Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaf and seed extracts alleviate neuronal dysfunction in aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen model.

Ocimum basilicum is an important medicinal plant and culinary herb generally known as sweet basil (SB). These plants are effective radical scavengers, that have been employed in treatment of nervous system disorders, and thus, could be beneficial for the management of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Current clinical treatments for NDs present several side effects, therefore, there is need to develop new treatments that can mitigate these deadly diseases. Hence, this study investigated the neuroprotective activities of SB leaf and seed in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. HPLC characterization of the leaves and seeds were carried out. AlCl3-diet was used to induce neurodegeneration and treated flies received SB leaf and seed extracts-supplemented diet. Survival and locomotor performance activities/levels of oxidative biomarkers [reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total thiol, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)], enzymes linked with neurodegeneration (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO)) were investigated. SB leaf had significantly (p < 0.05) higher polyphenol contents; gallic acid and P-coumaric acid were the most abundant polyphenol in the leaf and seed respectively. Percentage survival and locomotor rates, level/activities of total thiol, catalase, SOD and GST were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced while ROS, TBARS, AChE and MAO activities were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in AlCl3-diet-fed flies. Treatment with SB leaf and seed diet lessened these observed impairments. However, SB leaf had better neuroprotective activities that could be related to the observed higher phenolic constituents. Hence, SB leaf diet may offer improved therapeutic effect in NDs.

Host-parasite relationship modulates the effect of African mistletoe leaves on the cholinergic, monoaminergic and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in fruit fly.

OBJECTIVES: Mistletoe infests common plant trees of great medicinal values such as Moringa and Almond. According to folklore, mistletoe leaves have been found to have application as food and medicine in the alleviation of various degenerative diseases. Host-parasite relationship may possibly influence the phytochemical and biological activities of mistletoe leaves. Hence, we examined the polyphenol contents, antioxidant properties, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activities of African mistletoe leaves obtained from Moringa and Almond host plants in fruit fly in vitro. METHODS: The phenolic constituents of the leaves were evaluated using HPLC system. The antioxidant activities were determined through the ABTS, DPPH and OH free radicals scavenging properties, ferric (Fe3+) and malondialdehyde (MDA) reducing abilities and Fe2+ chelation. The inhibitory effects of the leaves aqueous extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE and MAO activities were also assessed. RESULTS: The HPLC characterization of the leaves revealed that host plants caused marked variation in their phenolic composition, however, Almond mistletoe leaves had significantly (p<0.05) greater amounts of phenolic constituents. Both Moringa and Almond mistletoe leaves reduced Fe3+ and MDA levels, scavenged free radicals, chelated Fe2+ and inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE and MAO activities with the Almond mistletoe leaves having significantly (p<0.05) higher antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibitory activities. CONCLUSIONS: This present study indicated that host plants could positively modulate the phenolic profile of mistletoe leaves and this probably brought about the vivid noticeable changes in their antioxidant abilities, cholinergic, monoaminergic and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes inhibitory activities.

Mistletoe infested Moringa oleifera and Terminalia catappa leaves supplemented diet enhances antioxidant and insulin-like peptide mRNA levels in Drosophila melanogaster.

Moringa and Almond are common plants of medicinal and economic value which are often infested with mistletoe. Host plants' infestation could result in major differences in their phytoconstituents and biological activities. Thus, effects of mistletoe infestation on Moringa and Almond host plants supplemented diets on mRNA expression levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptide-2 (Dilp2), heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70) and superoxide dismutase (Sod) in diabetic-like flies were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR system. Mistletoe infestation on host leaves caused significant upregulation of Sod and significant downregulation of Hsp70 and Dilp2 genes. Hence, we opined that infestation of Moringa and Almond trees with mistletoe resulted in improved expression level of antioxidant and insulin-like peptide genes. This may be the mechanism by which host plants caused enhanced regulation of circulating glucose and oxidative stress. Therefore, consumption of mistletoe infested Moringa and Almond host leaves could possibly offer better antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects.

Comparative study of the phenolic profile, antioxidant properties, and inhibitory effects of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) and Almond (Terminalia catappa Linn.) leaves on acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities in the head region of Fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster Meigen) in vitro.

Moringa and Almond are medicinal plants used traditionally as food and medicine to prevent and/or treat a wide array of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, however, Almond leaf is underutilized. Therefore, this study investigated and compared the polyphenol constituents, antioxidant capacities, and neurochemical indices of the aqueous extracts of Moringa and Almond leaves in fruitfly head tissue homogenate in vitro. The polyphenols were evaluated by characterization using HPLC-DAD, antioxidant properties were assessed through extracts ability to inhibit ABTS, DPPH, OH, and NO radicals, reduce Fe3+ and MDA, and chelate Fe2+ . The neurochemical indices were evaluated through AChE and MAO inhibitory activities. Almond leaf had significant (p < .05) higher polyphenols and antioxidant properties. However, Moringa leaf had significant (p < .05) higher AChE inhibition and no significant (p < .05) difference was obtained in MAO inhibitory activities. Thus, Almond leaf might be more effective in managing diseases related with oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This present study has shown that Almond leaf might offer better health promotion due to its higher phenolic constituents and antioxidant activities when compared with Moringa leaf, however, both Moringa and Almond leaves could be taken as functional foods to alleviate the symptoms of oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases.

Modulatory effects of moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) leaves infested with African mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis L.) on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neurochemical indices in high sucrose diet-induced diabetic-like phenotype in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster M.).

Moringa is a common medicinal plant tree with mistletoe infestation and its leaf is widely used as food and traditional medication in alleviating several metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, this study investigated the influence of African mistletoe on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities of infested moringa leaf in sucrose induced diabetes in Drosophila melanogaster model. Glucose and triglycerides were evaluated in the flies' hemolymph and all other parameters were evaluated in the tissues. A significant (p < .05) decrease in survival rate and increase in the level of glucose and triglycerides in flies fed with 30% of sucrose when compared with control was obtained. Treated flies had significant (p < .05) positive alteration in the level of glucose, triglycerides, antioxidants (both enzymatic and nonenzymatic), and enzyme activities when compared with normal and sucrose control flies. This study suggests that mistletoe infestation did not alter the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects of the moringa leaf. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This present study has shown that mistletoe infestation did not alter the protective activities of moringa leaf, hence, moringa with or without mistletoe infestation could be taken as functional food to mitigate several metabolic diseases.

Dietary monosodium glutamate altered redox status and dopamine metabolism in lobster cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea).

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is the most commonly utilized food additive in the world. However, data on possible biochemical reasons underlying the neurotoxic effects of dietary MSG is limited. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of MSG on redox status and neurochemical indices in lobster cockroach nymph. These were evaluated via assessment of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities, and dopamine content in the cockroach nymph head homogenate. MSG supplemented diet caused dose-dependent significant (p < .05) reduction in % survival, thiol, GSH, dopamine contents, and GST activity, increased ROS, NO, Fe2+ , MDA contents, and MAO activity but no significant (p < .05) difference was obtained in GSH and TBARS contents, and AChE activity. Increased oxidative, cholinergic, and monoaminergic activities coupled with decreased dopamine level might be the plausible biochemical explanation for the neurotoxic effects observed during sub-chronic consumption of large amounts of MSG in diet. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study suggests that consumption of monosodium glutamate should be reduced to the barest minimum due to its capability to induce oxidative stress and nervous toxicological effects at high dosage.

Phenolic constituents and inhibitory effects of the leaf of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel on free radicals, cholinergic and monoaminergic enzymes in rat's brain in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: Rauvolfia vomitoria is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Africa in the management of several human diseases including psychosis. However, there is inadequate scientific information on the potency of the phenolic constituents of R. vomitoria leaf in the management of neurodegeneration. Therefore, this study characterized the phenolic constituents and investigated the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. vomitoria leaf on free radicals, Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation, and critical enzymes linked to neurodegeneration in rat's brain in vitro. METHODS: The polyphenols were evaluated by characterizing phenolic constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The antioxidant properties were assessed through the extracts ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+; inhibit ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation. The effects of the extracts on AChE and MAO were also evaluated. RESULTS: The phenolic characterization of R. vomitoria leaf revealed that there were more flavonoids present. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. vomitoria leaf had inhibitory effects with the methanolic extract having higher significant (p≤0.05) free radicals scavenging ability coupled with inhibition of monoamine oxidases. However, there was no significant (p≤0.05) difference obtained in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cholinesterases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the rich phenolic constituents of R. vomitoria leaf might contribute to the observed antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. The methanolic extract was more potent than the aqueous extract; therefore, extraction of R. vomitoria leaf with methanol could offer better health-promoting effects in neurodegenerative condition.

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed modulates some markers of erectile function in isolated rat's corpus cavernosum: Influence of polyphenol and amino acid constituents.

Pumpkin seeds are often used in traditional medicine in the management of erectile dysfunction. However, there is insufficient information about the possible biochemical rationale behind this practice. Hence, this study investigated the influence of fluted pumpkin seed on critical enzymes involved in erectile function in isolated rats' corpus cavernosum in vitro. The phenolics and amino acid contents of fluted pumpkin seed were determined using HPLC-DAD and GC-PFPD analyses respectively. The aqueous extract of the fluted pumpkin seed significantly (p < .05) scavenged free radicals and inhibited PDE-5, arginase, AChE, and ACE in rats' corpus cavernosum in a concentration-dependent pattern. Quercitrin and luteolin were the most dominant phenolics, while arginine, aspartate, and cysteine were the most aboundant amino acid constituents. The positive modulatory effect of the fluted pumpkin seed on these critical markers of erectile function could be attributed to its polyphenolics and amino acid constituents. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study brought to limelight the medicinal importance of fluted pumpkin seed in erectile functions. Therefore, this seed could be used as a functional food ingredient in the management of erectile dysfunctions and also in improving erectile functions in men. In addition, the dominant phenolics and amino acid constituents of this seed might be an effective nutraceutical in enhancing erections in men.