Foluso O. Osunsanmi

Protective Effects of Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate on Streptozotocin-Induced Hepatic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Male Rats

This study sought to investigate the possible protective role of Parkia biglobosa seed protein isolate (PBPi) against streptozotocin-induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in diabetic male rats. Prior to animal experiments, a HPLC fingerprint of PBPi was recorded. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats were orally treated daily with PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) for 28 days. The degree of protection was evaluated using biochemical parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, serum transaminases (ALT and AST), total protein, total glutathione (Total GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities. Histology of liver sections was also performed. The HPLC fingerprint of PBPi revealed eleven distinct peaks; PBPi at tested doses significantly attenuates STZ-induced elevated levels of serum IL-6, ALT and AST; and hepatic TBARS levels. Hepatic antioxidants (Total GSH, GST, SOD, CAT) as well as total protein were markedly restored in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological results strongly support the protective role of PBPi. These results suggest PBPi could confer protection by ameliorating hepatic damage and oxidative stress caused by STZ in animal model possibly via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

A Lanosteryl Triterpene from Protorhus longifolia Improves Glucose Tolerance and Pancreatic Beta Cell Ultrastructure in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Type 2 diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Persistent hyperglycemia within a diabetic state is implicated in the generation of oxidative stress and aggravated inflammation that is responsible for accelerated modification of pancreatic beta cell structure. Here we investigated whether a lanosteryl triterpene, methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate (RA-3), isolated from Protorhus longifolia can improve glucose tolerance and pancreatic beta cell ultrastructure by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. In addition to impaired glucose tolerance, the untreated diabetic rats showed increased fasting plasma glucose and C-peptide levels. These untreated diabetic rats further demonstrated raised cholesterol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and lipid peroxidation levels as well as a destroyed beta cell ultrastructure. Treatment with RA-3 was as effective as metformin in improving glucose tolerance and antioxidant effect in the diabetic rats. Interestingly, RA-3 displayed a slightly more enhanced effect than metformin in reducing elevated IL-6 levels and in improving beta cell ultrastructure. Although the involved molecular mechanisms remain to be established, RA-3 demonstrates a strong potential to improve pancreatic beta cell ultrastructure by attenuating impaired glucose tolerance, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Comparative study on proximate, functional, mineral, and antinutrient composition of fermented, defatted, and protein isolate ofParkia biglobosaseed

Abstract The use of plant‐derived foods in the prevention, treatment, and management of metabolic diseases especially diabetes has gained prominence; this has been associated with their physicochemical properties. This study was conducted to compare the proximate, functional, mineral, and antinutrient composition of the fermented seeds, the defatted seeds, and the protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds. The results showed that the fermented, defatted, and protein isolate varied in composition within the parameters studied. The proximate analysis revealed that the protein isolate had the highest ash (6.0%) and protein (59.4%) as well as the lowest fat (5.7%) and moisture (5.1%) content when compared to the fermented and defatted samples. In like manner, the functional properties of the protein isolate were relatively better than those of the fermented and defatted samples, with oil absorption capacity of 4.2% and emulsion capacity of 82%. The magnesium and zinc content of the protein isolate were significantly higher when compared with the fermented and defatted samples, while a negligible amount of antinutrient was present in all the samples, with the protein isolate having the lowest quantity. The overall data suggest that the protein isolate had better proximate, mineral, functional, and antinutrient properties when compared to the fermented and defatted samples. Therefore, the synergistic effect of all these components present in the protein isolate from P. biglobosa seed in association with its low carbohydrate and high protein/ash contents could play a vital role in the management of diabetes and its associated complications.

Proteomic Analysis of Differentially-Expressed Proteins in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate

Protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds is believed to possess excellent anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with Parkia biglobosa seeds protein isolate (PBPi). In this study, total proteins extracted from rat liver were separated on one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel (1D SDS-PAGE) and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) to visualize protein bands. We observed that protein bands in the region of 10–15 kDa were altered by the different treatments; these bands were selected and excised for in-gel digestion and peptide extraction followed by nLC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and LIFT MS/MS. A database search with the Mascot algorithm positively identified four differentially expressed proteins. These proteins are known to be responsible for diverse biological functions within various organs and tissues. The present result gives insight and understanding into possible molecular mechanisms by which streptozotocin causes various alterations in proteins found in the liver of diabetic rats and the possible modulatory role of PBPi in the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Croton gratissimus Leaf Essential Oil Composition, Antibacterial, Antiplatelet Aggregation, and Cytotoxic Activities

ABSTRACT Essential oil hydrodistilled from the leaves of Croton gratissimus was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the constituents by comparison of their mass spectra (MS) data and linear retention indices (LRI) with literature. Forty constituents corresponding to 96.7% of the total oil content were identified from the oil sample. The major compounds were sabinene (14.6%), α-phellandrene (12.3%), β-phellandrene (10.7%), α-pinene (6.05%), and germacrene D (5.9%). The essential oil exhibited stronger antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.6 mg.mL–1 (Staphylococcus aureus), 0.2 mg.mL–1 (S. faecalis), and 1.3 mg.mL–1 (Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus). In the antiplatelet aggregation inhibitory activity, the oil displayed action against the induced platelet aggregation in the order collagen (IC50 < 1) > thrombin (IC50 1.18) > Adenosine diphosphate (IC50 2.32) > epinephrine (IC50 3.65). The lethal concentration (LC50) of the oil at 8.52 mg.mL–1 was toxic to Artemia salina.

Modulatory Effect of Methanol Extract of Piper guineense in CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats

This study seeks to investigate the possible protective role of the methanol extract of Piper guineense seeds against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in an animal model. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering oral doses of CCl4 (1.2 g/kg bw) three times a week for three weeks. Group 1 (Control) and Group 2 (CCl4) were left untreated; Piper guineense (PG; 400 mg/kg bw) was administered to Group 3 (T1) by oral gavage for 14 days prior to the administration of CCl4 and simultaneously with CCl4; PG (400 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl4 in Group 4 (T2); and Livolin forte (20 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl4 in Group 5 (T3), the standard drug group. The administration of CCl4 induces histopathological alteration in the liver, with concomitant increased activities of serum hepatic marker enzymes associated with increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Similarly, there was decrease in non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione S-transferase), superoxide dismutase, and catalase. An elevation in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels was noticed along with decreased levels of serum total protein. Treatment with PG 400 mg/kg bw exhibited excellent modulatory activity with respect to the different parameters studied by reversing all the above-mentioned biochemical changes significantly in the experimental animals. These results suggest that PG offered protection comparable to that of Livolin forte with better efficacy when pre-treated with 400 mg/kg bw 14 days prior to CCl4-exposure.