Cognitive Enhancing and Antioxidative Potentials of Velvet Beans (Mucuna pruriens) and Horseradish (Moringa oleifera) Seeds Extracts: A Comparative Study

Catechin from Anonna senegalensis is a Potential Inhibitor of Erectile Dysfunction: Implication for Its Use in Male Sexual Enhancement

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major challenge for men. The drugs for its treatment are associated with side effects. Hence, in phytomedicinal research, where Anonna senegalensis (A. senegalensis) is a candidate with abundant phytochemicals possessing various pharmacological properties, but the sex-enhancing phytochemical is elusive in the literature. This study aimed to understand the molecular interaction of its potent molecule mediating male sexual enhancement. A library of 69 compounds from A. senegalensis was docked against the ED-targeted proteins. Sildenafil citrate was used as the reference standard. Thereafter, the lead compound was screened for drug-likeness by applying the Lipinski rule of 5 (RO5), pharmacokinetic properties, and bioactivity using SwissADME and Molinspiration web servers, respectively. The results show catechin as the lead phytochemical compound with a stronger binding affinity for most of the proteins of ED. Also, catechin demonstrates good compliance with the RO5, great pharmacokinetic profiles, and could be said to be a polypharmacological molecule with good bioactivity scores. The research findings unravel the potential of catechin (a phytochemical belonging to the flavonoids class) from A. senegalensis leaf as a potential male sexual enhancement molecule via its high binding affinity for most erectile dysfunction-targeted proteins. They may require further toxicity and therapeutic evaluations in vivo.

Nutritional, functional, and bioactive properties of african underutilized legumes

Globally, legumes are vital constituents of diet and perform critical roles in maintaining well-being owing to the dense nutritional contents and functional properties of their seeds. While much emphasis has been placed on the major grain legumes over the years, the neglected and underutilized legumes (NULs) are gaining significant recognition as probable crops to alleviate malnutrition and give a boost to food security in Africa. Consumption of these underutilized legumes has been associated with several health-promoting benefits and can be utilized as functional foods due to their rich dietary fibers, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), proteins/essential amino acids, micro-nutrients, and bioactive compounds. Despite the plethora of nutritional benefits, the underutilized legumes have not received much research attention compared to common mainstream grain legumes, thus hindering their adoption and utilization. Consequently, research efforts geared toward improvement, utilization, and incorporation into mainstream agriculture in Africa are more convincing than ever. This work reviews some selected NULs of Africa (Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum), Mung bean, (Vigna radiata), Rice bean (Vigna Umbellata), and Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)), and their nutritional, and functional properties. Furthermore, we highlight the prospects and current challenges associated with the utilization of the NULs and discusses the strategies to facilitate their exploitation as not only sources of vital nutrients, but also their integration for the development of cheap and accessible functional foods.

Determination of Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Activity of Selected Plant Ingredients

Neurodegenerative diseases, among which one of the more common is Alzheimer’s disease, are the one of the biggest global public health challenges facing our generation because of the increasing elderly population in most countries. With the growing burden of these diseases, it is essential to discover and develop new treatment options capable of preventing and treating them. Neurodegenerative diseases, among which one of the most common is Alzheimer’s disease, are a multifactorial disease and therefore demand multiple therapeutic approaches. One of the most important therapeutic strategies is controlling the level of acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter in cholinergic synapses—by blocking the degradation of acetylcholine using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as tacrine, galantamine, donepezil and rivastigmine. However, these drugs can cause some adverse side effects, such as hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal disorder. Thus, the search for new, more effective drugs is very important. In the last few years, different active constituents from plants have been tested as potential drugs in neurodegenerative disease therapy. The availability, lower price and less toxic effects of herbal medicines compared with synthetic agents make them a simple and excellent choice in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The empirical approach to discovering new drugs from the systematic screening of plant extracts or plant-derived compounds is still an important strategy when it comes to finding new biologically active substances. The aim of this review is to identify new, safe and effective compounds that are potential candidates for further in vivo and clinical tests from which more effective drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease could be selected. We reviewed the methods used to determine anti-Alzheimer’s disease activity. Here, we have discussed the relevance of plant-derived compounds with in vitro activity. Various plants and phytochemical compounds have shown different activity that could be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disorders. Most often, medicinal plants and their active components have been investigated as acetylcholinesterase and/or butyrylcholinesterase activity inhibitors, modifiers of β-amyloid processing and antioxidant agents. This study also aims to highlight species with assessed efficacy, usable plant parts and the most active plant components in order to identify species and compounds of interest for further study. Future research directions are suggested and recommendations made to expand the use of medicinal plants, their formulations and plant-derived active compounds to prevent, mitigate and treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Development of Jelly Loaded with Nanogel Containing Natural L-Dopa from Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract for Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease

The first line therapy of patients with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, is levodopa (L-dopa) given orally. Recently, the presence of natural L-dopa in the seed of Mucuna pruriens, a tropical legume in the Fabaceae family, was reported and it showed superior efficiency compared with synthetic L-dopa. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the phytochemical compounds, particularly for natural L-dopa, in M. pruriens seed extract and subsequently prepare a nanogel containing the extract prior to incorporation into a jelly formulation for use as a functional food in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease. The results show that M. pruriens seed extract contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins. The quantitative analysis performed by the HPLC method revealed that spray-dried M. pruriens seed extract contained 5.59 ± 0.21% L-dopa. M. pruriens seed extract possesses a ferric-reducing antioxidant power and shows free-radical scavenging activity, determined by DPPH and ABTS methods, suggesting a distinctive antioxidant ability of the extract. M. pruriens seed extract at 10 ng/mL did not show cytotoxicity against a neuronal cell line (SH-SY5Y cells), kidney cells (HEK293 cells), or Caco-2 cells. Nanogel of M. pruriens seed extract prepared by ionic gelation had the hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 384.53 ± 11.24 nm, 0.38 ± 0.05, and −11.23 ± 1.15 mV, respectively. The transepithelial transport of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed-extract nanogel through Caco-2 cells was measured. Nanogel containing M. pruriens seed extract at the concentration of 10 ng/mL exhibited neuroprotective activity. A jelly formulation containing M. pruriens seed-extract nanogel was successfully developed. The prepared jelly exhibited the acceptable physical and microbiological stabilities upon 6 months of the stability test. The half-life of natural L-dopa in jelly were 3.2, 0.9, and 0.6 years for storage conditions at 4, 30, and 40 °C, respectively, indicating the thermal degradation of natural L-dopa. The prepared jelly containing natural L-dopa from M. pruriens seed extract with the prominent antioxidant activity is a promising option for elderly patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Moringa oleifera: a systematic review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity

OBJECTIVES

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam (Moringaceae) is a perennial plant broadly used in South Asia and Africa as a traditional folk medicine to treat many ailments such as paralysis, helminthiasis, sores and skin infections. The review provides a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, agricultural economy and dietary benefit of M. oleifera and its future perspectives.

KEY FINDINGS

In this review, the entire plant of M. oleifera, containing diverse phytochemicals, is summarized. The 163 chemical components, included flavonoids, carbamates, glucosinolates, phenols, and so on with various bioactivities, such as anti-tumour, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and so on. Additionally, M. oleifera is toxic at certain doses; and overuse can cause genotoxicity.

SUMMARY

Although M. oleifera has been widely used in traditional medicine, the pharmacological studies that have been conducted so far are not sufficient for its use in the setting of evidence-based medicine. Little relevant data from clinical trials of M. oleifera have been reported. The majority of studies of its constituents, such as carbamates and glucosinolates, have been conducted only in vitro. Owing to a lack of available data, the pharmacology, toxicity, agricultural economy and dietary benefit of its constituents and extracts require further evaluation.

Evaluation of different almond (Terminalia catappa) extracts against oxidative stress induced by cyclosporine in brain and liver of rats

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of almond (Terminalia catappa) leaf (ALE) and stem bark (ABE) extracts on the enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers in the brain and liver tissues of cyclosporine-A (CsA) stressed male albino rats.

METHODS

Eighty-eight adult male rats weighing between 200 and 220 g were randomly distributed to into 11 groups (n=8) and different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bwt.) of ALE and ABE were administered through oral gavages to the normal rats and 50 mg/kg/bwt/day CsA-stressed, while normal control rats was given a saline solution (p.o), and the treatment lasted for 14 days. Blood plasma, liver and brain tissues were prepared for biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Neuronal [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE) and arginase] enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level, plasma aspartate transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, liver non-protein thiol (NPSH) level were analyzed. The results revealed that, the administration of CsA induced a significant increase in neuronal AChE, BChE, arginase, TBARS level, but decreased nitric oxide (NO) level. CsA also increased ALT, AST, and ALP activities in the blood plasma of CsA stress rats compared to normal control, but were significantly reversed respectively (p<0.001) upon treatment with the ALE and ABE dose-dependently.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed that ALE and ABE could prevent neuronal dysfunction and liver toxicity induced by CsA administration, however, higher dose (200 mg/kg) of the studied extracts appears to be more potent.

Effects of berberine on cholinesterases and monoamine oxidase activities, and antioxidant status in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Several studies had been conducted to examine the link between diabetes and diabetes encephalopathy. This study was conducted to examine the potency of berberine (BER) on the restoration of impaired neurochemicals in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats.

METHODS

Fifty-six (56) adult rats weighing between 200 and 230 g were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8) as follows; Group I is normal control; Groups II and III were normal rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively; Group IV-VII were STZ-induced rats, but Groups V-VII were treated with acarbose (25 mg/kg), 50 and 100 mg/kg of BER, respectively.

RESULTS

The result of the study showed that untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats have increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities, and malonylaldehyde (MDA) level, with concomitant decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and glutathione (GSH) level. However, daily treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg BER and ACA significantly reversed these effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study clearly indicated that BER possesses neuro-protective and antioxidative potentials and normalize neurochemical impairment distort by diabetes.

Tetrahydrocannabinol-Rich Extracts From Cannabis Sativa L. Improve Glucose Consumption and Modulate Metabolic Complications Linked to Neurodegenerative Diseases in Isolated Rat Brains

Reduced brain glucose consumption arising from impaired glucose uptake and utilization has been linked to the pathogenesis and complications of neurodegenerative diseases. The ability of Cannabis sativa L. tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich extracts to stimulate brain glucose uptake and utilization as well as its modulatory effect on gluconeogenesis, antioxidative, purinergic and cholinergic activities were investigated in isolated rats’ brains. C. sativa leaves were sequentially extracted to yield the hexane and dichloromethane extracts. The extracts were incubated at 37°C with freshly harvested brains in the presence of glucose for 2 h. The control consisted of incubation without the extracts, while brains without the extracts and glucose served as the normal control. Metformin was used as the standard drug. C. sativa extracts caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in brain glucose uptake, with concomitant elevation of glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase activities compared to the controls. Incubation with C. sativa extracts also led to depletion in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase activities. GC-MS analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of THC. In silico analysis predicted THC to be permeable across the blood-brain-barrier. THC was also predicted to have an oral LD₅₀ and toxicity class values of 482 mg/kg and 4 respectively. These results indicate that C. sativa improves glucose consumption with concomitant suppression of oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction, and modulation of purinergic and gluconeogenic activities in brain tissues

Neuroprotective mechanism of Vernonia amygdalina in a rat model of neurodegenerative diseases

The global upsurge in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in recent years has been associated with increase in toxic chemical exposure and release into the biosystem, having over 46.8 million people suffer dementia worldwide. This study focused on elucidating the neuroprotective mechanism of methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLVA) in nitrobenzene-induced neurodegenerative disease in rats. Thirty aged male rats were sorted into five groups of six rats each. Group A received distilled water while 100 mg/kg bw of nitrobenzene was orally administered to groups (B to E) to induce neurodegeneration. Group B (disease control) was untreated, while Group C and D were treated with oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg bw of MLVA respectively and group E with vitamin E for 14 days. Locomotor behaviour was analysed using video-tracking software while the midbrain, cerebrum and cerebellum of the rats were processed for biochemical analyses. Results showed that treatment of nitrobenzene-induced neurodegenerative rats with MLVA significantly (p < 0.05) increase dopamine, GSH, antioxidant enzymes levels; and decrease acetylcholinesterase activity, biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress level. Also, MLVA enhanced neurobehavioural and locomotor activities in all markers assessed. Taken together, neuroprotective mechanisms of MLVA can be linked to its antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase suppression, lipid peroxidation inhibition, anti-inflammatory and neurobehavioural restoring abilities.

Catechol protects against iron-mediated oxidative brain injury by restoring antioxidative metabolic pathways; and modulation of purinergic and cholinergic enzymes activities

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed at investigating neuroprotective effect of catechol on redox imbalance, cholinergic dysfunctions, nucleotide hydrolysing enzymes activities, and dysregulated metabolic pathways in iron-mediated oxidative brain injury.

METHODS

Oxidative injury was induced in brain tissues by incubating with 0.1 mm FeSO₄ and treated with different concentrations of catechol.

KEY FINDINGS

Catechol significantly elevated glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, while depleting malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels. It also inhibited the activities of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and ATPase, with concomitant elevation of ENTPDase activity. GC-MS analysis revealed that treatment with catechol completely depleted oxidative-generated lipid metabolites. While LC-MS analysis revealed depletion of oxidative-generated metabolites in brain tissues treated with catechol, with concomitant restoration of oxidative-depleted metabolites. Catechol also led to reactivation of oxidative-inactivated taurine and hypotaurine, purine, glutathione, glycerophospholipid, nicotinate and nicotinamide, fructose and mannose, pyrimidine metabolisms and pentose phosphate pathways. Catechol was predicted in silico to be permeable across the blood-brain barrier with a predicted oral LD₅₀ value of 100 mg/kg and a toxicity class of 3.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the neuroprotective effects of catechol in iron-mediated oxidative brain injury.

Caffeic acid improves glucose utilization and maintains tissue ultrastructural morphology while modulating metabolic activities implicated in neurodegenerative disorders in isolated rat brains

Impaired glucose utilization has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. The neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid (CA) was investigated in the isolated rat brain by determining its ability to promote glucose uptake, mitigate redox imbalance, modulate purinergic and cholinergic activities, elemental distribution, and maintain tissue morphology. Isolated rat brains were incubated for 2 hours with glucose, CA and glucose, and metformin and glucose. There was an increased glucose uptake, glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities in brain tissues incubated with CA compared to the controls. Incubation with CA also led to significantly decreased levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and ATPase activities. Electron microscopy (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) analysis portrayed a maintenance of tissue ultrastructural morphology in 2CA-incubated tissues as indicated by the intact synaptic vesicles, blood vessels, dendritic and neuronal network, mitochondria, and presynaptic membrane. CA also restored altered elemental levels in brain tissues. These results indicate the stimulatory potential of CA on brain glucose utilization with simultaneous neuroprotective activities.

Kolaviron stimulates glucose uptake with concomitant modulation of metabolic activities implicated in neurodegeneration in isolated rat brain, without perturbation of tissue ultrastructural morphology

Reduced glucose uptake usually occurs in type 2 diabetes due to down-regulation of brain glucose transporters. The potential of kolaviron, a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola to stimulate glucose uptake and suppress glucose-induced oxidative toxicity were investigated in rat brain. Its molecular interactions with the target proteins were investigated in silico. Kolaviron was incubated with excised rat brain in the presence of glucose for 2 h, with metformin serving as a positive control. Kolaviron caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake, glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ATPase, ENTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities, while concomitantly depleting malondialdehyde level, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities compared to brains incubated with glucose only. Electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) analysis revealed kolaviron had little or no effect on the ultrastructural morphology of brain tissues as evidenced by the intact dendritic and neuronal network, blood vessels, mitochondria, synaptic vesicles, and pre-synaptic membrane. SEM-EDX analysis revealed a restorative effect of glucose-induced alteration in brain elemental concentrations, with total depletion of aluminum and zinc. MTT analysis revealed kolaviron had no cytotoxic effect on HT-22 cells. Molecular docking revealed a potent interaction between kolaviron and catalase at the SER114 and MET350 residues, with a binding energy of 12 kcal/mol. Taken together, these results portray the potential of kolaviron to stimulate glucose uptake while concomitantly coffering a neuroprotective effect.

Hypoglycemic effect of biscuits produced from flour blends of three medicinal foods on high-fat diet-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The study evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of biscuits produced from flour blends of three medicinal foods (Unripe plantain fruits, Moringa seed, and pigeon pea) on high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (HFD/STZ) diabetic rats. The formulated biscuits were produced at different proportion of the flour blends and fed to HFD-STZ-induced diabetic rats for 14 days. The result showed that the formulated biscuits caused a significant increase in pancreas, liver, and kidney antioxidant molecules, decreased the production of thiobarbituric reactive acid species (TBARS) in pancreas, liver, and kidney homogenates, and reduced pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase activities as against untreated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the use of formulated biscuits from the blends of flours from unripe plantain, Moringa seed, and pigeon pea could serve as functional food toward the treatment/management of diabetes and its possible complications such as diabetes-induced liver and kidney damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The drug use in the management of diabetes such as acarbose have been reported to have side effects, while diet therapy is gaining much interest in the management of diabetes. Hence, there is a need for diets base therapy that will not only cure diabetes, but also combat its complications. In sight of this, unripe plantain, Moringa seed, and pigeon pea flours were blended and used to produce functional biscuits for diabetic rats. The biscuit could be produced on the large scale under hygienic and regulated condition.

Vanillin and vanillic acid modulate antioxidant defense system via amelioration of metabolic complications linked to Fe2+-induced brain tissues damage

The therapeutic effect of phenolics on neurodegenerative diseases has been attributed to their potent antioxidant properties. In the present study, the neuroprotective activities of vanillin and vanillic acid were investigated in Fe²⁺- induced oxidative toxicity in brain tissues by investigating their therapeutic effects on oxidative imbalance, cholinergic and nucleotide-hydrolyzing enzymes activities, dysregulated metabolic pathways. Their cytotoxicity was investigated in hippocampal neuronal cell lines (HT22). The reduced glutathione level, SOD and catalase activities were ameliorated in tissues treated with the phenolics, with concomitant depletion of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels. They inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, while concomitantly elevated ATPase activity. Treatment with vanillin led to restoration of oxidative-depleted metabolites and reactivation of the pentose phosphate and purine metabolism pathways, with concomitant activation of pathways for histidine and selenoamino metabolisms. While vanillic acid restored and reactivated oxidative-depleted metabolites and pathways but did not activate any additional pathway. Both phenolics portrayed good binding affinity for catalase, with vanillic acid having the higher binding energy of -7.0 kcal/mol. Both phenolics were not cytotoxic on HT22 cells, and their toxicity class were predicted to be 4. Only vanillin was predicted to be permeable across the blood brain barrier (BBB). These results insinuate that vanillin and vanillic acid confer a neuroprotective effect on oxidative brain damage, when vanillin being the most potent.

Identification of ovalbumin-derived peptides as multi-target inhibitors of AChE, BChE, and BACE1

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a kind of progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the elderly. There is no ideal treatment for AD. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify anti-AD peptides from ovalbumin.

RESULTS

The potential tripeptides IEK, LYR, and CIK were selected for molecular docking. The '-CDOCKER_Energy' values of the best docking positions of the tripeptide IEK, LYR, and CIK interacting with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were 93.8119, 86.9556 and 73.6370 kcal mol^-1 , respectively. The '-CDOCKER_Energy' values for interaction with butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were 96.6386, 80.8392, and 87.4341 kcal mol^-1 , respectively. Most importantly, the '-CDOCKER_Energy' values for interaction with β-site amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme1 (BACE1) were 85.5903, 71.3342, and 68.4290 kcal mol^-1 , respectively. Overall, in vitro assay results demonstrated that the peptide CIK exhibited impressive inhibitory activities against AChE, BChE, and BACE1, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ ) values of 6.76, 7.72, and 34.48 μmol L^-1 , respectively. In particular, CIK can be joined with some peripheral anion sites (PAS) and catalytic sites on AChE, BChE, and BACE1.

CONCLUSION

Tripeptide CIK can effectively inhibit the activities of AChE, BChE, and BACE1. Tripeptide CIK therefore has the potential to treat AD effectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification and molecular docking study of fish roe-derived peptides as potent BACE 1, AChE, and BChE inhibitors

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and beta-secretase 1 (BACE 1) play vital roles in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Chemical composition and anti-Candida potencial of the extracts of Tarenaya spinosa (Jacq.) Raf. (Cleomaceae)

Phytochemical prospecting was performed by HPLC-DAD. The Inhibitory Concentration of 50% of mortality the microorganisms (IC₅₀) was determined and a cell viability curve was obtained. Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was determined by subculture in Sabourad Dextrose Agar. The effect of the combination extract/fluconazole was verified by microdilution, with the extracts in subinhibitory concentrations (MFC/16). Caffeic acid was the major compound of both extracts, representing 6.08% in the aqueous extract and 7.62% in the ethanolic extract. The extracts showed a fungistatic effect (MFC ≥ 16,384 μg/mL). The IC₅₀ results demonstrated that the combination of the extracts with fluconazole were more significant than the products tested alone, with values from 4.9 to 34.8 μg/mL for the ethanolic extract/fluconazole and 5 to 84.7 μg/mL for the aqueous extract/fluconazole. The potentiating effect of fluconazole action was observed against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. In C. krusei the aqueous extract had an antagonistic effect.

Nutritional content of selected species of tropical eggplant fruit (Solanum spp) diet Attenuates hepatic inflammation in high-fat fed male Wistar rats induced with streptozotocin

Tropical Solanum species contains a high level of phenolic acids and flavonoids, which were found to inhibit some key enzymes associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes in in vitro and in vivo models based on earlier studies. This study was further designed to compare the nutritional properties, glycemic index, and hypolipidemic and the antioxidant effects of three species of tropical eggplant fruit (Solanum kumba, Solanum aethiopicum, and Solanum gilo) diet on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The animal model was subjected to high-fat diet prior to interperitional administration of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg wt); thereafter, the rats were given supplemented eggplant fruit diet, which lasted for 14 days. Determination of lipid content [triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and total cholesterol (TC)], was assessed, while the liver biomarker enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), also endogenous enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were determined. Histopathological assessment of inflammation was carried out on kidney while the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, and creatinine level on the kidney function were determined. The results showed that the groups with supplemented eggplant diet had significant (p < 0.05) reduction in lipid profile, decreased leakages of the liver, and kidney function enzymes while there was restoration of depleted endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The inflammatory cells and fat deposit from the histopathological view were reduced. However, S. kumba had the best nutritional output.

Anti-Alzheimers activity and molecular mechanism of albumin-derived peptides against AChE and BChE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global health issue affecting millions of elderly people worldwide. The aim of the present study was to identify novel anti-AD peptides isolated from albumin. Anti-AD activities of the peptides were evaluated via inhibitory activities on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Furthermore, the potential molecular mechanisms of the KLPGF/AChE were investigated by CDOCKER of Discovery studio 2017. The results revealed that peptide KLPGF could effectively inhibit AChE with an inhibition rate of 61.23% at a concentration of 50 μg mL^-1. In addition, the peptide KLPGF came in contact with acylation sites and peripheral anion sites of AChE. The present study demonstrates that the peptide KLPGF could become a potential functional food intervention in AD.

African crocus (Curculigo pilosa) and wonderful kola (Buchholzia coriacea) seeds modulate critical enzymes relevant to erectile dysfunction and oxidative stress

Background

The seeds of African crocus (AC) (Curculigo pilosa) and wonderful kola (WK) (Buchholzia coriacea) are commonly used in folklore medicine in managing erectile dysfunction (ED) without the full understanding of the possible mechanism of actions. This study investigated and compared the effects of aqueous extracts from the seeds of AC and WK on arginase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and some pro-oxidant [FeSO4 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)]-induced lipid peroxidation in rat penile homogenate in vitro.

Method

Aqueous extracts of AC and WK were prepared, and their effects on arginase and AChE activities as well as FeSO4- and SNP-induced lipid peroxidation in rat penile homogenate were assessed. Furthermore, phenolic constituents of the extract were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD).

Results

Both extracts exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition on arginase (AC, IC50=0.05 mg/mL; WK, IC50=0.22 mg/mL) and AChE (AC, IC50=0.68 mg/mL; WK, IC50=0.28 mg/mL) activities. The extracts also inhibited FeSO4- and SNP-induced lipid peroxidation in rat penile homogenate. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, ellagic and coumaric acids) and flavonoids (catechin, quercetin and apigenin) in AC and WK. AC had higher arginase inhibitory and antioxidative activities but lower AChE inhibitory properties when compared with WK.

Conclusions

These effects could explain the possible mechanistic actions of the seeds in the management/treatment of ED and could be as a result of individual and/or synergistic effect of the constituent phenolic compounds of the seeds.

Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals as Dietary Intervention in Chronic Diseases; Novel Perspectives for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Functional foods describe the importance of foods in promoting health and preventing diseases aside their primary role of providing the body with the required amount of essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and oils needed for its healthy survival. This review explains the interaction of functional food bioactive compounds including polyphenols (phenolic acids [hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids], flavonoids [flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, isoflavones, proanthocyanidins], stilbenes, and lignans), terpenoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, among others with critical enzymes (α- amylase, α- glucosidase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme [ACE], acetylcholinesterase [AChE], and arginase) linked to some degenerative diseases (type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases [hypertension], neurodegenerative diseases [Alzheimer's disease] and erectile dysfunction). Different functional food bioactive compounds may synergistically/additively confer an overwhelming protection against these degenerative diseases by modulating/altering the activities of these critical enzymes of physiological importance.