Modulatory effect of fibre-enriched cake on alloxan-induced diabetic toxicity in rat brain tissues

Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extracts ameliorate pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures as well as ensuing cognitive deficit and oxidative stress

Kindling is an experimental-induced seizure consistent with epilepsy disease, a chronic neurological disorder characterised by spontaneous and repeated seizures. This disease is associated with oxidative stress, and most therapeutic strategies against epilepsy aim at improving the antioxidant defence mechanism in the brain. However, prolonged usage and associated adverse side effects limit antiepileptics, warranting natural antioxidant patronage. The present study investigated the behavioural and antioxidant actions of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extracts (TT) against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindling rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (150-180 g) were assigned into five groups (1-5, n = 5): Control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg body weight, b.w.), PTZ-only (40 mg/kg/b.w. i.p.), and groups 3-5 administered PTZ (40 mg/kg/b.w. i.p.) after, respectively, receiving oral TT (500 mg/kg/b.w.), TT flavonoid (fTT, 50 mg/kg/b.w.), and sodium valproate (SV, 15 mg/kg/b.w.). All administrations were carried out 48 hourly for 21 days. In the end, buried food, novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze, elevated plus maze (EPM), and beam walk tests were done, and the rats were sacrificed. Whole brains were processed for antioxidant assays. The results showed a high (p <.05) seizure score and buried food test latency, preference for the familiar object in the NOR test, aversion to open-arm and reduced grooming in the EPM, reduced beam walk latency, elevated brain malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the PTZ group. The TT, fTT, and SV suppressed seizure, decreased buried food latency, `preference for the novel object and open-arm, increased grooming, decreased brain MDA, and elevated SOD. In conclusion, TT extracts protected against PTZ-induced cognitive deficits and brain oxidative stress, with results similar to those of the standard anticonvulsant drug, SV.

Rauvolfia vomitoria phenol extract relieves pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in Swiss mice and protects some temporal lobe structures

BACKGROUND

Rauvolfia vomitoria (R. vomitoria) is a plant of economic importance due to its diverse ethnomedicinal properties, including the anticonvulsant effect. In this study, we studied the antiseizure and neuroprotective potentials of R. vomitoria extracts against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling.

METHODS

Twenty-five adult Swiss mice (25-30 g) were assigned to five groups (n = 5): control group, PTZ treatment group, and PTZ treatment after receiving oral R. vomitoria crude extract (100 mg/kg), R. vomitoria phenol extract (50 mg/kg) or sodium valproate (15 mg/kg) every 48 h for 28 days. Seizure scores, cognitive behavioral tests including novel object test, Y-maze test, and the elevated plus maze test, as well as brain neurochemicals and histomorphology studies, were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the PTZ group showed comparable body weight and durations in closed and open arms (P > 0.05), but preference for familiar objects, significant (P < 0.05) spontaneous alternation, increased monoamine oxidase activity and nitric oxide level, and Nissl chromatolysis in the temporal lobe structures including the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. R. vomitoria phenol extract pretreatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced seizures, prevented adverse cognitive behaviors, decreased the nitric oxide level, and reduced the temporal lobe Nissl chromatolysis compared with the R. vomitoria crude extract pretreatment group and the sodium valproate pretreatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, R. vomitoria phenol extract showed promising results against seizures and potential for general brain protection, suggesting that the anticonvulsant property of R. vomitoria may be attributed to its phenol constituent. More studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of its action.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in obesity promotes prolongation of cardiomyocyte contractile function, impaired Ca2+ handling and protein carbonylation damage

AIMS

To investigate whether the obesity associated to T2DM presented cardiomyocyte myocardial contractility dysfunction due to damage in Ca²⁺ handling, concomitantly with increased biomarkers of oxidative stress.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: control (C): fed with standard diet; and obese (Ob) that fed a saturated high-fat. After the characterization of obesity (12 weeks), the Ob animals were submitted to T2DM induction with a single dose of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). Thus, remained Ob rats that were characterized as to the presence (T2DMOb; n = 8) and/or absence (Ob; n = 10) of T2DM. Cardiac remodeling was measured by post-mortem morphological, isolated cardiomyocyte contractile function, as well as by intracellular Ca²⁺-handling analysis.

RESULTS

T2DMOb presented a significant reduction of all fat pads, total body fat and adiposity index. T2DMOb group presented a significant increase in protein carbonylation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, respectively. T2DMOb promoted elevations in fractional shortening (15.6 %) and time to 50 % shortening (5.8 %), respectively. Time to 50 % Ca²⁺ decay was prolonged in T2DMOb, suggesting a possible impairment in Ca²⁺recapture and/or removal.

CONCLUSION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in obesity promotes prolongation of cardiomyocyte contractile function with protein carbonylation damage and impaired Ca²⁺ handling.

Potential Application of Tetrapleura tetraptera and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae) in Designing Highly Flavoured and Bioactive Pito with Functional Properties

Sorghum beer (pito) is an indigenous alcoholic beverage peculiar to northern Ghana and parts of other West African countries. It is overwhelmed with calories, essential amino acids (such as lysine, etc.), B-group vitamins, and minerals. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for highly flavoured yet functional pito in Ghana; however, the local producers lack the prerequisite scientific expertise in designing such products. We propose the utilization of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) as cheap and readily available materials in designing functional flavoured pito. The addition of TT and HS would not alter the fermentation profile but rather augment the starter with nutrients, thus improving the fermentation performance and shelf life of the final pito. In vitro and in vivo studies provide substantive evidence of antioxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, anticholesterol, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive effects among others of the TT and HS, hence enriching the pito with health-promoting factors and consequently boosting the health of the consumer. Herein, we summarise the phytochemical, biological, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects of TT and HS as well as the technology involved in brewing the novel bioactive-flavoured pito. In addition, we also report the incidence of heavy metal in conventional pito.

Cola millenii Leaf Ethyl Acetate Extract: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy; Modulatory Effect on Serum Indices and Redox Biomarkers

The ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Cola millenii were investigated for it secondary metabolites as well as its effect on serum indices and antioxidant status in normal male albino rats. Fresh leaves of C. millenii were air dried, extracted with ethyl acetate and concentrated. The extract was analysed for its secondary metabolites using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three concentrates consisting of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract were prepared. Groups of five rats were intraperitoneally injected with each of the doses, whilst a fourth group was not injected and served as the normal control. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum was analysed for hepatic and renal biomarkers as well as cholesterol level. Hepatic tissue was analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). FITR spectroscopy revealed the presence of aliphatic, carboxylic acids, esters and alkenes functional groups. Administration of the extract doses led to the increased serum activities of hepatic and renal biomarkers. About 50 mg/kg bw of the extract had the least cholesterol level compared to the other doses. MDA level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in rats administered with 50 mg/kg bw of the extract. Except for the lowest dose, little or no significant effect was observed on SOD and CAT activities. These results indicate the medicinal potential of ethyl acetate extract of C. millenii leaves as portrayed by the low cholesterol and MDA levels and increased CAT activity with 50 mg/kg bw being the most active concentration.