Olayinka Ayotunde Oridupa

Utilization of the Ability to Induce Activation of the Nuclear Factor (Erythroid‐derived 2)‐like Factor 2 (Nrf2) to Assess Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Liquorice Samples

INTRODUCTIONnNuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of many detoxification enzymes. Nrf2-antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2-ARE) signalling pathway can be a target for cancer chemoprevention. Glycyrrhiza glabra, common name, liquorice, is used as a sweetening and flavouring agent, and traditionally, to treat various ailments, and implicated to chemoprevention. However, its chemopreventive property has not yet been scientifically substantiated.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo assess the ability of liquorice root samples to induce Nrf2 activation correlating to their potential chemopreventive property.nnnMETHODSnThe ability of nine methanolic extracts of liquorice root samples, collected from various geographical origins, to induce Nrf2 activation was determined by the luciferase reporter assay using the ARE-reporter cell line, AREc32. The antioxidant properties were determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays.nnnRESULTSnAll extracts exhibited free-radical-scavenging property (RC50 u2009=u2009136.39-635.66u2009µg/mL). The reducing capacity of ferrous ion was 214.46-465.59u2009μM Fe(II)/g. Nrf2 activation indicated that all extracts induced expression of ARE-driven luciferase activity with a maximum induction of 2.3 fold relative to control. These activities varied for samples from one geographical location to another.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe present findings add to the existing knowledge of cancer chemoprevention by plant-derived extracts or purified phytochemicals, particularly the potential use of liquorice for this purpose. Copyright

Serum biochemical changes accompanying prolonged administration of ethanolic extract of whole fruit of Lagenaria breviflora (Benth) Roberty in Wistar rats

Although the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reaction to tuberculin is used worldwide for tuberculosis (TB) detection, it has poor diagnostic specificity due to the presence of common antigens in tuberculin shared by many mycobacterial species. The problem is noticed, especially in countries where the Bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin (BCG) vaccination is widely practiced. Thus, a new skin test antigen specific for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection is urgently needed. CFP-10, a mycobacterial secretary protein that is absent in Mycobacterium bovis BCG and most other mycobacterial species including Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, has been shown to elicit cellular immune responses in MTB infected individuals and can be a good candidate for MTB specific diagnosis. We prepared recombinant MTB CFP-10, rCFP-10, and its utility as specific antigen for TB diagnosis was evaluated by skin testing in guinea pigs sensitized with M . tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. bovis BCG. Our results show that the purified MTB rCFP-10 antigen elicits a positive skin response only in the guinea pigs sensitized with M. tuberculosis and M. bovis , and not in the animals sensitized with M. bovis BCG vaccine. The data presented in this study supports further testing of the use rCFP-10 as the specific antigen in the skin test for the diagnosis of MTB infection in humans. Key words : Recombinant CFP-10 protein, skin test, delayed-type hypersensitivity, tuberculosis infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin.

Assessment of the Safety of Aqueous Extract of Aloe vera on Haematology of Wistar Rats

Aloe vera is used both traditionally and packaged commercially in many regions of the world for several medicinal and or cosmetic purposes. It is claimed to have rejuvenating, moisturizing, healing or soothing properties on the skin and gastrointestinal tract. This study focused on assessment of the safety of A. vera on blood parameters: packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count (WBC), its differentials neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet counts. Thirty Wistar rats were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups and A. vera extract solution was administered to 2 groups for 12 or 24 h respectively, for 7 days consecutively. The third group served as control for the experiment. Blood samples were collected on day 8 to determine changes in the haemogram as a basis for toxicity. Rats administered with A. vera extract, particularly for 24 h showed increased levels of PCV (47.42±4.32%), RBC (9.26±0.60 X10 6 /μL), WBC (12.61±0.45 X10 3 /μL) and its differentials. Platelet count was also significantly increased (150.25±4.77 X10 9 /L). The results from this study showed that A. vera stimulated increased production of all blood cell types. In conclusion, protracted consumption of the extract of A. vera cause stimulation of haematopoiesis which may induce or encourage the progression of haemoproliferative disorders. Keywords: Aloe vera , Haematology, Wistar Rat