Olarewaju M. Oluba

Toxicological evaluation of the effect of water contaminated with lead, phenol and benzene on liver, kidney and colon of Albino rats

The effect of water contaminated with phenol, benzene and lead on rats cellular system was investigated. Selected enzyme activity of the kidney and colon of rats was carried out. Standard enzyme assays were also conducted for selected liver enzymes such as alkaline and acid phosphatases, alanine and aspartate transaminases, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. Serum indices of liver and kidney function were also determined. The direct bilirubin of test rats were observed to be 3.2+/-0.2U/mol/l while that of control rat was 1.2+/-0.003 U/mol/l. The total bilirubin of test rats was found to be 8.4+/-0.8 U/mol/l while that of the control was 5.6+/-0.5 U/mol/l. Generally, enzymes activity in the tissues of test rats were found to be significantly (p<0.05) lower relative to control, while the enzyme activity of the serum of test rats was significantly (p<0.05) higher than control. It could be inferred that experimental data suggest possible damage to the tissues and that consumption of polluted water may account for increasing cases of renal and hepatic failure among people in developing countries.

Modulation of Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Plasmodium berghei Malarial Infection by Crude Aqueous Extract of Ganoderma lucidum

In this study, attempt is made to establish changes in serum and liver lipoprotein cholesterols accompanying Plasmodium berghei malarial infection in mice treated with aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight in comparison with 15 mg/kg chloroquine (CQ). Significant increases in all the lipoprotein fractions were observed in infected untreated mice compared with normal control mice. Treatment with 100 and 250 mg/kg G. lucidum extract produced significant reduction in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) contents compared with 500 mg/kg G. lucidum and CQ. Treatment with CQ, however, produced significant reduction in hepatic TC and LDL-C compared with the extract. A dose-dependent significant increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was observed in the G. lucidum treated mice compared with normal control but significantly lower compared with CQ-treated mice. Liver HDL-C level was significantly higher in CQ-treated mice compared with normal control and significantly lower compared with G. lucidum-treated and infected untreated mice. A dose-dependent effect of the extract was observed in both serum and liver very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). The implication of these results is discussed with respect to the parasite survival and proliferation in the serum and liver.

Effect of soy protein on serum lipid profile and some lipid-metabolizing enzymes in cholesterol fed rats

The effect of soy protein on serum lipid profile and some lipid metabolizing enzymes in rats fed with cholesterol diets was examined in this study. Rats were subjected to feeding trial over a period of six weeks on formulated diets containing: 20% soy protein with 0% cholesterol (group A), 20% soy protein with 5% cholesterol (group B), 20% soy protein with 10% cholesterol (group C), 0% soy protein with 20% cholesterol (group D), and 5% soy protein with 20% cholesterol (group E). Serum total, VLDL, LDL, and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were found to be reduced significantly in Groups B and C when compared with Groups D and E (p 0.05). Groups D and E showed significant increased levels (p < 0.01) when compared to other groups. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT), and triglyceride lipase (TGL) activities were found to be significantly reduced (p< 0.05) in groups B and C when compared with groups D and E. Though groups B, C, D, and E rats all showed significant elevation (p < 0.05) in the enzyme activities when compared to the control.

In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice This study was aimed at investigating the in vivo antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of crude aqueous extracts of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom with well established medicinal properties. Plasmodium berghei (1×107) was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. The extract was then administered by an intra gastric tube once daily for four days starting from the day of parasite inoculation. Chloroquine (CQ) (used as standard drug), was administered through the same route.

Biochemical assessment of lead, phenol, and benzene-contaminated water on the heart and blood of Albino rats

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of contaminated water on the tissues of Rattus novergicus (albino rats). Test rats were given water contaminated with lead (0.015 µg L−1 tap water), phenol (0.05 mL L−1 tap water), and benzene (0.05 mL L−1 tap water), while control rats were given tap water over a period of 65 days after which the activity of selected enzymes of the heart and serum was assayed, and hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles were also determined. Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the activity of the enzymes was observed in the heart of test rats relative to the control rats. However, the serum activities increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides of the test rats were found to be significantly higher than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of test rats were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). The experimental results indicated that consumption of water contaminated with lead, phenol, and benzene may damage the heart, increase the risk of atherosclerosis as reflected by the serum lipid profile, and anemia as suggested by abnormal hematological properties.

Effects of Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia and associated complications in rats

Abstract Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract (TTFE) was evaluated for its effects on streptozotocin‐hyperglycemia and associated complications especially as it relates to dyslipidemia, lipid peroxidation, and renal dysfunction in rats. Two normoglycemic rat groups designated: control (administered distilled water) and control + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg b.w. TTFE) and two streptozotocin‐induced (STZ) diabetic rat groups designated: STZ‐control (administered distilled water) and STZ + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg TTFE). The treatment was given orally once daily for 21 consecutive days. Body weight and insulin concentration showed significant improvement while blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared to diabetic untreated rats. Furthermore, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lowered in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared with diabetic untreated rats. Key enzymes involved in carbohydrate breakdown and cholesterol synthesis, α‐amylase and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) reductase, respectively, were significantly inhibited in TTFE‐treated diabetic rats compared to diabetic control. Results presented in this study suggest that administration of TTFE for 21 days normalized STZ‐induced hyperglycemia and its associated dyslipidemia by a mechanism involving inhibition of α‐amylase and HMG‐CoA reductase activities, respectively, in rats.

Nutritional composition and glycemic index analyses of vitamin A-biofortified maize in healthy subjects

Abstract Besides being a veritable tool for easing the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), this study sought to explore another potential health benefit of vitamin A‐biofortified maize (VABM). In the present study, the nutritional composition and glycemic index (GI) of tuwo masara (a nonfermented maize‐based dumpling), made from VABM and the indigenous white maize (IWM) genotype, were evaluated. VABM showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower fat (4.38 ± 0.46%) and crude protein (6.58 ± 0.13%) but higher crude fiber (5.29 ± 0.0%) contents compared to 5.22 ± 0.25% crude fat, 7.28 ± 0.11% crude protein, and 4.69 ± 0.00% crude fiber in the IWM. The phytic acid content in the IWM (2.77 mg/100 g) was 39% higher than the level (2.0 ± 0.04 mg/100 g) in VABM. The major provitamin A carotenoid in the VABM were lutein (7.37 ± 0.52 μg/g), zeaxanthin (1.65 ± 0.01 μg/g), cryptoxanthin (1.29 ± 0.02 μg/g), and all‐trans‐β‐carotene (0.83 ± 0.02 μg/g), while the IWM contained only lutein (1.52 ± 0.32 μg/g). The total carotene concentration, 12.74 ± 1.13 μg/g dry weight in the VABM, was over eight times higher than that observed for the IWM, 1.52 ± 0.32 μg/g dry weight. The VABM tuwo masara showed a significantly lower GI value (70.3%) compared to the IWM tuwo masara (87.7%). Data obtained from the study further attest to the positive nutritional and health benefits of VABM.

Antiplasmodial and antioxidant activities of chloroform extract of Ganoderma lucidum fruit body in Plasmodium berghei -infected mice

From our previous study extract of the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum possessed promising curative potential against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Thus, we hypothesized that infection with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei together with crude chloroform extract (CCE) of G. lucidum, at 250 mg/kg body weight would enhance various aspects of antiplasmodial activities in mice. Mice were treated with CCE or chloroquine (CQ) for seventy-two hours prior to infection with P. berghei and monitored closely until signs of death were observed in untreated mice and then sacrificed. Parasitaemia, hepatic function, and oxidative stress markers analyses were performed at the end of the experiment. CCE-treated mice displayed lower parasitemia compared with untreated mice. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT) activities; and the erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) level were significantly (p<0.0001) lower in the extract and CQ-treated mice. Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, SOD and G6PDH) activities were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in CCE-treated mice compared with CQ-treated and untreated control. Though chloroquine treatment reduced parasitemia and MDA considerably compared with extract, there was reduced production of the antioxidant defense enzymes. This study shows that CCE of G. lucidum reduces parasitemia and improves the attendant consequences of Plasmodium berghei-malarial infection in mice.

Effect of Oryctes rhinoceros larva oil supplementation on serum lipid profile and inflammatory markers in mice fed a cholesterol-based diet

A cholesterol-enriched diet has been shown to adversely affect lipoprotein profiles and increase cardiovascular disease risk. Dietary cholesterol plays an important role in modulating inflammatory responses involved in atherosclerosis. In the present study, the effect of Oryctes rhinoceros larva oil (ORO), an unsaturated fatty acid-rich animal fat, on serum lipid profile and some proinflammatory markers in mice fed a cholesterol-based diet (CBD) was investigated. Forty male Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned to four groups consisting of control (normal diet) and three experimental groups fed normal diet supplemented with ORO, CBD only and CBD supplemented with ORO, respectively. Serum lipid profile, malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels were evaluated before and after diet treatment. Serum triacyglycerol, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in mice fed a CBD diet supplemented with ORO compared with those fed CBD without ORO. In addition, serum malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were significantly lower in mice fed CBD suplemented with ORO compared with those fed CBD only (P<0.05). These results suggest that consumption of ORO improved the serum lipid profile and, in addition, may mitigate the attendant adverse inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis.