Browsing by Author "Akinmoladun AC"

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    Antioxidant activity and protective effects of cocoa and kola nut mistletoe (Globimetula cupulata) against ischemia/reperfusion injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts
    (2016) Akinmoladun AC; Olowe JA; Komolafe K; Ogundele J; Olaleye MT
    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. Both extracts showed good antioxidant content and activity, but KGCE (EC50: 24.8±1.8 μg/mL) showed higher hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than CGCE (70.2±4.5 μg/mL). Both extracts at 3 μg/mL reversed (p < 0.001) membrane peroxidation and the significant decrease in nitrite level, coronary flow rate, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activity caused by the I/R cycle. It is concluded that G. cupulata protects against ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat hearts via augmenting endogenous antioxidants and significant restoration of altered hemodynamic parameters.
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    Nutritional benefits, phytochemical constituents, ethnomedicinal uses and biological properties of Miracle fruit plant (Synsepalum dulcificum Shumach. & Thonn. Daniell)
    (2020) Akinmoladun AC; Adetuyi AR; Komolafe K; Oguntibeju OO
    Miracle fruit plant or Miracle berry plant (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a peculiar medicinal plant because of the unique taste-modifying property of its fruit which is due to the presence of the glycoprotein, miraculin. This property has been known for centuries to the people of tropical Western and Central Africa who also employ different parts of the plant in the management of various ailments. Scientific investigations have unravelled several pharmacological properties of the plant which include antidiabetic, blood cholesterol-lowering, anti-hyperuricaemia, antioxidant, anticonvulsant and anticancer properties. Also, subacute administration of the plant extract up to 200 mg/kg was not found to be toxic in rats. Apart from miraculin, other pharmacologically active compounds have been identified in the plant including alkaloids (dihydro-feruloyl-5-methoxytyramine, N-cis-caffeoyltyramine, N-cis-feruloyl-tyramine), lignins (+-syringaresinol, +-epi-syringaresinol), phytosterols, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and amino acids. The plant has also been credited with notable nutritional benefits. Proper documentation of available information on folkloric use, biological activity, constituent phytocompounds, and nutritional benefits of ethnobotanicals will go a long way in affording optimal benefits from their therapeutic potentials. This can also aid in the conservation of species at risk of extinction. This work presents an up-to-date review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, biological and nutritional properties of Synsepalum dulcificum.
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    Reversal of acetaminophen-generated oxidative stress and concomitant hepatotoxicity by a phytopharmaceutical product
    (2017) Akinmoladun AC; Oguntunde KO; Owolabi LO; Ilesanmi OB; Ogundele JO; Olaleye MT; Akindahunsi AA
    The increasing popularity of herbal medicine and the well-established health benefits of phytochemicals have spurred the multiplicity of nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical products. In this study, Trévo™, a nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical product, was evaluated for beneficial effects in acetaminophen-induced hepatic toxicity in Wistar rats. Animals received Trévo™ (1.5mL/kg, 3.0mL/kg or 4.5mL/kg) orally for 14 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the oral administration of acetaminophen (2g/kg), 24h prior to sacrifice. Biochemical liver function tests, oxidative stress indicators and histoarchitectural changes were evaluated. Acetaminophen administration occasioned significant increase (P<0.05) in serum bilirubin level and activities of the aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase accompanied by a significant decrease (P<0.05) in albumin level as well as histopathological alterations in liver sections. Promotion of hepatic oxidative stress by acetaminophen was revealed by significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation, depletion of reduced glutathione, and decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Administration of Trévo™ remarkably ameliorated acetaminophen-induced histopathological alterations and changes in serum and tissue biochemical markers. The protective effect of Trévo™ (4.5mL/kg) was at par with that of Silymarin (25mg/kg). The present study indicates that Trévo™ has notable salubrious effects.