Polyphenol-rich Spondias mombin leaf extract abates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced disturbed glutamate-ammonia metabolism and multiorgan toxicity in rats.

Introduction: This study investigated the protective properties of Spondias mombin leaf extract (SML), in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mediated toxicity in the brain, liver, and kidney of male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Animals were subjected to 30 min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by 24 h of reperfusion (BCCAO/R). The animals were divided into sham, I/R, and I/R treated with SML (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) or quercetin (20 mg/kg) groups. Animals were sacrificed after 24 h of reperfusion and markers of organ toxicity (urea creatinine, glutamine synthetase (GS), glutaminase (GA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE)) were measured in the brain regions (cortex, striatum, and hippocampus), liver, and kidney. Results and discussion: BCCAO/R significantly (p < 0.0001) inhibited the glutamate-glutamine cycle and mediated toxicity in the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, liver, and kidney of rats. Post-treatment with SML significantly (p < 0.0001) reversed glutamate-glutamine cycle inhibition and ameliorated cerebrohepatorenal toxicity in ischemic rats. Conclusion: Cerebral I/R significantly mediated cerebral, hepatic, and renal toxicity through the inhibition of glutamate-ammonia detoxification in rats, and SML protected against this post-ischemic glutamate-ammonia mediated multiorgan toxicity.

Cognitive impairment by non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was attenuated by dietary supplements of marble vine (Dioclea reflexa) and plantain (Musa paradisiaca) dough meals in albino rats.

This study investigates the protective effect of formulated marble vine/plantain dough meals on cognitive impairment in diabetic rats. Wistar rats were divided into eight groups (n = 6) and fed with HFD for 14 days and a single dose of streptozotocin intraperitoneally on the 14th day (except control rats). Diabetic rats were treated with formulated diets and metformin. The ameliorative effect of the formulated doughs on cerebral damage in diabetic rats with respect to weight gain/loss, glucose and insulin levels, oxidative damage, neurological dysfunction, and histological alterations were assessed. The formulated diet had high protein and fiber content values ranged from 13.00 to 25.04 g/100 g and from 5.23 to 6.20 g/100 g, respectively compared to the control. Blood glucose level was observed, thereby mitigating the cerebral oxidative damage. The diet significantly ameliorated the neurological dysfunction as adjudged by increased dopamine concentration and lowered acetylcholinesterase activity; results were also supported by the outcomes from brain histopathological study. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Underutilized leguminous seeds such as marble vine seeds are known for their nutraceutical potentials due to their numerous biochemical components. The study provides preliminary information on the potential of marble vine/plantain functional dough meals in the management of neurological complications resulting from type 2 diabetes mellitus in albino rats. Generally, the formulated doughs possess neuroprotective potentials in preventing neurological complications arising from diabetes. However, the effect of marble vine-plantain dough meal in managing the brain damage should be further investigated through the clinical trials before development for pharmaceutical applications.

Effects of co-administration of Ganoderma terpenoid extract with chloroquine on inflammatory markers and antioxidant status in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the protective effects of Ganoderma terpenoid extract (GTE) against Plasmodium berghei-malarial infection in mice, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of GTE in combination with chloroquine disulphate (CQ) on erythrocyte-selected inflammatory markers and antioxidant defense status in P. berghei-infected mice. METHODS: P. berghei-infected mice were divided into six groups: infected control (IC) group, administered 1 mL Tween 20; GTE100 and GTE250 groups, administered 100 and 250 mg/kg GTE, respectively; GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups, co-administered 100 and 250 mg/kg GTE plus 30 mg/kg CQ, respectively; and CQ group, administered 30 mg/kg CQ. A separate group of non-infected mice were given 1 mL Tween 20, and served as a normal control group (NC). Extract and drug were dissolved in Tween 20 and administered orally once daily for 12 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, mice were anesthetized with chloroform and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Plasma was prepared from blood obtained from each mouse. Parameters evaluated at the end of the treatment period include parasitemia, red blood cell count, hematocrit, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). RESULTS: Infected mice treated with a combination of GTE and CQ (GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups) showed significantly reduced parasitemia levels (P < 0.05) compared to those administered GTE alone as well as IC. Significant improvement in body weight (P < 0.05) was also observed in infected mice treated with a combination of GTE and CQ (GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups), compared to mice receiving GTE alone (GTE100 and GTE250 groups). Plasma MDA and TNF-α concentrations were significantly lowered, and IL-10 concentration was significantly increased in GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups, relative to the IC group (P < 0.05). GSH concentration and SOD, CAT and GPx activities were significantly higher in GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups compared to the GTE100, GTE250, IC and NC groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data generated in this study showed that GTE enhanced the anti-plasmodial action of CQ in mice through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Modulation of key enzymes linked to Parkinsonism and neurologic disorders by Antiaris africana in rotenone-toxified rats.

Background The physiopathologies of many neurologic diseases are characterized by related biochemical dysfunctions that could be explored as drug targets. This study evaluated the effect of a methanol leaf extract of Antiaris africana (MEA) on critical bioindices of Parkinsonism and related neurologic dysfunctions in rats with rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. Methods Animals were administered 50 or 100 mg/kg MEA for 14 consecutive days. Rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) was administered three times per day on days 13 and 14. Coenzyme Q10 (5 mg/kg) was the reference drug. Complex I activity, dopamine level, activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, Na+/K+ ATPase and glutamine synthetase, as well as oxidative stress indices were evaluated at the end of the period of treatment. Results Rotenone-intoxicated group showed disruption of complex 1 activity, dopamine level, and glutamine synthetase activity with negative alterations to activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, and Na+/K+ ATPase as well as heightened cerebral oxidative stress. MEA restored brain mitochondria functionality, mitigated altered neurochemical integrity, and ameliorated cerebral oxidative stress occasioned by rotenone neurotoxicity. The activity of A. Africana was comparable with that of 5 mg/kg coenzyme Q10. Conclusions These results indicated that A. africana displayed therapeutic potential against Parkinsonism and related neurologic dysfunctions and support its ethnobotanical use for the treatment of neurologic disorders.

Acid buffering effects of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum L. in the rabbit stomach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the gastroprotective properties of Ocimum gratissimum L. have been mentioned, the exact mechanism is yet to be explored. Since acid output plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulceration, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on gastric luminal pH, acid output, parietal cell mass and gastric mucous cell population in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of pyloric ligation for acid secretion and ulcer study was employed. Prior to the 4 h ligation, male New Zealand rabbits were treated orally with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg b.w aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum twice daily for three weeks. The antisecretory and antiulcer effect of Ocimum gratissimum was compared with omeprazole (20 mg/kg p.o). Parietal cell mass and gastric mucous cell population were determined in the gastric samples by histometry. RESULTS: Aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum caused significant reduction in ulcer formation, gastric secretion volume and acid output in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). Percentage inhibition was recorded as 29%, 46.2%, 52.9% for ulcer; and 16.2%, 35.9%, 52.1% for acid output upon pretreatment with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg b.w respectively. Parietal cell mass was also reduced while gastric mucous cell population and luminal pH increased accordingly when compared to the control group. Data were comparable with the antisecretory effect of omeprazole. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the anti-secretory activity of Ocimum gratissimum may be the anti-ulcer mechanism of this plant.

Erythropoietic and anti-obesity effects of Garcinia cambogia (bitter kola) in Wistar rats.

The anti-obesity and erythropoietic effects of crude ethanolic extracts of Garcinia cambogia (bitter kola) seeds on Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. The rats were divided into three dosage groups: A (0 mg/kg of body weight), B (200 mg/kg) and C (400 mg/kg). Weight changes, plasma lipoprotein levels and the lipid profile of the liver, gastrointestinal system and adipose tissue were monitored as indices for anti-obesity, while the RBC (red blood cell) count (assessed by using a haemocytometer) was monitored as a measure of erythropoiesis. The extract was administered by gavage for 5 weeks. The results for each test group was compared statistically with those for the control (P<0.05). Analysis of the results showed a significant increase in RBC counts in both test groups and a decrease in weights of experimental animals. There was a dose-dependent decrease in the plasma level of very-low-density lipoprotein and a dose-dependent increase in the level of chylomicrons. There was a slight, but significant, decrease in the level of high-density lipoprotein and a significant increase in the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein). There was significant dose-dependent decrease in the TAG (triacylglycerol) pool of adipose tissue and the liver of the test groups, but a significant increase in the TAG pool of the gastrointestinal system. The increase in the TAG pool of the gastrointestinal system is possibly compensatory. The results therefore confirm that ethanolic extracts of G. cambogia seeds have both haematologically enhancing and anti-obesity effects. The decrease in the high-density-lipoprotein level and an increase in the LDL level may play an important role in cardiovascular disease.