Gongronema Latifolium Research Articles

Evaluating the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats

Evaluating the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats

The Effects of Aqueous Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolia on the Defense System of Diabetic Rabbits

This study was conducted to determine the effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolia on the defense system of diabetic rabbits. This study was carried out in the Agriculture Laboratory of the Department of Animal Science, University of Uyo, Uyo. A total of Twenty five (25) rabbits consisting of 10 males and 15 females were randomly from animal house of University of Uyo, Uyo. The experimental animals were allowed two weeks of stabilization period and feeding trials lasted for twelve weeks. Five rabbits were randomly allocated to each treatment. The floor of the pens were cleaned daily, feed and water were provided ad libitum. Leaves were air dried under shade for ten days, all leaves were threshed carefully to separate leaves from twigs before blending. Twenty percent (20%) of M. oleifera, (20%) G. latifolia (20%) leaf meals were added to each supplemented diet. The proximate composition, nutritional factors and vitamin content of air dried G. latifolia, and M. oleiferaleaves were separately analyzed using standard methods to have 26.92% crude protein, 13.60% crude fibre, 10.25% Ash, 11.90% moisture and 2129IUvitamin A,6.05%vitamin C, 805.5mg/100g of G. latifolia, and M. oleifera had 26.96% crude protein, 9.60% crude fibre, 7.13% Ash, 14.23% moisture and 1806IU vitamin A, 7.43% vitamin C, and 666.6mg/100g vitamin E. The results of the study showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment in final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and total body weight gain. The effect of treatment on feed conversion ratio were significantly different (P<0.05) in favour of rabbits on M. oleifera leaf meal T1 and G. latifolium leaf meal T2.Also, other growth performance parameters – daily weight gain and final body weight were better(P<0.05) and higher for rabbits on M. oleifera leaf T1 and G. latifolium leaf T2 diets. Average daily weight gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio values of 10.20 ± 0.54g, 1.52 ± 0.18kg and33.00 ± 2.89 was reported for rabbits on T1, respectively, while the respective values recorded for rabbits on T2 were 10.23 ± 0.81g, 1.44 ± 0.12kg and 31.85 ± 3.42. Average feed intake was higher for rabbits in T1 (1024g/day) and lowest for those in T2 (830g/day). The feed cost/kg gain was lowest for rabbits in T1 (40.34). Graded doses of the leaves extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg oral) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Following treatment, Moringa oleifera (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg oral) produced highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels at 2nd hour in fasted normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. But, maximum percentage reduction in blood glucose was seen with 200mg/kg dose when compared to control. The same thing was applicable with aqueous extract gongronema latifolium leaves. It was therefore concluded that the leaves of moringa oleifera and gongronema administered at the dosages used and for the duration of the experiment had significant treatment effects the defense system of diabetic rabbits and finally that the use of both herbs simultaneously will have higher effects in treatment of diabetics than when used differently. Implications and recommendations were made from the findings of the study.

A Review of Nigerian Potential Hop Substitutes in Beer Brewing: 1983-2020

The Nigerian economy depended mainly on crude oil during the era of oil boom of 1973 which lasted up till1983. Agriculture was grossly neglected by successive governments. Following the economic recession that occurred years after and due to fall in crude oil price, the Nigerian government began to advocate for economic diversification. Consequently, agriculture became the area of interest and priority for industrial raw material sources. Unfortunately, Nigeria had imbibed the tradition of importing raw materials for all her industrial productions thereby creating unfavourable balance of trade between Nigeria and her foreign trading partners thus resulting in increase in the prices of finished products. Beer production is not exempted from the price increase since its raw materials are equally imported with their attendant problems on Nigeria’s foreign exchange. One of such raw materials is hops. The hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a perennial dioecious climbing plant of hemp (cannabis) family and belonging to the order (urticales) which are grown in the temperate regions of the world, solely to meet the demand of the brewing industry. Hop extracts give beer its bitter taste, improve foam stability and act as antiseptics towards microorganisms. The quest to substitute hops with some tropical bitter vegetables in Nigeria’s brewing industry dates back to 1983 and since that time, many have compared hop extracts with those of Nigerian bitter plants such as Garcinia kola, Azadirachta indica, Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolium. This review takes a critical look on the efforts made so far since 1983 in investigating the potentiality of using Nigerian bitter plant extracts as suitable substitute for those of hop in the Nigerian brewing industry with special emphasis on Gas Chromatography Mass–Spectrometry (GC–MS) and Gas Chromatography–Flame Ionization Detector (GC–FID) techniques. It was concluded that none of the Nigerian plants has perfect potential as suitable substitute for hops in the Nigerian brewing industry. Consequently, further research efforts in the area of mixtures/blends of extract of plant species which mimic hop taste is strongly recommended.

Toxicity of aquaeous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles

A static bioassay experiment was set up to investigate effects of acute (96-hrLC50) concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles. Evaluation of toxicity of leaf extracts at concentrations of: 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100mg/l was done at various time intervals on the fish. A total of 180 catfish juveniles with average initial weight of 8.37±1.36g and total length of 12.10±2.45cm were used. The fish were distributed among the treatments on complete randomized design. Each treatment had three replicates. The results showed that aqueous leaf extracts were toxic to experimental fish. There was an observed erratic movement, colour change from black to ash-brown and dark coloured belly of treated fish. There were slight changes in water quality parameters, with no significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on the tolerance level of fish on G. latifolium leaf extracts. Mean values of 96-hrLC50 were 90.14mg/l and 2.78mg/l for the upper and lower limits while the threshold value was 0.26mg/l. Phyto-chemical analysis of the leaves showed constituents of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthrocyanide, alkaloids and glycosides. Effects of aqueous extracts on haematological indices revealed increasing values of pack cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular heamoglobin and mean corpuscular heamoglobin concentration counts with extract concentration. Thus, G. latifolium could be used as feed additive for improved fish production at concentration below 70%.&#x0D; Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, leaf extracts, behaviour, haematology, Clarias gariepinus

Evaluation of Planting Distance and Poultry Manure on Performance of Utasi (Gongronema latifolium)

Gongronema latifolium (Benth) commonly call ‘ Utasi”, or “Arokeke” in local Nigerian languages (Igbo and yoruba) names belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae is a neglected vegetable in Nigeria. The plant has high economic importance, the leaves, stem and roots are very useful for food, medicine and other domestic purposes. Studies were conducted to determine effects of poultry manure and planting distance on the growth and yield of utasi (Gongronema latifolium) in a tropical utisol of the Cross River University of Technology, Department of Agronomy ,Faculty of Agriculture, Obubra, Cross River state, Nigeria in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The experimental design was a 4 x 5 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 4 planting distances of 100 X 40, 100 X 60, 100 X 80 and 100 X 100cm and five rates of poultry manure at 0,1.0, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5. They were 20 treatments combination replicated three times. Data collected on growth and yield parameters were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure. Results showed that wider intra row planting distance gave higher number of leaves, branches and dry matter of plant fractions than closer row planting distance. The application of poultry manure significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased plant height, the number of leaves and branches per plant . Poultry manure rate of 4.5 t/ha recorded the highest leaf area index , number of leaves per plant (36.2) and (38.4) at 50% anthesis in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons respectively. The was significant interaction between poultry manure and planting distance. The highest Gongronema latifolium fresh leaves yield at 21 WAP (151.37g in 2017 and 153.42g in 2018) and dry leaf yield (60.55 g in 2017, and 61.28 g in 2018 ) yield per plant were obtained in wider intra row planting distance of 100 x 100cm that received 3.5 t/ha, poultry manure at 21 weeks after planting, while the closer inter row planting distance of 100 x 40cm that received 3.5 t/ha poultry manure produced the highest fresh leaves yield of (3.512 t/ha in 2018 and 3.613 t/ha in 2019 ) and dry leaf yield of ( 0.788 t/ha in 2017 and 0.986 t/ha in 2018) yield per hectare in both cropping seasons (2017 and 2018).Farmers are advice to cultivate Utasi ( Gongronema latifolium ) at panting distance of 100 x 40 cm with the application of 3.5t/ha poultry manure for optimum growth and yield in an utisol of tropical agro ecological zone.

Effects of Selected Nigerian Medicinal Plants on the Viability, Mobility, and Multidrug-Resistant Mechanisms in Liver, Colon, and Skin Cancer Cell Lines.

Medicinal plants indicated for chronic diseases usually have good safety margins as they are intended for lifelong treatments. We hypothesized that they may provide patients with baseline protection to cancers and multidrug resistance-reversing phytochemicals resulting in successful prevention and/or adjuvant treatment of chemotherapy-resistant cancers. We selected 27 popular herbal infusions widely used in Nigeria for diabetes and studied their effects on a panel of liver (HepG2), colon (Caco2), and skin (B16-F10) cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was measured using the SRB staining assay. The 2D antimigratory effect was evaluated using an Oris™ platform. The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux activity was evaluated using Rh-123 as a fluorescent probe. The inhibition of tyrosinase-mediated melanogenesis was evaluated by colorimetric enzymatic assays. Our results show that melanoma cell proliferation was strongly inhibited by Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae), Bridelia ferruginea (Phyllanthaceae), D. ogea (Leguminosae), and Syzygium guineense (Myrtaceae) extracts (GI50 = 50 µg/ml). Alstonia boonei (Apocynaceae), Gongronema latifolium (Asclepiadaceae), and Strophanthus hispidus (Apocynaceae) were preferentially toxic against Caco2 (GI50 = 50, 5 and 35 µg/ml, respectively). The most active extracts against different drug resistance mechanisms were B. ferruginea (inhibition of P-gp efflux, and impairing tyrosinase activity) and X. americana (inhibition of P-gp efflux). A. leiocarpus, Kaya senegalensis (Meliaceae), S. guineense, and Terminalia avicennioides (Combretaceae) significantly inhibited B16-F10 cell migration. Lupeol, ursolic acid, quercitrin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid were dereplicated by HPLC and HPTLC as their bioactive phytochemicals. In conclusion, the above in-vitro activities of herbal infusions regularly consumed by Nigerian diabetic patients may either act as a baseline chemoprotection or as sensitizing agents.

Antioxidant activities of Celosia argentea Linn and Gongronema latifolium Benth and the antihyperlipidemic effect of the vegetable supplemented diets on fat induced hyperlipidemic rats

The present study investigated the antioxidant activities and antihyperlipidemic effects of varying levels of inclusion of processed green leafy vegetables (Celosia argentea and Gongronema latifolium) on high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The antioxidant assay revealed that the unblanched C. argentea had higher total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DPPH·, ABTS·+, OH· and NO· radical scavenging activities than the blanched Celosia argentea. Conversely, the blanched G. latifolium had higher antioxidant activities than the unblanched G. latifolium. Seventy-five (75) male albino rats of average weight 180 ± 20 g were divided into fifteen (15) groups of five (5) animals each. The rats were fed for 4 weeks on diets specially formulated to contain 5%, 10% and 15% by weight of the leaves of the blanched and unblanched vegetables. lipid profile (TC: total cholesterol, TG: triglycerides, LDL: low density lipoproteins, VLDL: very low density lipoproteins and HDL: high density lipoproteins) and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated. The serum TC, TG, LDL and VLDL which significantly increased (p < 0.0001) in hyperlipidemic control group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05, 0.0001) at all levels of inclusion of the vegetal diets. HDL also increased significantly (p < 0.0001) in groups fed with the vegetal diets. In addition, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities significantly increased (p < 0.05, 0.0001); while TBARS significantly decreased at all levels of inclusion of the vegetal diets. These results suggested that incorporation of C. argentea and G. latifolium into the diet most especially blanched C. argentea and unblanched G. latifolium may have therapeutic potentials in the management of hyperlipidemia and associated complications.

Growth performances, nutrient utilization and haematology of &lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt; juveniles fed varying concentrations of &lt;i&gt;Gongronema latifolium&lt;/i&gt; leaf extracts

There had been growing interest in the use of extracts from different plants species to boost fish production. In this study Gongronema latifolium leaf extract was supplemented in a commercial diet of Clarias gariepinus juveniles at varying concentrations of 0.5g (T2), 1.0g (T3) and 1.5g (T4) per kg of feed while the control (T1) had no leaf extract. They were fed for 8weeks while growth performance and haematological data were collected and analysed. Proximate composition of the fish flesh was carried out after the feeding trials. The initial mean weight ranged between 9.0±0.5 to 9.0±0.7g, the best mean weight gain (14.3±2.0g) was observed in T3 while the least (12.3±6.2) in T2. Specific growth rate recorded was 5.4±0.4, 5.3±0.5, 5.4±0.1 and 5.3±0.2 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in the survival rates among treatments. The best feed conversion ratio was observed in T3 and the control group. The results of haematological indices revealed that red blood count ranged between 3.0±0.1109cells/l in T3 to 33.61±0.2 109cells/l in T1, pack cell volume (38.9±1.3%) was best in T1, the least white blood cell (165.1±4.9109cells/l) in T4 while the highest level (169.8±1.3109cells/l) was recorded in (T1). The platelets and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration showed no significant difference amongst the treatments. The haematological results showed that the leaf extract enhanced the status of some of the haematological parameters such as the white blood cell. The proximate composition of the fish flesh was not significantly different amongst the treatments. The findings of this study also revealed that increase in the concentration of the leaf extract affected the acceptability of the feed hence a decline in growth. Considering the foregoing, G. latifolium leaf extract has shown to have some prospects in aquaculture when supplemented at various concentrations.&#x0D; Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, Clarias gariepinus, haematology, leaf extract, juveniles

Consumption of Gongronema latifolium Aqueous Leaf Extract During Lactation May Improve Metabolic Homeostasis in Young Adult Offspring.

Medicinal plants constitute a fundamental component of the traditional healthcare system in rural communities throughout Africa and Gongronema latifolium (GL), is widely trusted in Nigeria to have strong nutritional and medicinal values. This study was done to determine the effect of maternal consumption of GL during lactation in young adult offspring. Twenty four female albino Wistar rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned to four (4) groups. Group I: Control, Group II, 100 mg kg-1, III, 200 mg kg-1 and IV: 400 mg kg-1 at delivery. The extract was administered orally and daily throughout lactation. At postnatal day 42, offspring of extract-treated groups showed a dose-related significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight, food intake, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and a significant increase in liver weight index, pancreatic weight index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin concentrations of the offspring when compared with control in both sexes. Histological examination showed that GL extract caused histological alterations of the liver structures with various changes in the size of the sinusoids, with mild inflammatory cells without hepatotoxicity and cellular multiplication when compared with control. This study suggested that consumption of GL extract by lactating dams may improve metabolic homeostasis in young adult offspring.

EFFECT OF SODIUM ARSENITE ON THE KIDNEY AND ITS REMEDY WITH COMBINED EXTRACTS OF ALLIUM SATIVUM AND GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM USING RATS

Sodium arsenite is a toxicant with nephrotoxic potential. This study proves that combined extracts of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum can protect the kidney from this toxicity. Fifty male Wistar rats (115 - 280g) were obtained for this experiment. They were sustained with commercial rat’s feed pellets and water. The rats were grouped into ten groups of five rats each. Group1 rats were the normal control, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite intraperitoneally on day 1only, day 1 - 7 and day 7 only, respectively. Groups 5 and 6 rats were administered with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum respectively through oral gavaging from day 1 - 6, and 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite intraperitoneally on day 7, respectively. Group 7 rats were administered with 100mg/kgbw each of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum through oral gavaging from day 1 – 6, and 10mg/kgbw of sodium arsenite intraperitoneally on day 7. Groups 8 and 9 rats were administered with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium only and Allium sativum only, respectively through oral gavaging. Group 10 rats were treated with 100mg/kg bw each of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum through oral gavaging from day 1 to 7. The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration and blood sample was collected for kidney function tests, and also the kidney for histological analysis. The results showed that the rats treated with sodium arsenite only, for different durations, had different degrees of nephrotic damage while those treated with single extracts and the toxicant showed moderate damage. The group treated with combined extracts and the toxicant was completely protected from all forms of nephrotic damage as evidently observed. KEYWORDS: Allium sativum; Gongronema latifolium; kidney; nephrotoxicity; rats; sodium arsenite..

Phytochemical Screening, GC-MS Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Three Medicinal Plants From Nigeria

Phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and antioxidant activity of some medicinal plants were investigated using standard methods. Leaves of Gongronema latifolium, Petrocarpus mildbraedii, and Piper guineense plants were prepared properly and used in the entire study. Results of phytochemical screening for the plants revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, reducing sugars amongst others at different concentrations. Results of GC-MS analysis for G.latifolium showed a total of thirty-three compounds of which Cyclohexano, 2-l(methlaminomethyl)-trans had the highest retention time, squalene had the highest molecular weight and phytol had the highest peak area. GC-MS result for P.mildbraedii revealed a total of twenty-three of which Acatamide,2,2,2-trichloro- had the highest retention time, Erucic acid had the highest molecular weight whereas n-Hexadecanoic acid the highest peak area. Only ten compound were observed in P.guineense of which Ethyl (3-hydroxyphenyl) carbamate had the highest retention time, Benzaminde, N-(4,5-dichloro-1,3-benzothiazol-2yl)-3,5-dimethoxy- had the highest molecular weight and Benzene, 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-(2-propenyl)- has the highest peak area in P. guineense. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts as assessed, followed the order P.guineense &gt; G.latifolium&gt; P. mildbraedii in comparative with ascorbic acid used as the control. The observed compounds become very important when the usefulness of these plants as medicinal plants are considered. They could as well be behind the antioxidant property of the plants in this study. This study has revealed the phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and antioxidant activity of some medicinal plants.

Sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity and the ameliorative effects of combined extracts of Allium sativum and Gongronema latifolium in rats

This study evaluates the ameliorative combined effects of combined extract of Allium sativum and Gongronema latifolium in sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Fifty male rats were obtained and used, sustained with commercial rat feed and water. The rats were grouped into ten groups of five rats each. Group1 rats were the normal control, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated for different durations with 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite, Groups 5 and 6 rats were treated with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum, and 10mg/kg bw of sodium arsenite, respectively. Groups 7 and 8 were treated with 200mg/kg bw of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum, respectively. Group 10 rats were treated with 100mg/kg bw each of Gongronema latifolium and Allium sativum. The extracts and sodium arsenite were administered orally and intraperitoneally respectively. After seven days of treatments, the rats were sacrificed and blood sample was collected for liver function indices, and also the liver for histological analysis. The results indicated that the liver of the rats treated with different durations of the toxicant suffered different degrees of damage while the single extracts and toxicant treated groups indicated minimal hepatotoxicity when compared to the groups treated with sodium arsenite alone and the normal group. The combined extracts treated groups effectively ameliorated the sodium arsenite induced hepatotoxicity as judged.

Ameliorative effect of Gongronema latifolium leaf extract on alloxan-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats model

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) pathogenesis is complex, and the management options for DCM are limited. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Gongronema latifolium leaf extract on DCM in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes by an intraperitoneal injection of (150 mg/kg). Three diabetic groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium at 6.36, 12.72, and 25.44 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) respectively; a group was administered with metformin (5 mg/kg BW), while the other two served as positive and negative control. Thereafter, fasting blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde level, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac Troponin I, C-reactive protein, and TNF-α were determined by standard methods. Aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the alloxan-induced increases in blood glucose, malondialdehyde, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac Troponin I, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α and increased the alloxan-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione transferase activities. All these changes were compared with those of metformin-treated diabetic rats. The data from this study suggest that aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium ameliorated DCM by inhibiting redox imbalance and inflammation in diabetic rats.

Gongronema latifolium Benth. leaf extract attenuates diabetes-induced neuropathy via inhibition of cognitive, oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Gongronema latifolium (G. latifolium) Benth. leaves are traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) and other diseases in Nigeria and West Africa. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf against DM. Antidiabetic activity of G. latifolium extracts (6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg kg-1 , i.p.) was determined in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose level and oxidative stress markers catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. Cognitive biomarkers acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), dopamine (DOPA), serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were measured in the brain of controls and of G. latifolium-treated diabetic rats. Administration of G. latifolium leaf extract to diabetic rats significantly restored the alterations in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). The MDA and NO levels were significantly reduced with an improvement in CAT, SOD, and GPx activity in the kidneys and brains of diabetic rats treated with G. latifolium. Gongronema latifolium also significantly decreased the levels of AChE, BChE, DOPA, serotonin, epinephrine, and nor-epinephrine in diabetic rats. G. latifolium effectively ameliorated COX-2 in diabetic rats. This study showed that leaf extract of G. latifolium improved antioxidant defense against oxidative stress. It displays a neuroprotective effect resulting in the modulation of brain neurotransmitters, which could be considered as a promising treatment therapy. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum basilicum Extracts on Antioxidant and Physicochemical Characteristics of Smoked Beef Stored under Room Temperature

Introduction: Incessant health risks associated with chemical preservatives have resorted to the need of exploring natural alternatives with antioxidant potentials in meat processing. In this study, the effect of Ocimum basilicum (OBE) and Gongronema latifolium (GLE) extracts were evaluated in smoked beef during 9 days of room storage (25±1°C).&#x0D; Methodology: Beef samples were prepared from freshly cut rounds (2 kg each) allotted to four groups containing Nitrite, OBE, GLE and OBE+GLE respectively. Prepared beef samples were subjected to physicochemical (cooking loss, yield and colour), sensory characteristics, pH and lipid oxidative analyses. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05.&#x0D; Results: No significant change was observed in cooking yield and colour although higher values occurred in control samples. OBE and GLE inclusions exhibited a marked potential in sensory characteristics such as flavour, texture, tenderness, juiciness with the panelists rating the latter as the samples with overall acceptability. Results in storage period showed a significant progression in TBARS and pH values in all treatments with the highest and lowest values observed in control and OBE treatments.&#x0D; Conclusion: GLE treated beef showed a marked efficacy throughout the storage period than the other extract-treated samples. With the need to provide natural alternatives against chemical preservatives, exploring its synergistic effects with other cheap, accessible and rich bioactive sources will be imperative in shelf life extension of meat.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Profiling of Hops and Some Nigerian Potential Hop Substitutes: Comparative Studies in Beer Brewing

Isomerized hop extract and methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica, Garcinia kola, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina were profiled by the application of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The isomerized hop extract and ethanolic extracts of the plant species were used to brew beers. The aim was to study the GC-MS profiles of all the extracts comparatively and to investigate some physicochemical properties of beers brewed with hop extracts and in comparison, with beers brewed with extracts from the four Nigerian plants. The profiling of the metabolites in hop extracts and those of the Nigerian plants was carried out using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer. The physicochemical properties of the finished beer products were also carried out using standard methods. Beers brewed with extracts from the Nigerian plants were statistically ranked by the application of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to ascertain their potentiality. The GCMS results showed that these plants contained metabolites comparable to those of hops, although some metabolites [dehydro-cohumulunic acid; 4,4-dimethyl- 2-buten-4-olide; 1,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid; lupulone; 2,5-dimethyl-2-hexanol; 4,4,5,5-tetramethylbicyclo hexyl-6-ene-2,3-dione; octadecanoic acid, oxiranyl methyl ester and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic, bis(-2-ethyl hexyl) ester] present in hops were absent in the Nigerian plants. Isomerized hop, hop leaf, G. kola and V. amygdalina extracts contained 14, 11, 12 and 9 metabolites respectively while those of A. indca and G. latifolium contained 10 metabolites each. The physicochemical properties of the brewed beers revealed that the alcohol content in all the beer samples ranged from 3.43-3.75%, total acidity (0.132-0.324%), pH (5.47-5.68), turbidity (5-125NTU), total solids (3.66- 8.16%) and bitterness level (25.38-39.62IBU). The concentration of arsenic in the beer samples ranged from 1.44- 1.77ppm, cadmium (0.00-0.97ppm) and copper (0.10-2.70ppm). Test of significant (p-value) in all the tested plants was greater than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Consequently, the extracts from tested Nigerian plants could be used as suitable substitutes for hops in beer brewing without alteration of physicochemical properties of beer, G. kola having the greatest potential as substitute for hops.

Traditional soups in Nigeria: A review of six botanicals

Ethnobotanical investigations by workers have revealed the use of juvenile leaves of Cissus populnea L. (ogbolo), Sesamum indicum L. (eeku),Gongronema latifolium Benth. (Madunmaro), Mangifera indica L. (Mongoro), Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Odunkun) and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Araba) for preparing soups in Nigeria. In spite of this, the consumption of these traditional soups seems to be abandoned and only consumed during scarcity of commonly used vegetables such as Corchorus olitorius L. (Ewedu). Certain traditional soups are associated with particular Nigerian ethnic groups. As examples, Gongronema latifolium to Igbo people of southeast Nigeria, while Sesamum indicum to the Yorubas and Hausas, southwest and northern Nigeria respectively. For ethnomedicinal purposes Cissus populnea and Sesamum indicum soups enhance sexual performance in men as well as production and cleansing of sperm. Mangifera indica soup is used as anti-anaemic; Gongronema latifolium soup forms part of a recipe for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Ceiba pentandra soup is used for treating diarrhoea disorder. Despite the therapeutic and nutritional benefits of the soups, their consumption is gradually waning due to erosion of traditional knowledge and deforestation of medicinal plants occasioned by increasing urbanization. This review documents the therapeutic uses and pharmacological effects of six medicinal plants used as traditional soups, with the view that an awareness of their health benefits could lead to a resurgence of their consumption in diet.

&lt;i&gt;In vitro&lt;/i&gt; evaluation of antisickling activity of herbal combination of three medicinal plants

Sickle cell disorder is a genetic ailment with enormous social and economic burden for patients and caregivers. The most promising management apart from being expensive particularly for poor African people, faces some major incompatibility problems. The patients consequently rely on herbal therapy which could be prepared in single or combination forms to manage the painful episodes and its complications. This present study aimed to formulate polyherbal combination and evaluate three purposively selected plants previously reported for their antisickling activities. The polyherbal products were formulated using both aqueous and 70% ethanol extracts into different combinational ratio with the best in 1:1:1 and evaluated for its antisickling activity. The antisickling activity involved both the inhibitory and reversal effects at varying concentrations from 1.0 mg/ml to 6.0 mg/ml using ciklavit as the positive control. The best inhibitory activity was found in ethanol extract of Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Cymbopogon citratus (PGC) with 70.09 ± 0.67% when compared with the positive control (59.25 ± 0.05%) at 4.0 mg/mg while the reversal ability was 67.87 ± 1.23%. The aqueous extracts of the combinations had activity above 50% with the exception of PGC (2:3:1) which is a little less than 50% (46.67 ± 0.98%) while the highest was 60.02 ± 0.87%. The polyherbal ethanol extract had better effects than the aqueous extract and the standard drug used in this study.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity of antisickling polyherbal extract in Wistar albino rats

Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Cymbopogon citratus (PGC) serve as an effective polyherbal antisickling extract used in the management of sickle cell disorder. This present study assessed the toxicity effect of the ethanol leaf extract of PGC in rats. The acute oral toxicity test of the polyherbal was evaluated in albino rats using a single-dose based on behavioral changes and mortality. Sub-acute toxicological evaluation of PGC was examined using biochemical, hematological and histopathological methods. Biochemical analysis was carried out using liver markers enzymes, kidney markers enzymes, and lipid profiles. The hematological measurement includes white blood cell counts (WBC), Lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), granulocytes (GRAN), Red blood cell count (RBC). The organs (liver, kidney, and heart) were collected and prepared using standard protocols with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological evaluation. The acute toxicity study of ethanol leaf extract of PGC up to the limit dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of the animals used did not produce any signs and symptoms of toxic effects or mortality after 48 hrs. of oral administration. There were no significant differences (p &lt; 0.001) in the observed values between the control and the treated groups for all the biochemical and hematological parameters analyzed. Histopathological evaluation of the organs demonstrated mild degeneration in the kidney and liver while the heart revealed no pathological changes in the treated group of rats. The result of acute toxicity indicates that the combined antisickling polyherbal PGC extract appeared to be safe and non- toxic. Our findings for the 28 days daily oral administration of PGC extract was dose dependent and well tolerated by the animals. Although, slight changes were observed in some biochemical parameters and histology of the kidney and liver at high doses when compared with control rats. Therefore, the consumption of the antisickling polyherbal PGC extract orally should be used encouraged at lower doses and high doses should be avoided for the management of sickle cell disorder until subjected to further cytotoxicity evaluation. &#x0D; Keywords: Polyherbal combination, acute toxicity, subacute toxicity, biochemical parameter, hematological parameter, histopathological parameters.

Gongronema latifolium leaf extract modulates hyperglycaemia, inhibits redox imbalance and inflammation in alloxan-induced diabetic nephropathy.

Gongronema latifolium leaf is used traditionally to treat diabetes and other diseases. The present study aimed to provide the modulatory effect of G. latifolium on hyperglycemia, inhibitory effect of redox imbalance and inflammation in alloxan-induced nephropathy in Wistar rats. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes by an intraperitoneal injection of (150mg/kg). Three diabetic groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of G. latifolium at 6.36, 12.72 and 25.44mg/kg bodyweight (BW) respectively; a group was administered with metformin (5mg/kg BW), while the other two were served as positive and negative control. Thereafter, fasting blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, interleukin 2 and 6 were determined. G. latifolium leaf significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the alloxan-induced increases in blood glucose, MDA, interleukin 2 and interleukin 6 level and increased the alloxan-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reduced and glutathione transferase activity. All these changes compared with those of metformin-treated diabetic rats. The data from this study suggest that G. latifolium modulates glucose homeostasis as well as inhibiting redox imbalance and inflammation in diabetic rats, which may be attributed to the effects of its phytochemical constituents such as saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. It also indicated that inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and redox imbalance are likely mechanisms by which G. latifolium leaf exert its antidiabetic action.