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Cypermethrin is a potent pyrethroids insecticide causing different pathological features when exposed to mammal. Vitamins are used as nutrient supplements and in clinical studies as medical intervention in some disease conditions. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of vitamin C and E on Cypermethrin induced nephrotoxicity in wistar albino rats. Twenty-eight (28) wistar albino rats were sorted into four groups of seven rats per groups were used in this study. Group A serves as the control and received distilled water orally. Group B, C and D were administered 25mg/kg body weight cypermethrin orally. Group C and D were treated daily with 40mg/kg body weight vitamin C and 20mg/kg body weight vitamin E respectively by oral administration while group B was left untreated for 14 days. Cypermethrin significantly (P

Renal diseases have been documented as one of the massive health challenges, ranked as the 12th most common cause of death globally. This study was carried out to assess the chemopreventive effects of Vernonia amydalina on nitrobenzene mediated renal damage in rats. Rats were exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight of nitrobenzene via oral administration and treated with 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 400 mg/kg BW of methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina (MLVA) and Vitamin E for 14 consecutive days. Nitrobenzene significantly induced a renal injury with a significant increase in the serum levels of urea and creatinine with the concomitant altered serum electrolyte profile. Also, nitrobenzene mediated the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation with a significant increase in the renal level of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), with a concomitant decrease in the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, an inflammation was observed in the nitrobenzene-treated rats with the elevated level of nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). However, the treatment with methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina reversed all the nitrobenzene-associated renal damage, electrolyte imbalance, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation and altered antioxidant defence system. Taken together, methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina offers protection which may be beneficial for the treatment and management of kidney diseases or other related disorders via enhancing the serum electrolyte homeostasis, protecting the structural integrity of the kidney, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Medicinal herbs have been known for their use as an alternative medicine in the management and treatment of different categories of diseases. The present study was designed to assess the phytochemical constituents present in methanol and ethylacetate leaves extract of Talium trangulare and its antioxidant potentials against free radicals comparatively. The functional groups of the phytochemicals were carried out using FTIR techniques while the phytochemical component of the extract was determined by standard methods. The comparative studies of antioxidant abilities of methanol and ethylacetate leaves extracts of Talium trangulare were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, scavenging activities. These different antioxidant activities were compared with standard antioxidants compounds such as ascorbic acid and Gallic acid. The total phenolic content in ethylacetate extract is higher than what was obtained from methanol extract of Talium trangulare, however, methanol extract has higher tannins and flavonoids content. The methanol extract was found to have demonstrated high reduction capability and powerful free radical scavenging, especially against DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide as compared with the ethylacetate leaves extract. The results that was obtained in the present study clearly established the antioxidant potency of both ethylacetate and methanol leaf extracts of Talium trangulare. The methanol extract shows better antioxidant activities and more flavonoids and tannin than the ethylacetate extract. In conclusion, the methanol leaf extract of Talium trangulare has comparatively better in vitro antioxidant potentials with corresponding phytochemical content than ethylacetate extract.

Neurodegenerative illnesses are disorders that cause considerable loss of neurons, both structurally and functionally, and affect millions of people globally. These disorders include Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons; Huntington's disease, characterized by the loss of spiny, medium-sized striatal neurons; and Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by cerebral atrophy. As a result of current therapeutic procedures and the progressive nature of these diseases, a number of side effects have emerged, prompting patients to seek alternative treatment. The concept of neuroprotection concerns the administration of a specific agent, which should reverse some of the damage or prevent further adverse changes associated with these disorders. The involvement of medicinal plants and natural products in such situations has proven advantageous due to their manifestation through many cellular and molecular pathways. This chapter focuses on role of phytochemicals and natural products on major pathological factors in NDs.

Background: Plants like herbs has been extensively used for different kinds of nutritional and medicinal purposes, however, scientific studies has shown that these medicinal plants may have deleterious effects on some vital organs of the body if not taken at the recommended doses. Thus, there is a need for safety evaluation of these plants to ascertain their actions on organ’s physiological functions. This present study evaluates the effects of ethanol seed extract of Picralima nitida on the haematological examines and some enzymes activities in the serum of albino rats. Twenty-five rats were equally randomized into five groups. Group A (control) received distilled water while graded doses (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight) of ethanol seed extract of Picralima nitida were administered to rats in groups B, C, D and E respectively for 14 days. Haematological studies were carried out on the rats’ blood samples while concentrations of total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine were measured in the serum. Results: Result obtained revealed that treatment of rats with various graded doses of ethanol seed extract of Picralima nitida caused marked increase in urea and creatine compared to the control. Rats treated with 150 and 200mg/kg bw of the extract showed marked elevation in serum levels of the enzymes suggesting that the extract may have adverse effects at this dose. There was also a marked elevation in serum electrolytes of rats treated with 150 and 200mg/kg bw of the extract. Rats treated with low concentrations (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) of the extract demonstrated no marked differences or alteration in haematological parameters, protein profile and enzyme activities in the serum. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that consumption of ethanol seed extract of Picralima nitida as a therapeutic treatment is nontoxic at lower dose. However, if taken at high doses, the extract might be detrimental to some vital organs and systems.

Xenobiotics have been documented to play crucial role in pathogenesis of human diseases. Phenyl hydrazine administration has been associated with hematotoxicity by altering iron metabolism and activating immune response. Telfaria occidentalis is a medicinal plant rich in phytochemicals and minerals that are immune boosters. This study investigated the effect of ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis against phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia and associated toxicities in rats. Phenyl hydrazine was exposed to rats through oral administration and ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis or vitamin E was administered to ameliorate the toxic effect of the toxicant. This was followed by evaluation of haematological parameters, body weight, and serum protein biomarkers like bilirubin, albumin, total bilirubin. Phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia with significant reduction of blood components like haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes with concomitant reduction in the body weight of the rat compared to the control. Phenyl hydrazine also compromised serum protein homeostasis as evidenced by elevated serum total protein, albumin, bilirubin and globulin levels. Nevertheless, treatment with ethanol leaf extract of T. occidentalis modulates all the anomalies suggesting its ameliorating effects against phenyl hydrazine-induced anaemia, and may be useful in the treatment/management of chemically induced anaemia or other related diseases.

The whole world is still challenged with COVID-19 pandemic caused by Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which has affected millions of individuals around the globe. Although there are prophylactic vaccines being used, till now, there is ongoing research into discovery of drug candidates for total eradication of all types of coronaviruses. In this context, this study sought to investigate the inhibitory effects of six selected tropical plants against four pathogenic proteins of Coronavirus-2. The medicinal plants used in this study were selected based on their traditional applications in herbal medicine to treat COVID-19 and related symptoms. The biological activities (antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory activities) of the extracts of the plants were assessed using different standard procedures. The phytochemicals present in the extracts were identified using GCMS and further screened via in silico molecular docking. The data from this study demonstrated that the phytochemicals of the selected tropical medicinal plants displayed substantial binding affinity to the binding pockets of the four main pathogenic proteins of Coronavirus-2 indicating them as putative inhibitors of Coronavirus-2 and as potential anti-coronavirus drug candidates. The reaction between these phytocompounds and proteins of Coronavirus-2 could alter the pathophysiology of COVID-19, thus mitigating its pathogenic reactions/activities. In conclusion, phytocompounds of these plants exhibited promising binding efficiency with target proteins of SARS-COV-2. Nevertheless, in vitro and in vivo studies are important to potentiate these findings. Other drug techniques or models are vital to elucidate their compatibility and usage as adjuvants in vaccine development against the highly contagious COVID-19 infection.

Global health security or international health security (IHS) includes any natural or man-made phenomenon that challenged human health and well-being including emerging infectious diseases such as the current global pandemic: COVID-19. Since the sudden outburst of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, many COVID-19 patients have exhibited neurological symptoms and signs. Till now, there is no known effective established drug against the highly contagious COVID-19 infection despite the frightening associated mortality rate. This chapter aims to present the mechanism of action of coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the clinical neurological manifestations displayed by COVID-19 patients, impact on the global health system and present phytochemicals with neuroprotective ability that can offer beneficial effects against COVID-19 mediated neuropathology. Reports from COVID-19 clinical studies, case reports, and other related literature were evaluated. Neurological complications of COVID-19 include anosmia, acute cerebrovascular disease, acute disseminated post-infectious encephalomyelitis, encephalitis, etc. Also, SARS-CoV-2 соuld be a neurotropic vіruѕ due to its iѕоlаtіоn from сеrеbrоѕріnаl fluіd. Multірlе nеurоlоgісаl dаmаgе displayed by COVID-19 patients might be due to hyperinflammation associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Kolaviron, resveratrol, vernodalin, vernodalol, and apigenin are natural phytochemicals with proven anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties that could extenuate the adverse effects of COVID-19. The phytochemicals have been documented to suppress JNK and MAPK pathways which are essential in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. They also showed significant inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Taken together, these phytochemicals may offer neuroprotective benefits against COVID-19 mediated neuropathology and suppress the burden of the pandemic on IHS.

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating disorders which compromise motor or cognitive functions and are rapidly becoming a global communal disorder with over 46.8 million people suffering dementia worldwide. Aetiological studies have showed that people who are exposed to agricultural, occupational and environmental toxic chemicals that can interfere and degenerate dopaminergic neurons are prone to developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson Disease. The complex pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases remains largely unknown; however, mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein misfolding, and apoptosis are the hallmarks of the diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. ROS play a critical role as high levels of oxidative stress are commonly observed in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter focus on the sources of ROS in the brain, its involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and possible ways to mitigate its damaging effects in the affected brain.

This present research work was designed to investigate the potential chemopreventive effects of Annona Muricata on cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative neuronal damage in Wistar albino rats. In this study, twenty-eight (28) Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups, with seven rats each. Group A served as the control and provided distilled water orally. Groups B, C and D were exposed to 5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride orally, while in Groups C and D 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic seed extract of Annona Muricata were administered, respectively, via oral administration, while group B was left untreated for 14 days. Cadmium induced hepatic damage with significant (p < 0.05) elevation of serum total bilirubin, total protein, AST and ALT. Cadmium also caused oxidative neuronal and hepatic damage in rats with significant decrease in ascorbic acid level, GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD activities in the tissues. Lipid peroxidation (MDA level) was significantly increased in rats treated with cadmium alone. Histological findings reveal distortion in brain architecture with intense inflammatory cells especially seen between the grey and white matter. Liver histology reveal chronic inflammation and infiltration of the hepatic cells. However, administration of ethanolic seed extract of Annona Muricata significantly reverse all the toxic effects of cadmium in the brain and liver, suggesting its hepatoprotective effects and therapeutic importance in neurodegenerative disorders.

Cadmium is a known industrial toxicant that accumulates in the kidney and causes oxidative damage. The present study was carried out to evaluate the attenuating effects of Annona muricata seed extracts against cadmium mediated renal toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-eight (28) Wistar albino rats sorted into four groups of seven rats per group were used in this study. Group A serves as the control and received distilled water orally. Group B, C, and D were administered 5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride with Group C and D were treated daily with 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic seed extract of Annona muricata (ESEAM)respectively by oral administration while group B was left untreated for 14 days. Results obtained showed that cadmium significantly (P

Well established are the destructive effects of cellular oxidative damage due to oxidative stress on animal and human health. The prophylactic use of plant-derived bioactive agents in the amelioration and treatment of chronic diseases induced by free radical and oxidative stress is a promising therapeutic approach. This present study investigates the phytochemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities of Crotalaria retusa leaves, Clerodendrum volubile leaves and cassava biogas slurry. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were also determined. The phytochemicals, phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant potentials of the extracts, including reducing power, inhibition of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical production, and DPPH radical scavenging, were performed using standard assays. Our results show terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and tannins in the various extracts. In vitro, antioxidant assay results also reveal that the extracts' free radical scavenging abilities are significantly high compared with standard antioxidants used: tannic and ascorbic acids. The results also show that the extracts demonstrated elevated antioxidant activities positively correlated with the total flavonoid and phenolic contents. This work demonstrated that the extracts possessed significant antioxidant activities over standard ones, thus, suggesting the extracts as sources of natural antioxidants that could have considerable therapeutic relevance in preventing and inhibiting the progression of diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subcategory of inflammatory bowel diseases, affects more than 2 million people globally. This study sought to investigate the curative ability of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (ATO) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-mediated colitis in rats. UC was induced by 5% of DSS in drinking water, and the curative ability of ATO was assessed at 200 mg/kg by oral administration for 10 days. The effect of ATO was deduced on anti-inflammatory, preclinical features [disease activity index (DAI)], redox assays, and alterations both microscopic and macroscopic of the colonic mucosa. DSS mediated inflammation in colons of rats with a significant increase in nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels compared with a control group. Lipid peroxidation was also induced following exposure of rats to DSS. There is a marked decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities in DSS group. However, treatment with ATO markedly inhibited the colonic inflammation by reversing the elevated levels of inflammatory markers. Furthermore, ATO suppressed the lipid peroxidation chain reaction by reducing the level of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. ATO attenuates DSS-induced oxidative stress by increase the level of GSH and enhancing the activities of the cytoprotective enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase). Taken together, ATO reduced DAI score, inhibited inflammation, suppressed lipid peroxidation, attenuated oxidative stress, and enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities. These therapeutic effects of ATO might be due to its phytochemicals as showed in gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy results. The findings of this study indicate that aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis has could be a drug candidate for the treatment of UC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study focused on the curative ability of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mediated colitis in rats. The extract elicits beneficial effects against colitis via its ability to reduce mucosal inflammation, suppress lipid peroxidation, attenuate oxidative stress, enhance the antioxidant enzymes activities, and reduce both infiltration of inflammatory cells and mucosal damage in colon. This study provides scientific evidence to the therapeutic ability of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis in the treatment of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and could be a drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans.

Despite the frightening mortality rate associated with COVID-19, there is no known approved drug to effectively combat the pandemic. COVID-19 clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and other complications. At present, there is no known effective treatment or vaccine that can mitigate/inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Available clinical intervention for COVID-19 is only palliative and limited to support. Thus, there is an exigent need for effective and non-invasive treatment. This article evaluates the possible mechanism of actions of SARS-CoV-2 and present Nigeria based medicinal plants which have pharmacological and biological activities that can mitigate the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mode of actions includes hyper-inflammation characterized by a severe and fatal hyper-cytokinaemia with multi-organ failure; immunosuppression; reduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enhance pulmonary vascular permeability causing damage to the alveoli; and further activated by open reading frame (ORF)3a, ORF3b, and ORF7a via c-Jun N- terminal kinase (JNK) pathway which induces lung damage. These mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 can be mitigated by a combination therapy of medicinal herbs based on their pharmacological activities. Since the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multifactorial with co-morbidities, we strongly recommend the use of combined therapy such that two or more herbs with specific therapeutic actions are administered to combat the mediators of the disease., SARS-CoV-2; Antivirals; COVID-19; Phytochemicals; Coronavirus; Medicinal plants; Biochemistry; Epidemiology; Food science; Health sciences; Pathophysiology; Toxicology; Phytochemistry; Evidence based medicine.

The upsurge in the current cases of COVID-19 poses a major threat on human health and population all over the globe. The emergence of new infectious diseases and increase in frequency of drug resistant viruses demand effective and novel therapeutic agents. In this study, we used bioinformatics approach to investigate the possible inhibitory potentials of phytochemical constituents of Vernonia amygdalina towards coronavirus-2 major protease. Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles of the compounds were also examined using the pkCSM server. All the phytochemicals showed good binding affinity to the binding pocket of PDB ID 6LU7. It was observed that veronicoside A exhibited the highest binding affinity when compared to remdesivir, hydroxy-vernolide, vernodalin, vernodalol, and vernolide. The amino acids LEU272, LEU287, GLY275, TYR237, LYS236, THR198, THR199, ARG131, and LYS5 were showed as the key residues for veronicoside A binding to human SARS-COV2 major protease. The Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics results suggested that all the tested phytochemicals have significant drug likeness properties and they could be absorbed through the human intestine. Furthermore, all the tested phytochemicals are not hepatoxic and also exhibited non or relatively low toxic effects in human. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that all the tested phytochemicals are potential putative inhibitors of SARS-COV2 major protease with non or low toxicity effects. However, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to further explore their activities and validate their efficacies against COVID-19.

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is increasing with an alarming rate of associated frightening mortality without no known approved therapy. The emergence of new infectious diseases and increase in frequency of drug resistant viruses demand effective and novel therapeutic agents. This study investigated the putative inhibitory potentials of apigenin, fisetin, kolaflavanone, and remdesivir towards SARS-COV2 major protease (6LU7) using in silico methods. Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles of the compounds were also examined using the pkCSM server. All the compounds showed good affinity to the binding pocket of 6LU7. It was observed that kolaflavanone exhibited the highest binding affinity when compared to apigenin, fisetin, and remdesivir. The amino acids ASN238, TYR237, LEU286, and LEU287 were showed as the key residues for kolaflavanone binding to human SARS-COV2 major protease. The Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics results suggested that all the tested compounds have significant drug likeness properties and they could be absorbed through the human intestine. Additionally, all the tested compounds except remdesivir are not hepatoxic and also displayed non or relatively low toxic effects in human. Summarily, the results of this study indicated that all the tested compounds are potential putative inhibitors of SARS-COV2 major protease with no or low toxicity effects. However, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to further explore their activities and validate their efficacies against COVID-19.

Background Infertility is a global health burden which affect more than 15% of couples’ population. An impaired hormonal balance, oxidative stress and alteration in the physiological function of the reproductive organ are factors leading to infertility. The present study investigated the protective role of methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLVA) against Nitrobenzene-induced oxidative testicular damage and hormonal imbalance in rats. Thirty sexually active male wistar rats were sorted into five groups, each group containing six rats. Group I received distilled water while 100 mg/kg bw of Nitrobenzene was administered to groups (II, III, IV and V) to induce testicular damage and hormonal imbalance. Group III and IV were treated with oral administration of 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of MLVA respectively and group V with vitamin E for 14 days. Results Nitrobenzene-treated rats showed significant (P Conclusion Taken together, MLVA obliterated the adverse effects of Nitrobenzene on the antioxidant enzymes, markers of testicular oxidative damage, endocrine and testicular structure in rats.

Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant acclaimed to possess many therapeutic potential. The study was carried out to investigate the possible modulatory effects of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis on chemical-induced oxidative stress, renal dysfunction and pancytopenia in rats. Twenty-four (24) adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received distilled water, group II, III and IV were administered 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride to induce oxidative stress. Group III and IV were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis for 14 days while rats in group II were left untreated. Results obtained showed that administration of cadmium caused significant suppression of haematopoiesis, depleted endogenous antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation in the kidney as well as alteration of serum electrolytes. Treatment with graded doses of T. occidentalis leaf extract significantly reversed the cadmium induced-biochemical insults as the extract restored the normal renal integrity and boosted renal antioxidant status in rats. The leaf extract also caused significant boost in haematopoiesis in the rats. This result confirmed that aqueous extract of T. occidentalis effectively maintain electrolyte balance, modulates pancytopenia and oxidative renal damage in rats suggesting its protective potentials on anaemia and renal disorders.

The present study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidative effect of the methanolic extracts (MExt) of Cochorous olitorous (CO) and Adansonia digitata (AD) leaves on irradiation-induced atherosclerosis in male Wistar rats. Atherosclerosis was induced in male rats by a single dose of 6 gray whole body gamma radiation. MExt of C. olitorous and A. digitata leaves at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg bwt were administered as treatment for 7 days. Blood serum was analysed for lipid profile, MDA (malondialdehyde) and liver tissue for antioxidants enzymes, whereas the therapeutic potential was compared to the lipids-lowering drug lovastatin at 10 mg/kg/bwt. The phytochemical studies showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Treatment with M Ext of CO and AD normalized the elevated MDA level, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the treated rats increased. Pronounced changes were observed at 1,000 mg/kg bwt mixture of M Ext of CO and AD for 1 weeks and it was more potent than the standard drug. The current study provided strong evidence that M Ext of CO and AD might be important in the treatment of atherosclerosis and ROS without any side effects at the studied dosage and duration.

The upsurge in the current cases of COVID-19 poses a major threat on human health and population all over the globe. The emergence of new infectious diseases and increase in frequency of drug resistant viruses demand effective and novel therapeutic agents. In this study, we used bioinformatics approach to investigate the possible inhibitory potentials of phytochemical constituents of Vernonia amygdalina towards coronavirus-2 major protease. Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles of the compounds were also examined using the pkCSM server. All the phytochemicals showed good binding affinity to the binding pocket of PDB ID 6LU7. It was observed that veronicoside A exhibited the highest binding affinity when compared to remdesivir, hydroxy-vernolide, vernodalin, vernodalol, and vernolide. The amino acids LEU272, LEU287, GLY275, TYR237, LYS236, THR198, THR199, ARG131, and LYS5 were showed as the key residues for veronicoside A binding to human SARS-COV2 major protease. The Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics results suggested that all the tested phytochemicals have significant drug likeness properties and they could be absorbed through the human intestine. Furthermore, all the tested phytochemicals are not hepatoxic and also exhibited non or relatively low toxic effects in human. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that all the tested phytochemicals are potential putative inhibitors of SARS-COV2 major protease with non or low toxicity effects. However, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to further explore their activities and validate their efficacies against COVID-19.

Parkinson's disease is the most prevalent movement disorder. Currently, therapies are palliative with associated irreversible behavioural incompetence. Here, we investigated the ability of kolaviron (KV), an anti-inflammatory biflavonoid isolated form Garcinia kola seeds, to rescue striatal neuronal damage and redo-inflammation in rats exposed to rotenone (ROT). Aged rats exposed to 11 days of rotenone intoxication were treated with KV either concurrently or for 18 days. The 18-day regimen included 7 days of pre-treatment prior 11-day concurrent ROT-KV treatment. Rotenone-exposed rats lost weight appreciably and travelled less distance with reduced speed, decline efficiency to maintain a straight path, enhanced freezing, increased immobile episodes and poor hole recognition. The motor incompetence was attributed to enhanced striatal neurodegeneration, increased alpha synuclein formation and reduced tyrosine hydroxylase expression. ROT intoxication significantly increased reactive species production, which co-existed with induction of striatal antioxidant system and damage to biomolecules. ROT additionally upregulated COX-2 expression, enhanced myeloperoxidase activity and increased concentration of striatal inteleukine-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α). Treatment with kolaviron reversed the rotenone-associated locomotor impairment and exploratory deficits, motor/neuromuscular incompetence, striatal neurodegeneration, neurobiochemical imbalance, altered antioxidant defence system and neuroinflammation. KV-treated rats showed improved capacity to maintain efficient gait with minimal rigidity and enhanced coordination. Taken together, kolaviron exhibited neuroprotective properties, which may be beneficial for the prevention and management of Parkinson's disease, via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Objective: In furtherance of the scientific search for suitable antidotes for pro-oxidative toxicants which man is exposed to on daily basis, the study investigated the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf extract on arsenate-mediated hepatic and renal toxicity using rats as a model. Methodology: Twenty-eight rats were sorted into four groups containing seven rats each. Group A (control) received distilled water while 10 mg/kg bw of sodium arsenate was administered intraperitoneally to groups B, C and D to induce hepatic and renal damage. Group C and D were treated with oral administration of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata respectively for 14 days. Results: Arsenate significantly ( P< 0.05) induced hepatic and renal damage characterized by elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Arsenate also caused decreased serum concentrations of albumin, globulin and total protein as well as significant depletion in antioxidant status (glutathione–S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver and kidney of the rats. Administration of leaf extract of Ficus exasperata significantly ( P< 0.05) attenuated all these toxic effects by boosting antioxidants status and normalizing serum hepatic and renal markers. Conclusion: These results are indicative of the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf on liver and kidney dysfunction arising from oxidative damage. Keywords: Nephrotoxicity, Hepatotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Arsenate, Ficus exasperata

This study evaluates the effects of methanolic extract of Ficus exasperata leaf on the activities of some enzymes in the serum, liver, kidney and heart of albino rats. Twenty four rats were sorted into four groups: Group A (control) received distilled water while rats in groups B, C and D were administered graded doses (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg bw) of methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata respectively for 14 days. Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were determined in the serum and tissues. Results obtained showed that administration of graded doses of Ficus exasperata leaf extract to rats caused significant increase (p

Cadmium and its compounds have been classified as known human carcinogens. Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant with a number of pharmacological activities attributed to its extracts. This study was designed to investigate the possible hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis on cadmium chloride (CdCl2) induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in experimental animals. Twenty-four (24) adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received distilled water, group II, III, and IV were administered 5mg/kg body weight CdCl2, group III, IV were treated with 200 and 400mg/kg body weight (bw) respectively of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis for 14 days. Results obtained showed that exposure of rats to cadmium induced hepatocellular injury as demonstrated by significant increased (P

Carmoisine and tartrazine are azo dyes widely used as food colourants. This study examine the effects of oral administration of carmoisine and tartrazine on some biochemical parameters in the heart and kidney of albino rats. Twenty four (24) female albino rats (average weight 140g) were sorted into four groups. Group A received water and served as the control, Group B-250mg/kg bw carmoisine, Group C-250mg/kg bw tartrazine, Group D-co-administered 250mg/kg bw each of carmoisine and tartrazine. The food dyes were administered daily for a period of 21 days. Results obtained showed a significant increase (p