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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of Syzygium cymosum leaf methanol extract (SCL) against carbofuran (CF)-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats, along with the identification and quantification of polyphenolic composition by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids in SCL. Similarly, HPLC analysis suggests that SCL contains some known important antioxidants, such as rutin, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid that could be responsible for the hepatoprotective activity of the extract. In CF-exposed rats, significant hematological alterations along with histological changes were marked by the presence of necrosis, congestion, and inflammation. CF-intoxication also showed an increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in cellular antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) levels in rats compared with the control group. Furthermore, coadministration of SCL significantly ameliorated the abnormalities and improved the cellular arrangement in experimental animals. SCL also reversed the alteration of hematological and biochemical parameters and brought them back to normal levels as compared to the control group. In conclusion, S. cymosum may be one of the best sources of natural antioxidant compounds that can be used in the treatment of oxidative stress and stress-related diseases and disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant potentials, subacute toxicity, and beneficiary effects of methanolic extract of pomelo (Citrus grandisL. Osbeck) in rats. Long Evans rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. The rats were orally treated with three doses of pomelo (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Pomelo extract contained high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid while exhibiting high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. There was no significant change in the body weight, percentage water content, and relative organ weight at any administered doses. In addition, no significant alterations in the hematological parameters were also observed. However, rats which received 1000 mg/kg dose had a significant reduction in some serum parameters, including alanine transaminase (15.29%), alkaline phosphatase (2.5%), lactate dehydrogenase (15.5%),γ-glutamyltransferase (20%), creatinine (14.47%), urea (18.50%), uric acid (27.14%), total cholesterol (5.78%), triglyceride (21.44%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (40.74%), glucose (2.48%), and all atherogenic indices including cardiac risk ratio (24.30%), Castelli’s risk index-2 (45.71%), atherogenic coefficient (42%), and atherogenic index of plasma (25%) compared to control. In addition, the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in iron (12.07%) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (8.87%) levels. Histopathological findings of the vital organs did not indicate any pathological changes indicating that pomelo is nontoxic, safe, and serves as an important source of natural antioxidants. In addition, the fruit extract has the potential to ameliorate hepato- and nephrotoxicities and cardiovascular diseases as well as iron deficiency anemia.

Tomatoes are consumed worldwide as fresh vegetables because of their high contents of essential nutrients and antioxidant-rich phytochemicals. Tomatoes contain minerals, vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids (leucine, threonine, valine, histidine, lysine, arginine), monounsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotenoids) and phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol). Lycopene is the main dietary carotenoid in tomato and tomato-based food products and lycopene consumption by humans has been reported to protect against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive function and osteoporosis. Among the phenolic compounds present in tomato, quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, caffeic acid and lutein are the most common. Many of these compounds have antioxidant activities and are effective in protecting the human body against various oxidative stress-related diseases. Dietary tomatoes increase the body’s level of antioxidants, trapping reactive oxygen species and reducing oxidative damage to important biomolecules such as membrane lipids, enzymatic proteins and DNA, thereby ameliorating oxidative stress. We reviewed the nutritional and phytochemical compositions of tomatoes. In addition, the impacts of the constituents on human health, particularly in ameliorating some degenerative diseases, are also discussed.

In this study, the antioxidant potentials and protective effect of ethanolic extract of monkey fruits (Artocarpus lakoocha) (AL) was investigated against paracetamol-induced toxicity in rats. AL which contains high concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and protein, exhibited high radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Administration of paracetamol (500 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days caused severe oxidative stress in liver and kidney, as observed by the significantly higher level of Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) and the associated biochemical markers compared to control rats. Pre-treatment with AL at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg prior to paracetamol administration for 30 days significantly improved hepatic and renal parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered as a standard drug for comparison over a similar treatment period. Moreover, AL exhibited the highest protective effect when administered at the highest dose, by lowering serum levels of alanine transaminase (28.25%), aspartate transaminase (29.0%), alkaline phosphatase (27.87%), lactate dehydrogenase (7.51%), γ-glutamyltransferase (31.0%), total bilirubin (69.38%), cholesterol (14.80%), triglycerides (27.52%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (76.12%), creatinine (36.84%), urea (41.08%) and uric acid (34.88%), In addition, significantly increased total protein (50.0%) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (55.79%) with administration of AL was seen when compared with paracetamol-controlled group. Decreased LPO levels in the liver (45.55%) and kidneys (32.0%) confirmed the hepatorenal protective effects of AL, as further confirmed by the histopathological findings. Overall, AL fruit is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and possess hepatorenal protective activity against paracetamol-induced liver and kidney injuries.

We investigated the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of different forms (local names:muraandchora) of turmeric(Curcuma longa)from the Khulna and Chittagong divisions of Bangladesh for their antioxidant properties and polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, and ascorbic acid contents. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. The ethanolic extract of Chittagong’s mura contained the highest concentrations of polyphenols (16.07%), flavonoids (9.66%), and ascorbic acid (0.09 mg/100 g) and chora resulted in high yields (17.39%). The ethanolic extract of Khulna’s mura showed a higher DPPH radical-scavenging activity with the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) (1.08 μg/mL), while Khulna’s chora had the highest FRAP value (4204.46±74.48 μM Fe[II]per 100 g). Overall, the ethanolic extract had higher antioxidant properties than those in the aqueous extract. However, the tannin concentration was lower in the ethanolic extract. We conclude that the turmeric varieties investigated in this study are useful sources of natural antioxidants, which confer significant protection against free radical damage.

In this study, the antioxidant potential of Citrus macroptera fruit was compared between its pulp (CMPU) and peel (CMPE). The biochemical effects of an ethanol extract of CMPU were investigated on major organs, including the liver, kidney and pancreas. Male wistar rats (n = 24) were randomly divided into four groups, including Group I (control), Group II (250 mg kg), Group III (500 mg kg) and Group IV (1000 mg kg) and they were administered the extract for 28 days. The CMPE contained higher amounts of total polyphenols (620.91±7.75 mg), flavonoids (508.33±5.49 mg), tannins (585.99±4.46 mg) and protein (4.00±0.14 g) compared to the pulp (291.06±10.14, 145.02±0.36, 526.08±3.32 mg/100 g and 2.89±0.32 g/100 g, respectively). Similarly, CMPE also exhibited higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) values than CMPU. However, the ascorbic acid content was higher in CMPU (120.83±0.0019 mg/100 g) than CMPE. In vivo studies confirmed that CMPU possessed a significant lipid lowering activity that occurred in a dose dependent manner and that it caused beneficial changes in several other biochemical parameters. Additionally, a significant diminution of lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney tissues was observed. It was concluded that C. macroptera possesses high antioxidant potential and is relatively safe. Its protective effects against various chronic diseases that are associated with oxidative stress should be further investigated.

BAU Kul (Ziziphus mauritiana) is a new and improved variety of plum fruit from Bangladesh. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant potency and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of BAU Kul using Soxhlet extraction followed by complete evaporation of residual methanol. BAU Kul is a very good source of phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and tannins. The reducing sugar and protein content of BAU Kul were 1.68 and 0.81% by weight, respectively. BAU Kul was very active in 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (527.289.2 [M Fe (II)]/100g), thus confirming its high antioxidant potential. Antibacterial activities were measured using the agar well-diffusion method. BAU Kul was most toxic to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed (in order) by Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli and Chromobacterium violaceum. In conclusion, BAU Kul is a nutritious fruit that provides good antioxidant and antibacterial activities (in particular toward P.aeruginosa) and a cheap source of vitamins.Practical ApplicationsBAU Kul is a new and sweet seasonal fruit which is very popular to the consumers of Bangladesh. This fruit can be a good source of nutrients as well as the antioxidants applicable in different types of diseases caused by oxidative stresses. BAU Kul can also be used as traditional medicine for different types for infectious diseases.

Increases in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have aroused strong interest in identifying antioxidants from natural sources for use in preventive medicine. Citrus macroptera (C. macroptera), commonly known as "Satkara", is an important herbal and medicinal plant reputed for its antioxidant, nutritious and therapeutic uses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardio-protective effects of ethanol extracts of C. macroptera peel and pulp against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Male albino Wistar rats (n=36) were pre-treated with peel and pulp extracts (500mg/kg) for 45days. They received a challenge with ISO (85mg/kg) on the 44th and 45th days. Our findings indicated that subcutaneous injection of ISO induced severe myocardial injuries associated with oxidative stress, as confirmed by elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and anti-peroxidative enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, compared with levels observed in control animals. Pre-treatment with C. macroptera peel and pulp extracts prior to ISO administration however, significantly improved many of the investigated biochemical parameters, i.e., cardiac troponin I, cardiac marker enzymes, lipid profile and oxidative stress markers. The fruit peel extract showed stronger cardio-protective effects than the pulp extract. The biochemical findings were further confirmed by histopathological examinations. Overall, the increased endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity against heightened oxidative stress in the myocardium is strongly suggestive of the cardio-protective potential of C. macroptera.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a methanolic extract of Apple kul (Zizyphus mauritiana) as it has not been studied extensively. Apple kul was found to be a rich source of polyphenols (52.192.38mg gallic acid equivalents/100g), flavonoids (13.19 +/- 1.31mg catechin equivalents/100g), ascorbic acid (48.17 +/- 2.04mg ascorbate equivalent/100g) and tannins (50.20 +/- 3.61mg tannic acid equivalents/100g). The estimated protein and reducing sugar contents in Apple kul were 1.21 +/- 0.04g/100g and 1.96 +/- 0.15g/100g, respectively. The high ferric-reducing antioxidant power value (6336.71 +/- 554.88mol Fe [II]/g) also indicated a high antioxidant potency for Apple kul. Apple kul showed highest activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Practical ApplicationsApple kul is full of vital potential antioxidants and can act as an antimicrobial agent, which is beneficial to fight against oxidative stress associated diseases as well as against harmful bacteria to maintain a healthy human life.

The study reports on major and trace elements as well as antioxidant properties of honey samples from Bangladesh. Four major cationic elements, seven trace elements, and three heavy metals were determined in the 12 honey samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Nutritional values in these honey samples were further investigated according to their antioxidant properties. The content of major elements was in the range of 62.75–616.58, 579.48–2219.43, 69.42–632.25, and 0.13–1.20 mg/kg for sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, respectively. The trace elements varied in the range of 0.41–28, 0.12–3.54, 1.54–2.85, 0.29–0.59, 0.02–0.35, and 0.01–0.06 mg/kg for iron, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, and cadmium, respectively. Among the heavy metals, only lead (0.17–2.19 mg/kg) was detected. The results of antioxidant analysis based on phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar, and proteins (as nonphenolic antioxidants) revealed that multifloral raw honey samples contain significantly higher levels of reducing agents than monofloral and commercial brand honeys. The study provides a useful insight on the minerals, heavy metals, and antioxidant properties of honey samples commonly consumed in Bangladesh and found to be rich source of antioxidants and minerals. Some samples might pose some risk to the health due to lead contamination.

The antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potentials of the methanolic extract ofGarcinia pedunculata(GP) fruit in rats were investigated. The acute antihyperglycemic effect of different doses of GP was studied in normal male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in another cohort of male Wistar rats and they showed significantly higher blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, altered lipid profiles, and lower insulin levels compared to nondiabetic control animals. There were increased lipid peroxidation and reduced levels of cellular antioxidant enzymes in different tissues of diabetic rats. However, oral administration of GP extracts, especially the highest dose (1000 mg/kg), significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia (42%); elevated insulin levels (165%); decreased HbA1c (29.4%); restored lipid levels (reduction in TG by 25%, TC by 15%, and LDL-C by 75% and increase in HDL-C by 4%), liver and renal function markers, and lipid peroxidation (reduction by 52% in the liver, 39% in the kidney, 44% in the heart, and 46% in the pancreas); and stimulated tissue antioxidant enzymes to near normalcy. Overall, the findings suggest that GP fruit is effective against hyperglycemia and could be used in the treatment of diabetes and its complications and other oxidative stress-mediated pathological conditions.

Propolis contains high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, and reducing sugars and proteins. Malaysian Propolis (MP) has been reported to exhibit high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. Herein, we report the antioxidant properties and cardioprotective properties of MP in isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction in rats. Male Wistar rats (n=32) were pretreated orally with an ethanol extract of MP (100 mg/kg/day) for 30 consecutive days. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg in saline) for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in serum cardiac marker enzymes and cardiac troponin I levels and altered serum lipid profiles. In addition significantly increased lipid peroxides and decreased activities of cellular antioxidant defense enzymes were observed in the myocardium. However, pretreatment of ischemic rats with MP ameliorated the biochemical parameters, indicating the protective effect of MP against ISO-induced ischemia in rats. Histopathological findings obtained for the myocardium further confirmed the biochemical findings. It is concluded that MP exhibits cardioprotective activity against ISO-induced oxidative stress through its direct cytotoxic radical-scavenging activities. It is also plausible that MP contributed to endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity via inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Propolis which is a natural resinous product from the honeybees, is becoming increasingly popular for its diverse therapeutic and industrial applications. In this study, we report for the first time the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive activities of propolis from Bangladesh (BDP). The antioxidant activities were measured by biochemical analyses while cytotoxicity was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Analgesic activity was evaluated by tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing models in mice. BDP contained higher concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and reducing sugars, as compared to previous reports of propolis from several countries. BDP also exhibited higher free radical-scavenging activities and a dose-dependent reducing power activity indicating its superior antioxidant potential. Moreover, BDP extract was most toxic to brine shrimp nauplii, with 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 57.99 mu g/mL and exhibited considerable antinociceptive activities which may be mediated via central and peripheral inhibitory mechanisms.Practical applicationsBDP is a honeybee product, becoming increasingly popular due its potential contributions to human health. BDP is a rich source of natural antioxidants which has the potential to be used to ameliorate oxidative stress disorders and has useful antinociceptive activities. It may be useful as potential therapeutic agents against cancer, pesticidal agents, and for other cytotoxic uses.

The ancient product honey produced by honeybees, particularly the species Apis mellifera from the nectar blossoms or from exudates of trees and plants. Honey contains a very high content of carbohydrates, mostly monoand disaccharides but it also contains many members of the family of antioxidant flavonoids. Over the last several decade of studies on human disease processes it has become recognized that an elevated, unfavourable oxidation status and a states of chronic inflammation underlies multiple diseases most notably, cardiovascular disease (CVD). The underlying cause of most CVD is atherosclerosis, the trapping of lipids in the vessel wall by modified proteoglycans, followed by oxidation, a chronic immune response and the development and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Many of the flavonoids present in honey have actions which impact on the oxidative and other processes of atherosclerosis. In this review we describe the actions of many of the flavonoids present in honey and speculate on the manner in which these might aggregate to produce a favorable CVD protective effect of honey per se.

Honey is a natural by-product from flower nectar and the aero-digestive tract of the honey bee. Honey has a complex chemical and biochemical composition including sugars, proteins, amino acids, phenolics, vitamins and minerals. Honey is a natural medicinal agent with antioxidant, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-malarial and anti-tumor properties. This review describes the major active ingredients in honey and their potential pharmacological effects with a description and analysis of the underlying molecular mechanism. As an example, we describe how high fructose concentration in honey helps in lowering blood glucose levels and triggers weight loss in obese individuals by increased insulin secretion, expression of GLUT5 mRNA and activation of glucokinase activity. In this review we highlight the molecular pharmacology of the prominent chemical and biochemical constituents of natural honey along with some toxicology analysis of the constituents.

We investigated the protective role ofWithania somniferaleaf extract (WSLEt) on isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) administered to rats for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and serum lipid profiles, as well as the activities of some marker enzymes. In addition to these diagnostic markers, there were increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) in the myocardium. However, oral pretreatment (100 mg/kg b.w.) with WSLEt for 4 weeks elicited a significant cardioprotective activity by lowering the levels of cTnI, lipid profiles, and marker enzymes. The levels of LPO products were also significantly decreased. Elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes were also observed in rats pretreated with WSLEt. As further confirmed histopathologically, our findings strongly suggest that the cardioprotective effect of WSLEt on myocardium experiencing ISO-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidant system and an inhibition of LPO in the myocardial membrane. We conclude that WSLEt confers some protection against oxidative damage in ISO-induced MI in rats.