DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

The interaction between plant fibers and digestive enzymes is a critical aspect of gastrointestinal physiology, and plant fibers from traditional medicinal plants have attracted attention for their potential effects on digestive processes and metabolic health. However, the specific effects of Irvingia gabonensis (bush mango), Hunteria umbellata (osu), and Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) fibers on key small intestinal enzymes in a mammalian model are not fully elucidated. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of these plant fibers on the activities of disaccharidases (maltase, lactase, sucrase) and alkaline phosphatase, as well as total protein content and body weight, in the small intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. Fifty-four (54) male wistar rats were divided into nine (9) groups of six (6) animals each, Control 1- fiber-free group, Control 2 Fybogel 1.5 %, Fybogel 3.0 %, Bush mango 5.0 %, Bush mango 10.0 %, Okra 5.0 %, Okra 10.0 %, Osu 5.0 %, and Osu 10.0 %. The animals were fed formulated diets containing different concentrations of each plant fiber for 36 days. The primary data collected were measurements of enzymatic activity, total protein content, and body weight gain. Enzyme activities (maltase, lactase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase) were assessed using spectrophotometric assays on the small intestinal mucosal homogenates. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant variations in enzymatic activity, total protein, and body weight gain across the different dietary groups, with a threshold of p < 0.05 defining statistical significance. The findings demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) variations in enzymatic activity and metabolic parameters across the fiber-supplemented groups. Lactase activity was significantly elevated (122% increase) in the I. gabonensis 10.0 g group but significantly reduced by both doses of A. esculentus and the H. umbellata 10.0 g dose. Sucrase activity was consistently reduced across all plant fiber treatments, with H. umbellata showing the greatest reduction (44% decrease). Notably, alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in all fiber-supplemented diets compared to the fiber-free control (ranging from 105% to 353% increase). All plant fibers also significantly (p < 0.05) increased total protein content (up to 76% increase) and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced body weight gain (up to 35% decrease) compared to the control. These results suggested that supplementation with these plant fibers significantly modulated intestinal enzyme xi activities and influenced metabolic processes. The significant alterations in enzyme activities and weight control highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of I. gabonensis, H. umbellata, and A. esculentus fibers in improving gastrointestinal health and metabolic function.

This study evaluated the comparative effects of standard pharmacotherapy (Lisinopril/Glibenclamide) and an aqueous extract combination of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata on metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive/diabetic rats. The hypertensive/diabetic rats showed reduced body weight, elevated fasting blood glucose, and increased blood pressure indices confirming disease induction. Treatment with Lisinopril/Glibenclamide significantly restored body weight and normalized blood glucose and blood pressure. The plant extract also improved these parameters, with a more pronounced effect on weight gain, moderate glucose lowering, and significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures. Cardiovascular autonomic function was improved as indicated by heart rate stabilization. Lipid profile analysis revealed that, while standard therapy unexpectedly increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, the combined Cleome/Hunteria extract markedly improved lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and eliminating detectable VLDL levels, while significantly increasing HDL cholesterol. These results suggest that the plant extract may modulate lipid metabolism more effectively than standard drugs. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata aqueous extract exert beneficial effects on anthropometric, glycemic, hemodynamic, and lipid parameters in hypertensive/diabetic rats. This suggests potential cardiometabolic protective properties via biochemical pathways involving glucose homeostasis, vascular tone regulation, and lipid metabolism. Further mechanistic and clinical investigations are warranted to confirm its therapeutic viability. This summary aligns with literature reporting reduced body weight gain in hypertensive and diabetic rat models due to metabolic derangement and catabolism. The plant extract’s enhancement of body weight may reflect improved anabolic state and nutrient utilization, while its lipid-lowering effect suggests modulation of lipoprotein metabolism enzymes.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are leading global health concerns with increasing prevalence and significant morbidity. The comorbidity of these conditions exacerbates complications, necessitating novel therapeutic interventions. Simarouba glauca, a medicinal plant with reported antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties, was investigated for its potential ameliorative effects on these conditions. This study assessed the comparative effects of hydro-methanol and acetone extracts of Simarouba glauca on gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in L- NAME/streptozotocin-induced hypertensive/diabetic male Wistar rats. Fifty-two male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups, including normotensive/non-diabetic controls, hypertensive/diabetic controls, and treatment groups receiving either hydro-methanol or acetone extracts at 50 mg/kg body weight. Hypertension and diabetes were induced using L- NAME (40 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), respectively. Plasma and liver GGT activity were measured spectrophotometrically after a 28-day treatment period. The hypertensive/diabetic control group exhibited significantly elevated liver GGT activity (14.282 ± 3.828 U/L) compared to normotensive/non-diabetic controls (4.632 ± 0.00 U/L), indicating hepatic stress. The hydro-methanol extract resulted in a two-fold increase in plasma GGT (4.632 ± 0.00 U/L), while the acetone extract caused a more modest rise (2.6055 ± 0.500
U/L). The acetone extract demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect, reducing liver GGT activity to 11.895 ± 1.799 U/L, whereas the hydro-methanol extract did not significantly ameliorate hepatic
stress.

Dietary cholesterol plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health. Consuming high
amounts of cholesterol can lead to hyperlipidemia and cardiac dysfunction. This study aims to
investigate the effect of frying of egg yolk with groundnut oil on the lipid profile and histological
changes in the heart of female Wistar rats (Rattus norvigecus). A total of sixteen female Wistar rats were divided into four groups labelled I-IV. Group I was administered soybean, groundnu t oil fried egg yolk, corn, premix, soybean oil, group II was administered synthetic cholesterol, corn, premix, soybean oil, soybean, group III was administered corn, premix, soybean oil, soybean and group IV was administered normal feed (grower mash) for 42 days. The rats had unrestricted access to food and water throughout the study. On the 43 rd day, the animals were sacrificed and biochemical analyses of cholesterol and triglyceride were conducted. And histopathological examination was done on the heart tissue. The results showed that rats fed with formulated diet of groundnut oil fried egg yolk had significant decrease in triglyceride level (259.53±3.05 mg/dL) compared to those fed synthetic cholesterol (307.63±7.74 mg/dL) suggesting that frying egg yolk with groundnut oil may reduce the hypertriglyceridemia effect of egg yolk. While, there was an increase in cholesterol level in the group fed with formulated diet of groundnut oil fried egg yolk 589.19±4.03 mg/dL) when compared to the group fed with synthetic cholesterol (577.09±9.53 mg/dL) suggesting that frying may influence lipid metabolism. The experimental group fed groundnut oil fried egg yolk showed significant histopathological changes such as active congestion and vasodilation, while the group fed with synthetic cholesterol showed mild perivascular mobilization of fibroblasts. However, excessive consumption of dietary cholesterol, regardless of preparation method, remains a risk factor for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular complications.

The impact of dietary fats on cardiovascular health is of growing concern, particularly in regions where red palm oil is a staple cooking fat. This study investigates the effect of frying an egg with red palm oil on egg cholesterol levels and its influence on the lipid profile and heart histology of Wistar rats. Sixteen female Wistar rats were divided into four dietary groups fried egg with red oil, raw cholesterol, positive control, and negative control. After 42 days, lipid profile analysis on some lipid (total cholesterol and triglyceride) revealed that the fried egg with red oil group had a total cholesterol level of (251.90 ± 2.64 mg/dL), which was significantly lower than the raw cholesterol group (307.63 ± 7.74 mg/dL). Triglyceride levels also varied, with the fried egg group showing (554.19 ± 9.16 mg/dL), compared to (577.09 ± 9.53 mg/dL) in the raw cholesterol group. Histological analysis of the heart tissues showed vascular stenosis and
perivascular infiltration in the fried egg with red oil group, while the raw cholesterol group exhibited mild perivascular fibroblast mobilization. These results indicate that frying eggs in red
palm oil alters lipid metabolism and affects cardiovascular health, potentially modifying cholesterol bioavailability. The study highlights the significance of cooking methods in influencing dietary cholesterol impact and underscores the need for further research on the longterm effects of palm oil consumption on heart health.