Flavonoid-enrich extract of Autranella congolensis (Sapotaceae) protects against aluminium chloride-mediated Alzheimer's disease-like oxidative stress in rat through the antioxidant properties.

Oxidative stress (OS) is well established as a major event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. One of the mostly-researched classes of antioxidants to manage with overwhelming OS include flavonoids. This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of A. congolensis extract (HEEAC) on AlCl3-mediated AD-like OS and assess the contribution of its antioxidant flavonoid contents. Female Wistar (250-300 g) rats received orally 50 mg/Kg bw of AlCl3, followed one hour later by doses (150 or 300 mg/kg) of HEEAC or vitamin E at 100 mg/kg daily for eight consecutive weeks. OS related biomarkers were evaluated at the end of treatment. To assess the contribution of flavonoid contents to its activity, HEEAC was fractioned using solvent of varying polarities. Flavonoid-rich extracts obtained were tested for their antioxidant capacity. AlCl3 administration significantly lowered antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and aconitase levels, reduced total thiol and thiol protein levels and increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels in brain. When co-administrated with HEEAC at 150 mg/kg, all of these OS related biomarkers were significantly moderated. The efficacity of the extract was significantly higher than vitamin E. Flavonoid-rich fractions extracted mainly n-butanol fraction show strong antioxidant activity, which can be considered as the major antioxidant fraction of this plant. HEEAC protect brain cells against oxidative damage induced by AlCl3, specifically through the strong antioxidant property of its n-butanol flavonoid-rich fraction, which may be a promising agent for preventing oxidative damage in AD.

Prevalence and associated factors of coexisting forms of malnutrition in children under 5 years age in a rural area of Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition of children under 5 years of age is persistent in Cameroon principally in rural areas. Moreover, there is limited knowledge of coexisting forms of malnutrition (CFM) among children of this age. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CFM in a cohort of children under 5 years and to identify the associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Health Districts of the locality of Dschang in the West region of Cameroon between June 2021 to November 2021. Data were collected from 200 under-five children of both sexes and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to consented children's mothers/guardians. Malnutrition in children was assessed by WHO growth standards (weight-for-height, weight-for-age, height-for-age and body mass index-for-age). The different CFM were defined by the presence of two autonomous forms of malnutrition in the same child. Logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated to different coexisting forms of malnutrition. RESULTS: The results obtained showed prevalences of 4.20% for the coexistence of underweight with wasting, 7.8% for the coexistence of underweight with stunting and 14.8% for the coexistence of stunting with overweight. Lower maternal age (15-24 years old; OR = 0.09; p = 0.05) and lower education level (primary education, OR = 23.33; p = 0.00) were associated with the coexistence of underweight with wasting. Marital status (single mother, OR = 0.28; p = 0.00) was associated to the coexistence of stunting with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide evidence on the coexistence of different forms of malnutrition among children below five years of age in rural area of Cameroon. These finding would guide future research, policies, and programs on the management of malnutrition in rural areas of Cameroon.

Tannins-enriched fraction of TeMac™ protects against aluminum chloride induced Alzheimer's disease-like pathology by modulating aberrant insulin resistance and alleviating oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease with therapeutic limitations. Insulin resistance plays a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Therapies that modulate insulin secretion and signaling, as well as oxidative stress in the brain are now being investigated for their potential role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Terminalia macroptera (Combretaceae) is a plant that different parts have been used traditionally for the treatment of metabolic and neurological conditions. Previous study has indicated that the crude extract exhibit anti-diabetic property. In addition, the plant is a rich source of tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes. However, there is no study on its protective effect against biochemical alterations of AD in diabetic rats. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present research study investigated the neuroprotective effects of TeMac™ on Alzheimer-like pathology induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in diabetic rats. METHODS: A phytochemical analysis of TeMac™ was carried out to quantify tannins. The potential effect of the tannins-enriched fraction (TEF) of TeMac™ to prevent the formation of senile plaques was conducted by its ability to inhibit the activities of ß-secretase (EC 3.4.23.46), monoamine oxidase A (EC 1.4.3.4) and the fibrillation of Aß. A diabetic model was induced from female Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg BW). After that, the blood glucose level was measured to confirm the induction of diabetes. Three days after induction, animals received AlCl3 (75 mg/kg BW) alone (AD control) or concomitantly with 400 mg/kg BW of TEF of TeMac™ or 5 mg/kg BW Daonil by daily gavage for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, blood and brains were collected. The levels of amyloid fibrils, glucose, albumin and the activities of DPP4, ß-secretase and phosphatase, and markers of oxidative stress in the brain were assessed. RESULTS: TEF of TeMac™ displays a potential ability to inhibit the activities of ß-secretase, monoamine oxidase, and Aß fibrillation. Treatment with TEF of TeMac™ significantly inhibited DPP4 and BACE1 activities and reduced brain glucose and amyloid fibril levels, and improved cerebral albumin levels and modulated oxidative stress markers. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that TEF of TeMac™ prevents Alzheimer's-type pathology linked to insulin resistance in rats. TEF of TeMac™ may be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes-associated cognitive impairment.

Subacute effects of hydroethanolic extracts of the pulp of Gambeya africana on glucose plasmatic levels and oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats.

The management of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress is a key point in the control of diabetes and its complications. The work evaluated the hypoglycemiant and antioxidant properties of pulp extracts of Gambeya africana fruits. The acute toxicity was conducted for 14 days at the dose of 2000 mg/kg via oral gavage. Diabetes was induced in rats by intravenous administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The effect of the extract on blood glucose levels of diabetic rats was monitored at 2h after administration; and on the 7th and 14th days of treatment (single dose of 400 mg/kg/day). After 2 weeks of treatment, the rats were sacrificed. The oxidative stress markers (Hydroperoxides, Malonedialdehydes, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Total Antioxidant Capacity) and hepato/nephrotoxicity markers (Alanine Amino Transferase, urea, and creatinine) were determined. The hydroethanolic extract of G. africana fruits has a lethal dose upper than 2000 mg/kg. It significantly decreased glucose levels by 28.29% and 84.86% respectively after 2h and 14th days of treatment. The extract increased the antioxidant status and decrease oxidative stress, especially in the pancreas. This study suggests that the hydroethanolic pulp extract of G. africana fruits is a good hypoglycemiant and antioxidant agent and could be a potential source of compounds for diabetes management.

In vitro anticholinesterase potential of some spices consumed in Cameroon and their protective effects on hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress damage in SK-N-SH cells.

Background: Many neurodegenerative such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress which is a key event in neuronal death process. Thus, anticholinesterase and anti-oxidation compounds are two promising strategies in the development of AD drugs. Beyond their culinary use, spices are today studies for health purpose. In this study, some spices consumed in Cameroon were evaluated for their anticholinesterase and neuroprotective effects. Methods: Colorimetric methods were used to determine total flavonoid and alkaloid content of a combinated extract (hydroethanolic + ethanolic extracts) of different selected spices. Aftermaths, anti-cholinesterase activity of spice extract was carried out using Ellman's method. Finally, neuroprotective effects performed on human SK-N-SH cells stressed with H2O2 by assessing neuronal survival ( resazurin assay) and neuronal death (LDH assay). Results: Flavonoid content of spices extract were ranged from 22.94 to 32.01 mg EQ/g DM and alkaloid content were ranged from 320 to 896 mg EQu/g DM. Among the spices studied, Xylopia parviflora presented the greatest acetylcholinesterase inhibition with an IC50 = 14 µg/mL. In Cell culture experiments, pre-incubation of SK-N-SH cell with the selected spices at different concentrations were improved neuronal survival and reduced the percentage of neuronal cells dead. Conclusion: The present results reveal that selected spices consumed in Cameroon have good anticholinesterase activity as well as neuroprotective effect on SK-N-SH which may provide new natural compounds that could help in the management of Alzheimer's disease.