Emmanuel Oladipo Ajani

Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats: Protective roles of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata

This study investigated the quantitative polyphenolic constituents and gastroprotective effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Ulceration was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg body weight). Wistar rats were pretreated with esomeprazole (reference drug) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, S. mombin or F. exasperata at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight once daily for 21 days prior to ulcer induction. At the end of the experiment, gastric secretions and antioxidant parameters were evaluated. We observed that the significantly increased (p < 0.05) ulcer index, gastric volume, malondialdehyde level and pepsin activity were effectively reduced following treatment with S. mombin and F. exasperata. The extracts also markedly attenuated the reduced activity of superoxide dismutase as well as pH and mucin content in the ulcerated rats. These findings are indicative of gastroprotective and antioxidative potentials of the extracts which is also evident in the degree of % inhibition against ulceration. The available data in this study suggest that the extracts of S. mombin and F. exasperata proved to be capable of ameliorating indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration and the probable mechanisms are via antioxidative and proton pump inhibition.

Comparative study on the influence of fluoride on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants levels in the different brain regions of well-fed and protein undernourished rats.

Effects of fluoride on the levels of Lipid peroxidation (LP) and antioxidant enzymes in the brain regions of protein undernourished (PU) and well-fed rats (WF) rats exposed to 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water were investigated. The results indicate that the mean body weights and the total brain weights of PU rats as well as those given fluoride (both WF and PU) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than their respective controls. The weights of different brain regions were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in PU rats compared to WF rats except in the brain stem. Fluoride ingestion diminished the weights of WF and PU rats affecting the cerebrum only (in the case of PU rats) and the cerebellum of both WF and PU rats without an effect on the brain stem of both WF and PU. Additionally, increased LP was observed in the cerebrum and cerebellum of PU rats but after fluoride ingestion, 30% increase in LP was observed only in the cerebrum. In the brain stem however, protein undernutrition was accompanied with a significant reduction in LP but the region seems insensitive to fluoride. There were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in CAT, SOD and GSH in all the brain regions (except the GSH level in the brain stem only) of PU rats. Fluoride induced reduction in the activity of CAT in the three brain regions and on SOD activity in cerebrum only for WF rats but no effect of fluoride on all the antioxidants studied in the three brain regions for PU rats. It is concluded that WF and PU rats responded differently to fluoride toxicity. However, it seems that at the dosage used, fluoride toxicity may be a direct effect on the antioxidant enzymes.

Effect of processing on iodine content of some selected plants food

Effect of processing on iodine content of some selected plants food was investigated. Results show significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the iodine content of the processed food compared with the raw forms. The iodine value of 658.60 ± 17.2 µg/100g observed in raw edible portion of Discorea rotundata was significantly higher compared with the value of 448.60 ± 2.46, 248.60 ± 2.46 and 300.05 ± 5.66 µg/100g dry matter observed in the boiled yam, pounded yam and yam flour, respectively. The result also indicates that the iodine value of 592.50 ± 8.22 µg/100g dry matter observed in the raw form of cassava was higher when compared with that of garri (366.03 ± 3.82 µg/100g) and cassava flour (216.90 ± 1.03 µg/100g dry matter). Similarly, raw Zea mays contain higher iodine (112.24 ± 0.42 µg/100g) compared with boiled maize (79.44 ± 0.64 µg/100g dry matter) and fresh ogi (45.07 ± 1.24 µg/100g dry matter). The result also indicates that raw Vigina uguicnlata and Arachis hypogea contain higher iodine content (112.22 ± 0.22 and 119.62 ± 0.22 µg/100g dry matter, respectively) when compared with their boiled forms (97.33 ± 1.53 and 83.12 ± 1.35 µg/100g, respectively). Results obtained in this study thus indicate that processing significantly reduces iodine content of food products, hence consideration must be given to different processing methods when accessing Iodine intake from different processed foods.

KINETICS OF MODULATORY ROLE OF Cyperus esculentus L. ON THE SPECIFIC ACTIVITY OF KEY CARBOHYDRATE METABOLIZING ENZYMES

Background: The continuous search for new lead compounds as viable inhibitors of specific enzymes linked to carbohydrate metabolism has intensified. Cyperus esculentus L. is one of the therapeutically implicated botanicals against several degenerative diseases including diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the antioxidant and mechanism(s) of inhibitory potential of aqueous extract of C. esculentus on α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. The extract was investigated for its radical scavenging and hypoglycaemic potentials using standard experimental procedures. Lineweaver-Burke plot was used to predict the manner in which the enzymes were inhibited. Results: The data obtained revealed that the extract moderately and potently inhibited the specific activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. The inhibition was concentration-related with respective IC50 values of 5.19 and 0.78 mg/mL relative to that of the control (3.72 and 3.55 mg/mL). The extract also significantly scavenged free radicals and the effects elicited could be ascribed to its phytoconstituents. Conclusion: The respective competitive and non-competitive mode of action of the extract is due to its inhibitory potentials on the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Going forward, in addition to completely characterize the exact compound(s) responsible for the elicited activity in this study, pertinent attention will be given to the in vivo evaluation of the identified constituents.

Antioxidant Capacity of Fractionated Extract and Structural Elucidation of Isolated Compounds from Leaf Extract of Hydrocotyl bonariensis Comm. Exlam

Abstract Hydrocotyl bonariensis is a plant which anticataractogenic potentials have been reported. In the present study an attempt was made to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of the fractionates of the leaves extract and also characterize some of its chemical constituents. DPPH, H2O2, OH and NO free radical scavenging, metal chelating and reducing power activity was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the crude extract fractionates. Fresh leaves of H. bonariensis leaves were extracted in 70 % methanol. The extract was partitioned with different solvent system of increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate methanol and water). Compounds were isolated from the aqueous practitionate using accelerated gradient chromatography, vacuum liquid chromatography, preparative TLC and conventional column chromatography. The presence of the chemical groups was established with HPLC and Fourier Transform Infra Red. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic study and chemical shifts. Data from the study indicates that all the fractionates contain compounds with free radical scavenging activity. This activity was more pronounced in the aqueous fractionate (DPPH IC50 0025 ± 0.011 mg/ml, metal chelating capacity 27.5 %, OH-scavenging IC50, 0.846 ± 0.037 mg/ml, H2O2 scavenging IC50 0.521 ± 0.015 mg/ml, reducing power IC50 0.248 ± 0.025 mg/ml and NO scavenging IC50 0.537 ± 0.038 mg/ml). Two compounds were isolated and when compared with data from the literature; the structures were suggestive of polyphenolic flavonoid, quercetin and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-sitosterol. The result indicates that H. bonariensis leaves contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity.

Loranthus micranthus leaves extract attenuates risk factors of cardiovascular disease in fructose fed rats.

Aims: Today there are concerns about possible adverse effects of dietary sugars. This study was set up to compare the metabolic dysfunction induced by dietary fructose in male rats with that of the female, investigate the modulatory effect of Loranthus micranthus on this dysfunction and compare this with that of nifedipine. Study Design: Fifty six rats assigned to four groups of 7 male and 7 females (hosted in different cages) per group were used in the study. The water of group B, C and D rats were supplemented with 10% fructose for the first two 2 weeks and was later increased to 20%, 30% and 40% fructose after every 2 other weeks respectively. Nifedipine (10mg/Kg) was administered to group C while L. micranthus (600mg/Kg) was orally administered to group D. All administrations were carried out daily as a single dose after which the rats were sacrificed and the serum analyzed for the lipid components. The serum glucose level was also measured after every 2 weeks interval. Results: Fructose administration increased serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C,

Nigerian mistletoe ( Loranthus micranthus Linn) aqueous leaves extract modulates some cardiovascular disease risk factors in monosodium glutamate induced metabolic dysfunction

The safety of monosodium glutamates (MSGs) usage has generated much controversy locally and globally. This study investigates the efficacy of Loranthus micranthus in modulating the metabolic disorder associated with MSG intake. Thirty five (35) female rats randomized to three groups labeled 1 (7 rats), 2 (21 rats) and 3 (7 rats), respectively were used. They were administered with normal saline, MSG (200 mg/Kg) and MSG (200 mg/kg) + L. micranthus (600 mg/Kg), respectively for 28 days. Seven rats were then sacrificed from each group. The remaining rats in group 2 were then redistributed to groups labeled 4 and 5 consisting of 7 rats each. MSG was then withdrawn from all the rats. Group 4 was treated with L. Micranthus (600 mg/Kg) while normal saline was administered to group 5. All administrations were carried out for 30 days. The rats were then sacrificed and the serum was used for analysis. Analysis showed increase total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) -cholesterol, glucose and total protein concentrations and a reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol (when MSG was administered). These parameters were restored to normal with L. micranthus treatment. Although no histological change was observed in the uterus, there was a significant increase in organs relative weight when rats were placed on MSG but this was reversed with L. micranthus . The study suggests the efficacy of L. micranthus in reversing cardiovascular disorder and its ability to prevent MSG induced fibroid in rat. Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, cholesterol, Lipid profile, Loranthus micranthus , of monosodium glutamates (MSG). African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(39) 3989-3998