Protein Isolate from Parkia biglobosa Seeds Improves Dyslipidaemia and Cardiac Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Reports from previous studies now provide evidence that dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress play crucial roles in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes and its related complications. This research is aimed to investigate the potential effects of protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds (PBPI) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by measuring blood glucose levels, changes in lipid metabolism and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Diabetic rats were treated orally with graded doses of PBPI, 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw, and 5 U/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.) of insulin once daily for 28 days with the fasting blood glucose (FBG) monitored weekly. The effect of PBPI on the serum lipid profile was measured while the extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase; SOD, catalase; CAT, glutathione-S-transferase; GST and total glutathione; total GSH), was determined in the cardiac homogenates of diabetic rats. At the tested doses, treatment with PBPI was significantly effective in lowering FBG, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), while concurrently increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). PBPI also significantly decreased the elevations witnessed in LPO levels and restored the biomarkers of oxidative stress in the cardiac homogenate of experimental rats. The results from this study demonstrate that PBPI could improve dyslipidaemia and cardiac oxidative stress in the experimental diabetic animal model possibly by reducing and effectively scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as by increasing antioxidant capacity in combating oxidative stress. Therefore, it can be concluded that PBPI could be explored in the development of a potent cardioprotective supplement or adjuvant therapy towards the management of diabetes and its related complications.

Proteomic Analysis of Differentially-Expressed Proteins in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate.

Protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds is believed to possess excellent anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with Parkia biglobosa seeds protein isolate (PBPi). In this study, total proteins extracted from rat liver were separated on one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel (1D SDS-PAGE) and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) to visualize protein bands. We observed that protein bands in the region of 10-15 kDa were altered by the different treatments; these bands were selected and excised for in-gel digestion and peptide extraction followed by nLC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and LIFT MS/MS. A database search with the Mascot algorithm positively identified four differentially expressed proteins. These proteins are known to be responsible for diverse biological functions within various organs and tissues. The present result gives insight and understanding into possible molecular mechanisms by which streptozotocin causes various alterations in proteins found in the liver of diabetic rats and the possible modulatory role of PBPi in the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Protective Effects of Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate on Streptozotocin-Induced Hepatic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Male Rats.

This study sought to investigate the possible protective role of Parkia biglobosa seed protein isolate (PBPi) against streptozotocin-induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in diabetic male rats. Prior to animal experiments, a HPLC fingerprint of PBPi was recorded. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats were orally treated daily with PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) for 28 days. The degree of protection was evaluated using biochemical parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, serum transaminases (ALT and AST), total protein, total glutathione (Total GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities. Histology of liver sections was also performed. The HPLC fingerprint of PBPi revealed eleven distinct peaks; PBPi at tested doses significantly attenuates STZ-induced elevated levels of serum IL-6, ALT and AST; and hepatic TBARS levels. Hepatic antioxidants (Total GSH, GST, SOD, CAT) as well as total protein were markedly restored in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological results strongly support the protective role of PBPi. These results suggest PBPi could confer protection by ameliorating hepatic damage and oxidative stress caused by STZ in animal model possibly via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Modulatory influence of Parkia biglobosa protein isolate on testosterone and biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain and testes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

Parkia biglobosa seed an important household spice commonly consumed in Nigeria is believed to possess antioxidant activity that may exert modulatory effects in diabetes and diabetic complications. This study investigated the modulatory potential of Parkia biglobosa protein isolate (PBPi) on serum testosterone (sTT) level as well as its influence on biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain and testes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Animals were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) was given orally by gavage or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) was administered daily to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. The results revealed a significant elevation in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the brain and testes of diabetic rats. This was closely associated with a concomitant reduction in levels of sTT and reduced testes weight, a noticeable decline in the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as total glutathione (Total GSH) level in the brain and testes of diabetic rats. Interestingly, treatment with PBPi efficiently prevented the alterations witnessed in the serum sTT and also ameliorated various alterations in the biomarkers of oxidative stress (TBARS, Total GSH, GST, SOD and CAT) in brain and testes of diabetic rats. These results provide evidence that PBPi could protect the brain and testicular tissues against oxidative stress induced by STZ, via modulation of serum testosterone concentration and also by enhancing antioxidant defence system in STZ-diabetic rats.

Aqueous extract of Monodora myristica ameliorates cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.

In recent years, indigenous medicinal plants exhibiting diverse biological activities have been explored in the amelioration of hepatotoxicity. This study investigates the protective effect of Monodora myristica (MM) on cadmium-induced liver damage in experimental animals. Male Wistar albino rats were maintained on 200 mg/L cadmium: Cd (Cd as CdCl2) in the animals' main drinking water to induce hepatotoxicity. Added to this, the animals received aqueous extracts of MM at a dose of 200 or 400 and 20 mg/kg bw of Livolin forte (LF) for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, levels of serum enzyme biomarkers (alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase) as well as total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde were significantly raised in the cadmium treated groups. Conversely, cadmium treatment elicited noticeable decrease in hepatic enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione: GSH, catalase: CAT, superoxide dismutase: SOD). Co-treatment with MM at varying doses as well as LF considerably decreased the elevated levels of the serum biomarkers as well as TC, TG and malondialdehyde in the cadmium-treated groups in a dose dependant manner. Additionally, MM exhibited reversal potential on cadmium-toxicity at the tested doses as its administration was accompanied by a pronounced increase in GSH, SOD, and CAT levels. Histopathological results were parallel to these findings. These results demonstrates that aqueous extracts of MM is effective in the amelioration of hepatic damages arising from cadmium-induced toxicity, indicating that the antioxidant bio-constituents of MM play an important role in the prevention of liver toxicity possibly by inhibiting bioaccumulation of free radicals in animal models.

Impact of human schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of poverty ranks second among the most widespread parasitic disease in various nations in sub-Saharan Africa. Neglected tropical diseases are causes of about 534,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa and an estimated 57 million disability-adjusted life-years are lost annually due to the neglected tropical diseases. The neglected tropical diseases exert great health, social and financial burden on economies of households and governments. Schistosomiasis has profound negative effects on child development, outcome of pregnancy, and agricultural productivity, thus a key reason why the "bottom 500 million" inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa continue to live in poverty. In 2008, 17.5 million people were treated globally for schistosomiasis, 11.7 million of those treated were from sub-Saharan Africa. This enervating disease has been successfully eradicated in Japan, as well as in Tunisia. Morocco and some Caribbean Island countries have made significant progress on control and management of this disease. Brazil, China and Egypt are taking steps towards elimination of the disease, while most sub-Saharan countries are still groaning under the burden of the disease. Various factors are responsible for the continuous and persistent transmission of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. These include climatic changes and global warming, proximity to water bodies, irrigation and dam construction as well as socio-economic factors such as occupational activities and poverty. The morbidity and mortality caused by this disease cannot be overemphasized. This review is an exposition of human schistosomiasis as it affects the inhabitants of various communities in sub-Sahara African countries. It is hoped this will bring a re-awakening towards efforts to combat this impoverishing disease in terms of vaccines development, alternative drug design, as well as new point-of-care diagnostics.

Impact of human schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of poverty ranks second among the most widespread parasitic disease in various nations in sub-Saharan Africa. Neglected tropical diseases are causes of about 534,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa and an estimated 57 million disability-adjusted life-years are lost annually due to the neglected tropical diseases. The neglected tropical diseases exert great health, social and financial burden on economies of households and governments. Schistosomiasis has profound negative effects on child development, outcome of pregnancy, and agricultural productivity, thus a key reason why the "bottom 500 million" inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa continue to live in poverty. In 2008, 17.5 million people were treated globally for schistosomiasis, 11.7 million of those treated were from sub-Saharan Africa. This enervating disease has been successfully eradicated in Japan, as well as in Tunisia. Morocco and some Caribbean Island countries have made significant progress on control and management of this disease. Brazil, China and Egypt are taking steps towards elimination of the disease, while most sub-Saharan countries are still groaning under the burden of the disease. Various factors are responsible for the continuous and persistent transmission of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. These include climatic changes and global warming, proximity to water bodies, irrigation and dam construction as well as socio-economic factors such as occupational activities and poverty. The morbidity and mortality caused by this disease cannot be overemphasized. This review is an exposition of human schistosomiasis as it affects the inhabitants of various communities in sub-Sahara African countries. It is hoped this will bring a re-awakening towards efforts to combat this impoverishing disease in terms of vaccines development, alternative drug design, as well as new point-of-care diagnostics.