Solvent Extraction of Polyphenolics from the Indigenous African Fruit and Characterization by LC-HRMS.

Indigenous and non-commercial fruits can be an important source of antioxidant polyphenols; however, the identity and content of polyphenols from non-commercial fruits are often poorly described. The study aimed to extract, identify, and quantify polyphenols from the skin of the indigenous Africa fruit , using solvent extraction. Three solvents (hexane, acetone, and 70% / ethanol) over three extraction times (30, 60 and 120 min) were used in a 3² full factorial experimental design to determine effects on polyphenol recovery, and individual polyphenolics were characterised using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) Ethanol was the most effective extraction solvent, and extracts had high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids (65 mg gallic and 40 mg catechin equivalents per gram dry sample respectively), and high antioxidant activity (18.

In vitro anticholinesterase, antimonoamine oxidase and antioxidant properties of alkaloid extracts from kola nuts (Cola acuminata and Cola nitida).

Background The development of cholinesterase (ChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors for management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) has come with their undesirable side effects. Hence, research for potent but natural ChE and MAO inhibitors with little or no side effects is essential. This study investigated the potentials of alkaloid extracts from two Cola species as nutraceuticals for prevention and management of AD.

Catechin, quercetin and taxifolin improve redox and biochemical imbalances in rotenone-induced hepatocellular dysfunction: Relevance for therapy in pesticide-induced liver toxicity?

Hepatotoxicity occurs as a result of adverse effects of some xenobiotics on the liver, which is often the target tissue of toxicity for environmental chemicals. Rotenone, used as a natural pesticide, is an environmental poison reported to cause organ toxicity. This study investigated the protective effect of three flavonoids, catechin, quercetin and taxifolin (2,3-Dihydroquercetin) in rotenone-induced hepatotoxicity.

Geographical discrimination of palm oils () using quality characteristics and UV-visible spectroscopy.

This preliminary study demonstrated the possibility of discriminating geographical origin of palm oils using conventional quality characteristics and UV-visible spectroscopy. A total of 60 samples, 20 from each region (North (N), South (S), and Central (C)) of Ondo State Nigeria, were analyzed for their quality characteristics and UV-visible spectra. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to elaborate the data.

Improvement of 2-Vessel Occlusion Cerebral Ischaemia/Reperfusion-Induced Corticostriatal Electrolyte and Redox Imbalance, Lactic Acidosis and Modified Acetylcholinesterase Activity by Kolaviron Correlates with Reduction in Neurobehavioural Deficits.

Background: Disruption of electrolyte, redox and neurochemical homeostasis alongside cellular energy crisis is a hallmark of cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion injury.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of kolaviron (KV) on cortical and striatal cation imbalance, oxidative stress and neurochemical disturbances as well as neurobehavioural deficits in animals subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO)-induced ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Methods: KV was administered at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg to male Wistar rats 1 h before a 30 min BCCAO/4 h reperfusion (I/R).

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of the naturally occurring cassane-type diterpenoid, 6β-cinnamoyl-7β-hy-droxy-vouacapen-5α-ol.

The title compound, CHO, a cassane-type diterpenoid {systematic name: (4a,5,6,6a,7,11a,11b)-4a,6-dihy-droxy-4,4,7,11b-tetra-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,11,11a,11b-dodeca-hydro-phenanthro[3,2-]furan-5-yl 3-phenyl-prop-2-enoate}, was isolated from a medicinally important plant, (Fabaceae). In the mol-ecule, three cyclo-hexane rings are -fused and adopt chair, chair and half-chair conformations. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a tape structure along the axis direction.

Performance of different substrates in constructed wetlands planted with E. crassipes treating low-strength sewage under subtropical conditions.

The present study aimed to assess removal potential of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in synthetic wastewater simulating low-strength sewage by sequencing-batch mode constructed wetlands (CWs). Six CWs with three substrates (gravel, light expanded clay and clay bricks) and one CW of each substrate was planted with E. crassipes to verify the feasibility of using a floating macrophyte in CWs and verify the best optimized substrate.

Experimental and computational modeling of interaction of kolaviron-kolaflavanone with aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a diverse family of enzymes that catalyze the NAD(P)-dependent detoxification of toxic aldehyde compounds. ALDHs are also involved in non-enzymatic ligand binding to endobiotics and xenobiotics. Here, the enzyme crucial non-canonical and non-catalytic interaction with kolaflavanone, a component of kolaviron, and a major bioflavonoid isolated from Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) was characterized by various spectroscopic and in silico approaches under simulated physiological condition.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of pulcherrin J.

The title compound, CHO [systematic name (4a,5,6a,7,11a,11b)-4a-hydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,11,11a,11b-dodecahydrophen-anthro[3,2-]furan-5-yl cinnamate], a natural diterpene known as pulcherrin J, was isolated from stem barks of medicinally important (.). The crystal structure of pulcherrin J shows it to be composed of a central core of three -fused cyclo-hexane rings and a near planar five-membered furan ring, along with an axially oriented cinnamate moiety and an -hydroxy substituent attached at positions 4a and 5 of the steroid ring system, respectively.

Angiotensin-1-converting enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, and modulation of cerebral Na+/K+ ATPase by free phenolics of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa).

Aims: To investigate the antioxidant activities and effects of free phenols (FPPB) and bound phenols (BPPB) of Parkia biglobosa leaves on some enzymes of neuro-cardiovascular relevance.

Methods And Results: HPLC-DAD fingerprinting of FPPB and BPPB, and the antihemolytic, radical (1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl, DPPH; 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), ABTS) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant properties of extracts, were assessed. In addition, the effects of the phenolics on angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE), cerebral acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase (AChE/BuChE), and Na/KATPase were determined in vitro.

The para isomer of dinitrobenzene disrupts redox homeostasis in liver and kidney of male wistar rats.

Background: ParaDinitrobenzene -DNB) is one of the isomers of dinitrobenzene which have been detected as environmental toxicants. Skin irritation and organ toxicities are likely for industrial workers exposed to -DNB. This study evaluated the effect of sub-chronic exposure of rats to -DNB on cellular redox balance, hepatic and renal integrity.

Interaction of Aldehyde dehydrogenase with acetaminophen as examined by spectroscopies and molecular docking.

The interaction of acetaminophen, a non-substrate anionic ligand, with Aldehyde Dehydrogenase was studied by fluorescence, UV-Vis absorption, and circular dichroism spectroscopies under simulated physiological conditions. The fluorescence spectra and data generated showed that acetaminophen binding to ALDH is purely dynamic quenching mechanism. The acetaminophen-ALDH is kinetically rapid reversible interaction with a binding constant, , of 4.

Antidiabetic potential of methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of Synsepalum dulcificum in type 2 diabetic rats.

Background: Synsepalum dulcificum is a plant indigenous to West Africa. The fruit is used to modify taste of foods to sweetness.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the antidiabetic potentials of both methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of S.

Isolation of Antifungal Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from "Kunu" against Toxigenic .

The antifungal activity of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from a locally fermented cereal, "Kunu", was tested against toxigenic . The liquid refreshment, "Kunu", was prepared under hygienic condition using millet, sorghum, and the combination of the two grains. The antifungal potential of isolated LAB against toxigenic was carried out using both and antifungal assays.

Sausage tree (Kigelia africana) flavonoid extract is neuroprotective in AlCl-induced experimental Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a developmental neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective treatment or cure at present. In this study, the neuroprotective properties of a methanol extract of the leaves of Kigelia africana (KAE) and its flavonoid-rich fraction (FKAE) in aluminum chloride (AlCl)-induced experimental AD was evaluated. Symptoms mimicking AD were induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by administering 17mg/kg AlCl, orally, for six consecutive weeks.

MODULATION OF KEY BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS RELEVANT TO STROKE BY LEAF EXTRACT FOLLOWING CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY.

Background: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in stroke pathogenesis. Hence, plants rich in antioxidant phytochemicals have been suggested as effective remedies for prevention and treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases. Engl.

Air ionization as a control technology for off-gas emissions of volatile organic compounds.

High energy electron-impact ionizers have found applications mainly in industry to reduce off-gas emissions from waste gas streams at low cost and high efficiency because of their ability to oxidize many airborne organic pollutants (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) to CO and HO.

Engineered nano particles: Nature, behavior, and effect on the environment.

Increased application of engineered nano particles (ENPs) in production of various appliances and consumer items is increasing their presence in the natural environment. Although a wide variety of nano particles (NPs) are ubiquitously dispersed in ecosystems, risk assessment guidelines to describe their ageing, direct exposure, and long-term accumulation characteristics are poorly developed. In this review, we describe what is known about the life cycle of ENPs and their impact on natural systems and examine if there is a cohesive relationship between their transformation processes and bio-accessibility in various food chains.

Toward a better understanding of the impact of mass transit air pollutants on human health.

Globally, modern mass transport systems whether by road, rail, water, or air generate airborne pollutants in both developing and developed nations. Air pollution is the primary human health concern originating from modern transportation, particularly in densely-populated urban areas. This review will specifically focus on the origin and the health impacts of carbonaceous traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP), including particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and elemental carbon (EC).

Spectroscopic characterisation of interaction of ferulic acid with aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

Interaction of a pharmacological important phenolic, ferulic acid, with Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) at the simulative pH condition, was studied using spectroscopic approach. Ferulic acid caused a decrease in the fluorescence intensity formed from ALDH-ferulic acid complex resulting in mixed inhibition of ALDH activity (IC=30.65μM).

Multiresponse Optimization and Prediction of Antioxidant Properties of Aqueous Ginger Extract.

The influence of extraction temperature, powder concentration, and extraction time on the antioxidant properties of aqueous ginger extract was investigated. The possibility of estimating the antioxidant properties of the extract from its absorbance and colour properties was also investigated. Results indicated that powder concentration was the most significant factor to consider in optimizing antioxidant extraction.

Assessment of nutritional quality, glycaemic index, antidiabetic and sensory properties of plantain ()-based functional dough meals.

Nutrition transition to high energy-dense foods has been implicated as the major causes of diet related diseases. Plantain-based dough meals supplemented with soybean cake and cassava fibre were developed by combining them in different proportions using response surface methodology. The flour blends were analyzed for the nutritional composition while the glycaemic index, antidiabetic potentials and protein digestibility of the dough meals were determined in wistar rats.

Catalysis of Silver catfish Major Hepatic Glutathione Transferase proceeds via rapid equilibrium sequential random Mechanism.

Fish hepatic glutathione transferases are connected with the elimination of intracellular pollutants and detoxification of organic micro-pollutants in their aquatic ecosystem. The two-substrate steady state kinetic mechanism of Silver catfish () major hepatic glutathione transferases purified to apparent homogeneity was explored. The enzyme was dimeric enzyme with a monomeric size of 25.

Antioxidant activity and protective effects of cocoa and kola nut mistletoe (Globimetula cupulata) against ischemia/reperfusion injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts.

Protection against cardiomyocyte damage following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is highly desirable in patients with ischemic heart disease. Hydromethanol extracts of Globimetula cupulata (mistletoe) growing on cocoa (CGCE) and kola nut (KGCE) trees were assessed for antioxidant content and cardioprotective potential against I/R. Graded concentrations (1-50 μg/mL) of CGCE or KGCE were tested on Langendorff-perfused rat hearts to evaluate the effects on the flow rate, heart rate, and force of cardiac contraction, while another set of hearts were subjected to biochemical analyses.