Effects of co-administration of Ganoderma terpenoid extract with chloroquine on inflammatory markers and antioxidant status in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the protective effects of Ganoderma terpenoid extract (GTE) against Plasmodium berghei-malarial infection in mice, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of GTE in combination with chloroquine disulphate (CQ) on erythrocyte-selected inflammatory markers and antioxidant defense status in P. berghei-infected mice. METHODS: P. berghei-infected mice were divided into six groups: infected control (IC) group, administered 1 mL Tween 20; GTE100 and GTE250 groups, administered 100 and 250 mg/kg GTE, respectively; GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups, co-administered 100 and 250 mg/kg GTE plus 30 mg/kg CQ, respectively; and CQ group, administered 30 mg/kg CQ. A separate group of non-infected mice were given 1 mL Tween 20, and served as a normal control group (NC). Extract and drug were dissolved in Tween 20 and administered orally once daily for 12 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, mice were anesthetized with chloroform and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Plasma was prepared from blood obtained from each mouse. Parameters evaluated at the end of the treatment period include parasitemia, red blood cell count, hematocrit, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). RESULTS: Infected mice treated with a combination of GTE and CQ (GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups) showed significantly reduced parasitemia levels (P < 0.05) compared to those administered GTE alone as well as IC. Significant improvement in body weight (P < 0.05) was also observed in infected mice treated with a combination of GTE and CQ (GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups), compared to mice receiving GTE alone (GTE100 and GTE250 groups). Plasma MDA and TNF-α concentrations were significantly lowered, and IL-10 concentration was significantly increased in GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups, relative to the IC group (P < 0.05). GSH concentration and SOD, CAT and GPx activities were significantly higher in GT100 + CQ and GT250 + CQ groups compared to the GTE100, GTE250, IC and NC groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data generated in this study showed that GTE enhanced the anti-plasmodial action of CQ in mice through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Effects of Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia and associated complications in rats.

Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract (TTFE) was evaluated for its effects on streptozotocin-hyperglycemia and associated complications especially as it relates to dyslipidemia, lipid peroxidation, and renal dysfunction in rats. Two normoglycemic rat groups designated: control (administered distilled water) and control + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg b.w. TTFE) and two streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rat groups designated: STZ-control (administered distilled water) and STZ + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg TTFE). The treatment was given orally once daily for 21 consecutive days. Body weight and insulin concentration showed significant improvement while blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared to diabetic untreated rats. Furthermore, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lowered in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared with diabetic untreated rats. Key enzymes involved in carbohydrate breakdown and cholesterol synthesis, α-amylase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, respectively, were significantly inhibited in TTFE-treated diabetic rats compared to diabetic control. Results presented in this study suggest that administration of TTFE for 21 days normalized STZ-induced hyperglycemia and its associated dyslipidemia by a mechanism involving inhibition of α-amylase and HMG-CoA reductase activities, respectively, in rats.

Erythropoietic and anti-obesity effects of Garcinia cambogia (bitter kola) in Wistar rats.

The anti-obesity and erythropoietic effects of crude ethanolic extracts of Garcinia cambogia (bitter kola) seeds on Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. The rats were divided into three dosage groups: A (0 mg/kg of body weight), B (200 mg/kg) and C (400 mg/kg). Weight changes, plasma lipoprotein levels and the lipid profile of the liver, gastrointestinal system and adipose tissue were monitored as indices for anti-obesity, while the RBC (red blood cell) count (assessed by using a haemocytometer) was monitored as a measure of erythropoiesis. The extract was administered by gavage for 5 weeks. The results for each test group was compared statistically with those for the control (P<0.05). Analysis of the results showed a significant increase in RBC counts in both test groups and a decrease in weights of experimental animals. There was a dose-dependent decrease in the plasma level of very-low-density lipoprotein and a dose-dependent increase in the level of chylomicrons. There was a slight, but significant, decrease in the level of high-density lipoprotein and a significant increase in the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein). There was significant dose-dependent decrease in the TAG (triacylglycerol) pool of adipose tissue and the liver of the test groups, but a significant increase in the TAG pool of the gastrointestinal system. The increase in the TAG pool of the gastrointestinal system is possibly compensatory. The results therefore confirm that ethanolic extracts of G. cambogia seeds have both haematologically enhancing and anti-obesity effects. The decrease in the high-density-lipoprotein level and an increase in the LDL level may play an important role in cardiovascular disease.