Seun F. Akomolafe

Food Value of Two Varieties of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Commonly Consumed in Nigeria

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a well-known and widely used herb, which contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health-promoting properties. The proximate, mineral, antinutrient, amino acid, and phytochemical components of two varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) were investigated. Amino acid composition was determined using standard analytical techniques. The results obtained in percentages in the two varieties of ginger (white and yellow types) were crude fibre (21.90, 8.30), fat (17.11, 9.89), carbohydrate (39.70, 58.21), crude protein (12.05, 11.65), ash (4.95, 7.45) and moisture (3.95, 4.63) contents respectively. Elemental analysis revealed that potassium (0.98 ppm and 1.38 ppm) is the most abundant, while copper (0.01 ppm) is the least. Phytochemical screening indicated that they are both rich in saponins, anthraquinones, phlobatannin and glycosides. Also, the antinutrient constituents of white ginger were lower than yellow ginger, although the levels of the antinutrient constituents in the two varieties are saved for consumption. The essential amino acids in the two varieties were almost the same, with Leu being the most abundant in both. The two ginger varieties were adequate only in Leu, Phe + Try, and valine based on FAO/WHO provisional pattern. Overall, the findings indicate that the two varieties of ginger are good sources of nutrients, mineral elements, amino acid, and phytochemicals which could be exploited as great potentials for drugs and/or nutritional supplements.

Phenolic Acids (Gallic and Tannic Acids) Modulate Antioxidant Status and Cisplatin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) or CDDP), used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers, has its chief side-effect in nephrotoxicity. Hence, this study sought to investigate and compare the protective effect of gallic acid (GA) and tannic acid (TA) against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were given a prophylactic treatment of GA and TA orally at a dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days before the administration of a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cisplatin (CP) at 7.5 mg/kg bwt. The protective effects of both GA and TA on CP induced nephrotoxicity were investigated by assaying renal function, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histopathological examination of kidney architecture. A single dose of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg bwt) injected i.p. caused a significant increase in some biomarkers of renal function (creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels), with a marked elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) content accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content (103.27%) of kidney tissue as compared to control group. Furthermore, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in kidney antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx, and GST) activity was observed. However, pretreatment with oral administration of tannic acid and gallic acid at a dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 7 days prior to cisplatin administration reduced histological renal damage and suppressed the generation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress in kidney tissues. These results indicate that both gallic and tannic acids could serve as a preventive strategy against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity.

Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Cissus populnea on Ferrous Sulphate- and Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat’s Testes In Vitro

Cissus populnea are plants associated with a myriad of medicinal uses in different parts of the world and are good sources of carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid. The antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of water extractible phytochemicals from stem bark of C. populnea on FeSO4 and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes were investigated in vitro. The results revealed that the extract was able to scavenge DPPH radical, chelate Fe2+ and also had a high reducing power. Furthermore, the incubation of the testes tissue homogenate in the presence of FeSO4 and SNP, respectively, caused a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the testes. However, the aqueous extract of the stem bark of C. populnea caused a significant decrease in the MDA contents of both Fe2+ (EC50 = 0.027 mg/mL) and SNP- (EC50 = 0.22 mg/mL) induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. The water extractible phytochemicals from C. populnea protect the testes from oxidative stress and this could be attributed to their high antioxidant activity: DPPH-scavenging ability, Fe2+-chelating and -reducing power. Therefore, oxidatively stress in testes could be potentially managed/prevented by this plant.

Effect of caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations on enzymes of cholinergic, monoaminergic and purinergic systems critical to neurodegeneration in rat brain— In vitro

HIGHLIGHTSIn vitro neuromodulatory effects of proportion of caffeine to caffeic acid as obtained in most foods were investigated.These combinations modulate activities of some enzymes critical to neurodegeneration in rat brain structures.The combinations also exhibited Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating abilities.However, a higher proportion of caffeine to caffeic acid produced significantly higher enzyme modulatory effects.These opined that food rich in higher caffeine‐caffeic acid ratio could offer more neuroprotective potentials. ABSTRACT Caffeine and caffeic acid are two bioactive compounds that are present in plant foods and are major constituent of coffee, cocoa, tea, cola drinks and chocolate. Although not structurally related, caffeine and caffeic acid has been reported to elicit neuroprotective properties. However, their different proportional distribution in food sources and possible effect of such interactions are not often taken into consideration. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations on activities of some enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) ecto‐nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E‐NTPase), ecto‐51‐nucleotidase (E‐NTDase) and Na+/K+ ATPase relevant to neurodegeneration in vitro in rat brain. The stock concentration of caffeine and caffiec acid and their various proportional combinations were prepared and their interactions with the activities of these enzymes were assessed (in vitro) in different brain structures. The Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating abilities of the samples were also investigated. The results revealed that caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations exhibited inhibitory effect on activities of AChE, MAO, E‐NTPase and E‐NTDase, but stimulatory effect on Na+/K+ ATPase activity. The combinations also exhibited Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating abilities. Considering the various combinations, a higher caffeine to caffeic acid ratio produced significantly highest enzyme modulatory effects; these were significantly lower to the effect of caffeine alone but significantly higher than the effect of caffeic acid alone. These findings may provide new insight into the effect of proportional combination of these bioactive compounds as obtained in many foods especially with respect to their neuroprotective effects.

Curcumin administration suppress acetylcholinesterase gene expression in cadmium treated rats

HIGHLIGHTSCurcumin prevents Cd neurotoxicity.Curcumin exhibited inhibitory effect on acetycholinesterase activity.Curcumin suppress acetylcholinesterase gene expression in cadmium treated rats. ABSTRACT Curcumin, the main polyphenolic component of turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes have been reported to exert anticholinesterase potential with limited information on how they regulate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene expression. Hence, this study sought to evaluate the effect of curcumin on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA gene expression level in cadmium (Cd)‐treated rats. Furthermore, in vitro effect of different concentrations of curcumin (1–5 &mgr;g/mL) on rat cerebral cortex AChE activity was assessed. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6): group 1 serve as control (without Cd) and receive saline/vehicle, group 2 receive saline plus curcumin at 25 mg/kg, group 3 receive saline plus curcumin 50 mg/kg, group 4 receive Cd plus vehicle, group 5 receive Cd plus curcumin at 25 mg/kg and group 6 receive Cd plus curcumin at 50 mg/kg. Rats received Cd (2.5 mg/kg) and curcumin (25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively) by oral gavage for 7 days. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured by Ellmans method and AChE expression was carried out by a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) assay. We observed that acute administration of Cd increased acetylcholinesterase activity and in addition caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in AChE mRNA levels in whole cerebral cortex when compared to control group. However, co‐treatment with curcumin inhibited AChE activity and alters AChE mRNA levels when compared to Cd‐treated group. In addition, curcumin inhibits rat cerebral cortex AChE activity in vitro. In conclusion, curcumin exhibit anti‐acetylcholinesterase activity and suppressed AChE mRNA gene expression level in Cd exposed rats, thus providing some biochemical and molecular evidence on the therapeutic effect of this turmeric‐derived compound in treating neurological disorders including Alzheimers disease.

Modulatory effects of Aqueous extract from Tetracarpidium conophorum leaves on key enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction and oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation in penile and testicular tissues -

Tetracarpidium conophorum (walnut) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction but the mechanism remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract from T conophorum leaves on oxidative stress-induced penile damage and key enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction. The inhibitory effect of the extract on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced lipid peroxidation, arginase, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in penile and testicular tissue homogenates were determined via colorimetric method. The aqueous extract inhibited SNP-induced lipid peroxidation in rats penile and testicular homogenates in a dose dependent manner. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained in the penis at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, the extract inhibited arginase activity in a dose dependent pattern. The IC50 revealed that the extract had significantly (P

Toxicological Effects of Aqueous Extract From African Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) Leaves in Rats

Tetracarpidium conophorum leaves are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility, without considering its toxicity and side effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of T conophorum leaves on some biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, albumin, creatinine, and uric acid. Histology of the liver and kidney were also assessed. The result revealed that the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels of the control group were not significantly different from the experimental groups. There was no significant difference in the albumin and bilirubin levels of the control and experimental groups. Similarly, the uric acid and creatinine levels of the experimental rats were not significantly different from the control. The examination of liver and kidney sections did not show any morphological changes and inflammatory cell infiltrations. These findings suggest that the leaves did not induce any pathological changes at the doses tested.

Protective effect of Aloe vera gel on the permeability transition pore in the inner membrane of rat liver mitochondria in vitro

Abstract Objective: Aloe vera is a perennial drought resisting, succulent plant belonging to the zanthorrhoeaceae family which historically has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. This study seeks to determine the effect of varying concentrations of Aloe vera gel (50, 100, 150, 250, and 350 µg/ml) on mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in rat liver mitochondria (RLM) (in vitro). Methods: Fresh Aloe gel was prepared daily from the Aloe vera leaf and the effect of the gel on mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening was estimated in vitro using the spectrophotometric method of Lapidus and Sokolove. Results: Varying concentrations of Aloe vera gel (50, 100, 150, 250, and 350 µg/ml) induced (insignificantly at p < 0.05) the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in a concentration dependent manner in the absence of calcium (Δ540 nm as −0.020 ± 0.008, −0.021 ± 0.009, −0.031 ± 0.013, −0.031 ± 0.014, −0.034 ± 0.014 respectively) when compared with the control (−0.016 ± 0.009). In the presence of calcium, the various concentrations of Aloe vera gel further opened the MMPT pore with the highest effect noticed at 350 µg/ml concentration. Conclusions: These findings indicate that Aloe vera gel modulates the mitochondrial pore opening by further increasing the effect of calcium. This effect is needed in situations that requires tissue wastage such as in cancer treatment.

Walnut leaf extract acts as a fertility agent in male Wistar albino rats – A search for herbal male fertility enhancer

Abstract Background Walnut leaf is one of the many medicinal plants used in folklore as male fertility enhancers. The present work was therefore undertaken with an aim to scientifically validate this claim. As such, we evaluated the effect of the aqueous extract from walnut leaves on biomolecules related to fertility in adult male rats and its mode of action as fertility-enhancing agent. Methods Twenty-five rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals each; Group 1 served as control and received normal (0.9%) saline only; Groups II, III, IV received 50, 500, 1,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) of T. conophorum leaf extract orally, while Group V served as standard and was given suspension of clomiphene citrate orally at the dose of 1.04 mg/kg/ml BW. The extract and drug were given daily and the experiment lasted for 21 consecutive days. Results The testicular biochemical parameters in treated groups showed significant (p<0.05) increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity activity, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) activity, glycogen content, 3β and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and testicular and epididymal Zn and Se contents with a significant decrease in cholesterol content. A significant increase in testis weight and epididymis weight were also observed. Also, a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, sperm count, motility, viability and a decrease in sperm abnormality were observed in the various treated groups when compared with the control group. This increment was concentration dependent, while the extract at the highest concentration showed a more pronounced effect than the standard drug. Also, no sperm DNA fragmentation index was found in all the treatment groups. Photomicrographs from light and scanning electron microscopy showed large fenestrae of interstitial tissue, large fluid space and intact seminiferous epithelium layers fully packed with spermatogenic cells in treated groups than the control group. Conclusions The present study has demonstrated that Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf possesses fertility-enhancing property and have useful effects on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in rats.

Effect of dietary inclusions of bitter kola seed on geotactic behavior and oxidative stress markers in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusions of Garcinia kola (GK) seed on geotactic behavior and some oxidative stress markers in wildߚtype fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). Flies were raised on diet supplement with GK seed for 5 days. The negative geotactic behavior of flies which was used to evaluate their locomotor performance was thereafter evaluated. The flies were subsequently homogenized and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase and glutathioneߚSߚtransferase (GST) activities, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and total thiol contents were assayed. The phytochemical constituents of GK seed were also determined. It was observed that higher dietary inclusions of GK seed reduced the survival rate of D. melanogaster more significantly compared to control flies. Also, higher dietary inclusions of GK seed significantly reduced locomotor performance and AChE activity, while the ROS level was increased compared to the control. Activities of GST and catalase were significantly increased in flies fed diet supplemented with higher GK seed inclusions but their NO content was significantly reduced compared to control. Phytochemical analysis of GK seed revealed abundance of saponin > glycosides > alkaloids > phenols > flavonoids. These results have shown that dietary inclusion of GK seed at higher concentrations reduced survival rate of D. melanogaster and impaired cholinergic system, with elevated activities of some antioxidant enzymes under acute exposure. These observations could be associated with bioactivities of predominant phytochemicals in GK seed such as saponin and glycosides which have been reportedly toxic at high concentration. Therefore, this study suggests that high consumption of GK seed could induce some toxicological effects and moderate consumption is hence recommended.