Calotropis Procera Root Extract’s Anti-diabetic and Hepatoprotective Therapeutic Activity in Alloxan-induced Pancreatic Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Background: Studies suggest that herbal remedies may serve as functional anti-diabetic agents. This study investigated the therapeutic role of Calotropis procera aqueous-methanol root extract in hyperglycaemic and hepatopathy disorders in Wistar rats after exposure to alloxan. This compound destroys pancreatic β-cells and produce diabetes in experimental animals. Methods: Spectrophotometric methods were used to assay the antioxidants and biochemical parameters while histological examinations were employed to assess the structural changes in the harvested tissue under light microscopy. Results: The secondary metabolites were quantified by spectrochemistry methods. The extract was rich in flavonoids and low in terpenoids, and contained ursolic acid, lupeol and oleanolic acid. The extract’s strong anti-radical activity was due to its low IC50 values. The extract suppressed α-amylase more than α-glucosidase activity by 3.99%, and the blood glucose declined in the diabetic group by 64.25%. The malondialdehyde level was low in the treated group while it declined significantly in the normal group. The superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels were also low in the untreated versus the treated group. There were reduced activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase; however, the albumin and total protein levels increased mildly in the treated compared to the untreated group. The liver and pancreas histology revealed normal hepatocyte and β-islet architecture in the treated group as opposed to blood vessels congestion and β cells necrosis in the untreated group.

In silico identification and study of potential anti-mosquito juvenile hormone binding protein (MJHBP) compounds as candidates for dengue virus - Vector insecticides

Dengue has become a huge global health burden. It is currently recognized as the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease. Yet, there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics to manage the virus, thus, scaling up vector control approaches is important in controlling this viral spread. This study aimed to identify and study in silico, potential anti-mosquito compounds targeting Juvenile hormone (JH) mediated pathways via the Mosquito Juvenile Hormone Binding Protein (MJHBP). The study was implemented using series of computational methods. The query compounds included pyrethroids and those derived from ZINC and ANPDB databases using a simple pharmacophore model in Molecular Operating Environment (MOE). Molecular docking of selected compounds' library was implemented in MOE. The resultant high-score compounds were further validated by molecular dynamics simulation via Maestro 12.3 module and the respective Prime/Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (Prime/MM-GBSA) binding energies computed. The study identified compounds-pyrethroids, natural and synthetic - with high docking energy scores (ranging from 10.91-12.34 kcal/mol). On further analysis of the high-ranking (in terms of docking scores) compounds using MD simulation, the compounds - Ekeberin D4, Maesanin, Silafluofen and ZINC16919139- revealed very low binding energies (-122.99, -72.91 -104.50 and,-74.94 kcal/mol respectively), fairly stable complex and interesting interaction with JH-binding site amino acid residues on MJHBP. Further studies can explore these compounds in vitro/in vivo in the search for more efficient mosquito vector control.

Screening for toxicological and anti-diabetic potential of n-hexane extract ofTapinanthus bangwensisleaves

Health forecasters predict that cases of diabetes will double in 2030; hence proactive action is required to salvage this problem. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the toxicological and anti-diabetic potential of n-hexane extract of T. bangwensis leaves on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity as well as the inhibitory effect of the plant extract was determined by UV-spectrophotometry method while brine shrimp and Allium cepa methods were used for the toxicity study. Preliminary phytochemical screening detected the presence of flavonoid, phenol, tannin, alkaloid and cardiac glycoside whereas phlobatanin, steroid, terpenoid and saponin were absent. The result also showed that flavonoid concentration was the highest compared to others. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) results showed that the plant extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity particularly at the highest concentration (100 µg/ml). Brine shrimp lethality result showed that the highest mortality rate of nauplii and median inhibition concentration (IC50) are 97% and 7.46 ± 0.33 µg/ml respectively. Furthermore, the results also revealed that mitotic index, root growth length and mitotic division (cytotoxicity indicators) decreased as concentration increases. Finally, the results showed that the plant extract exhibited significant inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities at 100 µg/ml; nevertheless, the effect was higher on α-amylase than α-glucosidase activity. In summary, the significant antioxidant and inhibitory effects may be attributed to the presence of the phytochemicals mentioned above. It can therefore be concluded that T. bangwensis leaves may demonstrate potent anti-diabetic effect.