African Journal of Biochemistry Research最新文献

{"title":"The effect of aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin on some hematological parameters and liver enzymes in 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine- induced anemic rats","authors":"I. Toma, N. Victory, Y. Kabir","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2014.0771","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2014.0771","url":null,"abstract":"Anemia constitutes a serious health problem in many tropical countries including Nigeria because of the prevalence of malaria and other parasitic infections which possibly leads to decrease of hemoglobin. Fluted pumpkin has been reported to be very good in building the constituents of the blood and also replacing them. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin on some hematological parameters and liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced anemia in experimental rat. Twelve Wister albino male rats were obtained from a nearby farm and separated into four groups of three rats each for the study. Rats in Groups 1 and 2 were injected 40 mg/kg 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine for eight days to induce anemia, while rats in Groups 3 and 4 were fed with grower’s mash and water ad libitum. All analysis was done using the standard methods. The result of this study shows that, oral administration of 50 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin to the rats in induced treated and normal treated groups (Groups 1 and 3), increased the hematological parameters under investigation while the rest remained significantly unchanged. Low level of ALT and AST was observed in rats in group 1 (induced treated group) suggesting a hepatoprotective property of the leaf extract which also indicate that the extract had no effect on the liver of the rats at the concentration used. The result of this research indicate that 50 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin could elevate the packed cell volume, red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration in the rats induced with 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Hence, oral administration of the extract could cure hemolytic anemia. The leaf extract also regulated the liver enzymes (ALT and AST) of the rats induced with 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. It can be concluded that aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin is a potential blood booster and has hepatoprotective property. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Fluted pumpkin, hematological parameters, liver enzymes, 2, dinitrophenylhydrazine, anemia.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"29 1","pages":"95-98"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86992359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of fermentation methods on the mineral, amino and fatty acids composition of Cyperus esculentus","authors":"R. Agbaje, V. Oyetayo, A. Ojokoh","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0847","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0847","url":null,"abstract":"Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) was subjected to different fermentation methods such as traditional, back slope and control. The raw and fermented samples were analyzed for mineral, amino and fatty acids. The results of mineral analysis revealed potassium and sodium as the most abundant mineral element with their value ranging from 546 to 91.6 mg/100 g and 64.00 to 3383.33 mg/100 g, respectively while copper was found in trace amount with value ranging from 0.03 mg/100 g to 0.05 mg/100 g. All the fermented samples shows significant increase in calcium ranging from 8.50 to 9.83 mg/100 g compared to raw samples (7.66 mg/100 g). Amino acid result showed arginine (23.02 g/100 g) as the most abundant amino acid present in back slope fermented tiger nut while tyrosine was the least amino acid (0.05 g/100 g). The oil in tiger nut showed a greater percentage of oleic acid (73.08%) which was recorded in back slope fermented milled sample. The overall result of the investigation revealed that back slope fermentation was the best method that may enhance mineral, amino and fatty acids content of tiger nut.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"89-94"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89551500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diastatic enzymes malting process optimisation of African finger millet for biotechnological uses","authors":"A. N. Kolawole, A. O. Kolawole","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0848","url":null,"abstract":"This study sought to understand the importance of variation of steeping and germination conditions (temperature, pH and salts) on the quality of African finger millet malt in terms of diastic power (a-amylase and β-amylase), endo- (1,3) (1,4)-β-D-glucanase, b-glycan content and protein profile. The results show that the physiological responses of African finger millet malted seeds are correlated to pH (acidity and alkalinity) but inversely correlated to temperature stress. The effect of the stresses on the activity of a-amylase, b-amylase and endo-(1,3)(1,4)-b-D-glucanase as well as b-glycan content was significantly different in magnitude except for the β-amylase activities obtained after acidic and alkaline treatment at 40°C which are not statistically different. Alkaline pH and heat stress at 30°C were the dominant factors for malting optimization from the result of diastic power indices. a-Amylase activity is a better predictor of diastic power. The grains subjected to the steeping and germination process carried out in Tris-HCl buffer solution (25 mM, pH 9) containing 100 mM NaCl at 30oC during 96 h showed higher α-amylase and β-amylase activity. This shows that for a salt–alkali-heat mix stress, a reciprocal enhancement among salt stress, alkali and heat stress was a characteristic feature with no significant change in the hordein protein expression. The influential effect of the stress conditions indicate that alkaline pH steeping and 30°C malting is the most effective condition for producing malted African millet flour with a promising potential of distinct malting quality metrics. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: African finger millet, diastatic enzymes, malting, stresses.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"9 1","pages":"81-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80906262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Purification and biochemical properties of lipase from raphia palm fruit mesocarp","authors":"T. Okunwaye, J. U. Obibuzor, E. Okogbenin","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0818","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0818","url":null,"abstract":"Lipases hydrolyze lipids to yield fatty acids and glycerol which are used as raw materials in industries. The lipase from raphia mesocarp was extracted, purified and characterized. Assay was carried out using p- nitrophenyl palmitate as substrate. The lipase was subjected to 80% ammonium sulphate precipitation, purified on ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Native and subunit molecular weights were determined on a gel filtration column and 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis respectively. Kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax), effect of temperature, pH, sensitivity to metal ions and substrate specificities of the lipase enzyme were studied. Specific activity of 17.40µmol/min/mg and purification fold of 2.68% were obtained.Native and subunitmolecular weightwas 35 kDa. The Km and Vmax values were0.01mM and 20.5µmol/min/ml respectively. The lipase enzyme was inhibited by all metallic salts used and enhanced by CaCl2. Optimal pH was 7.0 and temperature for maximal activity was 40C. The lipase hydrolyzed coconut oil at about twice the rate of palm kernel oil and palm oil, and at a higher rate than olive oil and Raphia oil. The study reveals that raphia mesocarp isa possible source of lipase which can be of industrial use. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Lipase, raphia palm fruit, mesocarp","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"85 1","pages":"73-80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80677677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biochemical changes in blood and tissues of Wistar rats following administration of anti-tuberculosis drugs","authors":"Kehinde Ao, O. Adaramoye","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0827","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0827","url":null,"abstract":"Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem worldwide especially in resource-limited countries of Africa and Asia. The disease is curable with drugs but information on biochemical changes and oxidative indices due to anti-TB drugs is not readily available. This study was designed to investigate in vivo effects of anti-TB drugs in male Wistar rats. Fourteen adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups of seven animals each. The first group served as the control and was given normal saline while the second group received isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol (ETB) in combination. The drugs were dissolved in normal saline and therapeutic doses [INH (5 mg/kg), RIF (10 mg/kg), PZA (15 mg/kg) and ETB (15 mg/kg)] were given by oral gavage thrice in a week for eight consecutive weeks. Estimation of serum enzymes and other biochemical parameters were assayed by standard methods. Results indicate that there was an insignificant increase in final body weight of anti-TB treated animals relative to the control (p>0.05).  In addition, there were significant decrease in renal and cardiac glutathione-s- transferase activities in the treated group relative to the control (p 0.05). These findings suggest that anti-TB drugs induce redox imbalance resulting in the depletion of enzymatic antioxidant parameters in rats.   \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key word: Biochemical, blood, tissue, Wistar rats, Anti-TB drugs.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"106 1","pages":"67-72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83710968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of DNA damage in lead (Pb) exposed city traffic wardens in Pakistan","authors":"P. Ayesha, Ahmed Fozan, Mehmood Aisha Nazish, I. Salman, Ikram Muhammad, Z. A. Mohammad, A. Aftab, J. Muhammad","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0826","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0826","url":null,"abstract":"Lead (Pb) is one of the toxic metals and is commonly used in industries. It affects multiple systems and has role in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of the present study was to determine Pb levels and to detect DNA damage in traffic wardens of Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 90 subjects were selected including 60 traffic wardens working in field and 30 working in administrative zones. The wardens who were working in field were considered as cases (exposed by the lead polluted environment) while the wardens in the administrative offices (less exposed to polluted environment) were labeled controls. Venous blood samples were collected for Pb and comet assay. In cases, the levels of Pb were 18.76±8.84 μg/dL (Mean±SD) that was higher than controls, 12.00±3.552 (p 0.000). Tail moment (TM) in cases (0.583±1.960) and controls (0.0453±0.108) significantly differed (p 0.004). There was no change in %DNA in tail and head (p 0.136). The parameters for DNA damage assessment including Comet length (CL) and Tail length (TL) were also found higher in cases than controls. Correlation of lead with other biochemical parameters including liver functions, renal functions and lipid profiles was carried out to assess the various organs/systems. The correlation was established with creatinine showing statistically significant value (p 0.019). Our findings elaborate a mild raise of lead levels in exposed group. There was no significant difference in comet length between cases and controls. Also, minor or no differences were observed in different biochemical parameters between cases and controls. These findings demonstrate dramatic improvement over the results from the study done previously in 2005 and may be attributed to the success of having lead-free petroleum as motor fuel.  \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Lead, DNA damage, single cell gel electrophoresis, traffic wardens.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"28 1","pages":"61-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84547945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plasma lipid profile including the high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses in hypertensive patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso","authors":"Alice T. C. R. Kiba Koumar e, A. Guira, A. Samandoulougou, Elie Kabr e, Issaka Sond e, T. Maruta, Jacques Simpor e, Jean Sakand e","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0825","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0825","url":null,"abstract":"The study was undertaken to evaluate the interest of cholesterol subclasses in the management of hypertensive patients recruited at University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso, West Africa). The distribution of hypertensive was reported as 45 (35.4%) without complications, 42 (33%) with cardiovascular complications and 40 (31.4%) with diabetes. Any difference in lipids profile was observed when balanced hypertensive was compared to non-balanced hypertensive. The total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and HDL3 cholesterol (HDL3C) were significantly higher in hypertensive compared to the control group (p<0.001). Significant decrease of TC and HDLC levels was observed in women within hypertensive group (p<0.05). The increase in triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was significant in obese compared to non-obese. The HDLC level was higher (p<0.01) in treated hypertensive compared to untreated, particularly females. The HDLC increased significantly in treated hypertensive without complications (p<0.01). The TC and LDLC levels were higher in treated hypertensive with diabetes (p<0.05). The HDL2 cholesterol (HDL2C) was significantly lower in treated hypertensive with diabetes (p<0.05), and particularly in obese compared to non-obese. A significant decrease of HDL2C was observed in female stage 3 hypertensive (p<0.05). The HDL2C might be a better predictor of cardiovascular risks in hypertensive if the relationship between its decrease with severity of hypertension is confirmed by further studies. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Lipids profile, HDL subclasses, hypertensive.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"47-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88451661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of some traditional edible oils on sex hormones of albino Wistar rats","authors":"Akpana Agiang Margaret, Josephine Matthew Olajumoke, Justin Atangwho Item, Ekong Ebong Patrick","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0815","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0815","url":null,"abstract":"The effect of some traditionally extracted edible seed oils (sesame, peanut and melon oils) on some sex hormones prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of albino Wistar rats was studied. Sixty (30 50 g) weanling rats (20 males and 40 females) were purchased and housed separately until they weighed 120 to 150 g. Afterwards, the rats were cohabited in a mating ratio of 1 male : 2 females respectively, to give rise to 10 groups (n = 6), and fed rat chow (control), rat chow supplemented with 5, 10 and 20% sesame oil, 5, 10 and 20% peanut oil or 5, 10 and 20% melon oils, respectively. The animals were observed and pregnant females were separated into individual cages, allowed to litter and after weaning; the parent male and female rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hormonal assays. The results indicate that 5 and 10% supplemented seed oils caused significant increase (p < 0.05) in prolactin level (with a corresponding decrease in progesterone), LH, estradiol and testosterone relative to the controls. This favourable impact on endocrine environment suggests that the consumption of these seed oils, especially sesame oil, may enhance fertility.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"105 1","pages":"40-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88989259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diabetes and pre-diabetes in adult Nigerians: Prevalence, and correlations of blood glucose concentrations with measures of obesity","authors":"C. Ejike, N. Uka, Stella O. Nwachukwu","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0817","url":null,"abstract":"The quantification of the number of people with diabetes is an important factor that allows for effective planning and distribution of scarce resources for the management of diabetes. This study therefore investigated the prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in a convenient population of adults in Umudike, a semi-urban town in South-East Nigeria. The relationship between measures of obesity and blood glucose concentration was also evaluated. Standard protocols were followed for all measurements, determinations and definitions. The results show that the prevalence of diabetes in the studied population is 3.0% (3.6% for females and 2.3% for males). Impaired fasting glucose was found in 1.1% of the population (females 1.6%; males 0.6%), such that 4.1% of the population had dysglycemia. Diabetic females had significantly (P < 0.02) higher body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) compared to non-diabetic female subjects. For the males, mean BMI and fat mass were statistically similar between the groups whereas WHtR and WHpR were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in diabetics. The assessed measures of obesity (except for BMI in males) were weakly but significantly (r < 0.5, P < 0.05) correlated with blood glucose concentration in all subjects. The results are discussed and their public health significance highlighted. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Diabetes, dysglycemia, impaired fasting glucose, obesity, pre-diabetes.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"3 1","pages":"55-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90617720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of partially purified cysteine protease inhibitor from Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut)","authors":"A. Obayomi, S. Adeola, H. Bankole, O. Raimi","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2014.0795","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2014.0795","url":null,"abstract":"Cysteine protease inhibitors (CPIs) have been known to be present in a variety of seeds of plants, and have been intensively studied as useful tools for potential utilization in pharmacology. This study reports the isolation of CPI from Tetracarpidium conophorum by 65% ammonium sulphate saturation, followed by ion exchange chromatography; further purification was by gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight of the partially purified protein inhibitor was analyzed by SDS-PAGE to be approximately 20 kDa. The inhibitor had an optimum pH and temperature of 8.0 and 40°C, respectively. The inhibitor competitively inhibited papain with the same Vmax = 71.17´103 µmol/min, Km = 166 µM, and Ki = 53.63 µM. Divalent metal ions such as, Mg2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Zn2+ had significant effect on inhibitory activity of CPI at concentration as low as 1 mM. Cysteine protease inhibitor of T. conophorum investigated in this study could serve as a template in biotechnology of herbal medicine to arrest the negative modulatory interactions of cysteine proteases in clinical pathogenic expressions. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Tetracarpidium conophorum, cysteine protease inhibitor, papain, purification, characterization.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"43 2 1","pages":"26-34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90478503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}