Computational studies of potential antiviral compounds from some selected Nigerian medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

The challenges posed by COVID-19's emergence have led to a search for its therapies. There is no cure for COVID-19 infection yet, but there is significant progress in vaccine formulation for prophylaxis and drug development (such as Paxlovid) for high-risk patients. As a contribution to the ongoing quest for solutions, this study shows potent phytocompounds identification as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 targets using in silico methods.

Commiphora myrrha stimulates insulin secretion from β-cells through activation of atypical protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ayurvedic medicine has been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus for centuries. In Arabia and some areas of Africa, Commiphora myrrha (CM) has been extensively used as a plant-based remedy. We have previously shown that an aqueous CM resin solution directly stimulates insulin secretion from MIN6 cells, a mouse β-cell line, and isolated mouse and human islets.

Cannabidiol improves glucose utilization and modulates glucose-induced dysmetabolic activities in isolated rats' peripheral adipose tissues.

Reduced glucose uptake and utilization, with concomitant lipolysis in adipose tissues has been linked to the pathogenesis of obesity and its complications. The present study investigated the effect of cannabinoid-stimulated glucose uptake on redox imbalance, glucose and lipid metabolisms, as well as cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions in isolated rats' adipose tissues. Freshly Isolated rats' adipose tissues were incubated with glucose and different concentrations of cannabidiol for 2 h at 37 °C.

L. (var. ) Exhibits Hepatoprotective Effects by Modulating Hepatic Lipid Profile and Mitigating Gluconeogenesis and Cholinergic Dysfunction in Oxidative Hepatic Injury.

L. is a crop utilized globally for recreational, therapeutic, and religious purposes. Although considered as an illicit drug in most countries, until recently started gaining attention for its medicinal application.

In vitro profiling and functional assessments of the anti-diabetic capacity of phenolic-rich extracts of Bulbine natalensis and Bulbine frutescens.

Aims: Bulbine natalensis (BN) and Bulbine frutescens (BF) are recommended in South African traditional medicine to treat diabetes, but their modes of action are unknown. This study assessed the phenolic acid profiles, mineral composition and in vitro functional effects of BN and BF to better understand their glucose-lowering capabilities.

Methods: Phenolic acid and mineral composition of BN and BF methanolic extracts were determined by HPLC and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy respectively.

Antituberculosis, antioxidant and cytotoxicity profiles of quercetin: a systematic and cost-effective and approach.

The ineffectiveness and the slowdown of newer anti-TB drug approval rates directly indicate searching for potential alternative agents. However, validation of isolated phytochemicals through hit-and-trial experiments is more expensive and time-consuming. Simultaneously, cost-effective computational tools can recognize most potential candidates at an initial stage.

Computational, chemical profiling and biochemical evaluation of antidiabetic potential of stem bark extract in type 2 model of rats.

The present study investigated the antidiabetic and antioxidant capacity of hydromethanol extract from stem bark (PBSBHM) in fructose-streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats after 28 days of oral administration. Simultaneously, evaluated the phenolic profiles and mineral compositions of crude extract. Molecular docking analysis of protocatechuic acid, the most abundant phenolic acid with potential downstream partners protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), was investigated.

Evaluation of nutritional composition of Citrullus lanatus Linn. (watermelon) seed and biochemical assessment of the seed oil in rats.

The present study investigated the nutritional composition of watermelon seeds and the effect of extracted oil on the biochemical parameters in rats after 28 days of oral administration. The watermelon seeds showed considerable proximate values but with less moisture, crude fiber, ash, and phytochemical components. The maximal dose of 50 ml/kg of watermelon seed oil (WMSO) showed no sign of toxicity in rats.

Synthesis, characterization, antidiabetic and antioxidative evaluation of a novel Zn(II)-gallic acid complex with multi-facet activity.

Objectives: This study was done to synthesize a novel Zn(II)-gallic acid complex with improved antidiabetic and antioxidative properties.

Methods: The complex was synthesized and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and H NMR. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using Chang liver cells and L6 myotubes.

Quercetin modulates hyperglycemia by improving the pancreatic antioxidant status and enzymes activities linked with glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes model of rats: In silico studies of molecular interaction of quercetin with hexokinase and catalase.

Quercetin was assessed for its antihyperglycemic effect in fructose-streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of quercetin at the dosage of 25 and 50 mg/kg for 28 days remarkably reduced the level of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb), and hepatic glycogen but enhanced plasma Hb concentration. The altered activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase in diabetic rats were significantly improved upon quercetin treatment.

Evaluation of the nutritional composition of Myrothamnus flabellifolius (Welw.) herbal tea and its protective effect against oxidative hepatic cell injury.

The nutrient composition of Myrothamnus flabellifolius leaf tea extract (MLTE) and its protective effect against oxidative hepatic cell injury were evaluated. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, methyl gallate, and epicatechin were identified in MLTE by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The tea extract showed an appreciable nutritional content of proximate, sugar, vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega 6 and 9 unsaturated fatty acids, as well as considerable amounts of various mineral elements.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Selected Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Oral and Skin Infections in Ebem-Ohafia District, Abia State, Nigeria.

Oral and skin infections contribute significantly to the global health challenges responsible for the current trend of increased morbidity and premature death. The purpose of this study was to document medicinal plants used in the management of oral and skin infections in Ebem-Ohafia Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State, and to characterize the antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) profiling of ten of the selected folklore medicine was carried out using a various solvent system of different polarity index.

Alpha-Amylase Inhibition and Antioxidative Capacity of Some Antidiabetic Plants Used by the Traditional Healers in Southeastern Nigeria.

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome including diabetes mellitus (DM). The inhibition of alpha-amylase is an important therapeutic target in the regulation of postprandial increase of blood glucose in diabetic patients. The present study investigated the alpha-amylase inhibitory and antioxidant potential of selected herbal drugs used in the treatment of DM by the traditional healers in Isiala Mbano and Ikwuano regions of southeastern Nigeria.

Phytochemicals analysis and medicinal potentials of hydroalcoholic extract from Curtisia dentata (Burm.f) C.A. Sm Stem Bark.

Curtisia dentata (CD) is a vulnerable medicinal plant used for the treatment of stomach ailments in South Africa. However, there is a lack of sufficient data on its phytochemical components and medicinal properties. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was estimated using standard assay methods while its antibacterial activity was determined by the agar dilution method against selected bacteria.

Antidiabetic Activities of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Strychnoshenningsii Gilg in Streptozotocin-nicotinamide Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Strychnos henningsii Gilg is recommended among other remedies for the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine of Southern Africa. The antidiabetic effect of oral administration of aqueous bark extract of the plant at 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight was investigated in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin-nicotinamide for 15 days. The extract decreased the blood glucose level, feed and water intake as well as triacylglycerol at the three doses investigated while the best result was obtained at 250 mg/Kg.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of hydroalcoholic stem bark extract of Schotia latifolia Jacq.

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Schotia latifolia (S. latifolia) bark commonly used in South Africa traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments.

Methods: The antibacterial test and MIC was determined by using agar well diffusion and dilution methods respectively against eight strains of bacteria.

Interactions of antibiotics and methanolic crude extracts of Afzelia Africana (Smith.) against drug resistance bacterial isolates.

Infection due to multidrug resistance pathogens is difficult to manage due to bacterial virulence factors and because of a relatively limited choice of antimicrobial agents. Thus, it is imperative to discover fresh antimicrobials or new practices that are effective for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant microorganisms. The objective of this experiment is to investigate for synergistic outcomes when crude methanolic extract of the stem bark of Afzelia africana and antibiotics were combined against a panel of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains that have been implicated in infections.

Polyphenolic contents and antioxidant potential of stem bark extracts from Jatropha curcas (Linn).

We assessed the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant potential of the aqueous, ethanol and methanol stem bark extracts of Jatropha curcas. The total phenol, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin contents of the extracts were evaluated to determine their effect on the antioxidant property of this plant, using standard phytochemical methods. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant were also assessed against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, (O(2) (-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) using spectroscopic methods and results were compared with that of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid as standards.