Nutritional and antioxidant dispositions of sorghum/millet-based beverages indigenous to Nigeria.

Sorghum/millet-based beverages, Obiolor and Pito, were evaluated for their nutritional and antioxidant dispositions. Analyzed Obiolor and Pito contained 96% and 97% moisture; 7.8% and 3.7% crude protein; 8.9% and 5.6% available carbohydrate; 0.39% and 0.31% crude fat; 0.3% and 0.2% crude fiber; 2.4% and 1.5% ash; and 459.3 and 164 kJ/g energy value, respectively. Obiolor and Pito (1.0 mL) scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl by 87% and 81%; superoxide ion by 65% and 59%; hydrogen peroxide by 79% and 76%; and hydroxyl radical by 82% and 85%, respectively. The beverages significantly reduced ferric ion. Aflatoxin B1-mediated increase in lipid peroxidation products (conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, and malondialdehydes) and protein carbonyl in the microsomes were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by the beverages. The data obtained from this study show that the sorghum-based beverages (Obiolor and Pito) can serve as functional foods, as evident from their antioxidant capabilities in addition to their gross energy content.

Selected spices and their combination modulate hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Effect of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Capsicum fructensces (cayenne pepper) and their mixture on oxidative stress in rats fed high Cholesterol/high fat diet was investigated. Rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n=6) and given different dietary/spice treatments. Group 1 standard rat chow (control), group 2, hypercholesterolemic diet plus water, and groups 3, 4, 5, 6, hypercholesterolemic diet with 0.5 ml 200 mg · kg-1 aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper or their mixture respectively daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pronounced oxidative stress in the hypercholesterolemic rats evidenced by significant (p<0.05) increase in MDA levels, and suppression of the antioxidant enzymes system in rat's liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues was observed. Extracts of spices singly or combined administered at 200 mg.kg-1 body weight significantly (p<0.05) reduced MDA levels and restored activities of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that consumption of garlic, ginger, pepper, or their mixture may help to modulate oxidative stress caused by hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Selected spices and their combination modulate hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in experimental rats

BACKGROUND: Effect of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Capsicum fructensces (cayenne pepper) and their mixture on oxidative stress in rats fed high Cholesterol/high fat diet was investigated. Rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n = 6) and given different dietary/spice treatments. Group 1 standard rat chow (control), group 2, hypercholesterolemic diet plus water, and groups 3, 4, 5, 6, hypercholesterolemic diet with 0.5 ml 200 mg · kg-1 aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper or their mixture respectively daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pronounced oxidative stress in the hypercholesterolemic rats evidenced by significant (p < 0.05) increase in MDA levels, and suppression of the antioxidant enzymes system in rat's liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues was observed. Extracts of spices singly or combined administered at 200 mg.kg-1 body weight significantly (p < 0.05) reduced MDA levels and restored activities of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that consumption of garlic, ginger, pepper, or their mixture may help to modulate oxidative stress caused by hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on Archachatina marginata hemolymph coagulation system.

CONTEXT: Archachatina marginata Swainson (Achatinidae) is found in Nigeria, West Africa. Its hemolymph is applied as a disinfectant to blades and fresh cuts of circumcision in Yorubaland. The hemolymph is also used in traditional medicine practice. Investigation into its anti-endotoxin response is being studied for the first time. OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether endotoxin causes measurable and concentration-dependent protein coagulation in the separate hemolymph fractions and in hemocyte lysate (HL)/plasma mixtures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endotoxin was prepared by inoculating 5% w/v dextrose with locally isolated Escherichia coli cells and incubated for 48 h before sterilization. Pyrogenicity was determined by rabbit test method and use the of LAL kit. Hemolymph fractions were exposed to endotoxin while controls were exposed to endotoxin-free water (0.025 EU/ml). HL/plasma (1:1 v/v) was exposed to varied endotoxin concentrations. RESULTS: Data indicated significantly higher protein coagulates induced by endotoxin in all the hemolymph fractions (P < 0.05). Maximum protein coagulation in mixture of HL/plasma 1:1 was recorded. Exposure of HL/plasma at optimal ratio to varied endotoxin caused linear protein coagulation up to 1.0 EU/ml, beyond which it dropped significantly and unresponsive to further increase in endotoxin doses. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There was endotoxin-induced protein coagulation, which is endotoxin concentration-dependent. The optimal coagulation observed for 1:1 HL/plasma mixture suggests stronger interaction between the hemocytes and the plasma in response to endotoxin. There are LPS-binding proteins in the plasma and hemocytes of A. marginata. This finding may be employed in detection and quantification of endotoxin in future.

Biochemical evaluation of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the kidney of Albino rats.

The effect of leachate-contaminated groundwater on the cells of the kidney was evaluated. Serum Na(+) concentration of control rats was observed to be 120+/-1.0 nmol/l while that of rat placed on simulated leachate was 180+/-4.0 nmol/l. Serum K(+), urea and creatinine concentrations of rats placed on simulated leachate and leachate-contaminated groundwater were significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of control rats. The activity of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the control rats were (237+/-3.70 and 0.37+/-0.01)nmol/min/mg protein while (116+/-4.20 and 3.17+/-0.20)nmol/min/mg protein was the ALP activity of kidney and serum, respectively, observed for the rats placed on simulated leachate. Histological examination of the kidney of the control rats showed no visible lesion while that of rats placed on simulated leachate showed extensive necrosis of muscle fibres and cellular infiltration by macrophages. It is viewed that leachate-contaminated groundwater may damage kidney cells and impair renal function.