in combination may be useful for the management of sickle cell disease.

Enhanced antioxidant capacity following selenium supplemented antimalarial therapy in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

The effect of the co-administration of artemether, lumefantrine and selenium was studied in mice infected with Plasmodium bergheiparasite. The mice were divided into seven groups of six animals per group. All groups except A were parasitized. Group A (unparasitized/untreated) and B (parasitized/untreated) served as the positive and negative control respectively, these were administered with olive oil. Animals in groups C and D were treated with 8 and 48u2005mg/kg/bw of artemether and lumefantrine respectively while group E was treated with a combination of artemether and lumefantrine (8: 48u2005mg/kg/bw). Animals in group F were treated with 0.945u2005mg/kg/bw of selenium only and group G was treated with a combination of artemether, lumefantrine and selenium (8:48:0.945u2005mg/kg/bw). All the treatment was done for a three day period. These animals were subsequently anaesthetized and the organs were excised. Homogenates were prepared for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, reduced Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) difference in the levels of ALP and MDA in group B, while a significant difference was observed in the levels of ALP, total protein, CAT and MDA in group G when compared with the parasitized group. Histopathological analysis showed no presence of inflammatory cells in group G when compared with group B. It may be concluded that the combination of artemether, lumefantrine and selenium showed a more potent effect against the parasite than the group treated with artemether and lumefantrine, thus, helps to combat post-infection oxidative stress in susceptible cells.The effect of the co-administration of artemether, lumefantrine and selenium was studied in mice infected with Plasmodium bergheiparasite. The mice were divided into seven groups of six animals per group. All groups except A were parasitized. Group A (unparasitized/untreated) and B (parasitized/untreated) served as the positive and negative control respectively, these were administered with olive oil. Animals in groups C and D were treated with 8 and 48u2005mg/kg/bw of artemether and lumefantrine respectively while group E was treated with a combination of artemether and lumefantrine (8: 48u2005mg/kg/bw). Animals in group F were treated with 0.945u2005mg/kg/bw of selenium only and group G was treated with a combination of artemether, lumefantrine and selenium (8:48:0.945u2005mg/kg/bw). All the treatment was done for a three day period. These animals were subsequently anaesthetized and the organs were excised. Homogenates were prepared for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphat...

Co-administration of artemisinin and Ricinodendron heudelotii leaf extract—effects on selected antioxidants and liver parameters in male Wistar rats

Startling rate of malaria parasite resistance to artemisinin and its derivatives has led to possible herb–drug antimalarial combination therapy. This study assessed the effect of co-administration of artemisinin and Ricinodendron heudelotii extract on certain liver and antioxidant indices in rats. Four groups containing ten rats each were administered distilled water (group A), artemisinin only (group B), artemisinin with R. heudelotii extract (group C), and R. heudelotii extract only (group D). Serum biochemical values and antioxidant parameters were determined using standard methods respectively. The results revealed that the total protein level increased significantly (pu2009<u20090.05) in group C. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities increased significantly (pu2009<u20090.05) in the group administered artemisinin only but was regulated to control level both in groups C and D. The liver reduced gutathione (GSH) concentration decreased in the group administered artemisinin only. Similarly, malondialdehyde (MDA) level significantly increased (pu2009<u20090.05) in group A while groups C and D showed decrease in MDA and catalase concentrations. Histological examination showed that few of the hepatocytes were necrotic in the group administered artemisinin only while the group administered artemisinin and extract showed mild to moderate central venous congestion and periportal cellular infiltration. The study indicates that the bioactive constituents of the R. heudelotii extract might either have a regulatory effect on artemisinin toxicity or synergistically enhance its activity. Such bioconstituents can further be isolated and characterized for drug development to tackle Plasmodium falciparum resistance.

Assessment of the hepatoprotective activity of the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (Hallier F.) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (HU) on ncarbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rats. Rats of groups 1 (normal control), 3 and 5 were not treated with CCl4 while rats nof groups 2 (negative control), 4 and 6 rats were treated with single dose of CCl4 (2 ml/kg) by intraperitoneal administration. nNormal control group 1 rats were given distilled water, groups 3 and 4 rats were given 50 mg/kg of silymarin while groups n5 and 6 rats were given 500 mg/kg of HU. Treatment was administered orally for 28 days and sacrificed on the 29th day nafter an overnight fast. The weights of the rats were taken before and after the treatment. Blood samples were collected in nheparinized tubes and biochemical analysis of liver functions and lipid profile tests were carried out on plasma. There was na significant change (p<0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, high density lipoprotein and ntriglycerides of the CCl4 induced group treated with HU compared to the CCl4 untreated group 2 animals. The results nobtained showed that the ethanolic extract of HU has hepatoprotective property.

An Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Antioxidant Activities of Carica Papaya Seed Oil in the Heart and Liver of Female Wistar Rats.

Increasing attention is been given to Carica papaya seed due to its oil rich nature, and its medicinal value. Four feed diets consisting of 3, 5, 7, and 10 % of the oil were composed and examined for its in-vivo effect on lipid and antioxidants status of female wistar rats compared to those fed with 5 % groundnut oil based diet. The feeds were fed into the rats for 32 days, and examined for their lipid profile and antioxidant status in the liver and heart. Free fatty acids were significantly reduced (P<0.05) by 3-10 % diets in the liver, and by 10 % diet in the heart. HMG-CoA/Mevalonate ratio in the liver was significant increased (P<0.05) by the 7-10 % diets. All diets significantly increased (P<0.05) superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and reduced glutathione in liver. Lipid peroxidation in the heart was significantly increased (P<0.05) by the 3-7 % diets. Lipid peroxidation, and phospholipid in heart were significantly reduced, and increased (P<0.05) respectively by 10 % diets. The biochemical status of rats fed with the Carica papaya seed oil based diets generally remained comparable to those fed with the groundnut oil diet in the two organs. The Carica papaya seed oil exhibited better antioxidant activities, and health benefits than the commonly consumed groundnut oil. Key words: - Carica papaya; Seeds; Oil, Quality; Antioxidants; Lipids.