Nanoemulsion of Ethanolic Extract of Centella asiatica (NanoSECA) Ameliorates Learning and Memory Performance by Enhancing Cholinergic Activities, Increasing Antioxidative Levels, and Attenuating oxidative stress markers in adult rats

BACKGROUND

Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) has long been traditionally used as a memory enhancer. Nanoemulsion of ethanolic extract C. asiatica (NanoSECA) has been developed to improve brain functions. However, the effect of NanoSECA on enhancing memory and cognitive functions remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to investigate the potential of NanoSECA on cognitive tasks and memory enhancement pathways in a normal adult rat model.

METHODS

Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats (7-8 weeks old) were randomly subjected to five groups (n=six per group). Treatment groups were supplemented with NanoSECA and ethanolic extract of C. asiatica (SECA) for 28 days by oral gavages. Different brain sections were isolated, homogenized, and tested for acetylcholinesterase, antioxidants (glutathione and malondialdehyde), and anti-inflammatory agents (nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α, and prostaglandin E2).

RESULT

NanoSECA supplementation markedly enhanced the acetylcholine, glutathione levels and reduced a distinct diminution in plasma activities of acetylcholinesterase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels.

CONCLUSION

NanoSECA can be used as a memory enhancer through enhanced cholinergic activity, increased antioxidant level, and reduced oxidative stress.

Effect of Storage Temperatures on Physico-Chemicals, Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Properties of Watermelon Juice (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) consists of high moisture content and is favoured for its juice products. The popular fruit has a tempting taste, sweet aroma and attractive flesh colour. It is enriched with phytochemicals and antioxidant properties that are beneficial to human health. Due to convenience, the majority of individuals are likely to consume watermelon juice. However, little is known about the fruit juice storage and temperatures that may affect its beneficial properties. This study investigated the effect of storage temperature at room temperature, refrigerator cold, refrigerator freeze and freeze-dried, and analyzed the juice physico-chemicals (weight loss, pH, ash, moisture, total soluble solid, browning and turbidity), phytochemicals (total phenolic, total flavonoid, lycopene and β-carotene) and antioxidant scavenging activities during 9 days of storage. The results showed that watermelon juice was affected by storage temperatures and conditions with significant changes in physico-chemical appearance and decrease in total phytochemical content, thus consequently affecting their antioxidant activities during 9 days of storage. Although fresh watermelon juice can be consumed for its high nutritional values, freeze-drying is the preferable technique to retain its benefits and to delay juice degradation.

Histopathological changes in placenta and liver of pregnant rats administered with aqueous extract of Dioscorea hispida var. daemona (Roxb) Prain & Burkill

Dioscorea hispida var. daemona (Roxb) Prain & Burkill (DH), also known a tropical yam or intoxicating yam is a bitter wild tuber which is consumed as a staple food and traditionally used as a remedy in Malaysia. However, DH is also notorious for its intoxicating effects and there is currently a dearth of study of possible effects of DH on liver and placental tissues and hence its safe consumption warrants in-depth investigation. This study was therefore designed to investigate into the effect of DH on liver and placenta of pregnant rat via histopathological examination. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups consisting of a control (distilled water) and four DH aqueous extract groups (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight). The extracts were administered via oral gavage daily throughout the study and animals were sacrificed on day 21. Paraffin-embedded, hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of placenta and liver were examined. Significant changes (p < 0.05) were observed on relative liver and placental weights of animals treated with 2000 mg/kg body weight DH extract. The placental numbers were decreased with the increased of DH extract concentration. Liver histological examination in all treated groups showed that tissues underwent degeneration characterized by hepatocyte swelling, cytoplasmic vacuolation, cytolysis, margination and clumping of nucleus chromatin. Changes of the basal and labyrinth zone were observed in placental tissues in all treated groups. Glycogen cells were reduced with fibrin deposition in the basal zone, while irregular vessel formation was demonstrated in the labyrinth zone. UHPLC-ESI-MS analysis showed the presence four steroidal saponins DH. In conclusion, DH aqueous extract exert hepatotoxicity and adverse effects on the placenta of rats. However, the underlying mechanism and phytochemicals inducing the observed toxicity require further investigation.

Supplementation of 100% Flesh Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] Juice Improves Swimming Performance in Rats

Nutritional intervention of fruit juice supplementation is able to maximize exercise performance. Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] contains high L-citrulline content and consumption of watermelon juice may promote ergogenic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 100% flesh watermelon juice and 100% rind watermelon juice supplementation for 14 days on swimming performance in rats. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Cx group of rats supplemented with filtered tap water (negative control), L-cit group of rats supplemented with L-citrulline (positive control), FR group of rats supplemented with 100% flesh watermelon juice, and RR group of rats supplemented with 100% rind watermelon juice. Each group was supplemented for 14 days ad libitum prior to swimming exercise protocol. The rats were performed swimming exercise for 3 days and swimming time until exhaustion was measured. Plasma samples were collected to measure lactate concentration, ammonia concentration, and nitric oxide production. Rats supplemented with 100% flesh watermelon juice demonstrated significantly prolonged of swimming time until exhaustion, reduction of lactate and ammonia concentrations, and increased of nitric oxide production compared to Cx and L-cit groups (P<0.05). These findings postulate that supplementation with 100% flesh watermelon juice improves endurance in swimming performance.

Effects of different tube potentials and iodine concentrations on image enhancement, contrast-to-noise ratio and noise in micro-CT images: a phantom study

The study aimed to investigate the effects of different tube potentials and concentrations of iodinated contrast media (CM) on the image enhancement, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and noise in micro-computed tomography (µCT) images. A phantom containing of five polyethylene tube was filled with 2 mL of deionized water and iodinated CM (Omnipaque 300 mgI/mL) at four different concentrations: 5, 10, 15, and 20 mol/L, respectively. The phantom was scanned with a µCT machine (SkyScan 1176) using various tube potentials: 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 kVp, a fixed tube current; 100 µA, and filtration of 0.2 mm aluminum (Al). The percentage difference of image enhancement, CNR and noise of all images, acquired at different kVps and concentrations, were calculated. The image enhancement, CNR and noise curves with respect to tube potential and concentration were plotted and analysed. The highest image enhancement was found at the lowest tube potential of 40 kVp. At this kVp setting, the percentage difference of image enhancement [Hounsfield Unit (HU) of 20 mol/L iodine concentration over HU of deionized water] was 43%. By increasing the tube potential, it resulted with the reduction of HU, where only 17.5% different were noticed for 90 kVp. Across all iodine concentrations (5-20 M), CNR peaked at 80 kVp and then these values showed a slight decreasing pattern, which might be due insufficient tube current compensation. The percentage difference of image noise obtained at 40 and 90 kVp was 72.4%. Lower tube potential setting results in higher image enhancement (HU) in conjunction with increasing concentration of iodinated CM. Overall, the tube potential increment will substantially improve CNR and reduce image noise.