Effect of diet supplemented with African Star Apple Fruit Pulp on purinergic, cholinergic and monoaminergic enzymes, TNF-α expression and redox imbalance in the brain of hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether diet supplemented with African star apple fruit pulp (FP) can mitigate the effect of high blood pressure on brain neurochemicals, histopathology and expression of genes linked with neuroinflammation. METHODS: Rats were administered with cyclosporine (25 mg/kg.bw) to induce hypertension and were fed with or without FP supplemented diet. Purinergic (Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases [NTPdase] and adenosine deaminase [ADA]) cholinergic (acetylcholinesterase [AChE]) and monoaminergic (monoamine oxidase-B) enzymes were assessed in treated and untreated hypertensive rats' brains. Oxidative stress biomarkers (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, thiols, reactive oxygen species [ROS] and malondialdehyde [MDA]), as well as AChE, tumour necrosis factor and receptor (TNF-α and TNF-α-R) expression, were also determined. RESULTS: FP supplemented diet significantly reduced NTPdase and ADA activities and increased Na+/K+-ATPase activities in hypertensive rats' brains compared to the untreated group. Furthermore, FP reduced acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase-B activities compared to the hypertensive group. Redox imbalance was observed in hypertensive rats with inhibition of antioxidant enzymes and high levels of ROS and MDA. However, FP supplemented diet improved antioxidant enzymes, reduced ROS and MDA production in the brain of hypertensive rats. High blood pressure also triggered upregulation of AChE, TNF-α and TNF-α-R while feeding with FP supplemented diet downregulated the genes. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the neuroprotective role of FP supplemented diet against alterations in neurochemicals associated with Alzheimer's disease, oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage and expression of genes linked with neuroinflammation. Moreover, studies on animal behaviour and human subjects are required to confirm these beneficial effects.

Roasted cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut-enhanced diet forestalls cisplatin-initiated brain harm in rats.

The incessant dose constraining symptom of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin is neurotoxicity. This examination tried to explore the neuroprotective impact of roasted cashew nut-enhanced diet against brain deficits related with treatment with cisplatin. Rats were separated in to six groups: Control, CIS (cisplatin [7 mg/kg body weight, i.p]), CIS +10% CN (cisplatin plus 10% roasted cashew nut), CIS +20% CN (cisplatin plus 20% roasted cashew nut), 10% CN (10% roasted cashew nut) and 20% CN (20% roasted cashew nut) for 28 days. Key enzymes associated with brain function, including cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), monoaminergic enzyme (MAO), arginase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA), were investigated after the treatment. The following oxidative stress indicators were also measured in the rat brain: glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiol (T-SH), non-protein thiol (NPSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD). Our outcomes demonstrated that roasted cashew nut enhanced diet showed inhibitory impact on activities of AChE, BChE, ADA, MAO and arginase in cisplatin-induced rats. The roasted cashew nut supplemented diet also boosted redox equilibrium and displayed protection against cispaltin-induced oxidative damage to rats' brains by an increase in SOD, CAT, GST and GPx activities, TAC, T-SH, NPSH and NO levels as well as a considerable drop in ROS and RBARS levels. Roasted cashew nut enhanced diet additionally forestalled neuronal degeneration in rat brain. Thus, roasted cashew nuts could be used as a nutraceutical or functional food to treat cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Practical applications: The results show that increasing roasted cashew nut consumption can significantly improve antioxidant status, reduce lipid peroxidation, and suppress cholinesterase, adenosine deaminase, monoamine oxidase, and arginase activities in the brain under cisplatin-induced circumstances.

Effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut-supplemented diet on steroidogenic enzymes, hormonal and oxidative imbalances, and sperm parameters in cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug culpable in sperm and testicular damage, but the use of dietary patterns has been reported to averse this effect. To date, no report on the use of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets (RCNSD) against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage has been presented. In this study, the effect of 10% and 20% RCNSD on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced rats were determined. Interestingly, these parameters were boosted, but with a decrement in radical species level in the testes/epididymis of CP-induced rats fed with RCNSD as against the untreated CP-induced rats. The modulatory effect of RCNSD on the tested reproductive parameters in studied tissues could be among the mechanism of action, by which RCNSD mitigates andrological toxicity. Hence, RCNSD could be harnessed as a functional food/nutraceutical agent for alleviating the andrological toxicity of CP-induced male reproduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of cashew nuts has been a great benefit to human health, as a result of its richness in nutritional constituents including biologically active amino acids, tocopherols, fatty acids, polyphenols, and selenium, among others. Cashew nuts are mostly consumed fried/roasted, with yoghurt, as a paste, or used as an ingredient in confectionery products. The folkloric use of cashew nuts in the management of cardiovascular diseases, male reproductive disorders, and diabetes has been reported. In this study, the ability of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets to modulate reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats was revealed, thus, indicating its possible use, clinically, in the management of reproductive toxicity induced by cancer drugs.

Diet Supplemented with Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don (Sapotaceae) Fruit Pulp Improves Reproductive Function in Hypertensive Male Rats.

Hypertension has been implicated as a risk factor of reproductive disorders. High blood pressure may trigger impaired sperm quality and biomarkers of reproductive disorders. This study aims to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp (FP) on sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, and antioxidant markers in testes and epididymis of hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10): normotensive control rats [NC], cyclosporine (25 mg/kg)-induced hypertensive rats [Hypert], hypertensive rats treated with captopril (10 mg/kg/day) [Hypert + Capt], hypertensive [Hypert + 2%FP and Hypert + 4%FP], and normotensive [2%FP and 4%FP] rats treated with 2% and 4% of diet supplemented with African star apple fruit's pulp [FP]. Hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure, diastolic, and systolic pressure), sperm count, sperm motility, reproductive hormones, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels were assessed. Diet supplemented with FP fed to hypertensive rats reduced mean arterial pressure, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Furthermore, FP improved sperm quality in hypertensive rats by increasing sperm count, sperm motility with a concomitant reduction in sperm abnormality. FP also increased 3ß and 17ß-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase (3ß-HSD and 17ß -HSD) activities, as well as testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Besides, FP triggered a significant increase in 3ß-HSD, 17ß -HSD, and STAR expression in rats' testicular tissues. Diet supplemented with FP also reduced ROS and malondialdehyde levels and triggered an increase in thiol levels, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities. This study revealed that FP supplemented diet improved sexual function in cyclosporine-induced hypertensive rats by reducing blood pressure and modulation of sperm parameters, steroidogenic enzymes, and reproductive hormones.

Diets supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seeds improved some biochemical parameters associated with erectile function in rats.

This study investigated the effect of diet supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on some key biochemical parameters relevant to erectile function in corpus cavernosal tissues of male rats. Rats were fed with basal diets (NC), diet supplemented with raw (5% and 10%) and roasted (5% and 10%) pumpkin seeds for the evaluation of adenosine deaminase (ADA), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), arginase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, including nitric oxide level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Diet supplemented with roasted pumpkin seeds showed better PDE-5, ADA, arginase activities, as well as NO and MDA levels. No significant difference was observed in AChE activities of rats treated with raw and roasted pumpkin seeds. The modulatory effects of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on enzymes associated with erectile dysfunction suggest the biochemical rationale for its therapeutic role in enhancing erectile function. However, roasted pumpkin seeds (10%, w/w of diet) possess more beneficial effects than the raw seeds. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pumpkin is a nutritious vegetable used in folklore for the treatment of bladder, prostate, and kidney diseases. The seeds are known to contain phenolic compounds which exert different health benefits. Processing of foods has been shown to either improve the quality or reduce the bioactive components which affect its functionality. In this study, roasting improved the biochemical parameters associated with erectile function in male rats. Roasted pumpkin seeds also reduced the oxidative stress parameters in rats' penile tissues when compared to raw pumpkin seeds. This study revealed that thermal processing associated with roasting could improve the antioxidant activity of pumpkin seeds and crucial enzymes related to erectile function. Hence, consumption of roasted pumpkin seeds could be more beneficial compared to raw pumpkin seeds.

Curcumin Improves Biomolecules Associated with Renal Function and Attenuates Oxidative Injury and Histopathological Changes in Potassium-Induced Toxicity in Rats' Kidney.

The protective effect of curcumin on potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced renal damage was investigated in vivo. Treatment with KBrO3 (20 mg/kg bw) caused a significant increase in arginase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in rats' kidney. However, oral administration of curcumin (20 mg/kg bw) caused a significant reduction in ADA and arginase activities in KBrO3 + CUR group. Furthermore, nitric oxide level was significantly low in KBrO3 group compared with the control. After treatment with curcumin in KBrO3 + CUR group, nitric oxide levels increased significantly (P < 0.05). Determination of some kidney biomarkers revealed elevated levels of creatinine, serum urea, and electrolytes (Na+ and Cl-) in KBrO3-treated rats. Curcumin effectively reduced the levels of these renal function parameters in KBrO3 + CUR groups and were not significantly different from the control. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities as well as glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly low with concomitant higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) after treatment with KBrO3. Curcumin caused a significant increase in SOD, CAT, and GPX activities including GSH levels with lower production of MDA in kidney homogenates of rats in KBrO3 + CUR. Curcumin ameliorated corpuscular degeneration in the kidney tissue and exhibited protection against tubular necrosis. These results revealed the protective effect of curcumin against KBrO3-induced renal toxicity by preventing degradation of ADA and arginine, improving antioxidant status and histopathological changes in rats' kidney.

Effect of dietary inclusion of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seed on nephrotoxicity occasioned by cisplatin in experimental rats.

The study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seed (raw and roasted) on nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin in rats. Rats were divided into control group, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic untreated group, nephrotoxic-treated groups with Methimazole, dietary regimen containing raw pumpkin seed (5% and 10%) and roasted pumpkin seed (5% and 10%) for 14 days. Results acquired uncovered that cisplatin intoxication significantly increased (p ≤ .05) the levels of renal biomarkers, arginase activity, 8-hydroxy-21 -deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as significant decrease in functional sulfhydryl groups, nitric oxide levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities in rats' kidney when compared to the control group. These adverse changes, due to cisplatin inebriation in rodents, were in any case, forestalled by pre-treatment with pumpkin seed inclusive diet. This holds promise for the use of pumpkin seed as a food supplement in the management of nephrotoxic-related disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These results suggest that roasted pumpkin seed appears to be more nephroprotective than the raw pumpkin seed through regulations of arginase activity, enhancement in the antioxidant system, suppression of renal markers and lipid peroxidation. This holds p-omise for the use of roasted pumpkin seed as a food supplement in the management nephrotoxic-related disorders.

Starch composition, glycemic indices, antioxidant properties and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes activities of African star apple fruit parts.

BACKGROUND: African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) is a traditonal fruit, which is predominant in tropical regions with the fruit parts consumed by the populace and used in folklore to manage diabetes. However, the likely activity mechanism is still undetermined. The current study examined and compared the inhibitory abilities of African star apple fruit parts on selected key enzymes related to diabetes mellitus in the pancreas tissue of rat. METHODS: Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract (1:10 w/v) of African star apple fruit parts (pulp, cotyledon, seed coat and pulp coat) on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, as well as their starch composition, phenolic constituents, estimated glycemic index, and antioxidant properties were assessed. RESULTS: The fruit parts showed low sugar, eGI, amylose, and amylopectin contents. The analysis also showed that the fruit parts inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and exhibited antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the fruit parts contain high concentrations of beta-amyrin acetate, eleagine, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, skatole, stigmasterol and tetrahydro - 2- methylharman as revealed by HPLC-DAD. CONCLUSION: The fruit part low estimated glycemic indices, strong antioxidant properties, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities exhibited might be related to the bioactive compounds contained in the extract. This could also be a potential mechanism for the use in the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the African star apple pulp coat displayed the highest property in comparison to other parts of the fruit.

Protective effect of curcumin on fertility in cyclophosphamide exposed rats: Involvement of multiple pathways.

This study assesses the effect of curcumin on cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced functional alterations of the testicular, brain, and pituitary axis in common rodents, rats. Only CPA was given at 150 mg/kg body weight only on Day 1 or orally pre and posttreated with curcumin at 20 mg/kg body weight successively for 14 days. The outcomes showed that curcumin pre and posttreatments significantly affected the elevation of biomarkers of oxidative stress in CPA-induced rats, moreover, it increased nonenzymatic antioxidant levels in the epididymis, testes, and brain of the treated rats used in this study. In addition, followed by the preservation of histo-architectures of the epididymis, testes, and brain in the rats treated with CPA, curcumin helped in increasing the sperm quality and quantity and suppressing both the inflammatory indices and the activities of caspase-3, while pretreatment with curcumin gave a better result than posttreatment with curcumin. This may, therefore, represent a prospective adjuvant against CPA-induced spermatogenic deficits in humans. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Jointly, through the antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of curcumin, it instigated the toxicity of CPA-induced to be modulated along the testicular, brain, and pituitary axis in the rats. This may, therefore, represent a prospective therapeutic adjuvant against CPA-induced spermatogenic deficits in humans.

African star apple fruit pulp-supplemented diet modulates fertility-related biomolecules in the testis and epididymis of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

This study evaluated the modulatory effect of African star apple fruit (ASAF) pulp inclusive diet on biomolecules associated with reproductive function in the testis and epididymis of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. The rats were divided into seven groups: control, diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with metformin, diabetic rats served with diet having 5 and 10% ASAF, respectively, and control rats served with diet containing 5%, and 10% ASAF respectively for 14 days. There were noticeable decrease in sperm parameters, reproductive hormone, glycogen, nitric oxide, total thiol, nonprotein thiol levels, and testicular 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and concomitant increase in cholesterol, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde levels, and arginase activity compared to the control. Nevertheless, ASAFs reversed all these parameters toward the control levels. Therefore, these findings suggest that ASAF pulp-supplemented diet might be an active approach in controlling male reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results suggest that ASAF pulp-supplemented diet might be an active approach in controlling male reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes through alterations in the levels of blood glucose, glycogen, cholesterol, nitric oxide, reproductive hormones, activities of steroidogenic enzymes, arginase, and sperm characteristics as well as the antioxidant status in the testes and epididymis.

Caffeine improves sperm quality, modulates steroidogenic enzyme activities, restore testosterone levels and prevent oxidative damage in testicular and epididymal tissues of scopolamine-induced rat model of amnesia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the role of caffeine on fertility parameters in testicular and epididymal tissues of scopolamine-induced model of amnesia in rats. METHODS: Adult male rats were treated with scopolamine with or without caffeine. The modulatory effects of caffeine or scopolamine on fertility parameters were assessed in rats' testicular and epididymal homogenates. KEY FINDINGS: Scopolamine-induced sperm abnormalities, reduced steroidogenic enzyme 3ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) and 17ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD) activities and serum testosterone levels in rats' testicular tissues. Treatment with caffeine increased 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD as well as testosterone levels. Caffeine also reversed sperm viability, sperm motility and sperm count in testicular tissues of scopolamine-treated rats. Furthermore, scopolamine-induced oxidative damage in rats' epididymal and testicular tissues via reduction of thiol and non-protein thiol content as well as increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Caffeine attenuated oxidative stress in testicular and epididymal tissues of rats treated with scopolamine via increase in non-protein and protein thiol levels with concomitant reduction in ROS and MDA levels. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that caffeine (5 and 25 mg/kg) improved sperm quality, increased steroidogenic enzyme activities and attenuated oxidative damage in testis and epididymis of rats treated with scopolamine.

Effect of dietary inclusions of bitter kola seed on geotactic behavior and oxidative stress markers in Drosophila melanogaster.

This study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusions of Garcinia kola (GK) seed on geotactic behavior and some oxidative stress markers in wildߚtype fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). Flies were raised on diet supplement with GK seed for 5 days. The negative geotactic behavior of flies which was used to evaluate their locomotor performance was thereafter evaluated. The flies were subsequently homogenized and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase and glutathioneߚSߚtransferase (GST) activities, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and total thiol contents were assayed. The phytochemical constituents of GK seed were also determined. It was observed that higher dietary inclusions of GK seed reduced the survival rate of D. melanogaster more significantly compared to control flies. Also, higher dietary inclusions of GK seed significantly reduced locomotor performance and AChE activity, while the ROS level was increased compared to the control. Activities of GST and catalase were significantly increased in flies fed diet supplemented with higher GK seed inclusions but their NO content was significantly reduced compared to control. Phytochemical analysis of GK seed revealed abundance of saponin > glycosides > alkaloids > phenols > flavonoids. These results have shown that dietary inclusion of GK seed at higher concentrations reduced survival rate of D. melanogaster and impaired cholinergic system, with elevated activities of some antioxidant enzymes under acute exposure. These observations could be associated with bioactivities of predominant phytochemicals in GK seed such as saponin and glycosides which have been reportedly toxic at high concentration. Therefore, this study suggests that high consumption of GK seed could induce some toxicological effects and moderate consumption is hence recommended.

Walnut leaf extract acts as a fertility agent in male Wistar albino rats - A search for herbal male fertility enhancer.

Background Walnut leaf is one of the many medicinal plants used in folklore as male fertility enhancers. The present work was therefore undertaken with an aim to scientifically validate this claim. As such, we evaluated the effect of the aqueous extract from walnut leaves on biomolecules related to fertility in adult male rats and its mode of action as fertility-enhancing agent. Methods Twenty-five rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals each; Group 1 served as control and received normal (0.9%) saline only; Groups II, III, IV received 50, 500, 1,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) of T. conophorum leaf extract orally, while Group V served as standard and was given suspension of clomiphene citrate orally at the dose of 1.04 mg/kg/ml BW. The extract and drug were given daily and the experiment lasted for 21 consecutive days. Results The testicular biochemical parameters in treated groups showed significant (p<0.05) increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity activity, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) activity, glycogen content, 3ß and 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and testicular and epididymal Zn and Se contents with a significant decrease in cholesterol content. A significant increase in testis weight and epididymis weight were also observed. Also, a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, sperm count, motility, viability and a decrease in sperm abnormality were observed in the various treated groups when compared with the control group. This increment was concentration dependent, while the extract at the highest concentration showed a more pronounced effect than the standard drug. Also, no sperm DNA fragmentation index was found in all the treatment groups. Photomicrographs from light and scanning electron microscopy showed large fenestrae of interstitial tissue, large fluid space and intact seminiferous epithelium layers fully packed with spermatogenic cells in treated groups than the control group. Conclusions The present study has demonstrated that Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf possesses fertility-enhancing property and have useful effects on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in rats.

Toxicological Effects of Aqueous Extract From African Walnut ( Tetracarpidium conophorum) Leaves in Rats.

Tetracarpidium conophorum leaves are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility, without considering its toxicity and side effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of T conophorum leaves on some biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, albumin, creatinine, and uric acid. Histology of the liver and kidney were also assessed. The result revealed that the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels of the control group were not significantly different from the experimental groups. There was no significant difference in the albumin and bilirubin levels of the control and experimental groups. Similarly, the uric acid and creatinine levels of the experimental rats were not significantly different from the control. The examination of liver and kidney sections did not show any morphological changes and inflammatory cell infiltrations. These findings suggest that the leaves did not induce any pathological changes at the doses tested.

Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull.Arg) Hutch & Dalziel inhibits FeSO4-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's genitals.

BACKGROUND: To search for new sources of safe and inexpensive antioxidant agents which can be used to treat various oxidative stress-related diseases, the phenolic contents of leaf of Tetracarpidium conophorum were characterized and its effect on pro-oxidant induced oxidative stress in rat's genitals for the first time was investigated. METHODS: The aqueous extract of the plant was prepared, the antioxidant activities of the extract were then evaluated using spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: The result revealed that the introduction of aqueous extract of the plant caused significant concentration-dependent decrease (P < 0.05) in the MDA content of the Fe(2+)-stressed testes and penis homogenates. The least MDA production occurred at the highest concentration of the extract (0.625 mg/mL). However, characterization of the extract with HPLC revealed that its major constituents were gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumarin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin. Also, the result revealed that the ABTS* scavenging ability of the extract was 4.60 mmol/100 g while its vitamin C content was 23.49 mg/g which indicated that the plant is very rich in vitamin C. Furthermore, the extract scavenged DPPH, NO, OH* radicals and chelated Fe(2+) in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaves could be attributed to the high levels of quercitrin, quercetin and luteolin and the mechanism through which these compounds possibly do this, could be by their radical scavenging abilities.

Phenolic Acids (Gallic and Tannic Acids) Modulate Antioxidant Status and Cisplatin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) or CDDP), used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers, has its chief side-effect in nephrotoxicity. Hence, this study sought to investigate and compare the protective effect of gallic acid (GA) and tannic acid (TA) against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were given a prophylactic treatment of GA and TA orally at a dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days before the administration of a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cisplatin (CP) at 7.5 mg/kg bwt. The protective effects of both GA and TA on CP induced nephrotoxicity were investigated by assaying renal function, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histopathological examination of kidney architecture. A single dose of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg bwt) injected i.p. caused a significant increase in some biomarkers of renal function (creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels), with a marked elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) content accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content (103.27%) of kidney tissue as compared to control group. Furthermore, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in kidney antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx, and GST) activity was observed. However, pretreatment with oral administration of tannic acid and gallic acid at a dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 7 days prior to cisplatin administration reduced histological renal damage and suppressed the generation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress in kidney tissues. These results indicate that both gallic and tannic acids could serve as a preventive strategy against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity.

Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Cissus populnea on Ferrous Sulphate- and Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat's Testes In Vitro.

Cissus populnea are plants associated with a myriad of medicinal uses in different parts of the world and are good sources of carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid. The antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of water extractible phytochemicals from stem bark of C. populnea on FeSO(4) and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes were investigated in vitro. The results revealed that the extract was able to scavenge DPPH radical, chelate Fe(2+) and also had a high reducing power. Furthermore, the incubation of the testes tissue homogenate in the presence of FeSO(4) and SNP, respectively, caused a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the testes. However, the aqueous extract of the stem bark of C. populnea caused a significant decrease in the MDA contents of both Fe(2+) (EC(50) = 0.027 mg/mL) and SNP- (EC(50) = 0.22 mg/mL) induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. The water extractible phytochemicals from C. populnea protect the testes from oxidative stress and this could be attributed to their high antioxidant activity: DPPH-scavenging ability, Fe(2+)-chelating and -reducing power. Therefore, oxidatively stress in testes could be potentially managed/prevented by this plant.

Food Value of Two Varieties of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Commonly Consumed in Nigeria.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a well-known and widely used herb, which contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health-promoting properties. The proximate, mineral, antinutrient, amino acid, and phytochemical components of two varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) were investigated. Amino acid composition was determined using standard analytical techniques. The results obtained in percentages in the two varieties of ginger (white and yellow types) were crude fibre (21.90, 8.30), fat (17.11, 9.89), carbohydrate (39.70, 58.21), crude protein (12.05, 11.65), ash (4.95, 7.45) and moisture (3.95, 4.63) contents respectively. Elemental analysis revealed that potassium (0.98 ppm and 1.38 ppm) is the most abundant, while copper (0.01 ppm) is the least. Phytochemical screening indicated that they are both rich in saponins, anthraquinones, phlobatannin and glycosides. Also, the antinutrient constituents of white ginger were lower than yellow ginger, although the levels of the antinutrient constituents in the two varieties are saved for consumption. The essential amino acids in the two varieties were almost the same, with Leu being the most abundant in both. The two ginger varieties were adequate only in Leu, Phe + Try, and valine based on FAO/WHO provisional pattern. Overall, the findings indicate that the two varieties of ginger are good sources of nutrients, mineral elements, amino acid, and phytochemicals which could be exploited as great potentials for drugs and/or nutritional supplements.