Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Extract of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC

Phenolic content of Terminalia catappa L. leaf and toxicity evaluation on red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

Despite the use of Terminalia catappa (TC) leaf by traditional fish farmers around the world to improve the health status of cultured fish, there is a paucity of information on comprehensive metabolite profile and the maximum safe dose of the plant. This study aims at profiling the methanol leaf extract of T. catappa, quantifying total phenolic content (TPC) as well as the total flavonoid content (TFC) and evaluating its acute toxicity on blood, plasma biochemical parameters and histopathology of some vital organs in red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). The experimental fish were acclimatised for 2 weeks and divided into six groups. Group (1) served as a control group and was administered 0.2 ml,g^-1 of phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Groups 2-6 were orally administered T. catappa leaf extracts (0.2 ml.50 g^-1 ) in the following sequence; 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg^-1 body weight. The metabolites identified in T. catappa using liquid chromatography-tandem mass electrospray ionisation spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) revealed the presence of organic acids, hydrolysable tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Phenolic quantification revealed reasonable quantity of phenolic compounds (217.48 μg GAEmg^-1 for TPC and 91.90 μg. QCEmg^-1 for TFC). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all the tested doses in terms of blood parameters and plasma biochemical analysis except for the packed cell volume (PCV) at 500 mg.kg^-1 when compared to the control. Significant histopathological changes were observed in groups administered with the extract at 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg^-1 doses. To a very large extent it is therefore safe to administer the extract at 31.25 and 62.5 mg.kg^-1 in tilapia.

Evaluation of genotoxic and oxidative stress potential of Ajakanga Landfill Leachate in rats

Genotoxicity and oxidative stress potential of Ajakanga Landfill Leachate (ALL) were investigated in this study. Forty-two male albino rats of the Wistar strain (100 g and 150 g) were divided equally into six groups. Group A (control) animals were given distilled water as drinking water for forty-five days; while groups B-F animals were exposed to 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% leachate respectively via drinking water for forty-five days. The effect of the leachate was assessed on markers of oxidative stress in the liver, kidney and testes of rats; markers of liver function (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined in the serum and the genotoxic effect of the leachate was investigated using micronucleus assay. Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis were also carried out on the leachate sample. Exposure to ALL resulted in increase in the activities of ALT and AST. A significant increase in malondialdehyde level as well as alterations in antioxidant status was observed in the liver, kidney and testes of the rats compared with control. There was also significant increase in micronuclei formation in the bone marrow of rats exposed to the leachate. Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis of the leachate revealed the presence of some heavy metals at high concentrations as well as other toxic constituents and the total number of active bacteria in the leachate sample were also high. In conclusion, ALL induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in rats. This suggests that the leachate may be toxic to humans if exposure occurs.

Dual Inhibition of DPP-4 and Cholinesterase Enzymes by the Phytoconstituents of the Ethanolic Extract of Prosopis cineraria Pods: Therapeutic Implications for the Treatment of Diabetes-associated Neurological Impairments

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance causes decreased uptake of glucose which promotes the susceptibility of type 2 associated neurological impairments.

METHODS

The study was aimed to evaluate the inhibition potential of the ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria (EPC) pods against DPP-4 and cholinesterase enzymes by in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assessments. The present study consists of in vivo studies on a diabetes-induced rat model by HOMA (Homeostasis model assessment) and related parameters, in vitro studies through the DPP-4 enzyme assay and cholinesterase assays using Ellman's reaction. The in-silico studies were conducted by the molecular docking of Cinerin C with targeted enzymes. The phytochemical characterization of the extract was demonstrated through LCMS studies. The antioxidant studies on the extract were performed by FRAP and TEAC assays.

RESULTS

The extract showed 64.8% maximum inhibition of DPP-4, 34.91% inhibition of AChE and 74.35% inhibition of BuChE. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was observed to be 847.81±16.25μM Fe2+ equivalent in the FRAP assay and 0.40 ± 0.08 mmol/l of Trolox equivalent in the TEAC assay. The in vivo study showed competent glycaemic control against significant HOMA IR (1.5), HOMA % β (26.5) and HOMA % S (68.8) as well as pancreatic cell mass proliferation. The insilico analysis also revealed positive interactions of Cinerin C with targeted enzymes (DPP4 and cholinesterase).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the phytoconstituents of Prosopis cineraria pod extract can be significantly considered in neuropharmacology to resolve insulin resistance-induced neurological complications as it showed inhibition against DPP-4, AChE and BuChE target enzymes.

Interaction between phytotherapy and oral anticancer agents: prospective study and literature review

Cancer is becoming more prevalent in elderly patient. Due to polypharmacy, older adults with cancer are predisposed to drug-drug interactions. There is also an increasing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Thirty to seventy percent of patients with cancer have used CAM. Through pharmaceutical counseling sessions, we can provide advices on herb-drug interactions (HDI). All the patients seen in pharmaceutical counseling sessions were prospectively included. Information was collected during these sessions: prescribed medication (oral anticancer agents (OAA) and other drugs), CAM (phytotherapy especially), and use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. If pharmacist considered an interaction or an intervention clinically relevant, the oncologist was notified. Then, a literature review was realized to identify the potential HDI (no interactions, precautions for use, contraindication). Among 201 pharmacist counseling sessions, it resulted in 104 interventions related to 46 HDI, 28 drug-drug interactions and 30 others (wrong dosage, omission…). To determine HDI, we review 73 medicinal plants which are used by our patients with cancer and 31 OAA. A total of 1829 recommendations were formulated about 59 (75%) medical plants and their interaction with an OAA. Herb-drug interactions should not be ignored by healthcare providers in their management of cancer patients in daily practice.