Effects of vitamin K dietary supplementation in pulmonary dysfunction induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in rat.

One of the well-known toxicants of the mammary tissue is 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). This study was carried out to investigate the possible prophylactic's role of increased dietary intake of vitamin K on the induction of toxicity in the lung tissue. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats (120-150 g) were randomly divided into different groups. Group 1 served as the control and were fed with a normal diet (containing the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K (0.0075%)). Groups 2 and 3 received a single dose of DMBA (80 mg/kg body weight) intragastically. In addition, group 3 rats were maintained on surplus vitamin K diet (0.075% diet) as against the group 2 animals that were on a normal diet. Group 4 rats were on surplus vitamin K diet (0.075% diet) throughout the experimental period of 16 weeks. Our results revealed that supplementation of diet with surplus vitamin K significantly increased the activities of catalase. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in the serum and lungs when compared with the DMBA-treated group, which was maintained on a normal diet. Significant alterations in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 17F were observed in rats challenged with DMBA-fed normal diets but were normalized in rats with surplus vitamin K. These alterations and reversal were confirmed by histopathology studies. This suggests the prophylactic benefit of increased dietary intake of vitamin K without any observed deleterious effect on DMBA-induced pulmonary toxicity.

Ameliorative Activity of Ethanol Extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus Stem Bark on Pancreatic ß-Cell Dysfunction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats.

This study sought to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanol extract Artocarpus heterophyllus (EAH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups, with groups 1 and 2 serving as nondiabetic and diabetic control, respectively; group 3 serving as diabetic rats treated with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide; and groups 4 to 6 were diabetic rats treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of EAH, respectively. Assays determined were serum insulin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. EAH stem bark reduced fasting blood glucose and lipid peroxidation levels and increased serum insulin levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Data obtained demonstrated the ability of EAH stem bark to ameliorate pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Activities of the Methanolic Extract of Telfairia occidentalis Seeds.

CONTEXT: The seeds of Telfairia occidentalis have been known to possess different biological properties and are used in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia to treat many ailments. The plant is particularly noted traditionally for its healing properties and is usually consumed in the form of herbal decoctions/concoctions as a blood tonic, to treat sudden attacks of convulsions, pain, malaria and anaemia. AIMS: In the present study, various phytochemical and pharmacological studies were done on the methanolic extract of the seeds of Telfairia occidentalis to evaluate its antioxidant and antinociceptive properties to substantiate its traditional use. METHODS: Phytochemical screening of the extract was done according to standard procedures. Antioxidant potential was ascertained using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content assays. Analgesic activity was analyzed using formalin induced paw licking test in albino rats at 100, 200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All results extrapolated from the experiments were expressed as mean ± SEM. Data obtained was analyzed statistically using ANOVA (one-way) followed by Dennett's posthoc test. RESULTS: Phytochemicals present in the extract were alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroid and anthraquinones. The extract significantly inhibited DPPH scavenging activity with percentage inhibition of 147.3%. The methanolic seed extract of T. occidentalis significantly reduced (P < 0.05) formalin induced paw licking in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin induced paw licking test, with 35.59 and 78.51% inhibition at 400 mg/kg, in albino rats in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The seed extract in this study significantly reduced formalin induced hind paw licking, and could be used as an analgesic for treatment of pain and also showed marked antioxidant potential.