Inhibitory effect of tannic acid and its derivative (gallic acid) against cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney – in vitro

Increasing amounts of evidence suggests tannic acid (TA) and its derivative, gallic acid (GA) has beneficial effects against nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TA and GA (two structurally related phenolic acids) against cisplatin-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney in vitro. The effect of both phenolic acids on kidney TBARS level in the presence of cisplatin, an antineoplastic drug used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers which has its chief side effect in nephrotoxicity, was assessed. Thereafter, the antioxidant properties were also determined. Incubation of the kidney tissue homogenate in the presence of cisplatin (1 mM) caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the TBARS level. However, both phenolic acids caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the TBARS content of the kidney in a dose dependent manner (0 – 12.5 µM). Nevertheless, TA had a significantly higher (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on TBARS production than gallic acid judging by their IC50 value. Furthermore, TA possesses stronger antioxidant properties than GA as revealed by their scavenging, chelating and reducing ability. The inhibition of cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in rat kidney by both TA and GA could be due to their antioxidant properties and this provide further insight into the mechanism of action for their nephroprotective properties from previous reported experimental studies. However, the study revealed that hydrolysis of TA reduces its potenc

Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by ethanolic extract of Amaranthus cruentus leaf as affected by blanching.

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of Amaranthus cruentus leaf on key enzyme linked to type- 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) as well as assessing the effect of blanching (a commonly practiced food processing technique) of the vegetable on these key enzymes. Fresh leaves of A. cruentus were blanched in hot water for 10 min, and the ethanolic 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. The result revealed that extract of unprocessed A. cruentus leaf reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ 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 decreased their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. 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 reduced their ability to inhibit both α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity in vitro

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordinationlinked behaviour in male rats

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2–4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage

Impacts of Dietary Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit Pulp on Brain Cholinesterase Function in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Epidemiologic studies have shown strong correlations between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes mellitus. The exact mechanism through which this happens remains unclear. However, the dependence on glucose for brain function has been proposed as one possible mechanism. Hence, this study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp (CAPP) with hypoglycaemic properties in diabetic rats induced with high-fat diet/streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were grouped into seven units as follows: control, STZ-induced, STZ + metformin (positive control), STZ + 5% CAPP, STZ + 10% CAPP, control + 5% CAPP and control + 10% CAPP and each group was made up of six rats. The animals were first placed on normal diet (non-diabetic groups) and high fat diet (diabetic groups) for a fortnight, respectively before induction with STZ and were treated with diets containing 5 and 10% CAPP for 14 days. After the experiment, the rat brain cholinesterase and antioxidant activities were determined. The results revealed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butylcholinesterase (BuChE), arginase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and antioxidant activities were altered in STZ-diabetic group in comparison to the control. However, a significant decrease at p &lt; 0.05 was found in the activities of AChE, BuChE, arginase and ADA. In addition, there was a concomitant rise in the levels of antioxidant in all the groups administered supplemented diets and the group treated with metformin in comparison to the STZ-diabetic group. Conclusively, we can suggest that the fruit pulp prevents neurological damage in diabetic rats via anticholinesterase activity and improvement of brain antioxidant status

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordinationlinked behaviour in male rats

Humans in modern society are exposed to an ever-increasing number of electromagneticfields (EMFs) and some studies have demonstrated that these waves can alter brain function but the mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of 2.5 Ghz band radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMF) exposure on cerebral cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their mRNA expression level as well as locomotor function and anxiety-linked behaviour in male rats. Animals were divided into four groups namely; group 1 was control (without exposure), group 2–4 were exposed to 2.5 Ghz radiofrequency waves from an installed WI-FI device for a period of 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The results revealed that WiFi exposure caused a significant increase in anxiety level and affect locomotor function. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in AChE activity with a concomitant increase in AChE mRNA expression level in WiFi exposed rats when compared with control. In conclusions, these data showed that long term exposure to WiFi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases as observed by a significant alteration on AChE gene expression and some neurobehavioral parameters associated with brain damage

Effect of Essential Oils from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizomes on Some Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cadmium Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Studies have revealed that anti-inflammatory agents could provide beneficial effect in lowering the incidence/progression of neurological diseases. Hence, this study sought to investigate the effect of essential oils from Nigeria ginger and turmeric rhizomes on some cytokines in cadmium induced neurotoxicity. The result revealed that essential oil from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exerts anti-inflammatory effect by preventing alterations of some cytokines/inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-Alpha) levels and inhibits both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities (important enzymes relevant in the management/prevention of neurodegenerative diseases) in Cd treated rats. In conclusion, essential oil from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exerts anti-inflammatory properties in Cd induced neurotoxicity. The observed effect could be due to the volatile compounds as revealed by GC-MS analysis

Prevention of short-term memory impairment by <i>Bryophyllum pinnatum</i> (Lam.) Oken and its effect on acetylcholinesterase changes in CCl₄-induced neurotoxicity in rats

Abstract Background Short-term memory impairment is a neurodegenerative disease associated with oxidative stress. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken of the family Crassulaceae is traditionally used in the treatment of diseases, such as cough, wounds, and kidney diseases. This study evaluates the effect of the aqueous extract of B. pinnatum (AEBP) leaves on acetylcholinesterase activity in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced short-term memory impairment in rats. Methods Thirty male Wistar albino rats were used in this study and were divided into six groups (n=5). Group I served as control, group II rats were induced with CCl4, while groups III–V animals were pretreated with silymarin (25 mg/kg body weight), 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight AEBP leaves, respectively, once daily by oral gavage for 14 days prior to a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Animals in group VI received 50 mg/kg body weight AEBP only by oral gavage. Results Administration of carbon tetrachloride significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) spontaneous alternation and locomotor function in rats when compared with the control group. Also, the levels of acetylcholinesterase, adenosine deaminase, and malondialdehyde were increased in CCl4-administered rats, with reduction in both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels. However, pretreatment of rats with AEBP leaves, at tested doses, prevented these changes. Conclusions The increased antioxidant status and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity show that AEBP leaves improve learning memory and stabilizes memory impairment caused by CCl4. </jats:sec

Inhibitory effect of tannic acid and its derivative (gallic acid) against cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)production in rat kidney –in vitro

Increasing amounts of evidence suggests tannic acid (TA) and its derivative, gallic acid (GA) has beneficial effects against nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectof TA and GA (two structurally related phenolic acids)against cisplatin-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) production in rat kidney in vitro. The effect of both phenolic acids on kidney TBARS level in the presence of cisplatin, an anti-neoplastic drug used in the treatment of many solid-tissue cancers which has its chief side effect in nephrotoxicity, was assessed. Thereafter, the antioxidant properties were also determined. Incubation of the kidney tissue homogenate in the presence of cisplatin (1 mM) caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the TBARS level. However, both phenolic acids caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the TBARS content of the kidney in a dose dependent manner (0 –12.5 μM). Nevertheless, TA had a significantly higher (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on TBARS production than gallic acid judging by their IC50value.Furthermore, TA possesses stronger antioxidant properties than GA as revealed by their scavenging, chelating and reducing ability.The inhibition of cisplatin–induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)production in rat kidney by both TA and GA could be due to their antioxidant properties and this provide further insight into the mechanism of action for their nephroprotective properties from previous reported experimental studies.However, the study revealed that hydrolysis of TA reduces its potenc