Effect of methanol extract of Plectranthus esculentus N.E.Br tuber and its fractions on indices of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Many ethnopharmacological properties (anti-tumor, etc.) have been credited to Plectranthus esculentus tuber but the scientific basis has not been established. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effect of methanol extract of P. esculentus tuber (MEPET) (phase 1) and its fractions (phase 2) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1, thirty-five male albino rats (6 weeks old) were divided into seven groups of five rats each: normal control (NC) received olive oil (subcutaneously) and water (orally); disease control (DC) received testosterone propionate (TP) (3 mg/kg) and water; test groups (1,2,3 and 4) received TP + MEPET at 100, 200, 400, 600 mg/kg respectively; positive control, received TP + finasteride (5 mg/70 kg). After 28 days, their relative prostate weights (RPW) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were determined. Phase 2, thirty rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each: NC received olive oil (subcutaneously daily) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (orally); DC received TP (3 mg/kg), and DMSO; test group 1 received TP and aqueous fraction of MEPET (400 mg/kg); test group 2 received TP and methanol fraction of MEPET (400 mg/kg); test group 3 received TP, and ethyl acetate fraction of MEPET (400 mg/kg); positive control received TP and finasteride (5 mg/70 kg). After 28 days, their erythrocyte sedimentation rates, RPW, prostate levels of PSA, DHT, inflammatory, apoptotic markers and prostate histology were determined. RESULTS: Ethyl acetate fraction of MEPET modulated most of the parameters of BPH in the rats in a manner akin to finasteride as corroborated by prostate histology. CONCLUSIONS: EFPET could be useful in the treatment of BPH.

Tert-butylhydroquinone abrogates fructose-induced insulin resistance in rats via mitigation of oxidant stress, NFkB-mediated inflammation in the liver but not the skeletal muscle of high fructose drinking rats.

The effect of 21% fructose drinking water (FDW) (w/v) on some parameters of metabolic syndrome, hepatic, and skeletal muscular histology of rats was studied using standard techniques. Twenty male albino rats were divided into four groups of 5 rats each in this in vivo study. Group I received distilled water, group 2 received FDW, group 3 received FDW and metformin (300 mg/kg body weight daily, orally), group 4 received FDW and 1% tert-butylhydroquinone feed. FDW changed the serum leptin, triacylglycerol, very low-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein levels of the rats, inducing hypertriglyceridemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation in their liver (but not the skeletal muscle) and insulin resistance which were modulated with metformin and tBHQ as corroborated by liver and muscle histology. The study reveals the potentials of metformin and tBHQ in mitigating hepatic and skeletal muscular morphological changes arising from exposure to high fructose drinks. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: There has been an increase in the global consumption of fructose (either as a sweetner in beverages or soft and carbonated drinks) in the last few decades and this has been positively correlated with the global increase in metabolic complications. Regular intake of fructose contributes to the pathogenesis of lipid disorders, oxidant stress, and chronic inflammation, which are linked with the metabolic syndrome components (MetS) (obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases) as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Given that the approaches that have been applied to treat the MetS have not been able to totally arrest it, currenty study which showed that tBHQ abrogated fructose-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic, and skeletal muscular pathology in the rats places tBHQ in the spotlight as a nutraceutical that could be of relevance in mitigating high dietary fructose-induced hepatic and skeletal muscular pathology.

Bee bread attenuates high fat diet induced renal pathology in obese rats via modulation of oxidative stress, downregulation of NF-kB mediated inflammation and Bax signalling.

CONTEXT: Global prevalence of obesity is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of bee bread (BB) on serum renal function parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory and B-cell associated protein X (Bax) in the kidneys of high fat diet (HFD) obese rats. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were used. Control: received rat diet and water (1 mL/kg); HFD group: received HFD and water (1 mL/kg): bee bread (BB) preventive or orlistat preventive: received HFD and BB (0.5 g/kg) or HFD and orlistat (10 mg/kg); BB or orlistat treatment: received BB (0.5 g/kg) or orlistat (10 mg/kg). RESULTS: HFD group had increased body weight, Body Mass Index, Lee Obesity Indices, kidney weights, malondialdehyde, inflammatory markers, Bax; decreased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant activity, no differences (p > .05) in food intakes, serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, catalase compared to control. CONCLUSION: BB modulated most of these parameters, as corroborated by histology.

Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) modulates some parameters of testosterone propionate-induced rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The increased global prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the promising potentials of functional foods in ameliorating it led to this study which reported the effect of aqueous ethanol extract of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) tuber on some biochemical indices in testosterone propionate (TP) induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rats. Thirty male albino rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (negative control) received 3 mg/kg of TP and normal saline, group 2 (positive control) received 3 mg/kg of TP and 5 mg/kg of finasteride; groups 3, 4, and 6 rats received 3 mg/kg of TP and 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanol extracts of cocoyam respectively while group 5 (normal control) received olive oil + normal saline. The study lasted for 28 days. The negative control had increased prostate weight (p < 0.05), decreased body weight gain, prostatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione concentrations; no differences (p > 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein concentration but increased (p < 0.05) prostate levels of interleukin 10, prostate specific antigen, testosterone, total proteins and malondialdehyde relative to the normal control. Finasteride or the C. esculenta tuber extract modulated most of these parameters as corroborated by histology of the prostate. The percentage yield of the C. esculenta tuber extract was 1.56% and 23 phenolic compounds were characterized in the tuber. The study showed the potentials of C. esculenta tuber in the management of BPH.

Bee bread mitigates downregulation of steroidogenic genes, decreased spermatogenesis, and epididymal oxidative stress in male rats fed with high-fat diet.

The pituitary-gonadal axis plays an important role in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, and by extension, fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of bee bread, a natural bee product, against obesity-induced decreases in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 200 and 300 g were divided into four groups (n = 8/group), namely: normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus bee bread administered concurrently for 12 wk (HFD + B), HFD plus orlistat administered concurrently for 12 wk (HFD + O) groups. Bee bread (0.5 g/kg) or orlistat (10 mg/kg/day) was suspended in distilled water and given by oral gavage daily for 12 wk. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and adiponectin, as well as sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology, and epididymal antioxidants decreased, whereas levels of leptin, malondialdehyde, and sperm nDNA fragmentation increased significantly in the HFD group relative to the NC group. There were significant decreases in the testicular mRNA transcript levels of androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 enzyme, 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17ß-HSD in the testes of the HFD group. Furthermore, mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies increased, and penile cGMP level decreased significantly in the HFD group. Supplementation with bee bread significantly reduced leptin level and increased adiponectin level, enhanced sperm parameters and reduced sperm nDNA fragmentation, upregulated the levels of steroidogenic genes and proteins in HFD-induced obese male rats. Bee bread improved steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis by upregulating steroidogenic genes. Therefore, bee bread may be considered as a potential supplementation to protect against infertility in overweight men or men with obesity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The high-fat diet utilized in the present study induced obesity in the male rats. Bee bread supplementation mitigated impaired steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, mating behavior, and fertility potential by counteracting the downregulation of steroidogenic genes, thus increasing testosterone levels and suppressing epididymal oxidative stress. These benefits may be due to the abundance of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in bee bread.

Tert-butylhydroquinone attenuates doxorubicin-induced dysregulation of testicular cytoprotective and steroidogenic genes, and improves spermatogenesis in rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of cancers. It acts by generating reactive oxygen species in target cells. The actions are, however, not limited to cancerous cells as it attacks healthy cells, killing them. This study investigated the benefits of the antioxidant, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), on testicular toxicity following DOX therapy. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were assigned randomly into four groups (n = 6), namely: normal control (NC), tBHQ, DOX and tBHQ + DOX groups. tBHQ (50 mg/kg body weight in 1% DMSO) was administered orally for 14 consecutive days, while a single DOX dose (7 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally on Day 8. DOX decreased sperm count, motility and viability, and decreased the levels of steroidogenesis-related proteins, and reproductive hormones. Furthermore, DOX decreased the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective genes, and decreased the protein level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the testis. Conversely, DOX increased the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes in the testis. These negative effects were ameliorated following the intervention with tBHQ. Our results suggest that tBHQ protects the testis and preserves both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in DOX-treated rats through the suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Effect of bee bread on some biochemical parameters and skeletal muscle histology of high-fat diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats.

The effect of bee bread (BB) on the biochemical parameters-body weights, calorie intake, Lee obesity indices, serum amylase, aspartate and alanine amino transferases, skeletal muscle activities of creatine kinase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, glutathione-S-transferase, total antioxidant activity, endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE), and muscle histology of high-fat diet (HFD) obese rats-was studied. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: Control: received rat feed and water (1 ml/kg); HFD: received HFD and water (1 ml/kg): BB or orlistat preventive: received HFD and BB (0.5 g/kg) or HFD and orlistat (10 mg/kg; weeks 1 to 12); BB or orlistat treated: received HFD and BB (0.5 g/kg) or HFD and orlistat (10 mg/kg; weeks 6 to 12), following obesity induction. At week 12, HFD group had altered (p < .05) levels of some biochemical parameters which were modulated by BB and corroborated by muscle histology. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity is a global health problem, which prevalence has continued to be on the increase due to changes in lifestyle and dietary behavior. Additionally, the approaches that currently are being used for the treatment of this disease have not been able to successfully reverse obesity and its associated complications. The current study which showed that bee bread prevented or attenuated obesity-induced muscular pathology, places bee bread in the spotlight as a functional food that could be useful in preventing or mitigating obesity-induced muscular pathology.

Ischemic Heart Disease in Nigeria: Exploring the Challenges, Current Status, and Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Its Primary Healthcare System.

The burden of ischemic heart disease in Nigeria calls for an evidence-based, innovative, and interdisciplinary approach towards decreasing health inequalities resulting from individual lifestyle and poor socioeconomic status in order to uphold the holistic health of individuals to achieve global sustainability and health equity. The poor diagnosis and management of ischemic heart disease in Nigeria contributes to the inadequate knowledge of its prognosis among individuals, which often results in a decreased ability to seek help and self-care. Hence, current policies aimed at altering lifestyle behaviour to minimize exposure to cardiovascular risk factors may be less suitable for Nigeria's diverse culture. Mitigating the burden of ischemic heart disease through the equitable access to health services and respect for the autonomy and beliefs of individuals in view of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires comprehensive measures to accommodate, as much as possible, every individual, notwithstanding their values and socioeconomic status.

Protective effects of bee bread on testicular oxidative stress, NF-κB-mediated inflammation, apoptosis and lactate transport decline in obese male rats.

Oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and apoptosis are associated with obesity. Herein, we investigated the potential protective effect of bee bread, a natural bee product, on testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, as well as lactate transport in the testis of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were either fed with normal chow (NC), HFD, HFD + bee bread (0.5 g/kg b.w./day) or HFD + orlistat (10 mg/kg b.w./day) for 12 weeks. Our results show significant decreases in the activities and mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (Nrf2, Sod, Cat and Gpx), with significant increase in pro-inflammatory (Nf-κb, Tnf-α, iNos, Il-1ß) and pro-apoptotic (p53, Bax, Bax/Bcl2, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3) genes in the testis of HFD group relative to the NC group. Furthermore, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was poorly expressed in the testis of the HFD group relative to the NC group. Similarly, the mRNA levels of glucose transporters (Glut1 and Glut3), monocarboxylate transporters (Mct2 and Mct4) and lactate dehydrogenase type C (Ldhc) decreased significantly, with decrease in lactate utilisation. Treatment with bee bread upregulated testicular antioxidant enzymes, downregulated inflammation and apoptosis, and increased PCNA immunoexpression, in addition to improving lactate transport. Taken together, our results suggest that bee bread is a promising natural product with the potential to improve male fertility.

Zinc abrogates anticancer drug tamoxifen-induced hepatotoxicity by suppressing redox imbalance, NO/iNOS/NF-ĸB signaling, and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in female rats.

Tamoxifen (TAM) is used in breast cancer chemotherapy since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1977. However, TAM therapy is accompanied with hepatotoxicity - a source of worry to clinicians. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the major implicated mechanisms contributing to TAM hepatotoxicity. In this study, we explored whether zinc (Zn) supplementation could prevent TAM-induced hepatotoxicity in female Wistar rats. Rats were subjected to oral pretreatment of Zn (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day) for 14 days against hepatic toxicity induced by single intraperitoneal administration of TAM (50 mg/kg b.w.) on day 13. TAM markedly elevated serum liver enzymes, whereas total protein and albumin considerably reduced. TAM caused prominent depletion of hepatic-reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Also, TAM significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Further, it raised liver levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß, (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) confirmed by the liver histopathological alterations. The mechanistic inflammatory expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB), and expression of caspase-3 protein prominently increased. Zinc supplementation significantly modulated serum liver function markers, antioxidant enzymes, and GSH and MDA levels. Zinc downregulated the expression of cytokines, NO, iNOS, NF-ĸB and caspase-3, and ameliorated histopathological changes. Zinc protects against TAM-induced hepatotoxicity; it may serve as an adjuvant supplement for female patients undergoing TAM chemotherapy.

Oxidative Stress, NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation and Apoptosis in the Testes of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Combined Protective Effects of Malaysian Propolis and Metformin.

Oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis are major complications that trigger organ failure in diabetes mellitus (DM), and are proven to adversely affect the male reproductive system. Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated the promising protective effects of propolis in DM and its associated systemic effects. Herein, we investigated the effect of Malaysian propolis (MP) on testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in diabetic rats. Further, the possibility of a complementary effect of MP with the anti-hyperglycaemic agent, metformin (Met), was studied with the idea of recommending its use in the event that Met alone is unable to contain the negative effects of DM on the male reproductive system in mind. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were either gavaged distilled water (normoglycaemic control and diabetic control groups), MP (diabetic rats on MP), Met (diabetic rats on Met) or MP+Met (diabetic rats on MP+Met), for 4 weeks. MP decreased oxidative stress by up-regulating (p < 0.05) testicular mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase; increasing (p < 0.05) the activities of antioxidant enzymes; and decreasing (p < 0.05) lipid peroxidation in the testes and epididymis of diabetic rats. Further, MP down-regulated (p < 0.05) testicular mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß), decreased (p < 0.05) the nitric oxide level, and increased (p < 0.05) IL-10 mRNA and protein levels. MP also down-regulated (p < 0.05) Bax/Bcl-2, p53, casapase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 genes, and increased (p < 0.05) testicular germ cell proliferation. MP's effects were comparable to Met. However, the best results were achieved following co-administration of MP and Met. Therefore, we concluded that administration of the MP+Met combination better attenuates testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in DM, relative to MP or Met monotherapy, and may improve the fertility of males with DM.

Corrigendum: Obesity and Comorbidity: Could Simultaneous Targeting of esRAGE and sRAGE Be the Panacea?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00787.].

Obesity and Comorbidity: Could Simultaneous Targeting of esRAGE and sRAGE Be the Panacea?

Obesity, a chronic multifaceted disease, predisposes its patients to increased risk of metabolic disorders such as: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, etc. Recent studies reported it to be amongst the leading causes of deaths in the world. Although several treatment options for obesity abound, many of them have not been able to successfully reverse the existing obesity and metabolic dysregulation. This has therefore warranted the need for either alternative therapies or diversification of the treatment approach for obesity and its comorbidity. When the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) interacts with its ligand, RAGE-ligand activates an inflammatory signaling cascade, that leads to the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and transcription of inflammatory cytokines. This action has been associated with the development of obesity and its mediated metabolic dysregulation. In view of the increasing prevalence of obesity globally and the potential threat it places on life expectancy, this article reviewed the promising potentials of targeting endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products/soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products signaling as a treatment approach for obesity. We carried out a literature search in several electronic data bases such as: Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Medline from 1980 to 2019 to acquire the status of information concerning this. The article suggests the need for the development of an esRAGE/sRAGE targeted pharmacotherapy as a treatment approach for obesity and its comorbidity.

Withdrawn: Effect of Fractions of Vernonia amygdalina on Some Biochemical Parameters in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

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Modulation of the Lipid Profile, Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Activities, and Markers of Hepatic and Renal Dysfunctions in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats by Virgin Coconut Oil.

BACKGROUND: Research studies that holistically investigated the effect of administration of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on diabetic humans or animals are limited in literature. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of administration of VCO on lipid profile, markers of hepatic and renal dysfunction, and hepatic and renal antioxidant activities of alloxan induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male albino rats were used, and they were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 (Normal Control, NC) received distilled water (1 mL/kg); Group 2 (VCO Control) received VCO (5 mL/kg); Group 3 (Diabetic Control, DC) received distilled water (1 mL/kg); Group 4 (Test Group, TG) received 5 ml/kg of VCO. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in blood glucose, body weights, relative liver weights, relative kidney weights, hepatic and renal Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities, Malondialdehyde (MDA), albumin, aspartate Amino Transaminase (AST), alanine Amino Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, Very Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) concentrations; significant increases in renal Glutathione (GSH), hepatic catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and GSH but significant reduction in renal GPx and catalase activities of VCO control group compared with NC group. There were significant increases in blood glucose, relative liver and kidney weights, hepatic GPx, hepatic and renal MDA concentration, ALP, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, uric acid, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL concentrations; and significant decreases in body weight, hepatic SOD and GSH activities and albumin concentration but no significant difference in hepatic catalase activity of DC group compared with NC group. Administration of VCO to diabetic rats positively modulated these parameters compared with the diabetic control. CONCLUSION: The study showed the potentials of VCO in the management of hyperlipidemia, renal and hepatic dysfunctions imposed by hyperglycemia and by oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Comparative study on the nutrients, heavy metals and pesticide composition of some locally produced and marketed rice varieties in Nigeria.

The nutrients, heavy metals and pesticide concentrations of an imported (Gold) and three locally produced and marketed rice varieties (Samples B-mass, C-R8 and D-CP) in Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. All the rice varieties contained considerable amounts of moisture, ash, protein, lipid and carbohydrate but were low in crude fibre. The local rice varieties contained higher (P < 0.05) amounts of tryptophan and tyrosine than the imported rice. Sample C had the highest amino acids contents compared with other rice varieties. The threonine contents of the control and sample B were higher than WHO standards. Lead and mercury were not detected in all the rice varieties while the levels of cadmium, arsenic, chromium and thallium were within permissible range. The rice varieties contained considerable amounts of selenium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, phosphorous, boron, cobalt, Vitamins A, D, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and cobalamin with insignificant amounts of pesticide residues.

Effect of ethanol extract of boiled breadfruit (Treculia Africana) seed on the oral glucose tolerance, lipid profile, and body weight of normoglycemic albino rats.

The effect of ethanol extracts of boiled Treculia africana seed on the oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), lipid profile, and body weight of normoglycemic albino rats was determined. Fifteen male albino rats were used and were divided into three groups of five rats each. Groups 1 and 2 received 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract, while group 3 (control group) received 1 ml/kg of normal saline. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The body weights of the rats were determined daily. OGTT was determined at week zero (before extract administration) and at weeks 2 and 4, respectively, following extract administration. Glycemic index (GI) of the extracts was calculated from the incremental area under the OGTT curve. The total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels in the sera of the rats were determined using standard techniques. Atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI) of the rats were expressed as ratios of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, respectively. Following 2 weeks of the extract administration, the blood glucose for groups 1 and 2 rats declined to values ≤100 mg/dl after oral glucose loading. GI for the standard rat feeds and the extracts at 100 and 200 mg/kg by the second week of experimentation were 100, 114, and 96.09, respectively. GI for the extract at 100 mg/kg decreased to 103.63 at the 4th week, while that for the extract at 200 mg/kg increased to 98.07. The extract at 100 mg/kg increased the LDL cholesterol, AI, and CRI of the rats, suggesting that consumption of boiled African breadfruit may expose an individual to the risk of development of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, the study suggested that consumption of T. africana seed by a nondiabetic subject may have no effect on the glucose tolerance of the individual, while it will negatively impact on the glycemic status of a diabetic subject.

Free fatty acid receptor 1 as a novel therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus-current status.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been on the increase in recent times. Although several oral treatments for T2DM are available, some of them have been found to elicit undesirable side effects. This therefore underscores the need for new treatment options with lesser side effects than the existing ones for people with T2DM. Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1), also known as GPR40, belongs to a class of G-protein coupled receptors that are encoded by FFAR1 genes in humans. It is expressed in the pancreatic ß-cells and it is activated by medium- and long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Thus it responds to endogenous medium and long chain unsaturated fatty acids, resulting in enhancement of insulin secretion during increased glucose levels. The glucose dependency of insulin secretion has made this receptor a very good target for developing therapies that could be efficacious with fewer side effects than the existing therapies for the treatment of T2DM. Given that tremendous efforts have been made in recent times in developing novel FFAR1 agonists with antidiabetic potentials, this article provides a current status of knowledge on the efforts made so far in developing novel FFAR1 agonists that would be of relevance in the management of T2DM.

Effect of processing on the biochemical contents of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) leaves.

The effect of processing on the biochemical contents of Acanthus montanus leaves was investigated. The moisture, crude protein, lipid, fiber, ash, and total carbohydrate contents of the raw vegetable were 59.15, 1.85, 2.32, 3.76, 2.04, and 34.65 g/100 g, respectively. The saponin, alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid, phenol, and anthocyanin contents of the raw vegetable were 5.35, 4.04, 1.10, 3.53, 2.87, and 1.27 g/100 g, respectively, while it contained 2.65 mg/100 g calcium, 1.14 mg/100 g magnesium, 7.66 mg/100 g potassium, 350.75 µg/g vitamin A, 50.87 mg/100 g vitamin C, and 0.25% titratable acidity. There were significant reductions (p < .05) in the protein, lipid, fiber, ash, saponin, alkaloid, tannin, phenol, anthocyanin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and titratable acidity of the boiled or boiled + sun-dried A. montanus leaves; significant elevation of the moisture contents but significant reduction of the total carbohydrate contents of the boiled; and significant reduction of the moisture contents of the boiled + sun-dried vegetable compared with the raw. There were significant increases (p < .05) in the total carbohydrate contents of the boiled + sun-dried leaves; significant reductions (p < .05) in the moisture, saponin, alkaloid, and vitamins A and C contents of the sun-dried vegetable; and no significant differences (p > .05) in the lipid, calcium, potassium, and ash, but significant increases (p < .05) in the protein, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, anthocyanin, magnesium, and titratable acidity of the sun-dried vegetable when compared with the raw. Sun drying alone either retained or enhanced the release of some important bioactive compounds in A. montanus leaves. Furthermore, the reduced moisture content of the sun-dried vegetable together with its increased titratable acidity will make the sun-dried vegetable uninhabitable for microorganisms, thereby increasing its shelf life.

Starch Hydrolysis, Polyphenol Contents, and In Vitro Alpha Amylase Inhibitory Properties of Some Nigerian Foods As Affected by Cooking.

The effect of cooking on starch hydrolysis, polyphenol contents, and in vitro α-amylase inhibitory properties of mushrooms (two varieties Russula virescens and Auricularia auricula-judae), sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), and potato (Solanum tuberosum) was investigated. The total, resistant, and digestible starch contents of the raw and cooked food samples (FS) ranged from 6.4 to 64.9; 0 to 10.1; and 6.4 to 62.7 g/100 g, respectively, while their percentages of starch digestibility (DS values expressed as percentages of total starch hydrolyzed) ranged from 45.99 to 100. Raw and boiled unpeeled potato, raw and boiled peeled potato, raw A. auricula-judae, and sweet potato showed mild to high α-amylase inhibition (over a range of concentration of 10-50 mg/mL), which was lower than that of acarbose (that had 69% inhibition of α-amylase over a range of concentration of 2-10 mg/mL), unlike raw R. virescens, boiled A. auricula-judae, and boiled sweet potatoes that activated α-amylase and boiled R. virescens that gave 0% inhibition. The FS contained flavonoids and phenols in addition. The significant negative correlation (r = -0.55; P = 0.05) between the α-amylase inhibitory properties of the raw and cooked FS versus their SD indicates that the α-amylase inhibitors in these FS also influenced the digestibility of their starches. In addition, the significant positive correlation between the α-amylase inhibitory properties of the raw and cooked FS versus their resistant starch (RS) (r = 0.59; P = 0.01) contents indicates that the RS constituents of these FS contributed to their α-amylase inhibitory properties. The study showed the usefulness of boiled unpeeled potato, boiled potato peeled, and raw sweet potato as functional foods for people with type 2 diabetes.