Search

The rising burden of Diabetes mellitus (DM) globally and particularly in sub-Sahara Africa calls for alternative treatment solutions. This is because the currently available drugs for its management are limited due to undesirable adverse effects and high cost. Thus, this review explores diabetes and summarizes its treatment options, focusing mainly on medicinal plants therapy. Information on twenty-five selected medicinal plants from sub-Sahara Africa having hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic potentials was obtained via electronic search of major databases, such as Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar and web of science. Predominant bioactive compounds found in these plants include tannins, carpaine, terpenoids, hexadecenoic acid, luteolin, saponins, glycosides, rutin, quercetin, vindoline and kaempferol. Robust evidence indicates that these medicinal plants and their bioactive components exert their antidiabetic potentials via different mechanisms, including: regeneration of pancreatic β-cell and insulin secretion; inhibition of α-amylase, inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption and liver glucose production; antioxidative stress; limitation of glycogen degradation and gluconeogenesis; anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory. DM imposes a tremendous burden in the region, and its prevalence is not abating; thus the rich flora of the region with known hypoglycemic and antidiabetic efficacy could be explored as a complementary therapy in its management.

Objectives Xylopia aethiopica (XAE), commonly known as African pepper or Ethiopian pepper, is a plant native to West Africa and known for its aromatic and medicinal properties. It was used to investigate the antioxidative, antihepatotoxic, and antinephrotoxic potentials of XAE in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Wister albino rats. Methods The proximate, and vitamin composition, oxidative stress indicators, and indices of kidney and hepatic functions were performed by standard methods. Results The proximate composition of the XAE leaf showed varied concentrations of Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Se, and Cl, as well as vitamins A, E, B3, D, C, K, B2, and Bi. The activities of catalase glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde levels, K, Na, Cl − , urea, uric acid, and creatinine in the kidney were increased in testosterone propionate (Tp)-induced BPH compared with the control groups. Total protein levels significantly decreased in Tp-induced BPH compared with XAE-treated groups increased on XAE treatment. The aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly different in Tp-induced BPH, XAE, and normal controls. Conclusion The study revealed that XAE can be used in the management of oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in BPH condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a myriad of diseases that plague the world ranging from infectious, cancer and other chronic diseases with varying interventions. However, the dynamism of causative agents of infectious diseases and incessant mutations accompanying other forms of chronic diseases like cancer, have worsened the treatment outcomes. These factors often lead to treatment failure via different drug resistance mechanisms. More so, the cost of developing newer drugs is huge. This underscores the need for a paradigm shift in the drug delivery approach in order to achieve desired treatment outcomes. There is intensified research in nanomedicine, which has shown promises in improving the therapeutic outcome of drugs at preclinical stages with increased efficacy and reduced toxicity. Regardless of the huge benefits of nanotechnology in drug delivery, challenges such as regulatory approval, scalability, cost implication and potential toxicity must be addressed via streamlining of regulatory hurdles and increased research funding. In conclusion, the idea of nanotechnology in drug delivery holds immense promise for optimizing therapeutic outcomes. This work presents opportunities to revolutionize treatment strategies, providing expert opinions on translating the huge amount of research in nanomedicine into clinical benefits for patients with resistant infections and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Combretum dolichopetalum (CD) is commonly found in the Eastern part of Nigeria where it is used to relieve menstrual pain, enhance labour, facilitate the removal of placenta and promote a rich milk supply after delivery. This study investigates the effect of prenatal consumption of Combretum dolichopetalum by pregnant albino rats on haematological, and biochemical parameters as well as pregnancy outcome. Methods: Mature inbred healthy female albino rats of normal estrus cycles that were 2-3 months of age weighting 120-180 g were used for the study. Examination of the estrus cycle, the introduction of male rats at pro-estrus, and confirmation of pregnancy were adopted using standard method. After initiation of pregnancy, fifty (50) rats were placed in five groups comprising ten rats per group. Distilled water was administered to rats in Group 1 which served as control while rats in Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of Combretum dolichopetalum methanol leaf extract (CDLE) from day 15 to 20 of pregnancy using oral gavage, respectively. Maternal weight, haematological parameters (full blood count), biochemical parameters (renal and liver indices), gestational length, and litter size were measured using standard methods. Results: The result showed a decrease in maternal weight, postpartum weight retained and gestational length, an increase in haematological parameters, and no changes in the renal and liver indices. Conclusion: This study indicates that CDLE during prenatal did not influence the pregnancy outcome but was beneficial in decreasing postpartum weight retained without any visible sign of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This narrative review documented the available knowledge on the transmissibility, pathogenicity, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan African region in order to inform recommendations of future containment of the virus. Internet search for studies on COVID-19 transmission, pathogenicity, morbidity and mortality in Africa was conducted from February to July 2020. Although Africa was classified among the high-risk continents due to high volume of human air traffic occasioned by international trade relations and poor health facilities, available data showed that most sub-Saharan African countries were prepared with strategies to reduce and manage the disease beyond expectations. However, despite health guidelines, which include but are not limited to personal hygiene, maintaining social and physical distancing, avoiding crowded places, use of nose and mouth or face masks that will limit its spread, the high burden of other diseases in Africa, such as malaria, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and asthma among others coupled with poor health facilities have been attributed to contribute significantly to the cause of coronavirus mortality in Africa. While information on the pathogenicity and therapeutic management of coronavirus continue to evolve, medicinal plants with potent metabolites are reported to be effective in early treatment of the virus abound in African countries, thus bringing a positive development with futuristic hope for cheaper and effective medication. A potentially significant contribution to reduced severity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in sub-Sahara Africa may be due to the elevated temperatures of climate in this part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Medicinal plants provide better and cheaper alternative therapy for management of several diseases compared to orthodox medicines. This study evaluated the effects of feed formulated with Ficus ottoniifolia (Miq.) Miq. (FFFO) leaves in the management of alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Materials and Methods: DM was induced in overnight-fasted rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally. DM rats in Groups 1-3 were fed with graded FFFO while group 4 (diabetic control) and group 5 (normal control) were fed with commercial feeds (Vital-Feeds), daily for 21 days. Changes in body weight and some biochemical parameters were thereafter determined. Results: Results showed significant decreases (p<0.05) in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) but significant increases (p<0.05) in blood glucose, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in DM-induced rats compared to the normal control group. Feeding with FFFO significantly increased (p<0.05) the body weight and HDL, decreased the blood glucose, serum LDL, TG and TC and attenuated ALT activities in FFFO-fed DM rats compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusion: This study revealed that FFFO-diet may mitigate hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and liver-damage associated with DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are the main detoxification enzymes in schistosomes. These parasitic enzymes tend to be upregulated during drug treatment, with Schistosoma haematobium being one of the species that mainly affect humans. There is a lack of complete sequence information on the closely related bovis and haematobium 26-kDa GST isoforms in any database. Consequently, we engineered a pseudo-26-kDa S. bovis/haematobium GST (Sbh26GST) to understand structure–function relations and ligandin activity towards selected potential ligands. Sbh26GST was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as an MBP-fusion protein, purified to homogeneity and catalyzed 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-glutathione (CDNB-GSH) conjugation activity, with a specific activity of 13 μmol/min/mg. This activity decreased by ~95% in the presence of bromosulfophthalein (BSP), which showed an IC50 of 27 µM. Additionally, enzyme kinetics revealed that BSP acts as a non-competitive inhibitor relative to GSH. Spectroscopic studies affirmed that Sbh26GST adopts the canonical GST structure, which is predominantly α-helical. Further extrinsic 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) spectroscopy illustrated that BSP, praziquantel (PZQ), and artemisinin (ART) might preferentially bind at the dimer interface or in proximity to the hydrophobic substrate-binding site of the enzyme. The Sbh26GST-BSP interaction is both enthalpically and entropically driven, with a stoichiometry of one BSP molecule per Sbh26GST dimer. Enzyme stability appeared enhanced in the presence of BSP and GSH. Induced fit ligand docking affirmed the spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and molecular modelling results. In conclusion, BSP is a potent inhibitor of Sbh26GST and could potentially be rationalized as a treatment for schistosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antirheumatoid arthritis potential of ethanol and aqueous extracts of seed pod of Copaifera salikounda (SPCS) was evaluated using the chicken collagen/complete Freund's adjuvant‐induced arthritic rats model. Adjuvat‐induced rats were treated with varied doses of the extracts (400, 600, and 800 mg/kg body weight) and with reference drug, indomethacin for 21 days. Antiarthritic evaluation was done through measurement of body weight, paw size, inflammatory makers, hematological parameters, cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation as well as histopathological examinations. Treatment with the ethanol and aqueous extracts of SPCS markedly inhibited the paw size and caused weight gain. The extracts considerably modulated the hematological as well as the antioxidant parameters. Likewise, the extract restored the altered lipid peroxidation, pro‐inflammatory mediators, and inflammatory factors which further accentuate the implication in adjuvant‐induced arthritis. Thus, the ethanol and aqueous extracts of SPCS showed a significant antiarthritic activity that was statistically analogous to that of indomethacin. Practical applications: Copaifera salikounda (Heckel) has been used in treatment of different ailments including rheumatoid arthritis in folklore medicine. This is the first reported proof of the antiarthritic potential of the seed pod. Oxidative stress has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis. Ethanol extract of SPCS has been shown to be predominantly rich in phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids which are natural antioxidant. The present study has demonstrated that ethanol and aqueous extracts of SPCS can exert antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects, thus strengthening its antiarthritic potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective antineoplastic drug associated with wide organ toxicity. Accumulating evidence implicates oxidative stress to be a leading underlying mechanism of MTX‐induced neurotoxicity. The study explores antioxidant potential of virgin coconut oil (VCO) or Moringa oleifera seed oil (MOO) in MTX‐induced oxidative stress‐mediated cerebral neurotoxicity and inflammation in rats. Rats treated with VCO or MOO (5 ml/kg bw) for 17 days were administered MTX (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on day 14 only. Cerebral activities of acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels as well as cytokines were evaluated. MTX‐induced neurotoxic alterations were significantly abrogated by MOO and VCO supplementation via inhibition of cholinesterase, oxidative stress, and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms. VCO and MOO showed comparable antioxidant potentials with the standards in DPPH and FRAP assays. VCO and MOO are promising natural oils for modulating MTX neurotoxicity in cancer patients. Practical applications: Methotrexate chemotherapy induces neurotoxicity in cancer patients, and this is a source of worry for clinicians. This study reports, for the first time, the beneficial health effects of functional food oils, Moringa oleifera seed oil, and virgin coconut oil against anticancer drug methotrexate‐induced cerebral neurotoxicity. Supplementation of these natural oils may be beneficial in the prevention of cerebral neurotoxic side effect in cancer patients undergoing methotrexate chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have implicated reactive oxygen species in perpetuation of inflammation and subse-quent destruction of joints in patients with arthritis. Antioxidant effects of Buchholzia coriacea ethanol leaf-extract, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions on oxidative stress indices in rheumatoid arthritic female Wistar albino rats were examined. 180 rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. Fifteen rats were placed in each group. Rats without arthritis were placed in Group 1. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in groups 2 to 12 by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant into the left hind paws of rats. Group 2 (arthritic rats) did not receive any treatment but rather were given normal saline while group 3 (arthritic rats) received 5 mg/kg indomethacinTM (a standard drug). Rats in Groups 4 to 12 were administered the samples at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight. Freund’s ad-juvant administration led to inflammation and oxidative stress which were marked by significant (P<0.05) increase in paw sizes, oxidative stress markers and reduced body weight of the rats. Arthritic rats were treated with standard drug and samples (at varied doses) and this resulted to reversal of the trend of those parameters in a time and dose-dependent manner. Rats that received 800 mg/kg of the aqueous fraction displayed the best desirable result which was similar to the effect of indomethacin. Thus, Buchholzia coriacea ethanol extract and fractions may be useful in the management of oxidative stress which is very common among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]