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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulin deficiency or dysfunction. The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants known as oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications associated with DM. Chrysophyllum albidum is a seasonal fruit found to be rich in natural antioxidants. DM was induced by high-fat diet dietary supplementation for 14 days followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Thirty-five experimental rats were then divided into seven groups viz.: non-diabetic control; diabetic control; metformin; diabetic and non-diabetic fed with 5 and 10% C. albidum fruit pulp powder (CAFPP). Fasting blood glucose was done with an automatic auto-analyzer and weights were monitored at three-day intervals. The expressions of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GST, TNF-α, DPP4, and insulin were investigated using RT-PCR. Schrodinger suites was used for docking of C. albidum phytocompounds with insulin. Diabetic rats fed with CAFPP for thirteen days have their blood glucose lowered significantly (p

Epidemiologic studies have shown strong correlations between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes mellitus. The exact mechanism through which this happens remains unclear. However, the dependence on glucose for brain function has been proposed as one possible mechanism. Hence, this study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp (CAPP) with hypoglycaemic properties in diabetic rats induced with high-fat diet/streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were grouped into seven units as follows: control, STZ-induced, STZ + metformin (positive control), STZ + 5% CAPP, STZ + 10% CAPP, control + 5% CAPP and control + 10% CAPP and each group was made up of six rats. The animals were first placed on normal diet (non-diabetic groups) and high fat diet (diabetic groups) for a fortnight, respectively before induction with STZ and were treated with diets containing 5 and 10% CAPP for 14 days. After the experiment, the rat brain cholinesterase and antioxidant activities were determined. The results revealed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butylcholinesterase (BuChE), arginase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and antioxidant activities were altered in STZ-diabetic group in comparison to the control. However, a significant decrease at p < 0.05 was found in the activities of AChE, BuChE, arginase and ADA. In addition, there was a concomitant rise in the levels of antioxidant in all the groups administered supplemented diets and the group treated with metformin in comparison to the STZ-diabetic group. Conclusively, we can suggest that the fruit pulp prevents neurological damage in diabetic rats via anticholinesterase activity and improvement of brain antioxidant status.

The effects of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp on haemodynamic parameters, pro-inflammatory markers, antioxidant parameters and critical biomolecules associated with hypertension in vivo were determined. Feeding with supplemented diet with pulp reduced heart rate, mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of hypertensive-treated groups. Moreover, hypertensive-treated groups fed with fruit pulp supplemented diets had significantly (p

One significant ethnomedicinal motivation behind Pleurotus tuberregium (PTT) and Anchomanes difformis (ADT) tubers is cardiovascular-related conditions treatment. This investigation is in this way planned for deciding the impact of PTT and ADT enhanced eating routine on key enzymes linked with hypercholesterolemia in elevated cholesterol fed rodents. Rats were isolated into control group, hypercholesterolemic-prompted untreated group, hypercholesterolemic-treated groups with dietary routine containing PTT (5% and 10%), ADT (5% and 10%), 5% PTT and 5% ADT conbination and traditional medication, atorvastatin for 28 days. Ten rodents were utilized for every one of the groups. Feeding with PTT and ADT comprehensive eating regimen and their combination significantly (P

Background African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) is a traditonal fruit, which is predominant in tropical regions with the fruit parts consumed by the populace and used in folklore to manage diabetes. However, the likely activity mechanism is still undetermined. The current study examined and compared the inhibitory abilities of African star apple fruit parts on selected key enzymes related to diabetes mellitus in the pancreas tissue of rat. Methods Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract (1:10 w/v) of African star apple fruit parts (pulp, cotyledon, seed coat and pulp coat) on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, as well as their starch composition, phenolic constituents, estimated glycemic index, and antioxidant properties were assessed. Results The fruit parts showed low sugar, eGI, amylose, and amylopectin contents. The analysis also showed that the fruit parts inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and exhibited antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the fruit parts contain high concentrations of beta-amyrin acetate, eleagine, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, skatole, stigmasterol and tetrahydro − 2- methylharman as revealed by HPLC-DAD. Conclusion The fruit part low estimated glycemic indices, strong antioxidant properties, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities exhibited might be related to the bioactive compounds contained in the extract. This could also be a potential mechanism for the use in the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the African star apple pulp coat displayed the highest property in comparison to other parts of the fruit.

Chrysophyllum albidum (C. albidum) is an indigenous fruit, found predominantly in African countries. The fleshy pulp of the fruit is widely consumed by the populace and used in folklore for diabetes management. The present study was carried out to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp powder (CAPP) on biochemical parameters in a type 2 diabetes rat model, induced by a combination of high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg kg −1) for 14 days. Diabetic rats were placed on dietary regimen containing 5–10% Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp powder (CAPP) supplemented diet. The results revealed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the average feed intake and weight changes between the rat groups. Furthermore, supplementation with CAPP gradually reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rat compared to control diabetic rats without CAPP supplementation. Moreover, reduced activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were observed in CAPP and metformin-treated rat groups when compared to control diabetic rats without CAPP supplementation. In addition, CAPP showed significantly (P

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulin deficiency or dysfunction. The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants known as oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications associated with DM. Chrysophyllum albidum is a seasonal fruit found to be rich in natural antioxidants. METHODS: DM was induced by high-fat diet dietary supplementation for 14 days followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Thirty-five experimental rats were then divided into seven groups viz.: non-diabetic control; diabetic control; metformin; diabetic and non-diabetic fed with 5 and 10% C. albidum fruit pulp powder (CAFPP). Fasting blood glucose was done with an automatic auto-analyzer and weights were monitored at three-day intervals. The expressions of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GST, TNF-α, DPP4, and insulin were investigated using RT-PCR. Schrödinger suites was used for docking of C. albidum phytocompounds with insulin. RESULTS: Diabetic rats fed with CAFPP for thirteen days have their blood glucose lowered significantly (p

The study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seed (raw and roasted) on nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin in rats. Rats were divided into control group, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic untreated group, nephrotoxic-treated groups with Methimazole, dietary regimen containing raw pumpkin seed (5% and 10%) and roasted pumpkin seed (5% and 10%) for 14 days. Results acquired uncovered that cisplatin intoxication significantly increased (p ≤ .05) the levels of renal biomarkers, arginase activity, 8-hydroxy-21 -deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as significant decrease in functional sulfhydryl groups, nitric oxide levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities in rats' kidney when compared to the control group. These adverse changes, due to cisplatin inebriation in rodents, were in any case, forestalled by pre-treatment with pumpkin seed inclusive diet. This holds promise for the use of pumpkin seed as a food supplement in the management of nephrotoxic-related disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These results suggest that roasted pumpkin seed appears to be more nephroprotective than the raw pumpkin seed through regulations of arginase activity, enhancement in the antioxidant system, suppression of renal markers and lipid peroxidation. This holds p-omise for the use of roasted pumpkin seed as a food supplement in the management nephrotoxic-related disorders.

This study compared the estimated glycemic index, antioxidant, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties of ripe Citrus paradisi fruit’s parts, as well as their phenolic composition by employing high performance liquid chromatography fixed with diode array detector. The result revealed that C. paradisi fruit’s peel exhibited significantly lowest glycemic index, highest antioxidant and inhibitory effects on the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with concomitant highest polyphenol constituents compared to other parts of the fruit. Thus, being a waste product of the fruit, it could be a prospective source of natural products for functional food development, nutraceuticals or dietary supplement for the management of diabetes, due to the low glycemic index, antioxidant and inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities.

The African breadfruit plant (Treculia africana) Decne is an evergreen tropical tree crop that bears large seeded fruits. It is well known in Southern Nigeria where the edible seed is of great socioeconomic value and forms an important part of diets. It contains between 13.4 and 23.3% proteins, 53.7 and 62.6% carbohydrates, 10.4 and 18.9% fats, and a wide array of nutritive elements (Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg), and antinutrient components of the seed (phytate, oxalate, tannin, and hydrogen cyanide) are drastically reduced during seed processing via fermentation, toasting, and boiling. The seed extract has been shown to possess antimicrobial and health-promoting activities. This chapter provides information on the phytoconstituents of African breadfruit seed and their nutritional and potential medicinal values.

This study evaluated the modulatory effect of African star apple fruit (ASAF) pulp inclusive diet on biomolecules associated with reproductive function in the testis and epididymis of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. The rats were divided into seven groups: control, diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with metformin, diabetic rats served with diet having 5 and 10% ASAF, respectively, and control rats served with diet containing 5%, and 10% ASAF respectively for 14 days. There were noticeable decrease in sperm parameters, reproductive hormone, glycogen, nitric oxide, total thiol, nonprotein thiol levels, and testicular 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and concomitant increase in cholesterol, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde levels, and arginase activity compared to the control. Nevertheless, ASAFs reversed all these parameters toward the control levels. Therefore, these findings suggest that ASAF pulp-supplemented diet might be an active approach in controlling male reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results suggest that ASAF pulp-supplemented diet might be an active approach in controlling male reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes through alterations in the levels of blood glucose, glycogen, cholesterol, nitric oxide, reproductive hormones, activities of steroidogenic enzymes, arginase, and sperm characteristics as well as the antioxidant status in the testes and epididymis.

The fruit of the cherry tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae)) was analysed for mineral and antinutrient composition. Phosphorus (33.04 ± 0.21 mg/100g) was the most abundant mineral in the fruit, followed by calcium (32.04 ± 0.06 mg/100g), and potassium (11.9 ± 0.1 mg/100g) and manganese (9.55 ± 0.28 mg/100g) were also present in appreciable quantities. Antinutrients, including phytate, glycoside, saponin and tannin, were screened and quantified. Phytate (112.82 ± 0.1 mg/100g), glycoside (2.33 ± 0.00 mg/100g), saponin (1.31 ± 0.00 mg/100g) and tannin (0.21 ± 0.00 mg/100g) were present in the fruit but phlobatanin and glycosides with steroidal rings were not found. The calculated calcium:phytate ratio of the fruits was below the critical value and the calculated [calcium] [phytate]:[zinc] molar ratio was less than the critical value. The calcium:phosphorus ratio (0.97 mg/100g) shows the fruit to be a good source of food nutrients, while the sodium:potassium value was less than 1. Ca/P ratio below 0.5 indicates deficiency of these minerals while Na/K ratio above 1 is detrimental because of excessive sodium levels. The results of the study generally revealed the fruit to be rich in minerals but containing insufficient quantities of antinutrients to result in poor mineral bioavailability.

The seed of Kerstingiella geocarpa was analyzed to determine its proximate and amino acid compositions. The seed was found to be a high source of crude protein (21.3%) and very low in crude fat (1.0%). Arginine, an amino acid for pediatric growth, was the most concentrated amino acid in the seed. Arginine (9.3 g/100 g of crude protein), histidine (2.1 g/100 g of crude protein), and phenylalanine (3.2 g/100 g of crude protein) concentrations in the seed were found in higher levels than the recommended Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization amino acid requirement pattern for the preschool age group. The total essential amino acid content in K. geocarpa seed was 42.0%. The lysine:arginine ratio calculated to estimate the seed atherogenic potential was 0.3. This shows that K. geocarpa seed protein will not exert a hypercholesterolemia effect on the consumer. Futhermore, incorporation of the seed into diets of experimental rats resulted in hematological parameters comparable with those of casein control-fed rats. These findings show this seed could be an important source of food that holds promise in medicinal nutrition.

Two varieties of Pleurotus sajor-caju, obtained from the wild and cultivated (on shredded corncobs) were separated into cap and stalk and analysed on dry weight basis. The proximate composition (g/100g) showed that both varieties were highly concentrated in crude protein. The cultivated cap (Cc) was found to accumulate higher concentration of crude protein (26.34%) and ash (10.37%) than the wild cap (Wc), which had higher crude fat (3.90%) and crude fibre (16.32%) concentrations while the wild stalk (Ws) contained the highest concentration of crude fibre (26.14%). Amino acid analysis showed the mushroom protein to be a rich source of nutritionally useful essential amino acids with leucine as the most abundant occurring in highest concentration (mg/g) in the Cc (64.8±0.24). Methionine and cysteine concentrations were low as confirmed by their chemical scores (0.29–0.59). There was a significant difference (P

Edible mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium , separated into cap, stalk, and tuber, was analysed. The macronutrient profile (g/100 g) showed crude protein ranging from 4.1 to 13.8, with the highest concentration in the cap (13.8) than any of the other parts and total carbohydrates from 34.0 to 56.2, while the crude fat and ash contents were generally low. Potassium, the most abundant nutritive element was found to be the highest concentration (mg/g) in the stalk (3.3) while copper was found in trace amounts in all the parts. The total cyanide (mg/100 g), phytate (mg/100 g) and tannin (%TA) concentrations were all below levels considered harmful. Amino acids analysis show that the protein contained all essential amino acids while the calculated amino acids scores showed the sulphur containing amino acids to be most limiting. The foregoing highlights the high nutritive values of the major parts of the edible mushroom, Pleurotus tuber-regium .

‘ Pupuru’, an indigenous retted cassava product processed with water from different sources was analyzed for nutritive elements including; potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc and some anti nutrients: cyanide, tannin and phytate. The concentration of the minerals increased while the anti nutrient concentration decreased in the processed ‘pupuru’ as compared to the unprocessed cassava. To predict the effect of phytate on zinc bioavailability, molar ratios of [phytate] / [Zn], [Ca] / [phytate] and [C a] [phytate] / [Zn] were calculated. The calculated [Ca] [phytate] / [Zn] molar ratio for all the products (0.1 - 0.26 mol/kg) were all below the 0.5 mol/kg critical value while the [phytate] / [Zn] molar ratios (5.8 - 10.8) were all below the 15:1 value c onsidered to be critical. The foregoing shows that processing cassava into ‘pupuru’ will reduce anti nutrient concentrations and enhance zinc bioavailability.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides information about the kersting's nut to popularize the production and utilization of the seed. Kersting's nut ( Kerstingiella geocarpa ) is an underutilized legume indigenous to West Africa. Though it is found in other parts of Africa, Asia, and India it has not attained national or worldwide importance. It is a fair source of inexpensive protein and nutritive elements that can enrich the human diet. It is an important crop in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen to enrich the soil for the growth of other crops, through symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria. Hence, apart from its importance as a food legume, Kerstingiella geocarpa seed will be beneficial in crop rotations and intercropping. The earliest report on the nutritional value of Kerstingiella geocarpa shows that it has high nutritional value and a high nitrogen content. It contains appreciable quantities of nutrients such as protein (21.5%) and carbohydrate (73.9%). Its protein is composed of lysine 6.2% and methionine 1.4%. Although total protein content is important in the biological utilization of protein, the level and balance of the essential amino acids primarily determine the nutritional value. The protein of Kerstingiella geocarpa seed is a rich source of essential amino acids, which have beneficial health implications, including their role in growth and blood formation. The seed would be beneficial for the management and prevention of atherogenic-related disorders. The seed has potential in the prevention and management of protein energy malnutrition, atherosclerosis, and other related disorders.