Search

Colorectal adenoma appears as benign lesions and is a precursor of colorectal adenocarcinoma. The effect of 6-Shogaol (6-[S]), a bioactive agent from ginger, in early colonic adenoma growth is unknown. As a result, this study examines the effect of 6-[S] in a mouse colorectal adenoma model induced by Azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Adult male mice served as control in Group 1. Group 2 was treated orally with 6-[S] extract (20 mg/kg BW). Group 3 was exposed to AOM (25 mg/kg BW, ip) and one cycle of DSS (2.5%) in drinking water alone while Group 4 was co-treated with 6-[S] for twenty-one (21) days. The body weight gain, organ weight and length, oxidative stress indices, inflammatory markers and histological examination were estimated. Our findings show that 6-[S] co-treatment reversed AOM/DSS-induced elevation in colon weight, colon length, nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), hydrogen peroxidase (H

The medicinal application of sandpaper leaves in the management of hypertension has been reported with very little knowledge on the variety with better anti-hypertensive properties. Hence, this study seeks to compare phenolic content and the effect of some varieties of sand paper leaves (Ficus spp.), namely, Ficus exasperata (FE), Ficus asperifolia (FA), Ficus mucuso (FM) and Ficus capensis (FC) on the systolic and diastolic bood pressures (SBP and DBP), angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE), and arginase activities and antioxidant status in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. The animals were divided into eleven groups (n = 6): normotensive control rats, hypertensive rats, hypertensive rats treated with atenolol (10 mg/kg/day), hypertensive rats treated with 2.5% and 5% FE, FA, FM, and FC extract inclusive diet respectively. There was a significant rise (p < 0.05) in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, ACE and arginase activities, and antioxidant status in the hypertensive rats. However, there were reductions in the SBP, DBP, ACE, and arginase activities and increase in the antioxidant status of the rats fed with the Ficus leaves. FM had the highest phenolic (91.09 mg/100 g) and flavonoid content (43.35 mg/100 g). FA showed the best anti-oxidant property, while FC showed the strongest inhibition of ACE and arginase activities.

This study analyzed the effects of functional cereals processed and produced from yellow corn, soybean, acha, orange peels and moringa leaves' polyphenolic content, glycemic index, starch composition and their effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro. Functional cereals were produced as ready-to-eat cereals at different proportion with variations in the amount of measured acha flour, soybean flour, and blends of orange peels and moringa leaves while maintaining a constant amount of yellow corn. The produced orange peels and moringa leaves blends inclusion to functional cereals had significantly increased phenolic constituents, showed inhibitory activity on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in-vitro and reduced glycemic index, starch content and starch to sugar ratios. Interestingly, amongst the produced functional cereals, the best two cereals were with their composition made up of corn, acha, soybean, orange peel, moringa leaves (30: 5:15: 0.5: 0.5) and corn, acha, soybean, moringa leaves (30: 5: 15: 1) which both had the high inhibitory effects on the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase while depleting starch content in-vitro when compared with commercially consumed cereals (golden morn). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ready-to-eat cereals are highly consumed by children and by adults inclusively. Commercial breakfast cereals are readily available and consumed irrespective of the fact it has high calorie constituent as more emphasis is placed on their nutrients value which includes vitamins A, vitamin C and calcium for boosting immune system and for proper body growth and functioning. However, these commercial breakfast cereals (golden morn) owing to the high maize and millet content present in them are unfavorable to certain consumers or individuals with health challenges such as diabetic patients. This study shows that functional cereals produced in-vitro extensively are not only nutritious but also medicinal in nature, offering benefits in the management of diabetes and related complications.

The use of lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) is fast becoming common practice, even though there is dearth of information on the effect of such functional food and drug combination in the management of ED. This study evaluated the effect of lemon and lime juices on the erectogenic properties of sildenafil. ED was induced with L-NAME (40 mg/kg body weight). The rats were divided into 11 groups (n = 6) and given various doses of the test samples. Immediately after the sexual behavior studies, the animals were sacrificed and the penile and brain tissues were isolated. The results revealed that lime and lemon juices improved sexual behavior in rats by improving NO production and inhibiting the activities of PDE-5, arginase, ACE, MAO, ATPdase, AMPdase, and activated antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, lime at 1.0 ml/kg significantly improved the therapeutic properties of sildenafil. While, lemon (0.5 and 1.0 ml/kg) and lime (0.5 ml/kg) did not show any synergistic effect. This study revealed that lime and lemon juices could improve erectile function and combining lime juice with sildenafil could be very effective in the management of ED. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The therapeutic management of erectile dysfunction has involved maximizing NO production through the modulation of macromolecules such as phosphodiesterase-5 and arginase with the use of drugs such as sildenafil. Combining such drugs with functional foods such as lime and lemon juices is becoming common practice. However, there is dearth of report on the effect of lime and lemon juices on the erectogenic potentials of sildenafil. The present study shows that combining 1 ml/kg lime juice (got from 2 lime fruits) with sildenafil will boost the erectogenic properties of the drug. While combining lime (0.5 ml/kg) and lemon (0.5 and 1.0 ml/kg) juices with the drug did not have any synergistic effect.

The broad application of

We measured the effect of varieties of Fig leaves, Ficus exasperata Vahl. (FE) and Ficus asperifolia Miq (FA), commonly found in Sub-sahara Africa for managing hypertension on sexual performance in hypertensive rats, which is unknown. Hypertensive rats experienced erectogenic damage after exposure to 40 mg kg-1 bw-1 , N(G)-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). Experimental rats were grouped into eight groups (n = 6) namely: control rats, hypertensive rats, hypertensive treatment groups with atenolol (10 mg kg-1 day-1 ) and sildenafil (5.0 mg/kg), rats treated with FE- and FA-formulated biscuits at proportions of 2.5 g and 5.0 g respectively. Furthermore, we measured the level of sexual performance (Intromission number, latency, Mounting number, and latency), hormonal levels, phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme (PDE-5) activity and genes expressed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in hypertensive rats. The result deduced revealed that treated hypertensive rats showed significantly reduced follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone levels, PDE-5 enzyme activity, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression while having a marked increase in testosterone level, sexual performance and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. Therefore, this study revealed the comparative dietary enhancing effect of FE- and FA-formulated biscuit on sexual behaviour activity, hormonal levels and the level of eNOS and TNF-α genes expressed in hypertensive rats.

This study evaluated the effects of ice creams produced from blends of orange (Citrus sinensis) and shaddock (Citrus maxima) peels on the blood lipid profile, glycemic index, and antioxidant indices in the liver and heart of rats. Formulated ice cream was produced at a different proportion of citrus (orange and shaddock) blends and fed to rats for 28 days. The result showed that the formulated ice cream enriched with citrus peels blends caused a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level in the plasma and antioxidant status in the liver and heart homogenates, decreased the glycemic index, concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein in the plasma as against rats fed on plain and commercial ice creams. To conclude, the use of ice creams from blends of orange and shaddock peels could serve as a functional food for weight reduction, glycemic index, management of lipid-related diseases, and prevention of oxidative stress-related complications in the liver and heart. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The consumption of ice creams has increased in many parts of the world. However, there have been limited efforts aimed at improving the medicinal properties of frozen dairy products. Hence, these ice creams could be produced on a large scale under regulated condition since they have improved medicinal properties which would be a good option for preventing/combating degenerative conditions and their related complications.

Hypertension is a global health problem. Statistics report from the World Health Organization reveals its prevalence in about a quarter of the world global population. Due to the complications associated with hypertension, it is required to be well managed or prevented pharmacologically or non-pharmacologically. Pharmacologically, the major antihypertensive drugs used are centrally acting sympatholytic drugs, diuretics, vasodilators, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers while non-pharmacological means of management include lifestyle changes, intake of diet or supplements with antihypertensive effects. Interestingly, the use of diet as a complement with drug intake has become very popular due to occurring side effects over time. Recent research efforts have revealed that foods such as fruits and vegetables contain bioactive substances that modulate the activities of macromolecules involved in the development, complications, and management of hypertension. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Recent research efforts have suggested the efficacy of diets rich in fruits and vegetables in the management of hypertension. This review examines some of the mechanisms involved in the dietary management or prevention of hypertension by bioactive compounds found in foods. This review promotes the use of diet in the management of the condition and also suggests that precautions to be taken in the combined use of food and drugs.