Adebowale Benard Saba

Introduction: Alterations of antioxidant defense, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration are common pathological occurrences associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of Launaea taraxacifolia (LT), popularly known as African Wild lettuce, against neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit. Methods: Adult Wistar rats were used following random assignment into groups 1 to 5. Group one was the normal control. Groups four to five received 40 mg/kg Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In addition to L-NAME exposure, groups three and four received 100 and 200 mg/kg LT, whereas group five received 10 mg/kg lisinopril. The experiment lasted for five weeks. Markers of oxidative stress, neurobehavioural studies, histology, and immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin for staining astrocytes, microglia, and Purkinje cells were determined. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl in the L-NAME alone group were heightened compared to those treated with LT. However, treatment with LT significantly reduced neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurobehavioural changes. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining revealed heightened glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin as indicated by astrogliosis, microgliosis, and Purkinje cell degeneration in untreated rats. Moreover, the observed ultrastructural anarchy induced by L-NAME was restored in rats treated with LT (P<0.05). Conclusion: Together, the leaf extract of LT can be effective as a neuroprotective drug candidate.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus has become a global pandemic with unprecedented mortality and morbidity along with attendant financial and economic crises. Furthermore, COVID-19 can easily be transmitted regardless of religion, race, sex, or status. Globally, high hospitalization rates of COVID-19 patients have been reported, and billions of dollars have been spent to contain the pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, which has a significant role in the entry of the virus into the host cell. ACE2 is highly expressed in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs, upper esophagus, stratified epithelial cells, and other tissues in the body. The diminished expressions of ACE2 have been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and immune system dysregulation. Overall, the potential drug candidates that could serve as ACE2 activators or enhance the expression of ACE2 in a disease state, such as COVID-19, hold considerable promise in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviews the therapeutic potential and pharmacological benefits of the novel ACE2 in the management of COVID-19 using search engines, such as Google, Scopus, PubMed, and PubMed Central.

Background and Aim: High salt diet and uninephrectomy are associated with high blood pressure with attendant cardiovascular disease conditions such as hypertension, renal damage, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of consumption of cocoa and cocoa-containing products in the management of high blood pressure in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods: The effect of cocoa powder on blood pressure, markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and histopathology were investigated in uninephrectomized animals fed with cocoa feed alone or in combination with a high salt diet. Male rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group A was the control group and fed with normal feed alone, Group B was fed with cocoa feed alone, Group C was fed with high salt diet (8% salt), Group D was fed with cocoa-feed compounded with 8% salt for 4 weeks after uninephrectomy, and Group E was uninephrectomized rats on a normal diet. The left kidneys of animals in Groups C, D, and E were removed by surgery. After 4 weeks of treatment, the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure was measured. The serum markers of renal damage and oxidative stress were determined. Histological examination was also performed on renal and cardiac tissues. Results: Results showed significant increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal damage with a concomitant decrease in antioxidant status in hypertensive uninephrectomized rats. Cocoa feed, however, significantly improved blood pressure and nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant status and reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusion: These findings show that cocoa powder could be used to maintain blood pressure levels in hypertensive rats through its antioxidant capacity.

Authors: Adebowale Saba and Olayinka Oridupa