Antidiabetic potentials of crude and purified sulphated polysaccharides isolated from , a seaweed from South Africa.

Over 90 % of all cases of diabetes that have been diagnosed are type 2 diabetes (T2D), a disease exacerbated by an increase in sedentary behaviour, bad eating habits, and obesity. This study investigated the antidiabetic properties of , using and experimental models. The sulphated polysaccharides (SPs) from crude extracts of the seaweed powder was prepared via hot (100°C) and cold (25°C) aqueous extraction procedures before purification via an anion exchange chromatographic technique.

Apigenin and inflammation in the brain: can apigenin inhibit neuroinflammation in preclinical models?

Apigenin is a flavone-kind of flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables. Apigenin exhibits biological activities including neuropharmacological effects against different neurological disorders. In this study, we summarize and discuss the molecular mechanisms of the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of apigenin in neurological disorders.

The Beneficial Role of Apigenin against Cognitive and Neurobehavioural Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Investigations.

Apigenin is a flavone widely present in different fruits and vegetables and has been suggested to possess neuroprotective effects against some neurological disorders. In this study, we systematically reviewed preclinical studies that investigated the effects of apigenin on learning and memory, locomotion activity, anxiety-like behaviour, depressive-like behaviour and sensorimotor and motor coordination in rats and mice with impaired memory and behaviour. We searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles.

Effect of Selenium and Zinc Supplementation on Reproductive Organs Following Postnatal Protein Malnutrition.

Protein diets are required for the normal development of the reproductive system and their inadequacy or deficiency might have hazardous functional complications during maturational and developmental stages. The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on the male and female reproductive organs of rats with postnatal protein malnutrition. Male and female weanling rats were randomly assigned to six groups respectively.

Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of aqueous extracts from Ecklonia maxima and Ulva rigida on HepG2 cells.

This study examined the antiproliferative and apoptotic-inducing effects of Ecklonia maxima (KP) and Ulva rigida (URL) extracts in the human liver cancer (HepG2) cell line model. HepG2 cells were cultured and grown in an incubator (5% CO ) at 37°C. Cell viability was determined, while the effect of the extracts on apoptosis, ROS production, mitochondria membrane potential, and antioxidant enzymes were also assessed.

Neurotoxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Systematic Mapping and Review of Neuropathological Mechanisms.

Several studies present the neurotoxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of environmental pollutants capable of causing neurological deficits. However, a collective review approach to this research topic is scarce. This study presents the effect of PAHs on the central nervous system using a bibliometric approach.

Neurotoxicity of anthracene and benz[a]anthracene involves oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage, cholinergic dysfunction and disruption of monoaminergic and purinergic enzymes.

In this study, the modulatory effects of anthracene (ANT) and benz[a]anthracene (BEN) on biochemical markers associated with neurodegeneration were assessed in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22). Neuronal cells were cultured and exposed to ANT and BEN (25-125 µM) for 5 days, and the cell viability was determined via MTT assay. Morphological characteristics of the cells were assessed using a compound microscope.

Plantain peels restore sexual performance, hormonal imbalance, and modulate nitric oxide production and key enzymes of penile function in paroxetine-sexually impaired male rats.

This study focused on the effect of unripe (UPP) and ripe (RPP) plantain peels' extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) on sexual behavior, hormonal profiles [testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH)], and enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), phosphodiesterase-5' (PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), ecto-5'neucleotidase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA)] in paroxetine (PAR)-induced penile dysfunction rats. From the result, arginase, PDE-5', ACE, ecto-5'-nucleotidase ADA, and AChE activities, sexual activities, hormonal profile, and NO level were reduced, while thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level increased (p < .05) relative to normal control rats.

Partnership for International Development: Finland-Nigeria Conference on Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship.

A joint collaboration between the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria was organised as a hybrid conference on several topics that are related to climate, food, health and entrepreneurship. The utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. The topics discussed were multidisciplinary, they include Nigerian indigenous foods, bioeconomy, circular economy, nutrition, health, innovation and entrepreneurship under four themes (Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship).

Systematic and meta-analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis related type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Global increase in diabetes (DM) prevalence necessitated the need to establish the association between DM and environmental triggers including MAP (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) that have been postulated to play a role in DM etiopathology for effective management. The present investigation aimed to assess the odds ratio (OR) presenting the association between MAP and DM.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis as environmental trigger of multiple sclerosis.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been identified as one of the environmental agents that causes multiple sclerosis (MS). The global prevalence of MS has been upsurging over the years; however, efforts to divulge the role of MAP in MS have been limited.

Diet Supplemented with Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don (Sapotaceae) Fruit Pulp Improves Reproductive Function in Hypertensive Male Rats.

Hypertension has been implicated as a risk factor of reproductive disorders. High blood pressure may trigger impaired sperm quality and biomarkers of reproductive disorders. This study aims to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp (FP) on sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, and antioxidant markers in testes and epididymis of hypertensive rats.

Microbial Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Assessment of Microorganisms' Implications in the Neurodegenerative Disease.

Microbial infections have been linked to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to synthesise and assess global evidence of microbial pathogenesis and pathophysiology in AD (MPP-AD) and associated neurodegenerative conditions using integrated science mapping and content analytics to explore the associated research landscape. Relevant MPP-AD documents were retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus according to PRISMA principles and analysed for productivity/trend linked to authors/countries, thematic conceptual framework, and international collaborative networks.

Phytochemical and toxicological evaluations of (GUILL. and PERR.) extract on albino wistar rats.

In this study, we investigated the phytochemical and toxicological impacts of the ethanol leaf extract of in albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was done using established methods. Acute and 28-day sub-chronic toxicity evaluations of the extract were carried out in wistar rats.

Diets supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seeds improved some biochemical parameters associated with erectile function in rats.

This study investigated the effect of diet supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on some key biochemical parameters relevant to erectile function in corpus cavernosal tissues of male rats. Rats were fed with basal diets (NC), diet supplemented with raw (5% and 10%) and roasted (5% and 10%) pumpkin seeds for the evaluation of adenosine deaminase (ADA), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), arginase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, including nitric oxide level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Diet supplemented with roasted pumpkin seeds showed better PDE-5, ADA, arginase activities, as well as NO and MDA levels.

Sulfated polysaccharides of some seaweeds exhibit neuroprotection via mitigation of oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction and inhibition of Zn - induced neuronal damage in HT-22 cells.

Background: Sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae are known to possess antioxidative activities, however, their therapeutic role in metal-induced neurodegeneration has not been explored. In this study, the neuroprotective potentials of sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Ecklonia maxima (PKPM), Gelidium pristoides (PMNP), Ulva lactuca (PULV), Ulva rigida (PURL) and Gracilaria gracilis (PGCL) against Zn-induced neurodegeneration in rats' hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22) were assessed.

Methods: Cells were cultured and maintained at 37 °C.

Curcumin Administration Mitigates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Oxidative Damage and Restores Alteration of Enzymes Associated with Cognitive Function in Rats' Brain.

The use of chemotherapeutic drugs is associated with oxidative damage, cognitive dysfunction, and brain damage. This study sought to investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against cognitive problems associated with treatment with cyclophosphamide via assessment of biomolecules associated with cognitive function in rats' brain homogenates. Rats were divided in to five groups: Control (vehicle), CUR (curcumin [20 mg/kg]), CPA (cyclophosphamide [150 mg/kg]), CUR1 + CPA (curcumin [20 mg/kg] and cyclophosphamide [150 mg/kg]), and CPA + CUR2 (cyclophosphamide [150 mg/kg] and curcumin [20 mg/kg]).

Curcumin Improves Biomolecules Associated with Renal Function and Attenuates Oxidative Injury and Histopathological Changes in Potassium-Induced Toxicity in Rats' Kidney.

The protective effect of curcumin on potassium bromate (KBrO)-induced renal damage was investigated in vivo. Treatment with KBrO (20 mg/kg bw) caused a significant increase in arginase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in rats' kidney. However, oral administration of curcumin (20 mg/kg bw) caused a significant reduction in ADA and arginase activities in KBrO + CUR group.

Modulatory effects of stonebreaker () and bitter gourd () on enzymes linked with cardiac function in heart tissue of doxorubicin-stressed rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) has been linked with impairment in cardiovascular function and redox balance. In the present study, the effect of (PA) and (MC) leaves on some biomolecules [Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), arginase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), adenosine deaminase (ADA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and antioxidant [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] linked with cardiac function in DOX-stressed rats was evaluated. Animals were grouped and pretreated with PA and MC leaf extracts at different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg/bwt orally), while DOX (15 mg/kg/bwt) was administered intraperitoneally on the last day of the experiment.

Entomophagy: Nutritional, ecological, safety and legislation aspects.

Globally, there is a need to seek alternative sources of protein in addition to meat. This has led to considerable interest in edible insects. Such insects form part of cultures and diets in many Asian and African countries, and are an excellent source of essential nutrients, minerals, vitamins and proteins.

Extraction of Cellulose Nanofibers via Eco-friendly Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Treatment Followed by Mild Acid Hydrolysis and the Fabrication of Cellulose Nanopapers.

The conventional isolation of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) process involves high energy input which leads to compromising the pulp fiber's physical and chemical properties, in addition to the issue of elemental chlorine-based bleaching, which is associated with serious environmental issues. This study investigates the characteristic functional properties of CNFs extracted via total chlorine-free (TCF) bleached kenaf fiber followed by an eco-friendly supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO) treatment process. The Fourier transmission infra-red FTIR spectra result gave remarkable effective delignification of the kenaf fiber as the treatment progressed.

Caffeine improves sperm quality, modulates steroidogenic enzyme activities, restore testosterone levels and prevent oxidative damage in testicular and epididymal tissues of scopolamine-induced rat model of amnesia.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the role of caffeine on fertility parameters in testicular and epididymal tissues of scopolamine-induced model of amnesia in rats.

Methods: Adult male rats were treated with scopolamine with or without caffeine. The modulatory effects of caffeine or scopolamine on fertility parameters were assessed in rats' testicular and epididymal homogenates.

Aqueous-ethanol extracts of some South African seaweeds inhibit beta-amyloid aggregation, cholinesterases, and beta-secretase activities in vitro.

In this study, we evaluated the anti-amyloidogenic, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant potentials of hydroethanolic extracts of Ecklonia maxima (ECK), Gelidium pristoides (GLD), Gracilaria gracilis (GCL), and Ulva lactuca (ULT). The effect of the extracts on β-amyloid (Aβ ) peptide were determined using electron microscope. The effects of the extracts on β-secretase and cholinesterase activities, as well as their radical scavenging and metal chelating activities were also assessed.

Neuroprotective effects of some seaweeds against Zn - induced neuronal damage in HT-22 cells via modulation of redox imbalance, inhibition of apoptosis and acetylcholinesterase activity.

Zinc plays an important role in neuronal signaling and neurotransmission. However, dyshomeostasis of this metal or its accumulation in the brain has been linked with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of Ecklonia maxima (KPM), Gracilaria gracilis (GCL), Ulva lactuca (ULT) and Gelidium pristoides (MNP) in Zn -induced neurotoxicity in HT-22 cells was examined.

Phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, anticholinesterase potential and modulatory effects of aqueous extracts of some seaweeds on β-amyloid aggregation and disaggregation.

Seaweeds contain bioactive compounds with different biological activities. They are used as functional ingredients for the development of therapeutic agents to combat degenerative diseases. This study investigated the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, cholinesterase inhibitory and anti-amyloidogenic activities of aqueous extracts of (J.