Nephroprotective Effects of Caffeine, Vanillin, and Their Combination against Experimental AlCl3-Induced Renal Toxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Aluminum (Al) is known to be a nephrotoxic metal that can cause renal toxicity in both humans and animals. The use of functional foods has been reported to have significance in managing the toxic effects associated with such metals. This study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of caffeine, vanillin, and their combination in mitigating AlCl3-induced renal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. A total of thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were randomly divided into five groups, each consisting of six rats (n = 6). Group 1 served as the control, while the remaining treatment groups received a daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg AlCl3 for a duration of 21 days. In addition, groups 3-5 were coadministered 50 mg/kg body weight (bw) of caffeine, vanillin, and a combination (50/50 mg/kg bw) of both substances, respectively. In the results, AlCl3-treated showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum biomarkers such as ALT, ALP, urea, and creatinine, and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum total proteins (TPs). The renal tissue's antioxidant system, including SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH, exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction, accompanied by an elevated MDA level. However, the administration of caffeine, vanillin, and their combination resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum ALT, ALP, urea, and creatinine, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum TP. Furthermore, following the treatment, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in renal SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH levels, along with a reduction in the MDA level. In addition, the treatment for 21 days caused a significant (p < 0.05) reversal to the altered histomorphological architecture. These findings suggest that caffeine, vanillin, and their combination could potentially be an effective regimen in managing AlCl3-induced renal toxicity.

Antioxidant evaluation and computational prediction of prospective drug-like compounds from polyphenolic-rich extract of Hibiscus cannabinus L. seed as antidiabetic and neuroprotective targets: assessment through in vitro and in silico studies

BACKGROUND

Reports have implicated diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) as some of the global persistent health challenges with no lasting solutions, despite of significant inputs of modern-day pharmaceutical firms. This study therefore, aimed to appraise the in vitro antioxidant potential, enzymes inhibitory activities, and as well carry out in silico study on bioactive compounds from polyphenolic-rich extract of Hibiscus cannabinus seed (PEHc).

METHODS

In vitro antioxidant assays were performed on PEHc using standard methods while the identification of phytoconstituents was carried out with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For the in silico molecular docking using Schrodinger's Grid-based ligand docking with energetics software, seven target proteins were retrieved from the database ( https://www.rcsb.org/ ).

RESULTS

HPLC technique identified twelve chemical compounds in PEHc, while antioxidant quantification revealed higher total phenolic contents (243.5 ± 0.71 mg GAE/g) than total flavonoid contents (54.06 ± 0.09 mg QE/g) with a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of ABTS (IC₅₀ = 218.30 ± 0.87 µg/ml) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (IC₅₀ = 227.79 ± 0.74 µg/ml). In a similar manner, the extract demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 256.88 ± 6.15 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 183.19 ± 0.23 µg/ml) as well as acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 262.95 ± 1.47 µg/ml) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 189.97 ± 0.82 µg/ml), respectively. Furthermore, In silico study showed that hibiscetin (a lead) revealed a very strong binding affinity energies for DPP-4, (PDB ID: 1RWQ) and α-amylase (PDB ID: 1SMD), gamma-tocopherol ( for peptide-1 receptor; PDB ID: 3C59, AChE; PDB ID: 4EY7 and BChE; PDB ID: 7B04), cianidanol for α-glucosidase; PDB ID: 7KBJ and kaempferol for Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1); PDB ID: 6BHV, respectively. More so, ADMET scores revealed drug-like potentials of the lead compounds identified in PEHc.

CONCLUSION

As a result, the findings of this study point to potential drug-able compounds in PEHc that could be useful for the management of DM and AD.

Gliclazide and Crassocephalum rubens leaf extract inhibit glucose-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening in isolated pancreas mitochondria of Wistar rats

Introduction: Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Crassocephalum rubens is a leafy vegetable consumed in different parts of Africa for the management of symptoms of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, malaria, and blood pressure. The present study evaluated the modulatory effects of aqueous leaf extract of C. rubens (ACR) and gliclazide on MPTP in the pancreas of Wistar albino rats in vitro. Methods: Pancreatic mitochondria were isolated from experimental animals using standard protocols. Furthermore, MPTP was induced using various concentrations (15, 22.5, 30, and 37.5 mmol/L) of glucose and CaCl2 (3 µM). Alterations in MPTP and ameliorative potential of different concentrations of ACR (8, 24, 40, 56 μg/mL) and gliclazide (0.054 mg/mL) were monitored spectrophotometrically via changes in absorbance at 540 nm for 12 minutes, under sodium succinate energized condition. Results: It was observed that 30 mmol/L, 37.5 mmol/L D-glucose, and Ca2+ significantly induced MPTP opening by 0.635, 5.10, and 9.95 folds, respectively, an effect that was reversed by gliclazide and ACR, in a none-dose dependent manner. In addition, ACR at 56 μg/mL in conjunction with Ca2+ opened the MPTP. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that gliclazide and ACR, especially at the lower concentrations, possess significant inhibitory effects against MPTP opening in the pancreas of male Wistar albino rats and, therefore, could be useful in protecting beta-cell death usually associated with diabetes mellitus, as well as other conditions in which MPTP opening is implicated.

Identification of bioactive constituents of chloroform fraction from Annona muricata leaf, its antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential against carbohydrate-hydrolyzing α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities linked to type II diabetes mellitus: In vitro study

Introduction: Secondary metabolites from plants have been found to play an important role in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the chemical components of Annona muricata leaf chloroform fraction (CFAm) and its in vitro antioxidant properties, as well as inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymatic activities. Methods: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was engaged in the identification of phytochemical constituents. Antioxidant activities such as DPPH free radical scavenging ability, reducing power capacity, hydroxyl radical scavenging ability, singlet oxygen scavenging capacity, as well as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were carried out using standard in vitro methods. Results: GC-MS analysis of CFAm revealed the presence of 23 phytochemicals, out of which 5 compounds had the highest % compositions (i.e., octadecanoic acid (20.35%), 2-propanone, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) (12.04%), isocomene (22.60%), 9, 12, 15 octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester (Z,Z,Z) (28. 98%), and quercetin, 5TMS derivative (18.28%)). Also, CFAm demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) inhibition against DPPH (IC50= 26.33±1.39 mg/mL), with OH free radical scavenging capacity (65.46 ± 1.39 mg/100 g), singlet oxygen scavenging capacity (55.24 ± 1.22 mg/100 g), and showed ferric reducing power (84.52 ± 2.84 mg/100 g). Also, CFAm exhibited a significant (P<0.05) inhibition against α-glucosidase (IC50= 71.06 ±1.45 mg/ mL) and α-amylase (IC50= 73.88±1.58 mg/mL) in a concentration-dependent manners. Conclusion: The remarkable properties demonstrated by CFAm, which are essential for the management of DM, could probably be credited to the presence of the various identified phytonutrients.

Antinociceptive effects of Treculia africana decne (african breadfruit) seed lectin in Wistar rats

The aim: The use of synthetic compounds to treat many diseases must be strictly controlled due to their potential health hazards. Hence, there is a need to search for natural products to serve as safe alternatives to synthetic products. This study investigated the antinociceptive effects and anti-inflammatory activities of Treculia africana seed lectin. Materials and methods: Lectins were purified from Treculia africana seeds using ion exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The antinociceptive activity of the lectin was assessed in Wistar rats using abdominal writhing and paw-licking tests induced by acetic acid and formalin, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Results: Treculia africana seed lectins at 10 mg/kg (p.o.) produced sedation, reduced ambulation, reduced response to touch, analgesia, and decreased defecation in experimental animals. Administration of Treculia africana seed lectin (1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) in experimental animals significantly reduced (P < 0.05) acetic acid-induced muscular writhing in a dose-dependent manner with 23.88 and 36.80 per cent inhibition, respectively. Both early and late phases of formalin-induced nociception were significantly inhibited (P < 0.001) by the lectin at all doses (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg), comparably with the standard drug, diclofenac sodium. At 10 mg/kg, T. africana lectin caused a 69.12 % and 65.55 % reduction in both early and late phases of formalin-induced paw licking. Treculia africana lectin also significantly brought about a reduction (P < 0.05) in inflammation induced by sub-plantar injection of carrageenan as measured by a decrease in paw swollenness. Conclusion: The study showed that Treculia africana lectin possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties and can potentially be employed therapeutics to ameliorate pain and inflammation

In vitro inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera flower against enzymes activities linked to diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been recognized as the seventh leading cause of global mortality; however, researchers seek alternative means to manage the menace. The current study sought to investigate antioxidant potentials, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera flower in vitro. Methods: Antioxidant properties of the extract were appraised by assessing its inhibition against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH•), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free radicals, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition.Results: In this study, ethanolic extract of M. oleifera flower demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition against DPPH free radical (43.57–83.56%) in a concentration-dependent manner, while FRAP (101.76 ± 1.63 mg/100 g), OH• scavenging ability (71.62 ± 0.95 mg/100 g), and H2O2 free radical scavenging capacity (15.33 ± 1.20 mg/100 g) were also observed. In the same manner, ethanolic extract of M. oleifera flower revealed a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition against α-amylase (IC50= 37.63 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase activities (IC50= 38.30 mg/mL) in the presence of their respective substrates in a concentration-dependent manner in comparison with acarbose. Conclusion: Ethanoic extract of M. oleifera flower could be useful as an alternative phytotherapy in the management of DM, having shown a strong antioxidative capacity and substantial inhibition against the activities of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate hydrolysis in vitro.

In-silico nucleotide and protein analyses of S-gene region in selected zoonotic coronaviruses reveal conserved domains and evolutionary emergence with trajectory course of viral entry from SARS-CoV-2 genomic data

Introduction

the recent zoonotic coronavirus virus outbreak of a novel type (COVID-19) has necessitated the adequate understanding of the evolutionary pathway of zoonotic viruses which adversely affects human populations for therapeutic constructs to combat the pandemic now and in the future.

Methods

we analyzed conserved domains of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for possible targets of viral entry inhibition in host cells, evolutionary relationship of human coronavirus (229E) and zoonotic coronaviruses with SARS-CoV-2 as well as evolutionary relationship between selected SARS-CoV-2 genomic data.

Results

conserved domains with antagonistic action on host innate antiviral cellular mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 include nsp 11, nsp 13 etc. Also, multiple sequence alignments of the spike (S) gene protein of selected candidate zoonotic coronaviruses alongside the S gene protein of the SARS-CoV-2 revealed closest evolutionary relationship (95.6%) with pangolin coronaviruses (S) gene. Clades formed between Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny data and five others suggests viral entry trajectory while revealing genomic and protein SARS-CoV-2 data from Philippines as early ancestors.

Conclusion

phylogeny of SARS-CoV-2 genomic data suggests profiling in diverse populations with and without the outbreak alongside migration history and racial background for mutation tracking and dating of viral subtype divergence which is essential for effective management of present and future zoonotic coronavirus outbreaks.

Polyphenolic-rich extracts of Andrographis paniculata mitigate hyperglycemia via attenuating β-cell dysfunction, pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rat

Background

This study sought to investigate anti-hyperglycemic potentials of free and bound phenolic-rich extracts of Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) leaves, commonly called "king of the bitter", a plant locally employed in folkloric alternative medicine.

Method

In vitro antioxidant potentials such as total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated in addition to phosphomolybdenum reducing total antioxidant activity in bound and free polyphenol-rich extracts of A. paniculata. Also, following induction of diabetes through a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight, b.w), diabetic rats were divided into seven (7) treatment groups with six rats each (n = 6) i.e. group 1 (normal control), 2 (diabetic untreated), 3 (5 mg/kg glibenclamide -treated control), while 4-7 were administered 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w of free and bound phenolic extracts of A. paniculata, respectively for twenty-one (21) days.

Results

There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in hematological indices, hepatic biomarkers, total protein, antioxidant enzymes activities, total thiol and fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic groups administered polyphenolic-rich extracts of A. paniculata compared to diabetic untreated control. Similarly, serum insulin levels, hexokinase and glucose-6-phoshatase activities were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in phenolic-rich extracts of A. paniculata-treated diabetic groups compared to diabetic untreated control. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction was as well observed in the levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) among extract of A. paniculata administered diabetic groups compared diabetic untreated group.

Conclusions

Anti-hyperglycemic activities demonstrated by polyphenolic-rich extracts of A. paniculata when compared to glibenclamide and normal control, could possibly have been occasioned by β-cell protection, restoration of glycolytic enzymes as well as mitigation of inflammatory markers via antioxidant defensive/protective properties of the extracts.

Antioxidant, compositional evaluation and blood pressure modulating potentials of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.), Viscum album (L.) and Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) leave extracts

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.), Viscum album (L.) and Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) are medicinal plants widely used based on their ethnomedicinal properties in the regulation of blood pressure. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and compositional constituents of these plants. The antioxidant potentials were analyzed using DPPH and FRAP assays, while Folin-Ciocalteu method was employed in the determination of the total phenolic antioxidant contents. Compositional analyses of the leave extracts were determined using Gas Chromatograghy-Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The total phenolic contents in Bryophyllum pinnatum, Artocarpus altilis and Viscum album were revealed as; 659.50 ±0.02, 1667.50 ±0.03, 1232.00 ±0.02 mg GAE.100 g-1 respectively. Considering the antioxidant activities, Artocarpus altilis leaf extract showed inhibitory activity on DPPH with IC50 of 2.24 ±0.26 mg.mL-1, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Viscum album with IC50 values 3.63 ±0.07 and 4.65 ±0.06  mg.mL-1 respectively.The FRAP in mg.GAE-1 for Artocarpus altilis, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Viscum album revealed; 2505.20 ±0.04, 1561.80 ±0.01 and 1698.00 ±0.03 respectively. GC-MS identified some vital phenolic components and essential fatty acids in the plants. The findings therefore suggest that; the plants if properly utilized, it could serve as alternatives in regulating blood pressure. 

In vitro antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect of hydro-ethanolic extract from African black velvet tamarind (Dialium indium) pulp on type 2 diabetes linked enzymes

The alarming rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) globally is bothersome and has drawn the search light of researchers on naturally endowed phytonutrients being an alternative in managing the menace. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate some antioxidant parameters embedded in the extract of Dialium indium (DI) fruit pulp and also, to elucidate its antidiabetic potentials through the inhibition of two key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes such as α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase. Hydro-ethanolic extract of DI fruit pulp was used for the antioxidants and enzyme inhibitory bioassays through various convectional antioxidant assay methods in vitro. In the results, total phenolic content of the extract had; 6.74 ±3.38 mg GAE.g-1, total flavonoid contents; 0.02 ±0.01 mg QE.g-1 and FRAP; 0.84  ±0.47 mg AAE.g-1 dried sample. Also, there was a marked significant (p <0.05) difference observed in the inhibition of α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase by the different concentrations of the extract used in concentration-dependent manner with their different EC50. The inhibition demonstrated against these two carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes possibly could be through the embedded antioxidant potentials of the fruit pulp and this if properly harnessed, it could be helpful in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation of antioxidant potentials of different solvent-fractions of Dialium indium (African Black velvet tamarind) fruit pulp - in vitro

Plant phytonutrients have been harnessed for their various curative properties both in vitro and in vivo. In this study African black velvet tamarind (ABVT) fruit pulp was evaluated for it antioxidant potentials using chloroform and hexane fractions through different antioxidant parameters. In the results; total phenolic contents quantified in mg GAE/dried sample in chloroform and hexane extracts were; 14.57 ±5.85 and 9.78 ±4.61, total flavonoid contents in chloroform and hexane extracts as; 48.58 ±0.00 and 27.35 ±0.00 while the FRAP (µg AAE.g-1 dried sample) was lower in chloroform (298.10 ±0.00) than hexane extracts (1029.81 ±0.00). More also, ability of varied concentrations of the extracts (with their IC50) to cause inhibition against Fe2+-induced MDA that was determined by TBARS in rat's brain and liver tissue homogenates, Fe2+-chelating ability and other antioxidant assays, showed an appreciable significant (p <0.05) difference. The various antioxidant properties showed by ABVT has indicated that, if the pulp is incorporated in diet, it could serve as an alternative in managing various ROS-induced degenerative ailments as it has been clearly demonstrated in the protection of brain and liver homogenates from Fe2+-induced oxidative stress. 

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordination-linked behaviour in male rats

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2-4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage.

Antioxidant Properties of the Extracts of Talinum Triangulare and its Effect on Antioxidant enzymes in Tissue Homogenate of Swiss Albino Rat

Objectives:

This study was designed to put into consideration both the in vitro and in vivo investigations on Talinum triangulare (Tt), an herbaceous perennial plant that is a native of tropical America and one of the most important vegetables in Nigeria.

Methods:

Total phenolic contents in (mg GAE/100 g), flavonoid contents, the ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability (OH-) and iron chelating ability were carried out in vivo using standard described methods while GSH, GPx, catalase and SOD were determined in vivo using standard described methods.

Results:

In the three different solvents extraction of T. triangulare that were studied in vitro, it was noted that ethyl acetate and ethanolic fractions of T. triangulare showed potent antioxidant activity against DPPH and iron chelating property with high phenolic content except Hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability that showed highest value in the aqueous extract, while the Reduced GSH indicated the highest in the parameter determined in vivo.

Conclusion:

The antioxidant properties showed in this solvent extractable component probably could have been the basis for the enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes at very lower dose in the examined tissue homogenates. Therefore, T. triangulare can thereby serve as a means of Preventing some of major degenerative diseases challenging Humans