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To assess the ameliorative activity of polyphenolic-rich extracts of Basella rubra leaves on β-cell dysfunction in type-II diabetes (T2DM). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents; α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory actions and qualitative analysis of the bioactive compounds of the polyphenolic-rich extract of B. rubra leaves were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) and the rats were orally given bound phenolic (BPE) and free phenolic extracts (FPE) of B. rubra (B.R) leaves at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w once daily for 14 days. Biochemical analyses were executed for evaluation of serum insulin, serum lipid profile concentrations, liver enzymes activities. The extracts demonstrated antioxidant potentials and enzymes inhibitory activities in dose dependent manner; and several bioactive compounds as revealed by GC-MS. BPE and FPE considerably (p<0.05) reduced hyperglycemia, improved serum insulin levels, ameliorated the concentration of serum lipid profiles and improved liver antioxidant activities. Additionally, BPE and FPE expressively decreased alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities along with levels of bilirubin and urea when compare to diabetic control rats. Data acquired exhibited the ability of BPE and FPE to improve pancreatic beta-cell in streptozotocin-induced rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Chrysobalanus orbicularis is commonly used as food, the seeds as a spice for the popular pepper soup, and the leaves are traditionally utilized for managing Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Due to the limited scientific evidence on C. orbicularis, this study investigated its antioxidant and inhibitory properties against major enzymes linked to T2DM. Methods: The antioxidant activity was measured via methods for possible scavenging potentials. The a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibitory activities were examined using a standard model. Results: The C. orbicularis aqueous leaf extract compared well with the standard compounds, revealing the high antioxidant and inhibitory properties against a-amylase and a- glucosidase. Conclusion: The findings validate the conventional application of C. orbicularis in the treatment of patients with type II diabetes mellitus and other oxidative stress-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of free and bound polyphenolic-rich extract of Syzygium cumini (Linn) Skeels leaf on antioxidant as well as a-amylase and a-glucosidase activities were determined using in vitro model. Polyphenolic-rich extract of Syzygium cumini (Linn) Skeels leaf was prepared accordingly and the capability of the extract to inhibit antioxidants as typified by ferric reducing power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) among other free radicals scavenging abilities were quantified spectrophotometrically, added to this, the activities of a-amylase and a- glucosidase were also assessed. The bound phenolic extract exhibited more in vitro antioxidant properties as represented by their high radicals scavenging ability in all the free radicals evaluated. Also, the polyphenolic-rich extracts inhibited a-amylase and a-glucosidase, with bound phenolics showing significant (p<0.05) increase in a dose-dependent manner than free phenolics. Therefore, this study suggests the use of Syzygium cumini leaf as a nutraceutical in the management/control of type II diabetes mellitus patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluates the antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory properties of the nbutanol fraction of Senna podocarpa leaves on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, arginase, phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Methods: The total phenol and flavonoids, iron (Fe) chelation, and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging were used to determine the antioxidant activity, and the inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5 and ACE were also assessed. Results: The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa shows high total phenol and total flavonoid contents. The nbutanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also chelates Fe2+ and ABTS radicals. The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also inhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5, and ACE at the concentration tested. Chromatographic analysis displayed the presence of ß-elemene, phytol and caryophyllene oxide chrysophanol, 3-oxo-methyl ester, α-humulene, ß-caryophyllene, rhein, emodin, and α-copaene. Conclusions: Hence, the n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves demonstrates encouraging feat in controlling and/or managing cognitive dysfunction such as Alzheimer's disease and also hypertension, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and hyperpigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to toxic elements is greatly unavoidable in our daily activities due to several routes of coming in contact with these elements. Thus lead (Pb), is one of the major causes of health hazard in human. In this study, evaluation of Zingiber officinale as mitigating measure against Pb induced biochemical and cytogenic toxicity in albino rats was investigated. Experimental rats were grouped into five with five animals per group, group I serves as control and groups 2-5 were induced intraperitoneal with lead acetate dissolved in distilled water at 3 mg/kg body weight whereas group 3-5 were orally administered with 200 mg/kg vitamin C, 200 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg of Z. officinale, respectively for 7 d. The obtained results show that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid peroxidation, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) and catalase (CAT) were reduced progressively in Pb alone induced rats. Hematological parameters showed a progressive reduction (p < 0.05) in lead acetate alone rats. There were significant changes in micronuclei (MN), chromosomal aberrations (CA) frequency, and oxidative damages in the bone marrow cells from lead acetate alone induced rats, although, mitotic index scores in these cells were reduced gradually (p < 0.05). The altered parameters were significantly reversed toward the levels observed in normal control rats administered with vitamin C and aqueous extract of Z. officinale. Hence, these results suggest that Z. officinale roots might contain therapeutic potential that can ameliorate the hazard effect of lead acetate poison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken leaves are employed as food and as traditional medicines. This study investigates the antioxidant activity (reducing power, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, H2O2 scavenging ability and metal ion chelating), carbohydrate digesting enzymes activity and inhibitory activity of cholinergic enzyme of aqueous extract and fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, residual aqueous fraction) of B. pinnatum leaves were investigated. Results showed that aqueous extract of B. pinnatum exhibited DPPH radical scavenging abilities, iron chelation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging abilities and reducing power (Fe3+-Fe2+). B. pinnatum aqueous extract also had considerably α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values 149.20 ± 14.44 μg/mL and 126.15 ± 9.76 μg/mL respectively. Our findings indicated that ethyl acetate fraction contained a considerably higher (p < 0.05) amount of total phenolic, flavonoids, total antioxidant, FRAP, metal ion, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity than other solvent fractions. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction elicited a significantly higher (p < 0.05) inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (IC50 = 70.90 ± 1.23 μg/ml), α-amylase (IC50 = 62.45 ± 1.22 μg/ml), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC50 = 66.75 μg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (IC50 = 62.97 μg/mL) activities than other fractions. Hence, B. pinnatum leaves were rich in biologically active components; thus, could be employed to formulate new plant-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical drugs to improve human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irvingia gabonensis stem bark is a medicinal plant used in most parts of Africa to manage a number of ailments including neurodegenerative diseases that occur without scientific basis. This work characterized the phenolic composition, evaluated the cholinergic enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, AChE and butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) inhibition, and assessed the antioxidant activity of phenolic extracts from I. gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O‘Rorke) Baill bark. Methods: Total phenol and flavonoids content was evaluated in addition to antioxidant activity as shown by Fe2+ chelation, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging ability. Inhibitory activities on AChE and BChE were evaluated. Results: The extract was found to be rich in phenolic acid (ellagic acid) and flavonoids (quercetrin, kaempferol, and apigenin). The phenolic extracts displayed DPPH radical scavenging ability (IC50=19.98 μg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging ability (IC50=18.25 μg/mL), iron chelation (IC50=113.10 μg/mL), and reducing power (Fe3+ to Fe2+) (5.94 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g). Extracts of I. gabonensis inhibited AChE (IC50=32.90 μg/mL) and BChE (IC50=41.50 μg/mL) activities in concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Hence, possible mechanism through which the stem bark executes their anti-Alzheimer’s disease activity might be by inhibiting cholinesterase activities in addition to suppressing oxidative-stress-induced neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the antioxidant, carbohydrate metabolism, cholinergic, monoaminergic, and purinergic enzyme activities of ethyl acetate leaf fraction of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius were evaluated with the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The ethyl acetate fraction of the plant leaf was tested for antioxidant properties, key carbohydrate metabolism, cholinergic, monoaminergic, and purinergic enzyme activities using standard procedures, while the chemical composition of the fraction was evaluated using HPLC. The results revealed that the fraction has higher phenolic compounds than flavonoid and exhibited the ability to scavenge iron chelation and ABTS. The fraction also inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, tyrosinase, arginase, Ecto-5'-nucleotidase, phosphodieterase-5, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme and encouraged the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase. The HPLC analysis revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction contained coumaric acid, amentoflavone, hesperidin, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol, dihydromyricetin, quercetin,and rutin. The obtained results in this study suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from aqueous extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf possessed outstanding antioxidative potentials. Thus, excellent enzyme inhibitory activities probably due to bioactive compounds are also observed in the leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds are nutritional food, but researches have limited knowledge about the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities of the seed. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory potential (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory property of aqueous extracts of raw and roasted sesame seeds. Antioxidant activities were analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging property, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging ability, iron chelating ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Anti-Alzheimer’s potential was determined using acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition assay. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in the roasted S. indicum sample with the values of 19.81mg/100g and 17.19 mg/100g respectively. The raw S. indicum sample showed higher antioxidant activity in DPPH, and iron chelation assays; while roasted S. indicum sample showed higher in the reducing power and ABTS scavenging activity. However, anticholinesterase activity was higher in the roasted S. indicum sample than in the raw S. indicum sample. The extracts inhibited α-amylase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (20 – 100 μg.mL-1). The raw sample (16.55 ±0.89%) had higher inhibitory α-amylase activity compared to the roasted sample (15.78 ±0.48%) at 100 μg.mL-1. Inhibition of α-glucosidase was higher in the roasted sample at 100 μg.mL-1 (19.40 ±0.26%) compared to the raw sample at the same concentration (3.65 ±0.52%). These findings suggest that S. indicum L. is not only nutritious but also showed potential pharmacological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to highlight the ethnobotanical use and elaborate on the pharmacological activities of Cissus populnea. C.populnea is a medicinal plant widely distributed throughout Africa. Some parts of the plant have been reported traditionally as a therapeutic option. The plant has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of venereal diseases, sore breasts, indigestion, catharsis, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, wounds, boils, skin disease, edema, intestinal parasites, and eye problems resulting from the attack of black cobra. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac, cathartic, and antidote to arrow wounds. The extracts possess pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, larvicidal, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-lipogenic, antiparasitic, antimalarial, anthelmintic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. These activities could be linked to a variety of secondary metabolites such as phytosterols, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, iron, tannins, vitamins, flavonoids, saponins, and phenolics. • The ethnomedicinal uses of Cissus populnea include treatment of venereal diseases, sexual dysfunction, among others. • Cissus populnea possess pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antidiabetic, fertility enhancement activities. • Cissus populnea contains secondary metabolites such as cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and phenolics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress has been implicated in many human diseases such as aging, neurodegenerative disorders and many in cancer. Nrf2 (a master transcription factor that regulates antioxidant response element (ARE) mediated expression of antioxidant enzymes and cyto protective proteins) plays an important role in the response to intrinsic oxidative stress. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes oxidative damage to cellular DNA, and other bio molecules such as lipids and proteins; genetic changes and/ or epigenetic alterations can lead to the deregulation of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, ultimately contributing to carcinogenesis. To alleviate this oxidative stress, there are several anti oxidative stress response, most of which are regulated by Nrf2. Keap1 (a regulator of Nrf2 activity) is a cyto plasmic, cysteine-rich, actin-bound protein that chelate NRF2 in the cytoplasm for degradation. Upon contact with ROS, NRF2 is stabilized and translocate into the nucleus and activate the transcription of many cyto protective genes encoding detoxification and antioxidant protein and exerts a protective function against xenobiotics and oxidative stresses. Increasing attention has been paid to the role of Nrf2 in cancer cells because the constitutive stabilization of Nrf2 has been observed in many human cancers with poor prognosis. Better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying Nrf2 function in response to ROS and electro philes will provide bases for the development of a new strategy aimed at preventing oxidative stress as well as attenuating oxidative-induced cyto toxicity associated with carcinogenesis. Recent advances are highlighted in the understanding of Nrf2-Keap1 gene, transcriptional regulation, complex binding and function and Nrf2-keap1 transcription regulation pathway as a promising prevention of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]