Nigerian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Anti-diabetic Inhibitory Effect of Identified Phytochemicals in Ziziphus spina-christi on alpha-Amylase: In silico Screening Approach

2025-01-25T11:24:13+00:00

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by persistent high concentration of blood glucose. Its progression results in health complications like neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, pathology of other cell or tissue types of the body and death. Ziziphus spina-christi is a recognised plant for its nutritive and medicinal values. The aim of the study was to screen various identified phytochemicals in Ziziphus spina-christi on alpha-amylase which is an anti-diabetic drug target through in silico approach. A library of identified phytochemicals of Ziziphus spina-christi from literature search was built by downloading the compounds from PubChem. The hits were screened for their drug likeness and pharmacokinetics using the Swiss ADME predictor. The suitable hits from the drug likeness were docked with amylase using Autodock vina and molecular interactions visualized with Discovery studio visualizer. Fifteen compounds in the library were selected based on the Lipinski rule. Jujubogenin-amylase complex had the lowest binding energy of - 8.9 Kcal/mol, followed by maslinic acid, and (+)-Catechin cianidanol complexes with binding energies -8.5 and -8.4 Kcal/mol respectively. All the fifteen phytochemicals that did not violate the Lipinski drug likeness rule had better binding affinity for amylase compared to the clinically approved Acarbose with a binding energy of - 7.3 Kcal/mol. Hence, this investigation on the bioactive compounds from Ziziphus spina-christi especially Jujubogenin suggests its potential inhibitory activity on alpha-amylase for diabetes treatment.

Ameliorative Potentials of N-Acetylcysteine and Vitamin C on Zinc-oxide Nanoparticles Induced Hepato-renal Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

2025-01-25T16:07:31+00:00

Zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are prevalent in various companies and consumer products, raising concerns about their potential toxicity. Vitamin C and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) are known for their antioxidant properties, which may protect against cytotoxicity. However, limited information exists on their effects on ZnO-NPs-induced toxicity. This study investigates the ameliorative effects of N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C on hepato-renal toxicity of Zinc-oxide Nanoparticles in Male Wistar Rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (100-120g) were grouped namely; Control, ZnO-NPs, ZnO-NPs + NAC, ZnO-NPs + Vit. C, and ZnO-NPs + NAC + Vit. C. ZnO-NPs were administered orally at 200 mg/kg, with treatment groups receiving an additional 100 mg/kg of Vitamin C and NAC. After 28 days, blood samples were collected for analysis, including liver enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT), liver malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), urea, creatinine, and serum zinc levels. ZnO-NPs significantly increased liver creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, MDA, and serum zinc levels compared to the control group (P<0.05). NAC and Vitamin C, alone or combined, significantly reduced liver SOD levels (P<0.05). Co-treatment significantly decreased ALT, urea, and creatinine while significantly increasing liver SOD (P<0.05). NAC and Vitamin C co-treatment alleviated the toxic effects of ZnO-NPs-induced hepato–renal damage in male albino Wistar rats.

Detection and Identification of Pathogenic Trypanosomes across Niger Republic–Nigeria Border by Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Case Study at Maigatari International Livestock Market, Northern Nigeria

2025-01-25T16:18:42+00:00

Trans-border trade among African countries has been a major route for transfer of goods and animals for centuries influencing socio-economic dynamics of regions and countries. Animal trading across borders has been implicated in the spread of several diseases and constitute a major risk to public health.The present study is aimed to investigate the role of livestock trade across Niger Republic-Nigeria border on the spread of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) using Maigatari International Livestock market in Northern Nigeria as a case study.To achieve this, blood samples were collected from 200 animals comprising 40 each of horses, donkeys, goats, camels and cattle brought for trading. Each sample was analysed for the presence of trypanosome spp by polymerase chain reaction using ITS1 CF and BR generic primers.The results showed an overall prevalence of 60% trypanosomes infection, with 16/40 (40%) for horse, 20/40 (50%) for donkey, 36/40 (90%) for goat, 36/40 (90%) for camel and 12/40 (30%) for cattle, respectively.The ITS1 CF and BR primers gave band sizes of 250 bp, 480 bp and above 580 bp for T. vivax, subgenus trypanozoon and T. congolense, respectively. The most prevalent trypanosome species detected were T. vivax single infection (86.7%), T. vivax/subgenus trypanozoon mixed infection (10%) and T. congolense/subgenus trypanozoon mixed infection (3.3%). These results confirmed the threat to public health pose by animal trade across Niger Republic-Nigeria border and call for strategic measures for the control and management of the spread of animal African trypanosomiasis especially as the disease is zoonotic in nature.

Evaluation of Analgesic Potential of Shumanniophyton magnificum Extract on Albino Rats

2025-01-25T16:29:00+00:00

Shumaniophyton magnificum is usually used in African folk medication to treat various diseases, especially fever, malaria, and pain. Pain is a well-known indicator of illness, and the medications used to treat pain are called analgesics. The primary issue with these medications continues to be their side effects. Natural herbs are safer substitutes. This study explored the analgesic potentials of the methanol extract of S. magnificum leaf using three distinct in vivo analgesic models: the Acetic Acid-Induced Writhing, Hot Plate, and Tail Flick Response Assessments. When compared to aspirin-treated groups, the S. magnificum extract significantly (p<0.05) and dose-dependently reduced the number of acetic acid-induced writhes in rats. In the hot plate test, the extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased the latency time to thermal pain in comparison to groups that received pentazocine treatment. When compared to groups treated with pentazocine, the extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the pain reaction time of treated mice to thermal stimuli in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, the study's outcomes supporting the traditional use of S. magnificum for pain relief came from the extract's demonstrated pain-relieving properties.

Preventive Effect of Hydroethanolic Extract of Aerva lanata Leaf on Iron Overload-Induced Oxidative Stress

2025-01-25T16:37:04+00:00

Excess iron is a major cause of iron-induced oxidative stress and a number of diseases. Plants like Aerva lanata, offer a mitigative potential against iron-induced oxidative damage. This study aimed at determining the antioxidant enhancing potential of hydroethanolic extract of Aerva lanata (HEAL) leaf against iron overload-induced oxidative damage. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomised into six groups. Group 1 received 0.5 mL of distilled water while groups 2-6 were given treatments consisting of intraperitoneally administration of iron dextran (100 mg/kg) plus oral administration of 0.5 mL of distilled water, 20 mg/kg deferasirox, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract respectively for 21 days. The extract was assessed for a number of secondary metabolites as well as its in-vitro antioxidant capacity while biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and iron overload were assessed in the rats. Six secondary metabolites were found in the extract, with cardiac glycosides (270.60 mg/L) being the most abundant while flavonoids (2.56 mg/L) were the least prevalent, exhibiting antioxidant and free radical scavenging capabilities, with the inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 41.19 g/mL (DPPH), 258.154 g/mL (ABTS). Treatment with HEAL significantly reduced the increased serum iron level in iron-overload oxidative stressed animals, and reduced AST, ALP, MDA levels, and increased antioxidant activities. The antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities of HEAL discovered in this study have shown that HEAL treatment can strengthen the antioxidant defenses against iron overload-induced oxidative stress in rats and might contribute to the mechanism by which HEAL prevents the liver from iron loaded-induced oxidative stress

Tyrosinase Inhibition, Antioxidant Activity, and Bioactive Compound Profiling in Acetone Extracts of Erythrophleum suaveolens Stem Bark

2025-01-25T16:49:56+00:00

This study investigates the inhibitory activity of Erythrophleum suaveolens bark extracts on mushroom tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin synthesis, as well as ascertaining the antioxidant properties and elucidating the phyto-constituents in the most potent extract. Extracts were obtained using five solvents: n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol, and distilled water. Among these, the acetone extract demonstrated the best tyrosinase inhibitory activity compared to the enzyme standard inhibitor, kojic acid, at the highest concentration (400 µg/ml). Specifically, the acetone extract demonstrated an inhibitory activity value at 50% inhibition (IA50) of 39.2 ± 0.20 µg/ml for mushroom tyrosinase diphenolase activity, surpassing other extracts, including hexane (65.8 ± 1.06 µg/ml) and kojic acid (45.1 ± 0.10 µg/ml). Furthermore, the acetone extract showed dose-dependent antioxidant properties, with ferric reducing antioxidant power of 57.16 ± 0.11 mg vitamin C/g extract, DPPH radical scavenging activity of 118.7 ± 0.16%, and iron chelating activity of 26.4 ± 0.07% at the highest concentration (100 µg/ml), suggesting potential de-pigmenting effects. High-performance liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, which separates, identifies and quantifies extract components via an acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v) mobile phase and a Phenyl stationary phase, revealed a rich flavonoid content in the acetone extract, with rutin (1.418 ppm) and quercetin (4.758 ppm) being the most prominent compounds. This bioactive compound profile reveals the inhibitory properties of the E. suaveolens acetone extract and underscores its potential as a natural tyrosinase inhibitor with promising implications for improving skin appearance and health.

Effects of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) Oil on Hepatic Function Parameters in Rats Induced with Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis

2025-02-13T13:05:15+00:00

This study evaluated the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) seed oil on hepatic function in rat model of periodontitis and diabetes mellitus. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into eight groups of six rats each as follows: Group I rats were fed with normal rat chow ad libitum without any induction and served as Control. Group II rats were fed with normal rat chow, water and administered NS oil. Group III rats were induced with diabetes without treatment. Group IV rats were treated with 1 ml/kg bwt NS oil intraperitoneally after diabetes induction (DB + NS.). Group V were induced with periodontitis without treatment. Group VI rats were treated with 1 ml/kg bwt NS oil intraperitoneally after periodontitis induction. Group VII were induced with diabetes and periodontitis without treatment and finally Group VIII rats were treated with 1 ml/kg bwt NS oil after diabetes and periodontitis induction (DB+PD+NS) intraperitoneally. The result showed that treatment with Nigella sativa oil significantly reduced Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in Diabetes mellitus and periodontitis group compared with untreated groups. In addition, diabetes and periodontitis disrupted the normal architecture of the liver in the untreated group while the oil ameliorated these effects significantly in the treatment groups. The histology of the jaw showed varying degrees of inflammation in the untreated diabetes and periodontitis group, but these effects were reduced in the treated groups. In conclusion, black seed oil ameliorated the effect of diabetes mellitus and periodontitis in the liver of the Diabetes mellitus and periodontitis induced rats.

Evaluation of Nutritional, Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacity of Telfairia Occidentalis F. and Vernonia Amygdalina Delile Leaves

2025-02-13T13:21:04+00:00

This study assessed the nutritional composition, phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant activities of Telfairia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina leaves. Standard analytical methods were employed to evaluate the powdered and aqueous extracts of both plants. Findings indicated that T. occidentalis exhibited higher levels of moisture (11.43%), crude fiber (9.11%), protein (8.19%), and crude lipid (3.67%) compared to V. amygdalina. No significant difference was observed in total ash content between the two species. Qualitative phytochemical analysis identified the presence of saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins in both plants, while anthraquinones and steroids were absent. Quantitatively, V. amygdalina contained higher concentrations of phenolics (25.17 ± 1.03 mg/g), flavonoids (25.86 ± 0.09 mg/g), saponins (7.61 ± 0.07 mg/g), and alkaloids (6.42 ± 0.07 mg/g). In contrast, T. occidentalis had greater amounts of tannins (12.47 ± 0.06 mg/g) and cardiac glycosides (2.46 ± 0.03 mg/g). The antioxidant capacity, measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity, revealed that both plants possess significant antioxidant properties. V. amygdalina demonstrated a higher scavenging ability with an IC₅₀ of 10.37 ± 1.61 μg/mL, compared to T. occidentalis at 22.99 ± 0.61 μg/mL. However, both were less potent than standard ascorbic acid (0.49 ± 0.001 μg/mL). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) analysis showed V. amygdalina had a significantly higher TAC (0.941 ± 0.001 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalent) than T. occidentalis (0.830 ± 0.002 mg/g). These results suggest that T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina leaves are valuable vegetable sources capable of meeting human nutritional needs and providing defense against oxidative stress-related diseases.

In-Vitro and In-Silico Anti-Cariogenic Bacterial Activity of Selected Spices Commonly Consumed in South-West Nigeria

2025-02-13T13:32:55+00:00

Dental caries is a preventable oral disease simply by practicing good oral hygiene; however, this disease remains a global health challenge due to the difficulties in management and treatment. Onion, ginger, and nutmeg extracts have been reported as potent antibiotics. Thus, the study investigated the efficacy of these three spices against cariogenic bacteria. Samples were collected from consented caried-patients at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Disc and agar well diffusion methods were used to evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity of the spices against the isolates, respectively. The anti-cariogenic potential of significant compounds in each of the spices was further assessed against four bacterial target proteins (DNA gyrase B, dihydrofolate reductase (DHF), D-alanine: D-alanine ligase (Ddl1), and Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS). Out of 100 samples collected, hundred and sixty-six (166) isolates were recovered: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (105), Staphylococcus aureus (52), and Streptococcus mutans (9). In-silico studies revealed that kaempferol in onion, luteolin 7-O-glucoside in ginger, and macelignan in nutmeg had high binding affinities for the four target proteins (∆G> -7 kcal/mol). At 100% concentration, onions showed a higher zone of inhibition (20-22 mm) against the tested bacteria. In comparison, diameter zones of 20.33 mm and 20.67 mm for ginger, and 19.67 mm and 16.67 mm for nutmeg were observed against Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. It was also observed that at higher concentrations of 100%, the tested spices had a higher inhibitory effect against the tested bacteria than the control antibiotics.