Omokolade Oluwaseyi Alejolowo

Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) is a plant with acclaimed multi-therapeutic properties in different parts of the plant. This research investigated the effect of fermented walnut supplemented diet on cadmium-induced toxicity in the liver and brain of rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each weighing between 90-140 g. Group 1 received 5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and normal rat feed. Group 2 received a normal rat diet while groups 3 and 4 received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride, and 5% and 10% walnut supplemented feed respectively. Cadmium (Cd) was administered daily for 6 weeks by oral intubation. Rats were sacrificed 24 hrs after the final treatment. Cd exposure elicited increased activities of Acetylcholinesterase, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase as well as elevated Glutathione levels. In addition, Cd exposure caused increases in rat plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentration. The fermented walnut supplemented diet restored some rats’ biochemical parameter to near normal comparable to control. Our study shows that walnut supplemented food could substantially moderate Cd-induced toxicity in rat liver and brain while providing health and nutritional benefits. Hence, it could be useful for occupationally exposed individuals as a dietary intervention to reduce adverse health effects.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the main challenges occurring among men worldwide, and is characterised by trouble getting or keeping steady erection during sexual intercourse. Various drugs like sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor (PDE‐5) are freely available in the pharmacies, though normally associated with several adverse. This study was designed to assess the molecular relations obtainable between catechin, garcinal, garcinoic acid and d‐tocotrienol compounds isolated from Garcinia kola and targeted receptor linked to ED. These processes include the molecular docking of catechin, garcinal, garcinoic acid, d‐tocotrienol, and sildenafil to receptor: PDE‐5 via AutoDock Vina. Following the docking of catechin, garcinal, garcinoic acid and d‐tocotrienol with the PDE‐5‐receptor protein, we observed that all are protein inhibitors with garcinoic acid showing better binding affinity −10.0 kcal/mol with PDE‐5 receptor relevant to ED. Hence, the results provided insights into the development of garcinoic acid as a replacement for present ED management, with further analysis worth considering.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) like Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease predominantly pose a significant socioeconomic burden. Characterized by progressive neural dysfunction coupled with motor or intellectual impairment, the pathogenesis of ND may result from contributions of certain environmental and molecular factors. One such condition is hypoxia, characterized by reduced organ/tissue exposure to oxygen. Reduced oxygen supply often occurs during the pathogenesis of ND and the aging process. Despite the well‐established relationship between these two conditions (i.e., hypoxia and ND), the underlying molecular events or mechanisms connecting hypoxia to ND remain ill‐defined. However, the relatedness may stem from the protective or deleterious effects of the transcription factor, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α). The upregulation of HIF‐1α occurs in the pathogenesis of most NDs. The dual function of HIF‐1α in acting as a “killer factor” or a “protective factor” depends on the prevailing local cellular condition. The kynurenine pathway is a metabolic pathway involved in the oxidative breakdown of tryptophan. It is essential in neurotransmission and immune function and, like hypoxia, associated with ND. Thus, a good understanding of factors, including hypoxia (i.e., the biochemical implication of HIF‐1α) and kynurenine pathway activation in NDs, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease could prove beneficial to new therapeutic approaches for this disease, thus the aim of this review.

Invertases are enzymes that hydrolyze sucrose to produce equimolar mixture of glucose and fructose. They are widely used in various industrial food applications. The aim of this study was to isolate, partially purify, and characterize invertase from Citrullus lanatus rind. Invertase isolated from C. lanatus rind was purified to 46.94 folds with 23.19% yield by means of ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme has an optimum temperature of 50 °C and maximum activity at pH 7 and a relatively high activity at pH 4. Invertase enzyme from C. lanatus rind maintained its activity at 50 °C and 95 °C after 20 minutes of incubation. Maximum activity of the enzyme occurred at 0.25 M sucrose concentration. Kinetic parameters, Vmax and Km were 15 mM and 40 µM/min, respectively. C. lanatus rind invertase was competitively inhibited by Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , Mg 2+ and Ag 2+ , while Co 2+ enhanced its activity. Zn 2+ has relatively little or no effect on the activity. Thus, C. lanatus rind may be employed as a local source for the production of invertase enzyme.