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Introduction: Alterations of antioxidant defense, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration are common pathological occurrences associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of Launaea taraxacifolia (LT), popularly known as African Wild lettuce, against neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit. Methods: Adult Wistar rats were used following random assignment into groups 1 to 5. Group one was the normal control. Groups four to five received 40 mg/kg Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In addition to L-NAME exposure, groups three and four received 100 and 200 mg/kg LT, whereas group five received 10 mg/kg lisinopril. The experiment lasted for five weeks. Markers of oxidative stress, neurobehavioural studies, histology, and immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin for staining astrocytes, microglia, and Purkinje cells were determined. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl in the L-NAME alone group were heightened compared to those treated with LT. However, treatment with LT significantly reduced neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurobehavioural changes. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining revealed heightened glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin as indicated by astrogliosis, microgliosis, and Purkinje cell degeneration in untreated rats. Moreover, the observed ultrastructural anarchy induced by L-NAME was restored in rats treated with LT (P

Abstract Background The important roles of liver and kidney in the elimination of injurious chemicals make them highly susceptible to the noxious activities of various toxicants including cobalt chloride (CoCl2). This study was designed to investigate the role of glycine in the mitigation of hepato‐renal toxicities associated with CoCl2 exposure. Methods Forty‐two (42) male rats were grouped as Control; (CoCl2; 300 ppm); CoCl2 + Glycine (50 mg/kg); CoCl2 + Glycine (100 mg/kg); Glycine (50 mg/kg); and Glycine (100 mg/kg). The markers of hepatic and renal damage, oxidative stress, the antioxidant defense system, histopathology, and immunohistochemical localization of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and renal podocin were evaluated. Results Glycine significantly reduced the markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde content and H2O2 generation), liver function tests (ALT, AST, and ALP), markers of renal function (creatinine and BUN), and decreased the expression of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and podocin compared with rats exposed to CoCl2 toxicity without glycine treatment. Histopathology lesions including patchy tubular epithelial necrosis, tubular epithelial degeneration and periglomerular inflammation in renal tissues, and severe portal hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, and duct hyperplasia were observed in hepatic tissues of rats exposed to CoCl2 toxicity, but were mild to absent in glycine‐treated rats. Conclusion The results of this study clearly demonstrate protective effects of glycine against CoCl2‐induced tissue injuries and derangement of physiological activities of the hepatic and renal systems in rats. The protective effects are mediated via augmentation of total antioxidant capacity and upregulation of NGAL and podocin expression.

Introduction: Cisplatin (CP)-induced toxicity involves oxidative stress and Picralima nitida is rich in natural antioxidants hence its methanol leaf extract was used to mitigate the toxic effect of CP.Methods: Forty rats divided into four groups of 10 rats per group were used as follows: group A (normal saline), group B (CP 10 mg/kg), group C [Methanol Leaf Extract of Picralima nitida (MLEPN), 100 mg/kg and CP 10 mg/kg], and group D (MLEPN 200 mg/kg and CP 10 mg/kg). All administrations were done by oral gavage with the volumes of the treatments administered determined by the average weight of the rats in each group except CP, which was given intraperitoneally. Administration of normal saline and MLEPN lasted for seven consecutive days after which a single dose of CP was given on day 8. All animals were sacrificed 72 hours after CP administration. On day 9, blood pressure measurement was taken, and changes in body weight were determined. On day 10, blood samples were taken for serum chemistry, and kidneys, liver, and heart were harvested from the animals for Serum assay, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results: The extract improved weight changes caused by CP and reversed the toxic changes produced by CP on serum chemistry, oxidative stress, and histopathology. The extract caused a significant decrease in the levels of nuclear factor kappa beta, cardiac troponin, and mineralocorticoid receptors (MCRs). However, it increased the protein expression of Nrf2 compared to the toxicant group.Conclusion: The extract exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-renin properties.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus has become a global pandemic with unprecedented mortality and morbidity along with attendant financial and economic crises. Furthermore, COVID-19 can easily be transmitted regardless of religion, race, sex, or status. Globally, high hospitalization rates of COVID-19 patients have been reported, and billions of dollars have been spent to contain the pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, which has a significant role in the entry of the virus into the host cell. ACE2 is highly expressed in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs, upper esophagus, stratified epithelial cells, and other tissues in the body. The diminished expressions of ACE2 have been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and immune system dysregulation. Overall, the potential drug candidates that could serve as ACE2 activators or enhance the expression of ACE2 in a disease state, such as COVID-19, hold considerable promise in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviews the therapeutic potential and pharmacological benefits of the novel ACE2 in the management of COVID-19 using search engines, such as Google, Scopus, PubMed, and PubMed Central.

Objective: The ameliorative effect of Annona muricata in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in laboratory rats was evaluated. Methods: Thirty albino rats were used and were divided into five of six rats per group. The first (control) group was given distilled water (2 ml/kg) for seven days, while the second (toxicant or glycerol alone) group was given only glycerol (10 ml/kg) on day 8. The third, fourth, and fifth groups received methanol leaf extract of Annona muricata (100 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg dose of the extract, and enalapril (10 mg/kg) respectively for seven days, and on day eight all received glycerol (10 ml/kg). Serum chemistry, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and changes in blood pressure were indices of toxicity. Results: In the toxicant group, blood pressure increased significantly (p

Background and Aim: Momordica charantia is a highly valued plant, widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions. The plant is reported to have a wide range of medicinal uses. This study was designed to explore the ameliorative potential of M. charantia methanol leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic animal model with a particular focus on the liver. Materials and Methods: Hepatoprotective effect of methanol leaf extract of M. charantia was assessed in alloxan-induced toxicity in 50 rats divided into five groups (A-E) (n=10). Group A normal control, Group B was toxicant group, and Group C animals received glibenclamide treatment while Groups D and E received extracts at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Histopathological changes, blood glucose level, and serum enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, oxidative status and caspase-9, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were evaluated. Results: Extract-treatment caused a decreased blood glucose level, markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Treatment of rats with leaf extract of M. charantia resulted in increased levels and activities of protein thiols, non-protein thiols, glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase indicating its antioxidant potential. The liver section revealed mild distortion of the hepatic architecture compared to the toxicant group, while decreased expressions of caspase-9 and IL-1β in extract-treated groups was observed. Conclusion: The plant extract exhibited antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects, thus showing its hepatoprotective property.

Background and Aim: High salt diet and uninephrectomy are associated with high blood pressure with attendant cardiovascular disease conditions such as hypertension, renal damage, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of consumption of cocoa and cocoa-containing products in the management of high blood pressure in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods: The effect of cocoa powder on blood pressure, markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and histopathology were investigated in uninephrectomized animals fed with cocoa feed alone or in combination with a high salt diet. Male rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group A was the control group and fed with normal feed alone, Group B was fed with cocoa feed alone, Group C was fed with high salt diet (8% salt), Group D was fed with cocoa-feed compounded with 8% salt for 4 weeks after uninephrectomy, and Group E was uninephrectomized rats on a normal diet. The left kidneys of animals in Groups C, D, and E were removed by surgery. After 4 weeks of treatment, the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure was measured. The serum markers of renal damage and oxidative stress were determined. Histological examination was also performed on renal and cardiac tissues. Results: Results showed significant increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal damage with a concomitant decrease in antioxidant status in hypertensive uninephrectomized rats. Cocoa feed, however, significantly improved blood pressure and nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant status and reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusion: These findings show that cocoa powder could be used to maintain blood pressure levels in hypertensive rats through its antioxidant capacity.

The anti-diabetic property of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera was performed in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats using serum chemistry, histology and immunochemical parameters as indices of diabetes. The blood glucose level of the diabetic untreated group continues to increase while that of the treated group after 21 days decreased. While the animals in the diabetic untreated group experienced increase in the levels of markers of organ damage when compared to the control group (P values < 0.0001). ALT increased from 61.83±1.5 to 96.1±22.4, AST was 225.1±26.6 from 172.6±13.9, ALP 13.5±0.006 to 13.6±0.002, UREA 1.0±0.08 to 3.0±0.4, their reduction was observed in the extract-treated groups. ALT reduced from 96.1±22.4 to 73.70±9.7; AST from 225.1±26.6 to 184.4±18.2; ALP from 13.6±0.002 to 13.6±0.01; UREA from 3.0±0.4 to 2.0±0.4. Treatment with the extract significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress in the kidney [hydrogen peroxide (898.8±6.26 to 688.0±13.7), malondialdehyde (640±0.1 to 600±0.2) and protein carbonyl (548.4±1.5 to 458.1±1.6)]; heart [hydrogen peroxide (389.4±1.8 to 358.2±1.5), malondialdehyde (264.0±0.5 to 122.0±0.3), protein carbonyl (196.8±0.5 to 162.7±3.5)]; and liver [hydrogen peroxide (119.36±3.2 to 103.94±10.7), malondialdehyde (236.0±0.4 to 73.0±0.2), protein carbonyl (269.3±1.0 to 174.2±1.1) respectively. The levels of antioxidants were reduced in the diabetic untreated group but there was increase in the Moringa treated group. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) was down regulated in the diabetic untreated group while it was well expressed in the treated groups. The histology of pancreas and liver showed varied levels of infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion and necrotic lesions, but these were mild in the treated groups. The result shows that the extract does have an anti-diabetic effect with the decrease in the levels of blood glucose and markers of oxidative stress as well as increase in the amount of antioxidants in the treated group when compared to the diabetic untreated group. More importantly, the extract caused upregulation of GLUT 4, which is relevant in reversing insulin resistance in the same manner as pioglitazone, the standard antidiabetic agent used in this study.

Arsenic acid is one of the abundant environmental pollutants present in soil, water and the air. Undoubtedly, it has found its way to the food chain in which humans and animals are the final targets thereby causing arrays of disease conditions including cardiovascular and renal dysfunction. Hence, the use of phytochemicals present in medicinal plants has gained global acceptance as chemotherapeutic agents that can prevent, ameliorate, reverse or treat diseases. From our study, arsenic acid intoxication led to significant increase in heart rate (HR), QRS, together with prolonged QT and QTc interval. However, Kolaviron (KV) at the dosage of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight reversed the aforementioned electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. KV pre-treatment also ameliorated cardiorenal dysfunction via significant reduction in cardiac and renal markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide generation, myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide contents. Immunohistochemistry revealed expressions of renal C-reactive proteins (CRP) and expressions of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 in KV treated rats. Furthermore, cardiac troponin I (CTnI) expressions were lower in KV treated rats. Taken together, KV mitigated arsenic-acid induced cardiovascular dysfunction via up-regulation of antioxidant defense system and down-regulation of inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways. Keywords: Kolaviron, Arsenic acid, Oxidative stress, Cardiovascular dysfunction, Chemoprevention

Background: Azadirachta indica is widely distributed in Africa, Asia and other tropical parts of the world. A. indica (AI) is traditionally used for the treatment of several conditions including cancer, hypertension, heart diseases and skin disorders. Intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion is a common pathway for many diseases and may lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. Objective: In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of AI on intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury-induced cardiorenal dysfunction. Materials and methods: Sixty rats were divided into 6 groups; each containing 10. Corn oil was orally administered to group A (control) rats for 7 days without intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Group B underwent intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IIRI) without any pre-treatment. Groups C, D, E and F were pre-treated orally for 7 days with 100 mg/kg AI (100 and (200 mg/kg) vitamin C (100 and 200 mg/kg) respectively and thereafter underwent IIRI on the 8th day. Results: The cardiac and renal hydrogen peroxide increased significantly whereas serum xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase levels were significantly elevated (p