Moringa seed-supplemented diets modulate ACE activity but not its gene expression in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Introduction: We investigated the effect of dietary inclusions of Moringa seed (5% and 10%) on blood pressure, angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and gene expression, as well as redox status in hypertensive rats.Material and methods: Wistar strain albino rats were fed moringa seed-based diets for two weeks prior L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day, p.o.) administration for another ten days. Subsequently, the blood pressure was monitored. Furthermore, the kidney homogenates were assayed for ACE activity and gene expression, as well as oxidative stress markers.Results: The increased (systolic =297 ± 59.30 mmHg; diastolic= 242 ± 51.96 mmHg) blood pressure, arginase activity, and reduced nitric oxide level were significantly ameliorated in hypertensive rats treated with the seed. However, the elevated ACE activity was significantly reduced but not the upregulated ACE1 gene. Also, the reduced antioxidant enzyme activities were ameliorated with a significant downregulation in their regulator-Nrf2. Rutin (4.07 ± 0.02 mg/g) and quercitrin (4.06 ± 0.01 mg/g), among others, were found in the seed.Discussion: This study suggests that moringa seed offers its antihypertensive properties by acting as an ACE inhibitor but not its gene modulator, and also modulates the antioxidant system through interaction with Nrf2.Conclusion: Moringa seed could act as an ACE inhibitor and not its gene modulator.

Neuroprotective properties of Solanum leaves in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the effect of African eggplant (AE) (Solanum macrocarpon L) and Black nightshade (BN) (Solanum nigrum L) leaves; two tropical vegetables consumed by humans on behavioral, biochemical and histological indices in Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Transgenic flies expressing human Amyloid Precursor Protein (hAPP) and β-secretase (hBACE 1) were exposed to the pulverized leaf samples (0.1 and 1.0%) in their diets for fourteen days. Thereafter, the flies were assessed for their behavioral indices and routine histology of brain cells. Furthermore, fly head homogenates were assayed for β-amyloid level, activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE-1), as well as oxidative stress markers.

RESULTS

Result showed that the significantly lower (p < 0.05) behavioral parameters (survival, locomotor performance and memory index), higher AChE and BACE-1 activities, β-amyloid, ROS and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as reduced antioxidant indices observed in the AD flies, were significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) in AD flies treated with the leaf samples.

DISCUSSION

This study has showed that leaves of AE and BN ameliorated behavioral and biochemical indices in AD flies via neural enzyme modulatory, and antioxidant mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Hence, this study further justifies the neuroprotective properties of both AE and BN.

Curcumin-supplemented diets improve antioxidant enzymes and alter acetylcholinesterase genes expression level in Drosophila melanogaster model

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenolic compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes has been shown to exert anti-aging properties with limited scientific basis. Hence, this study sought to examine the antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities of curcumin-supplemented diets as well as their molecular effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genes expression level associated with lifespan extension in Drosophila melanogaster model. In this experiment, D. melanogaster (both genders) of 1 to 3 days old were fed diets either containing no curcumin (control) or supplemented with curcumin at 0.2 and 1.0 mg/g of diet for 7 days. Subsequently, the survival and locomotor activities were determined. In addition, we evaluated RT-PCR expressions of SOD and AChE mRNA genes. Furthermore, catalase, SOD and AChE activities were determined. Curcumin-supplemented diet improves survival ability but did not affect locomotor activity when compared with the control. In addition, there was a significant increase in SOD and catalase with a concomitant decrease of AChE activities when compared with the control. Furthermore, curcumin-supplemented diets suppress AChE mRNA expression but no alteration on SOD gene expression level was observed when compared with control. In conclusion, our present results suggest that a down-regulation of AChE gene expression with a concomitant decrease of AChE activity as well as improving antioxidant status could be some possible mechanism in which curcumin exert anti-aging potential and increases lifespan of D. melanogaster.

Modulatory Effects of Ferulic Acid on Cadmium-Induced Brain Damage

Studies have shown the pharmacological relevance of phenolics like ferulic acid (FA) in promoting health. This study sought to investigate the modulatory effects of FA on cadmium-induced brain damage in rats. Brain damage was induced in Wistar strain rats by oral administration of cadmium (5 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. Assays for malondialdehyde (MDA) content, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and Na+/K+-ATPase activities were carried out. The study revealed significant ( P < .05) increases in the MDA content and all enzymes’ (AChE, BChE, MAO, and Na+/K+-ATPase) activity investigated following cadmium administration. However, rats administered FA (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) alongside cadmium significantly ( P < .05) protected the brain by reversing the level of lipid peroxidation as measured by the MDA content as well as the enzymes’ activity. This study, therefore, substantiates the neuroprotective potentials of FA especially in the management of cadmium-induced toxicity.