Effect of Cooking Method on Vitamin C Loses and Antioxidant Activity of Indigenous Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Western Uganda.

Indigenous green leafy vegetables are known to contain high levels of antioxidants and are recommended in the management of chronic diseases. However, their consumption has received lower patronage. This is partly attributed to farmers replacing the growing of indigenous green leafy vegetables with their exotic counterparts and scarce information on their nutritional benefits. This study explored the effect of cooking methods (boiling and steaming for 10 minutes) on the antioxidant activity of Amaranthus dubius, Solanum nigrum, and Curcubita maxima. Spectrometry was used to evaluate the reducing power and antihemolytic activity. Titration via the 2,6-indophenol method was used for measuring vitamin C and replacement titration for hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Cooking the vegetables by steaming or boiling caused up to 99% reduction in the vitamin C concentration of the cooked vegetables. The antioxidant activity of the cooked vegetables varied across the species assessed and cooking method used. Steaming retained and in some instances promoted the antioxidant activity of the vegetables. The study concludes that cooking by either steaming or boiling alters the antioxidant activity of indigenous vegetables.

Hypoglycemic and Toxic Effect of Morus mesozygia Leaf Extract on the Liver and Kidneys of Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycemic Wistar Rats.

PURPOSE: We investigated the hypoglycemic and toxic effect of Morus mesozygia leaf extract on the liver and kidneys of alloxan-induced hyperglycemic wistar rats. METHOD: Phytochemical analysis was done. Diabetes was induced by the use of alloxan monohydrate in six groups of rats, i.e., 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, glibenclamide, normal saline, and normal control group. Blood glucose was measured at the time of inoculation, then at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after. After 14 days, rats were killed under anesthesia; blood collected for measurement of total protein, albumin, TAGs, cholesterol, AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine; and whole tissue of liver and kidneys used for histological studies. RESULTS: The extract possessed antidiabetic effects between 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg doses, which we attributed to the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and amino acids. There was a drop in total protein and albumin with no statistical significance (P ≥ 0.05). The changes in levels of ALT, TAGs, cholesterol, AST, creatinine, and urea were not statistically different from the standard diabetic drug. The extract was protective against histological damage as there were no significant lesions suggestive of toxicities in the liver and kidneys at doses below 800 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: We established credible evidence that Morus mesozygia leaf extract has hypoglycemic effects between 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg and that it is safe on the liver and kidneys of wistar rats at doses less than 800 mg/kg.

Appraisal of oral lesions status of HIV/AIDS patients in South Western Uganda

Aim: To establish a regional surveillance data that may contribute to improvement of oral health prevention/control programs in South Western Uganda. Methods: Using WHO guidelines, HIV-associated oral lesions were identified among 605 HIV/AIDS patients (469 females and 136 males), selected at random from 4 districts of South Western Uganda. Pearson¡¦s Chi square test of independence („´=0.01), was used to compare results. Results: Prevalence of oral lesions was 73.2%. Pseudomembranous Candidiasis (PC) showed the highest overall prevalence of 71.1% (34.9% single and 36.2% mixed); followed by 39.9% prevalence of Erythematous Candidiasis (EC) (13.2%) single; 26.7% mixed) and 18.8% prevalence of Angular Chelitis (AC) (3.1% single and 15.7% mixed). There was: 23.6% co-infection of PC and EC; 12.6% PC and AC, 3.1% were EC and AC, and 17.0% intra-oral pigmentation. Prevalence of oral lesions was significantly (p<0.01) dependent on host pre-exposure to antimicrobials. Conclusions: Oral infections are still highly prevalent among the studied HIV/AIDS patients in South Western Uganda. This observation may be due to inadequate antimicrobial agents and oral/dental care. There¡¦s urgent need to train primary health care workers in management of oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS. More studies are needed to evaluate HIV/AIDS oral lesions in the populace.