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In this study, the anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum) noodles was improved by inclusion of acha (Digitaria exilis) and fig (Ficus exasperata) leaf, which are plants established to have anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypertensive properties respectively. The glycemic indices and the effects of the formulated noodles on fasting blood glucose levels, hemodynamic blood pressures and enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and hypertension [arginase and angiotensin 1 converting enzyme (ACE)] were assessed. The results revealed that inclusion of acha and fig leaf in the noodles caused significant reduction in glycemic indices, fasting blood glucose and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and modulated the activities of enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes and hypertension in the rats. Conclusively, the results revealed that wheat noodles fortified with acha flour and fig leaf could be suitable meal choice for diabetic and hypertensive patients.

Cornflakes are popular breakfast cereals however, hypertensive and diabetic patients or diabetic-hypertensive (DBP-HYP) patients on medication are not advised to consume cornflakes as its high calorie content further complicates their condition. The effects of formulated cornflakes produced from yellow corn, acha grains (AG) and orange peel (OP) flour on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycemic index (GI), α-amylase and hemodynamic blood pressures (BP) in rats treated with acarbose (25 mg/kg) and captopril (25 mg/kg) standard drugs is unknown. Sixty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into eleven groups (n -6). Produced cornflakes from AG and OP was administered to experimental rats at various proportions. GI of cornflakes, BP and FBG levels of rats fed on these functional cornflakes were assessed. Additionally, the antioxidant status of DBP-HYP rats, amylase, arginase, and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) enzymes activities in the pancreas and heart were recorded. Interestingly, the GI of cornflakes, FBG, BP of DBP-HYP-treated rat groups decreased significantly (P

A disturbing amount of people are being diagnosed with several chronic ailments, which raises the prevalence of comorbidity diseases. Comorbidity frequently emerges from a disease state's first complications. The conventional medications used to treat these comorbidities frequently have negative side effects and may be hazardous to organs that were not the medications' intended targets. As a result, the necessity to create more efficient strategies to manage these chronic illnesses emerged. Bioactive substances and functional food have been utilized for therapeutic purposes over time without experiencing any discomfort, and several studies have demonstrated the health benefits of these substances and foods. In order for a food product to serve not only as a nutritional source but also for medical and therapeutic purposes, functional food products are created by integrating bioactive substances that have been shown to be helpful in the management of specific chronic conditions. In this review, the management of common non-communicable diseases namely diabetes, hypertension, obesity and erectile dysfunction and the possible functional foods that can be used to manage them singularly and as comorbidity conditions is taken into account.

Abstract Dietary sources of functional foods and nutraceutical have shown strong potentials in the management of hypertension and its complications. Sandpaper leaves, Ficus asperifolia Miq (FA), particularly found in Africa has a rich folkloric history in the management of diabetes and hypertension. This study produced biscuits supplemented with blends of FA at 2.5% and 5% fed to Nw (G)‐nitro‐l‐arginine‐methyl‐ester (L‐NAME, 40 mg/kg/day) induced‐hypertensive rats for 14 days followed by the assessment of blood pressure, lipid profile, and atherogenic index in hypertensive rats. The phenolic constituents of FA blends were analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography diode‐anode (HPLC‐DAD). Thereafter, the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using the tail‐cuff method after which the heart and lungs of rats were collected, weighed, and the antioxidant status and lipid cholesterol profile were assessed. We realized that recorded phenolic constituents in extracts of FA was at a high level and FA enriched biscuit‐diet caused a significant decrease in SBP and MABP in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats, body weight, atherogenic index and cholesterol profile in treated rats. However, FA enriched biscuit resulted in increased activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) antioxidant enzymes in the heart and lungs of hypertensive rats. This study revealed that FA enriched biscuit‐diet does not only have antihypertensive and antioxidant potential in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats but also plays a protective role in the management of hyperlipidemia.

The broad application of Moringa oleifera leaves in the treatment of numerous diseases is prevalent globally where it extends to the management of diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, hypercholesterolemia and neurodegenerative diseases. This study provides findings on the role of Moringa oleifera leaves (MO) [MO leaves] formulated ice creams on brain cholinergic enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)], antioxidant enzymes, glycemic index and blood lipid profile of rats. Thirty (30) adult male rats acclimatized for 2 weeks were divided into five groups: Group 1 rats received commercial ice cream, Group 2 rats were received plain ice-cream, Group 3, 4 and 5 received 0.5 g, 1.0 g and 2.0 g of MO-formulated ice creams. Rats were fed on normal pellets and exposed to ice creams produced from whipping cream, skimmed milk and Moringa oleifera leaves for 30 consecutive days. Following administration, results from this study revealed that rats that received Moringa formulated ice-creams had reduced brain butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes activities, glycemic index (GI), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level in the plasma while revealing elevated brain antioxidant status (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT)) when compared against rats consuming commercial ice creams. Therefore, results from this study attests to the intake of ice creams made from blends of Moringa leaves in the reduction of rats’ body weight, glycemic index and lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-C), inhibition of brain cholinergic enzymes (AChE and BChE) while increasing brain antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD and CAT).

A common observation with hypertensive patients is the depreciating ability to maintain an erection. The statistics in the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED) have recorded a spike owing to intake of anti-hypertensive drugs together with other contributing factors accompanying the development of ED amongst hypertensive patients. There are medication side-effects faced with high blood pressure (HBP) which promotes ED owing to prolonged intake of anti-hypertensive drugs. It is thus reasonable to state that new therapeutic drugs that addresses both ED, HBP and antihypertensive medication will be strategic interventions towards the decline of these conditions by targeting related enzymes and active proteins. Phytomedicinal plants are promising option in managing numerous diseases such as infertility, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes amongst others. Species variants of fig plants (Ficus species) also serve in the management of a wide range of diseases including hypertension and erectile dysfunction as a result of their aphrodisiac and cardio-protective properties owing to their high residual polyphenolic constituents. Hence, the consumption of ficus plants could possibly be beneficial in managing hypertension especially in patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.