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Parkia biglobosa (PB) is among the various underexploited nutritious plants. A comparative study was conducted on the effect processing PB has on the amino and fatty acid composition. Fermented (FPB), defatted (DPB), and protein isolates (PI) samples were prepared from Parkia biglobosa seeds using various processing methods, and evaluated using standard analytical protocols. The PI showed the highest significant total non-essential amino acids, essential amino acids, and conditionally essential amino acids when compared with FPB and DPB. In addition, the PI showed the highest significant (p < 0.05) total neutral amino acids, basic amino acids, total aromatic amino acids, and the lowest percentage cystine ratio of total sulphur amino acids and total amino acids in comparison with FPB and DPB. The PI also showed a better-predicted protein efficient ratio, essential amino acid index, biological value, protein content, and nutritional index than FPB and DPB. Furthermore, PI amino acid composition was compared favourably with the reference scores for a whole hen's egg, preschool child, and provisional scoring pattern. Arginine and histidine values of PI were higher than the recommended values. The FPB (42.29%) showed the highest polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with the DPB (41.94%) and PI (26.7%). The dominant saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were stearic acid (15.1 DPB), linoleic acid (42.29 DPB), and oleic acid (14.05 PI). The DPB (1.84) showed a better polyunsaturated to saturated (P:S) ratio than FPB (1.74) and PI (0.91). The results revealed that the processing methods improved the relative amino acid composition, whereas the fatty acid composition improved in DPB. Therefore, PI could serve as an alternative in the formulation of complementary foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic and untreated dyes discharged in wastewater effluents are a threat to an ecosystem. This study investigated dye degradation and detoxification efficiency of crude lignin peroxidase separately obtained from the cultures of Escherichia coli (LR0250096.1) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CP031449.2). The ability of the crude lignin peroxidase to degrade Malachite Green (MG), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), Congo Red (CR), and Azure B (AZ) was evaluated at different operating conditions (enzyme, dye, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations; pH; temperature; and contact time). The ability of the degraded dyes to support the growth of bacteria was also investigated. The observed optimum operating conditions for lignin peroxidase extracts of the Escherichia coli on AZ were 20 mg/mL enzyme concentration, 50 mg/L dye, pH 7.0, temperature 50 °C, and 1.5 mM hydrogen peroxide within 20–50 min of incubation time and on MG were 20 mg/mL, 50 mg/L, 9.0, 30 °C, 0.1 mM, and 20 min, respectively. The enzyme extract from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on AZ demonstrated optimum operation conditions of 20 mg/mL, 50 mg/L, pH 9.0, 40 °C, 1.5 mM, and 50 min, respectively and on MG, they were 20 mg/mL, 50 mg/L, 6.0, 30 °C, 1.0 mM, and 20 min, respectively). The prepared enzyme showed an appreciable degradative effect on CR and RBBR compared with commercial lignin peroxidase. The degraded dyes were able to support the growth of two Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus), and two Gram-negative (Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli) bacteria, indicating the efficiency and the potential use of the enzyme complexes in the clean-up of industrial dyes' waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is no known cure for diabetes. Different pharmaceutical therapies have been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), some are in clinical trials and they have been classified according to their route or mechanism of action. Insulin types, sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, sodium–glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors, and incretin-dependent therapies (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: GLP-1R, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors: DPP-4). Although some of the currently available drugs are effective in the management of T2DM, the side effects resulting from prolonged use of these drugs remain a serious challenge. GLP-1R agonists are currently the preferred medications to include when oral metformin alone is insufficient to manage T2DM. Medicinal plants now play prominent roles in the management of various diseases globally because they are readily available and affordable as well as having limited and transient side effects. Recently, studies have reported the ability of phytochemicals to activate glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), acting as an agonist just like the GLP-1R agonist with beneficial effects in the management of T2DM. Consequently, we propose that careful exploration of phytochemicals for the development of novel therapeutic candidates as GLP-1R agonists will be a welcome breakthrough in the management of T2DM and the co-morbidities associated with T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus remains a global health issue despite the advance in orthodox medicine. This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of crude extracts from the seed coat and pulp of Strychnos madagascariensis. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocols. Different extracts were prepared from the fruit parts by maceration using methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water for antioxidant and antidiabetic assays, and their percentage yield was calculated. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined using 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 2'2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antidiabetic activities of the extracts were investigated using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase assays. Terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were present in both the fruit parts. However, saponin present in the fruit pulp was absent in the seed coat (testa). The percentage yields are as follows; water > ethyl acetate > hexane > methanol (seed coat) and methanol > water > ethyl acetate > hexane (fruit pulp), respectively. The crude extracts scavenged ABTS and DPPH radicals in different degrees. The aqueous extract of the pulp and seed coat (testa) showed significant (P < 0.05) higher scavenging activity against ABTS (IC50; 0.012 and 0.006 mg/ml) and DPPH (IC50; 0.06 mg/ml and 0.064 mg/ml) radicals than other extracts. The crude extracts inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase. The aqueous and methanol extracts of the fruit parts showed better amylase inhibitory activity than other extracts. The aqueous extract of the seed coat (IC50; 0.0785 mg/ml) showed the highest glucosidase inhibitory activity. In addition, methanol extract of the seed coat (IC50; 0.069 mg/ml) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase compared to the extracts in other solvents. Hence, the aqueous and methanol crude extracts of Strychnos madagascariensis seed coat and fruit pulp could be used in the preparation of nutraceutical products for managing diabetic mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds is believed to possess excellent anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with Parkia biglobosa seeds protein isolate (PBPi). In this study, total proteins extracted from rat liver were separated on one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel (1D SDS-PAGE) and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) to visualize protein bands. We observed that protein bands in the region of 10–15 kDa were altered by the different treatments; these bands were selected and excised for in-gel digestion and peptide extraction followed by nLC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and LIFT MS/MS. A database search with the Mascot algorithm positively identified four differentially expressed proteins. These proteins are known to be responsible for diverse biological functions within various organs and tissues. The present result gives insight and understanding into possible molecular mechanisms by which streptozotocin causes various alterations in proteins found in the liver of diabetic rats and the possible modulatory role of PBPi in the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to investigate the possible protective role of Parkia biglobosa seed protein isolate (PBPi) against streptozotocin-induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in diabetic male rats. Prior to animal experiments, a HPLC fingerprint of PBPi was recorded. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats were orally treated daily with PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) for 28 days. The degree of protection was evaluated using biochemical parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, serum transaminases (ALT and AST), total protein, total glutathione (Total GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities. Histology of liver sections was also performed. The HPLC fingerprint of PBPi revealed eleven distinct peaks; PBPi at tested doses significantly attenuates STZ-induced elevated levels of serum IL-6, ALT and AST; and hepatic TBARS levels. Hepatic antioxidants (Total GSH, GST, SOD, CAT) as well as total protein were markedly restored in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological results strongly support the protective role of PBPi. These results suggest PBPi could confer protection by ameliorating hepatic damage and oxidative stress caused by STZ in animal model possibly via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to investigate the possible protective role of the methanol extract of Piper guineense seeds against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in an animal model. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering oral doses of CCl₄ (1.2 g/kg bw) three times a week for three weeks. Group 1 (Control) and Group 2 (CCl₄) were left untreated; Piper guineense (PG; 400 mg/kg bw) was administered to Group 3 (T₁) by oral gavage for 14 days prior to the administration of CCl₄ and simultaneously with CCl₄; PG (400 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl₄ in Group 4 (T₂); and Livolin forte (20 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl₄ in Group 5 (T₃), the standard drug group. The administration of CCl₄ induces histopathological alteration in the liver, with concomitant increased activities of serum hepatic marker enzymes associated with increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Similarly, there was decrease in non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione S-transferase), superoxide dismutase, and catalase. An elevation in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels was noticed along with decreased levels of serum total protein. Treatment with PG 400 mg/kg bw exhibited excellent modulatory activity with respect to the different parameters studied by reversing all the above-mentioned biochemical changes significantly in the experimental animals. These results suggest that PG offered protection comparable to that of Livolin forte with better efficacy when pre-treated with 400 mg/kg bw 14 days prior to CCl₄-exposure., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Parkia biglobosa seed an important household spice commonly consumed in Nigeria is believed to possess antioxidant activity that may exert modulatory effects in diabetes and diabetic complications. This study investigated the modulatory potential of Parkia biglobosa protein isolate (PBPi) on serum testosterone (sTT) level as well as its influence on biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain and testes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Animals were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) was given orally by gavage or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) was administered daily to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. The results revealed a significant elevation in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the brain and testes of diabetic rats. This was closely associated with a concomitant reduction in levels of sTT and reduced testes weight, a noticeable decline in the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as total glutathione (Total GSH) level in the brain and testes of diabetic rats. Interestingly, treatment with PBPi efficiently prevented the alterations witnessed in the serum sTT and also ameliorated various alterations in the biomarkers of oxidative stress (TBARS, Total GSH, GST, SOD and CAT) in brain and testes of diabetic rats. These results provide evidence that PBPi could protect the brain and testicular tissues against oxidative stress induced by STZ, via modulation of serum testosterone concentration and also by enhancing antioxidant defence system in STZ-diabetic rats.