Co-administration of caffeine and caffeic acid alters some key enzymes linked with reproductive function in male rats.

This study assessed the effects of caffeine combined with caffeic acid on some biomarkers of male reproductive function using normal albino Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6) and treated for seven successive days; group 1 represents the control rats; group 2 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine only; group 3 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg BW of caffeic acid, while the rats in group 4 were cotreated with an equal combination of caffeine and caffeic acid. The results revealed significant increase in reproductive hormone, testicular and epididymal nitric oxide levels of the rats. Moreover, decreased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymides of the treated rats was evidenced by significant increase in total and nonprotein thiol levels, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Similarly, decreased testicular cholesterol level with concomitant elevation in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities, glycogen and zinc levels were observed in the treated rats. No morphological changes were observed as revealed by the photomicrographs from light microscopy in treated rats. Nevertheless, the combination therapy exhibited additive/synergistic effect on these biochemical indices than when they were administered singly. This study suggests the combination therapy of caffeine and caffeic acid at the dose tested for improving male reproductive function.

Some antidiabetic medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: The work described plants collection, preparation and administration for diabetes cure in Ado Ekiti in Nigeria. METHODS: Twenty three plant samples were identified for the use in the treatment of diabetes by the herbalists. The plants that are common among the healers are Anthocleista djalonensis, Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Momordica charantia. RESULTS: The most preferred method of preparation by the healers is concoction and decoction of fresh leaves, stem bark and roots. However, for emergency sake, some healers dried these plant parts, ground to smooth powder and packaged in brown bottles or in nylon which are either sold or given to people, but must be soaked in cold or warm water before use. CONCLUSION: The use of medicinal plants in healing diabetes is a common practice by traditional healers in Ado Ekiti and never treat their patients in conjunction with modern medicines (Ref. 4).

RAPD Profiling, DNA Fragmentation, and Histomorphometric Examination in Brains of Wistar Rats Exposed to Indoor 2.5 Ghz Wi-Fi Devices Radiation.

The advent of Wi-Fi connected high technology devices in executing day-to-day activities is fast evolving especially in developing countries of the world and hence the need to assess its safety among others. The present study was conducted to investigate the injurious effect of radiofrequency emissions from installed Wi-Fi devices in brains of young male rats. Animals were divided into four equal groups; group 1 served as control while groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz at intervals of 30, 45, and 60 consecutive days with free access to food and water ad libitum. Alterations in harvested brain tissues were confirmed by histopathological analyses which showed vascular congestion and DNA damage in the brain was assayed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Histomorphometry analyses of their brain tissues showed perivascular congestion and tissue damage as well.

Effect of caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations on enzymes of cholinergic, monoaminergic and purinergic systems critical to neurodegeneration in rat brain-In vitro.

Caffeine and caffeic acid are two bioactive compounds that are present in plant foods and are major constituent of coffee, cocoa, tea, cola drinks and chocolate. Although not structurally related, caffeine and caffeic acid has been reported to elicit neuroprotective properties. However, their different proportional distribution in food sources and possible effect of such interactions are not often taken into consideration. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations on activities of some enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPase), ecto-51-nucleotidase (E-NTDase) and Na+/K+ ATPase relevant to neurodegeneration in vitro in rat brain. The stock concentration of caffeine and caffiec acid and their various proportional combinations were prepared and their interactions with the activities of these enzymes were assessed (in vitro) in different brain structures. The Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating abilities of the samples were also investigated. The results revealed that caffeine, caffeic acid and their various combinations exhibited inhibitory effect on activities of AChE, MAO, E-NTPase and E-NTDase, but stimulatory effect on Na+/K+ ATPase activity. The combinations also exhibited Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating abilities. Considering the various combinations, a higher caffeine to caffeic acid ratio produced significantly highest enzyme modulatory effects; these were significantly lower to the effect of caffeine alone but significantly higher than the effect of caffeic acid alone. These findings may provide new insight into the effect of proportional combination of these bioactive compounds as obtained in many foods especially with respect to their neuroprotective effects.

Caffeine plus nicotine improves motor function, spatial and non-spatial working memory and functional indices in BALB/c male mice.

There is a greater prevalence of cigarette smoking among caffeine dependent individuals. This study therefore sought to assess the effect of nicotine and/or caffeine on some key biochemical indices and neurobehavioural parameters associated with brain function in male mice. Forty male BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each; Group A serve as the control and received normal saline (s.c), Group B received 2mg/kg body weight of nicotine (s.c), Group C received 2mg/kg body weight of caffeine (s.c) and Group D received 2mg/kg of nicotine and 2mg/kg of caffeine (s.c). The experiment lasted for 21 days, and then the animals were subjected to behavioral test. Thereafter the animals were sacrificed and their brain isolated for the determination of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), arginase (Arg) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities; as well as some antioxidant indices. Administration of nicotine or caffeine caused a significant (P<0.05) inhibition on AChE, ADA and Arg activities as well as a significant increase in NO level when compared with the control. However, it was observed from this study that nicotine enhances caffeine cognitive properties through a significant increase in non-spatial working memory whereas; it was otherwise on the spatial working memory and motor coordination. Therefore, we can suggest from our present study that caffeine enhances the effect of nicotine either synergistically or additively on memory and motor function and some key biochemical indices associated with brain function in male mice.

Phenolic compounds from sandpaper (ficus exasperata) leaf inhibits angiotensin 1 converting enzyme in high cholesterol diet fed rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sandpaper [Ficus exasperata Vahl (Moraceae)] leaf has been reportedly used in folklore for the management/treatment of cardiovascular diseases with little/or no scientific basis for their action. This study sought to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of sandpaper leaf on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in hypercholesterolemia as well as the effect of their phenolic extract on this enzyme in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phenolic extract was prepared, then, the inhibitory effect of the leaf extract on ACE was determined in vitro. Thereafter, the effect of dietary supplementation of sandpaper leaf on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in high cholesterol diet fed rats for 14 days was evaluated as well as some biochemical parameters. RESULTS: The result revealed that under in vitro condition, the phenolic extract inhibited ACE (IC50=14.7µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner (0-10µg/mL). Feeding high cholesterol diets to rats caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the ACE activity. However, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the ACE activity as a result of supplementation with the sand paper leaves. Furthermore, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the plasma lipid profile with a concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rat liver and heart tissues. However, supplementing the diet with sandpaper leaf (either 10% or 20%) caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (LDL-C), and in MDA content in the tissues. Conversely, supplementation caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level when compared with the control diet. Reversed phase HPLC analysis of the extract revealed Quercitrin (43.7mg/g), chlorogenic acid (42.8mg/g) and caffeic acid (33.9mg/g) as the major phenolics in the leaf. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of ACE activity and prevention of hypercholesterolemia by sandpaper leaf could be part of the possible mechanism underlying its anti-hypertensive property which could lay credence to its use in folk medicine. However, these activities may be directly/indirectly attributed to the polyphenolics present.

Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by ethanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) leaf.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. (Curcubitaceae) (T. occidentalis) leaf on key enzyme linked to type-2 diabetes (α - amylase and α - glucosidase) as well as assess the effect of blanching (a commonly practiced food processing technique) of the vegetable on these key enzymes. METHODS: Fresh leaves of T. occidentalis were blanched in hot water for 10 minutes, and the extracts of both the fresh and blanched vegetables were prepared and used for subsequent analysis. The inhibitory effect of the extract on α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities as well as some antioxidant parameter was determined in vitro. RESULTS: The result revealed that unprocessed T. occidentalis leaf reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) and also inhibited α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities in a dose dependent manner. However, blanching of the leafy vegetables caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the antioxidant properties but decrease their ability to inhibit α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities. CONCLUSIONS: This antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibition could be part of the mechanism by which they are used in the treatment/prevention of type-2 diabetes. However, the blanched vegetable reduces their ability to inhibit both α - amylase and α - glucosidase activity in vitro.