Cadmium is a persistent ubiquitous environmental toxicant that elicits several biological defects on delicate body organs. Growing evidence suggests that cadmium (Cd) may perturb signaling pathways ...to induce oxidative pancreatitis. Thus, we explored whether hesperidin, a flavonone, could mitigate Cd-induced oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and pancreatitis in Wistar rats.
Forty (40) rats randomly assigned to 5 groups (n = 8) were administered normal saline or hesperidin (Hsp) followed by Cd intoxication for 28 days.
Cadmium accumulated in the pancreas of rats, and markedly decreased insulin, pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and glutathione (GSH) level. Cadmium considerably increased malondialdehyde (MDA), serum lipase and amylase activities. Cadmium induced pancreatic pro-inflammation via over-expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), along with histopathological alterations. Hesperidin prominently decreased serum amylase and lipase activities, and markedly increased insulin level, pancreatic antioxidant defense mechanism, whereas iNOS, NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α levels significantly decreased. Changes in histology confirmed our biochemical findings.
Our findings suggest that Cd induced pancreatitis via pro-inflammation and oxidative stress; Hsp, thus, protects against Cd-induced pancreatitis via attenuation of oxidative stress and proinflammatory responses in pancreas.
•Cadmium induced oxidative inflammatory pancreatitis and insulin deficit in rats.•Cadmium provokes deficit in insulin secretion and glucose control.•Hesperidin attenuated cadmium-induced pancreatic oxidative stress.•Hesperidin prevents pancreatic inflammation via enhancing antioxidant mechanism.•Hesperidin improves insulin secretion and inhibits hyperglycemia.
Infant complementary foods are readily available in the UK markets and nowadays, weaning mothers prefer feeding their babies with these products due to modern lifestyles. However, there is a dearth ...of research with respect to the health risk assessment of trace essential and potentially toxic elements in these products. Hence, this research investigated the health risks of trace essential and potentially toxic elements exposed to infants via consumption of these complementary foods during the first 4 to 12 months of life. Levels of trace essential and potentially toxic elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, daily intakes were estimated using the Food Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization and manufacturer food consumption regime while the US Environmental Protection Agency guideline was used to estimate target hazard quotient and carcinogenic health risk indices. The levels of the elements in the foods varied and were within the safe limits recommended by food standard agencies. The results also showed that the estimated daily intakes of these elements were below the reference doses stipulated by food regulatory agencies. The target hazard quotients and the total carcinogenic risks of the elements in the infant foods were less than 1 and 1.0E−04, respectively, signifying that the target groups may not experience adverse non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects because of these foods. This study will be quite helpful for weaning mothers, infant food production and processing companies and government officials in taking protective measures for reducing elemental contamination in infants’ complementary foods.
Accumulating evidences have reinforced the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of various ailments as a result of negative side effects associated with conventional drugs. Plant components such ...as phenols and flavonoids with antioxidant potential have confirmed protective roles against oxidative stress-induced degenerative diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM). The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of seed pod ethanol extract from Copaifera salikounda (SPEECS) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. SPEECS was obtained by maceration of seed pod powder in absolute ethanol for 72 h, filtered, concentrated and dried in-vacuo. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique was used to quantitatively elucidate the chemical constituents of SPEECS. Twenty-four male albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=6): normal control, DM control, DM + 200 mg/kg SPEECS and DM + 400 mg/kg SPEECS groups. DM was induced in the Wistar albino rats through intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg body weight of alloxan. After 14 days of treatment, the body weight changes and the fasting blood glucose level were determined in the different groups. Also, serum biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated. The GC-MS results confirm nine bioactive compounds with 9-octadecenoic acid (55.75%) being most abundant. SPEECS (200 and 400 mg/kg) administration significantly (P < 0.05) caused gain in weight, decreased fasting blood glucose and reversed the elevated liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) while total TP and ALB were markedly elevated relative to DM control group. Furthermore, SPEECS attenuated the activities of SOD and CAT while the level of MDA was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in dose dependent manner in comparison to the DM control. This study indicated that SPEECS can alleviate hyperglyceamia of DM. Key words: Copaifera salikounda; oxidative stress; medicinal plants; diabetes mellitus; phytochemicals; orthodox ANTIDIABETIČNI UČINEK EKSTRAKTA ETANOLA Copaifera salikounda (HECKEL) NA SLADKORNO BOLEZEN, SPROŽENO Z ALLOXAN-om, PRI PODGANAHIzvleček: Obstaja vedno več dokazov, ki poudarjajo uporabnost zdravilnih rastlin pri zdravljenju različnih bolezni, tudi zaradi različnih negativnih stranskih učinkov, povezanih s konvencionalnimi zdravili. Rastlinske sestavine kot so fenoli in flavonoidi z antioksidativnim potencialom, imajo po nekaterih raziskavah zaščitno vlogo pred degenerativnimi boleznimi, ki jih povzroča oksidativni stres, kot je sladkorna bolezen diabetes mellitus (DM). Študija je bila izvedena z namenom raziskovanja učinka etanolnega semenskega ekstrakta iz rastline Copaifera salikounda (SPEECS) pri podganah s sladkorno boleznijo, ki jo je povzročil alloxan. SPEECS je bil pridobljen z maceracijo praška semen v prahu v absolutnem etanolu 72 ur ter nadaljnjo filtracijo, koncentracijo in sušenjem v vakuumu. Za kvantitativno ugotavljanje kemijskih sestavin SPEECS je bila uporabljena tehnika plinske kromatografije in masne spektrometrije (GC-MS). Štiriindvajset samcev podgan Wistar je bilo naključno razporejenih v štiri skupine (n=6): normalna kontrola, kontrola DM, DM + 200 mg/kg SPEECS in DM + 400 mg/kg SPEECS. DM je bil pri podganah sprožen z intraperitonealno injekcijo 200 mg/kg telesne mase alloxana. Po 14 dneh zdravljenja so bile pri različnih skupinah določene spremembe telesne teže in nivo glukoze v krvi (na tešče). Poleg tega so avtorji raziskave izmerili še nekatere serumske biokemične parametre kot so ravni alaninske aminotransferaze (ALT), aspartatne aminotransferaze (AST), alkalne fosfataze (ALP), albumina (ALB), skupnih proteinov (TP), malondialdehida (MDA), superoksiddismutaze (SOD) in katalaze (CAT). Rezultati GC-MS so v izvlečku SPEECS pokazali devet bioaktivnih spojin, v katerih je največ 9-oktadecenojske kisline (55,75%). SPEECS (200 in 400 mg/kg) je povzročil znatno (P <0,05) povečanje telesne mase, znižanje glukoze v krvi na tešče in znižal raven encimov pokazateljev jetrne funkcije (ALT, AST, ALP), medtem ko je bila raven TP in ALB pri podganah, ki so prejemale SPEECS izrazito povišana v primerjavi z DM kontrolno skupino. Zdravljenje s SPEECS je tudi oslabilo aktivnosti SOD in CAT, medtem ko se je raven MDA znatno zmanjšala (P <0,05) v primerjavi s kontrolno skupino DM. Ta študija je pokazala, da lahko SPEECS ublaži hiperglikemijo pri sladkorni bolezni pri podganah.Ključne besede: Copaifera salikounda; oksidativni stres; zdravilne rastline; sladkorna bolezen; fitokemikalije; ortodoksni
Malaria burden has severe impact on the world. Several arsenals, including the use of antimalarials, are in place to curb the malaria burden. However, the application of these antimalarials has two ...extremes, limited access to drug and drug pressure, which may have similar impact on malaria control, leading to treatment failure through divergent mechanisms. Limited access to drugs ensures that patients do not get the right doses of the antimalarials in order to have an effective plasma concentration to kill the malaria parasites, which leads to treatment failure and overall reduction in malaria control via increased transmission rate. On the other hand, drug pressure can lead to the selection of drug resistance phenotypes in a subpopulation of the malaria parasites as they mutate in order to adapt. This also leads to a reduction in malaria control. Addressing these extremes in antimalarial application can be essential in maintaining the relevance of the conventional antimalarials in winning the war against malaria.
Anemia is a clinical disorder orchestrated by factors such as drugs, including phenylhydrazine (PHZ). This study explored the protective roles of Copaifera salikounda methanol leaf extract (CSMLE) ...against PHZ-induced hematotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. In vitro antioxidants studies of CSMLE using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and quantification of CSMLE bioactive compounds using High-Performance-Liquid-Chromatography (HPLC) were done. In vivo, thirty rats in five groups (n = 6) were used. Anemia was induced intraperitoneally in groups 2 to 5 with 40 mg/kg body-weight/day PHZ for two days. Group 1 received normal saline, group 2 (untreated: negative-control), group 3 received 1 ml/kg-body-weight Vit B12 syrup while groups 4 and 5 received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg-body-weight CSMLE, respectively, daily for fourteen days. Result of CSMLE profiling showed luteolin (76.49 ng/Ml) and squalene (38.31 ng/Ml) as the most abundant flavonoid and terpenoid, respectively. In vitro CSMLE demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant effects on DPPH and FRAP with IC50 of 0.1085 mg/ml and 0.07344 mg/ml (EC50), respectively. In vivo, CSMLE improved the body weight, red blood cell, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations, significantly (P < 0.05), reduced serum malondialdehyde and nitic oxide but increased reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and attenuated the levels of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in dose-dependent manner in treated groups relative to the negative control. The spleen tissues histology results corroborated biochemical results. The results indicated that CSMLE possesses anti-anemic potentials and attenuate spleenotoxic effects of PHZ.
Tamoxifen (TAM) is used in breast cancer chemotherapy since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1977. However, TAM therapy is accompanied with hepatotoxicity - a source of worry to ...clinicians. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the major implicated mechanisms contributing to TAM hepatotoxicity. In this study, we explored whether zinc (Zn) supplementation could prevent TAM-induced hepatotoxicity in female Wistar rats. Rats were subjected to oral pretreatment of Zn (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day) for 14 days against hepatic toxicity induced by single intraperitoneal administration of TAM (50 mg/kg b.w.) on day 13. TAM markedly elevated serum liver enzymes, whereas total protein and albumin considerably reduced. TAM caused prominent depletion of hepatic-reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Also, TAM significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Further, it raised liver levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) confirmed by the liver histopathological alterations. The mechanistic inflammatory expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB), and expression of caspase-3 protein prominently increased. Zinc supplementation significantly modulated serum liver function markers, antioxidant enzymes, and GSH and MDA levels. Zinc downregulated the expression of cytokines, NO, iNOS, NF-ĸB and caspase-3, and ameliorated histopathological changes. Zinc protects against TAM-induced hepatotoxicity; it may serve as an adjuvant supplement for female patients undergoing TAM chemotherapy.
The numerous challenges and detrimental effects connected with the treatment of peptic ulcers in the world today calls for alternative attention. Ethnomedicinally, Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP) has ...numerous pharmacological activities. This study investigated the anti-ulcer activities of Dialium guineense pulp on gastric mucosa injury induced with aspirin in albino Wistar rats. DAGP extract was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw (mg per kg of the body weight) per day for 3 or 7 days followed by 400 mg/kg bw oral aspirin administration. Ulcer indices were determined, followed by a biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes using gastric mucosal tissue from the stomach. Student's t-test was used to compare significant differences among groups of animals at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Dialium guineense pulp caused a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the ulcer index in aspirin induced rats. This decrease in ulcer index is dose dependent and 1000 mg/kg bw per day caused the highest decrease in 7 days. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in lipid peroxidation and a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant enzymes activities in the aspirin-induced ulcerated rats. Oral administration of DAGP increased antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased injury in the gastric mucosa in ulcer induced rats. Therefore, this study showed that DAGP exhibited anti-ulcer potential and that the gastrointestinal protection may be through the scavenging action of free radicals by its constituent antioxidants. Thus, Dialium guineense pulp has ameliorative medicinal potential for the curing of gastric disorders.
The global burden of malaria seems unabated. Africa carries the greatest burden accounting for over 95% of the annual cases of malaria. For the vision of a world free of malaria by Global Technical ...Strategy to be achieved, Africa must take up the stakeholder's role. It is therefore imperative that Africa rises up to the challenge of malaria and champion the fight against it. The fight against malaria may just be a futile or mere academic venture if Africans are not directly and fully involved. This work reviews the roles playable by Africans in order to curb the malaria in Africa and the world at large.
Purpose Crude oil pollution adversely affects the environment and its remediation presents significant challenge due to its complex nature. Bioremediation approaches have proved effective and the use ...of organic wastes makes the process eco-friendly. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of organic manures amendments of crude oil polluted soil on the growth and performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under potted environment at the botanic garden of University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Method The loamy soils in different pots (5.0 kg each) were polluted with crude oil in six factorial treatments set (0.0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0%, 8.0% and 10.0%) and allowed for two weeks. Thereafter, the polluted soils were subjected to different organic manure amendment: poultry-manure, cow-dung, saw-dust, combined poultry-manure + cow-dung, combined poultry-manure + saw-dust and combined cow-dung + saw-dust manures with two sets of control: polluted soil + no organic manure and non-polluted soil + no organic manure. The amended soils were allowed for two weeks before sowing viable maize seeds and the seedling monitored every two weeks after germination for a period of eight weeks. Results Crude oil pollution impaired the maize seed germination, growth and development. Organic manures amendments of polluted-soil significantly improved (P < 0.05) maize plant agronomic characteristics with combined manures especially poultry-manure + cow-dung showing highest improvement than other combined or single manure treatment. Conclusion Combined organic manures amendments of crude oil polluted soil especially cow-dung + saw-dust were found to be environmentally friendly and beneficial for maize crop production.
Lassa fever (LF) is a rodent-borne disease that threatens human health in the sub-region of West Africa where the zoonotic host of Lassa virus (LASV) is predominant. Currently, treatment options for ...LF are limited and since no preventive vaccine is approved for its infectivity, there is a high mortality rate in endemic areas. This narrative review explores the transmission, pathogenicity of LASV, advances, and challenges of different treatment options. Our findings indicate that genetic diversity among the different strains of LASV and their ability to circumvent the immune system poses a critical challenge to the development of LASV vaccines/therapeutics. Thus, understanding the biochemistry, physiology and genetic polymorphism of LASV, mechanism of evading host immunity are essential for development of effective LASV vaccines/therapeutics to combat this lethal viral disease. The LASV nucleoprotein (NP) is a novel target for therapeutics as it functions significantly in several aspects of the viral life cycle. Consequently, LASV NP inhibitors could be employed as effective therapeutics as they will potentially inhibit LASV replication. Effective preventive control measures, vaccine development, target validation, and repurposing of existing drugs, such as ribavirin, using activity or in silico-based and computational bioinformatics, would aid in the development of novel drugs for LF management.
PDF
