There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality.

Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

I and i

THIS text-book of pharmacognosy has already found wide recognition among teachers and students of pharmacy. Its subject matter has grown from a laboratory manual intended for use in practical classes, and now comprises the requirements for the Chemist and Druggist Qualifying Examination of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy By T. C. Denston. Fourth edition. Pp. xviii + 594. (London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 1945.) 27s. 6d. net.

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A Textbook of Pharmacognosy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a diabetic complication due to oxidative stress injuries. This study examined the protecting influence of thymoquinone (TQ) on diabetes-caused cardiac complications. The intracellular means by which TQ works against diabetes-caused cardiac myopathy in rats is not completely understood. In this study, Wistar male rats ( ) were assigned into four groups: control, diabetic (diabetes induced by IP infusion of streptozotocin, 65 mg/kg), diabetic + TQ (diabetic rats given TQ (50 mg/kg) administered once per day by stomach gavage), and TQ (50 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. TQ supplementation appreciably recovered the cardiac parameters alongside significant declines in plasma nitric oxide concentrations and total superoxide dismutase (T.SOD) activities. Importantly, TQ downgraded expression of cardiac-inducible nitric oxide synthase in addition to significantly upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin genes and nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein. TQ normalized plasma triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and significantly improved the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. Additionally, TQ administration improved the antioxidant ability of cardiac tissue via significantly increased cardiac T.SOD and decreased cardiac malondialdehyde levels. Oral supplementation with TQ prevented diabetic-induced cardiomyopathy via its inhibitory effect on the E-selectin level, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6. The TQ protecting effect on the heart tissue was shown by normalization of the plasma cardiac markers troponin I and creatine kinase. This experiment shows the aptitude of TQ to protect cardiac muscles against diabetic oxidative stress, mainly through upregulation of Nrf2, which defeated oxidative damage by improvement of the antioxidant power of cardiac muscle that consequently protected the cardiac muscles and alleviated the inflammatory process.

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Thymoquinone Attenuates Cardiomyopathy in Streptozotocin-Treated Diabetic Rats.

Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. It is considered as a safe spice with several medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and safety of Nigerian Z. Officinale. Methanol extract of Nigerian Z. Officinale (MEZO) was evaluated for phytochemical composition, total flavonoids and phenol contents using standard procedures. Antibacterial study was carried out via the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activities were carried out using 2, 2′- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assay. Twenty five (25) wister rats were randomly grouped into five (A-E) of five animals each. Animals in Groups A-D were orally administered 75,150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract on daily basis for 4 weeks while those in Group A (control) received distilled water. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extract were 15.24 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 19.84 ± 0.32 mg/g CE respectively. The extract promoted an inhibition of free radicals with IC50 values of 47.05 ± 2.03 μg/mL and 89.15 ± 0.29 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay. At extract concentration of 100 μg/mL, K. pneumoniae showed the highest susceptibility of 29.04 ± 0.35 mm, followed by P. aeuruginisa (26.03 ± 0.41 mm), while S. aureus (15.08 ± 0.20 mm) was least susceptible. The serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium, albumin, total proteins and the computed organs/body weight ratios compared favorably (p > 0.05) with control at all extract doses tested. The bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels significantly (p < 0.05) increase while chloride decreases in rats dosed 600 mg/kg bwt. However, potassium level increases significantly (p < 0.05) in rats dose 300 mg/kg of the extract when compare with the control. This study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of methanol extract of Nigerian Zingiber officinale. It was also found to be relatively safe for consumption and thus could serve as a source of candidate for the development of new antioxidants and antimicrobial drugs.

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In-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Nigerian Zingiber officinale

Maytenus senegalensis is a plant with several medicinal claims in folk medicine. Methanol root extract of the plant was evaluated for antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and safety profile. Antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory (egg albumin induced paw edema), and analgesic (hot plate test) experiments were set up, each consisting of four (4) groups (A-D) of five mice each. Groups A–C of each experiment were treated with 2.0 ml/kg bw normal saline, 400 and 800 mg/kg bw of the extract according to the procedures. Chloroquine, acetyl salicylic, and aspirin respectively were used as the reference drugs. Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated after 4-week administration of the extract to four groups of five rats each at oral daily doses of 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg bw, respectively. At 400 and 800 mg/kg bw, the extract caused 58.88% and 58.49% inhibition of parasitemia, and 51.92% and 54.66% inhibition of paw edema, respectively. The reaction time to the thermal stimuli increased (p   0.05) with their reference values. The extract alters some functional integrity of kidney, and thus caution should be exercised when using the extract for the above pharmacological activities or other oral remedy.

Anti-plasmodial, Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and safety profile of Maytenus senegalensis root bark extract on hepato-renal integrity in experimental animals

Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic disorder especially in diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, the ability of Sapium ellipticum (SE) leaf extract to restore lipid homeostasis in streptozotocin-induced diabetes was examined. DM was induced in experimental rats (Wistar strains) using single intraperitoneal dose (55 mg/kg body weight ) of streptozotocin (STZ). Treatment of diabetic rats with SE was oral (p.o), at doses of 400 and 800 mg kg−1 BW, twice daily at 8 h interval for 21 days. Lipid parameters were analyzed in the serum of rats using test kits. SE caused a significant ( ) reduction in STZ-induced hypercholesterolemia in a dose dependent pattern (13.7 and 17.89%). These effects were comparable to that provided by metformin (15.45%), a standard antidiabetic drug. Similar pattern was noted with serum triglycerides (TG) (10.63 and 19.06%) and LDL (31.47 and 25.97%). Adipose tissue TG level was improved to near normal. Besides, the cardiovascular risk predictors in terms of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and LDL/HDL ratio were lowered by 57.85 and 44.12%, respectively. However, the extract failed to significantly reverse the STZ-induced decline in serum HDL. Overall, with AIP value of 0.28 and LDL/HDL ratio of 0.91, SE demonstrated the potential to maintain lipid homeostasis in the diabetics.

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Sapium ellipticum (Hochst.) Pax Ethanol Leaf Extract Maintains Lipid Homeostasis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Optimization and production of ascorbic acid by fusant cell of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus tamarii

The study investigated the consequences of the effect of sub-acute exposure to Nigerian Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) crude oil on the blood chemistry and integrity of the liver of male albino rats. A total of 20 male wistar rats were used for the study. Exposure to crude oil was achieved by oral administration of increasing doses (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 ml of BLCO/g body weight) to the rats every day for two weeks. The initial and final body weights were recorded. The toxic effects on the liver were accessed using commercial kits and histopathological studies were carried out using standard histopathological technique. The results revealed that liver cells were damaged due to the crude oil administered. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and total and direct bilirubin concentrations, and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total protein concentration as compared with the control group. Histopathological examinations indicated that crude oil caused severe pathological changes, it also revealed mild to severe disruption of the normal architectural structure of the liver accompanied by the death of many liver cells and the presence of pocket of blood within the liver parenchyma and cholangitis in the group treated with the highest dose (1.00 ml of BLCO /g body weight). The results therefore indicate that the sub-acute administration of the crude oil brought about impaired function of the liver which could lead to liver disease at very low doses and are such the use of the crude oil as a therapy to poisons, convulsion and other gastrointestinal disorders should be discouraged. Keywords: Crude oil, Blood chemistry, Enzymes, Histopathology, Hepatocytes

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Effect of sub-acute exposure to bonny light crude oil on plasma biochemistry and liver histopathology of albino rat

The use of hydrolase enzyme plays an important role in the industrial
production of α-D-glucose from carbohydrate sources. This study
investigated partial purification and characterization of
α-glucosidase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum with a view to
enhancing its potentials in biotechnological processes. Strains of
Trichoderma longibrachiatum were cultured on rice bran medium at
30°C for 96 hour for the production of a¯glucosidase. The
enzyme was partially purified by eluting the ammonium sulphate (70%)
saturation precipitated sample on Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex G-25.
Enzyme assay was carried out using
p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (PNP- α-G) as the substrate
and protein concentration was determined. Kinetic parameters, molecular
weight, pH effect, temperature and thermostability were also
determined. The activity of enzyme in the presence of arylglucosides
and different cations were monitored. The partially purified protein
migrated as a single band in 10% SDS-Polyacrylamide
gel-electrophoresis. The enzyme presented a relative molecular weight
of about 58KDa as estimated by PAGE. The extracellular
α-glucosidase showed typical α-glucosidase activity,
hydrolyzing p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and exhibited
optimum catalytic activity (4.89µmol/ml/min) at 40°C and pH
4.5. The enzyme was stable at 40°C for 150 minutes.
Carboxymethylcellulose was also hydrolyzed by this enzyme. The Km and
Vmax with p-nitrophenyl- α -D-glucopyranoside were 33.33mM and
20.00 µmol/min/mg protein respectively. This study therefore
revealed the presence of α-glucosidase in Trichoderma
longibrachiatum which could serve as alternative species for the
production of α-glucosidase enzyme.

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Oluseyi Adeboye Akinloye

Papers

Sapium ellipticum (Hochst.) Pax Ethanol Leaf Extract Maintains Lipid Homeostasis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Optimization and production of ascorbic acid by fusant cell of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus tamarii

Effect of sub-acute exposure to bonny light crude oil on plasma biochemistry and liver histopathology of albino rat

Partial purification and some properties of α-glucosidase fromTrichoderma longibrachiatum