Effect of perinatal dietary protein deficiency on some neurochemicals and cytoarchitectural balance, in F1 and F2 generations of rats.

ABSTRACTProtein deficiency, characterized by an inadequate intake of protein in the diet that fails to meet the body's physiological requirements across various stages, can lead to detrimental outcomes. This is of interest due to the persistent low protein content in staple foods and suboptimal dietary patterns. The study sought to assess the intergenerational repercussions of dietary protein deficiency on specific neurochemicals and the cytoarchitecture of the brain within the F1 and F2 generations of rats. The rats were categorized into four groups based on the protein content percentage in their diets: 21% protein diet (21%PD), 10% protein diet (10%PD), 5% protein diet (5%PD), and control diet. Neurobehavior was assessed, while brain serotonin and dopamine levels were measured using HPLC. BDNF and GDNF expression in the hippocampal and prefrontal (PFC) sections, Immunohistochemical investigations of the morphological impact on the hippocampus and PFC, were also analyzed. The protein-deficient groups displayed anxiety, loss of striatal serotonin and increased dopamine levels, degenerated pyramidal cells in the hippocampus, and a prominent reduction in cellular density in the PFC. BDNF and GDNF levels in the PFC were reduced in the 5%PD group. GFAP astrocyte expression was observed to be increased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampal sections, indicating heightened reactivity. The density of hypertrophied cells across generations further suggests the presence of neuroinflammation. Changes in brain structure, neurotransmitter levels, and neurotrophic factor levels may indicate intergenerational alterations in critical regions, potentially serving as indicators of the brain's adaptive response to address protein deficiency across successive generations.

Fractions of Hoslundia opposita Vahl and hoslundin induced apoptosis in human cancer cells via mitochondrial-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

BACKGROUND: Cancer remains one of the leading causalities of several morbidity and mortality with negative impact on global economy due to low workforce and management/treatment cost. A number of conventional therapies have been explored in the management/treatment of cancer including chemotherapeutic intervention, radiotherapy, and surgery. Among these treatment modalities, chemotherapy remains the most popular first line of intervention in management/treatment of cancer, and natural products have been implicated as the main source of antineoplastic agents with phenomenal efficacy. However, current antineoplastic agents suffer from lack of selectivity and specificity necessitating the need for further research in the search for novel anticancer drug molecules. METHODS: In this present study, the anticancer activity of Hoslundia opposita leaves extracts were tested against a number of cell lines including human hepatoma cell line (HepG2), human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231), intestinal epithelial cell lines (Caco-2), and human keratinocyte HACAT cell lines. A bio-guided fractionation assay and the structural elucidation of the pure isolate (hoslundin) was conducted by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cell viability, colony formation, and apoptotic activities were investigated using MTT assay, clonogenic assay, and caspase - 3 and - 7 kits respectively. Flow cytometry was employed in assessing the altered cell cycle expression. The production of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined at the cellular level using fluorescent probe dyes dihydro-fluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) and tetramethylrhodamin (TMRE), respectively. RESULTS: The H. opposita fractions and its pure isolate (hoslundin) demonstrated a potent cytocidal activity against the tumorigenic cells (HepG2, MDA-MB-231, Caco-2) at concentration ranging from 25 to 100 µg/mL. The inhibition of the colony formation was significantly observed in HepG2 cell lines. More so, the cellular viability of the normal cells (HaCaT) was relatively unchanged in the presence of H. opposita fractions and its isolate proving the selectivity of the compounds towards tumourigenic cells. The H. opposita fractions and hoslundin exerted their anticancer activity via cell cycle arrest with the accumulation of the DNA content at the S-phase, activation of apoptosis in the caspase 3,7 activities and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential mediated by mitochondrial-dependent ROS generation in the treated tumor cells. CONCLUSION: The anticancer activities of Hoslundia opposita Vahl and hoslundin exhibited significant efficacy against tumor cells and well tolerated in the presence of normal cells making them a potential antineoplastic agent.

Evaluation of the anti-aging and antioxidant action of Ananas sativa and Moringa oleifera in a fruit fly model organism.

aging is an inevitable biological complex process. It involves the gradual loss of cellular vitality due to accumulative damage to cellular macromolecules by reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are highly implicated in health, disease, and lifespan. The biochemical pathways involved in the aging process are highly influenced by both exogenous (environmental factors) and endogenous stress factors. These cellular processes are the same in most organisms including the fruit fly, nematode, yeast, mammalian cell line, and rodents. These model organisms have been extensively used in the screening of potent antioxidant botanicals for anti-aging bioactivity. Moringa oleifera and Ananas sativa are great sources of health-promoting nutrients and antioxidants, however, their anti-aging impact is still an evolving area of research interest. Therefore, this review focused on their anti-aging mode of action and some other anti-aging nutriceuticals in different model organisms including the fruit fly. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Staying forever young and healthy is everyone's right. Aside from genetic trait, healthy feeding is peculiar to the world's longest-living people. Ananas sativa (pineapple) and Moringa oleifera leaves are highly valued fruit and herb with nourishing, antioxidant, and medicinal properties. Their extract exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans used Moringa seed oil for cosmetics and perfumes. Moringa tea leaves is consumed for its nutritive and medicinal value. Its antioxidant potency endorses its use for anti-aging and other health-promoting purposes. The bioactive compound in pineapple, bromelain, promotes wound healing and it is a component of postsurgical applications due to its anti-inflammatory property. Consumption of Ananas fruit provides the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant. To identify new anti-aging bioactive compounds of therapeutic importance, and understanding the mode of action of these nutriceuticals will contribute to new anti-aging research prospects.

Nigella sativa (black seed) oil ameliorates CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity and mediates neurotransmitter levels in male Sprague Dawley albino rats.

The liver is a metabolically active organ which is prone to oxidative damage. The hepatoprotective effect of Nigella sativa (black seed oil extract) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley albino rats was determined. There were four groups of eight rats; Group 1 (control) was administered with distilled water for 28 days, Group 2 was administered with 4 ml/kg of CCl4 (70% olive oil: 30% CCl4 ) on alternate days for 28 days. Group 3 was administered with 4 ml/kg of CCl4 (70% olive oil: 30% CCl4 ) and 2 ml/kg of Nigella sativa oil orally for 28 days. Group 4 was administered with 4 ml/kg of CCl4 (70% Olive oil: 30% CCl4 ) and 4 ml/kg of Nigella sativa oil orally for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment. Liver, kidney, and brain tissues were determined for antioxidant enzymes and histopathological features. There were significant ameliorative effects of the oil extract in the treatment groups compared to control (p < .05). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Nigella sativa (black seed oil) also known as Habbatus sauda has been used for therapeutic and nutritional purposes for decades due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. It is a potent brain tonic due to the presence of linoleic, palmitic, oleic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), hence, may enhance brain and heart functions. This research analysis carried out on the neurotransmitter (glutamate and GABA) levels showed a significant decrease at p < .05 in the group administered with CCl4 alone, which was reversed significantly upon the administration of Nigella sativa oil. The histological features reported in the current study correlated with the biochemical parameters. The CCl4 induced severe histological changes on the hepatic, renal, and brain tissues, which, was ameliorated by the Nigella sativa oil administration. The administration of Nigella sativa oil exerted a protective effect on the brain, liver, and kidney during CCl4 -induced oxidative stress.

Neurobehavioural and neurotoxic effects of L-ascorbic acid and L-tryptophan in lead exposed rats.

BACKGROUND: Lead is an environmental toxicant, occupational and environmental exposures remain a serious problem in developing and industrializing countries. OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to investigate the effects of L-ascorbic acid and L-tryptophan on the neurotoxicity and neurobehavioural alterations in lead exposed male Sprague Dawley rats. METHODS: Experimental animals were exposed to oral doses of lead (Pb), L-ascorbic acid, and L-tryptophan at 75 mg/kg body weight, 40 mg/kg body weight, and 20 mg/kg body weight respectively, while control animals received 0.90% saline solution. Oral administration spanned for four weeks after which changes in neuro-behaviour, organ weight, blood deposition of Pb, brain serotonin, tryptophan and neuronal redox status were determined. Changes in organ weight, blood lead levels, neuro-behavioural characteristics, brain serotonin and tryptophan contents, and brain redox status were determined. RESULTS: The results indicated that Pb exposure increased blood lead, organ-weight index, and behavioural signs of anxiety and aggression. The sub-chronic exposure to Pb also decreased brain serotonin, while causing oxidative stress by decreasing reduced glutathione levels, antioxidant enzyme activity and increasing lipid peroxidation and brain protein contents. L-ascorbic acid attenuated both Pb induced neuronal oxidative stress, and abnormalities in behaviour. But L-tryptophan ameliorated Pb altered neurobehaviour with no significant effect on Pb induced oxidative stress in the brain. Co-administration of L-ascorbic acid and L-tryptophan on Pb exposed rats showed a reversal in all indices assessed towards the physiological state of control. CONCLUSION: This suggests that L-ascorbic and L-tryptophan can be used to compliment chelating therapy in lead neurotoxicity.