Showing 4 results for Okoro
Peculiar Nwanyibunwa Okoro, Sani Ibrahim , Hajiya Mairo Inuwa , Stanley Irobekhian Reuben Okoduwa,
Volume 11, Issue 5 (September-October 2017)
Abstract
Background: The global incidence of snakebite has become a major concern to the community. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mango seed kernel methanol extract on metalloproteases in Carpet Viper (Echis ocellatus) venom.
Methods: Mango seed kernel methanolic extract was evaluated in vitro for its anti-venom activity and inhibition of metalloproteases of Carpet Viper's (Echis ocellatus) venom. Metalloprotease portion was partially purified from the venom of E. ocellatus with a yield of 71%, a purification fold of 2.63 and a specific activity of 19.00 µmol/min/mg protein.
Results: The enzyme appeared as a band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 23 kDa. The kinetic properties of the enzyme showed a Km of 0.31 mg mL-1 and a Vmax of 9.09 µmol min-1. When the enzyme was incubated with the extract, kinetic studies revealed a mixed non-competitive pattern of inhibition with Km values of 0.56 and 1.11 mg mL-1 and Vmaxvalues of 6.67 and 4.17-µmol min-1 for 5% and 20% inhibitor concentrations, respectively. An estimated Ki value of 0.168 mg mL-1 was obtained from a secondary plot demonstrating that the extract had a high affinity for the partially purified enzyme; thus, could serve as an effective inhibitor.
Conclusion: Methanol extract of mango seed kernel has a high affinity for the partially purified enzyme, and it might provide an inexpensive and readily available alternative to sheep serum in the management of snakebite envenomation. Therefore, further in vivo studies are necessary to assess its effectiveness and safety.
Israel Oghenevwodoko Okoro, Helen Ejiro Kadiri,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (May 2019)
Abstract
Background: The present study was performed to explore whether the aqueous extract of Senecio biafrae (S. biafrae) roots provide any in vivo protective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats.
Methods: Rats (150-200 grams) were grouped into five groups (A-E) of six rats each and were treated orally for twelve days with 72 hourly administration of CCl4 (1 mL/kg) as follows: Group A received distilled water only (negative control), Group B was administered distilled water plus CCl4 (positive control), Group C was administered 400 mg/kg extract and CCl4, Group D received 200 mg/extract and CCl4, while Group E was administered standard drug (Silymarin 25mg/kg, PO).
Results: Pre-treatment with the extract of S. biafrae (200 or 400mg/kg) or Silymarin (25mg/kg) caused significant restoration in the biomarkers as evaluated by reducing the levels of malondialdehyde, transaminases and elevating the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, which were altered by CCl4 toxicity. The extract at a dose of 400mg/kg demonstrated similar activities comparable to the standard drug (Silymarin).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the root extract of S. biafrae possesses hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant properties which may be due to the presence of phytochemicals in it.
Israel O. Okoro,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (January 2020)
Abstract
Background: Plants contain diverse phytochemicals with different solubility levels, depending on their molecular charges and polarity. This study was conducted to examine the effects of three extraction solvents in their pure and aqueous forms: absolute petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activities of Manihot esculenta leaves extracts.
Methods: The preliminary phytochemical investigations were performed, using standard procedures. The in vitro antioxidant properties were estimated by: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Ferric Thiocyanate (FTC).
Results: The phytochemical analyses revealed the occurrence of an array of compounds: alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannin phenols, saponins and anthraquinones, the concentration of which varied with the solvent type. A considerable presence of all phytochemicals was found in the aqueous ethanol. The extracts from pure solvents were much less effective against DPPH synthetic radical than those 50% diluted. The petroleum ether extract provided the least antiradical activity, while the aqueous ethanol was the richest. The scavenging effect of the extracts on H2O2 varied in this order: 50% ethanol > absolute ethanol > ascorbic acid > 50% acetone > absolute acetone > 50% petroleum ether > absolute petroleum ether. Similarly, the results of the FRAP and FTC methods agreed largely with those of the DPPH and H2O2. Thus, the results of antioxidant activity positively correlated with the phytochemical results, with the aqueous ethanol showing the maximum activity overall.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the extraction solvents considerably affected the phytochemical contents and the antioxidant activities of the tested extracts. These extracts can potentially serve as the alternative sources of natural antioxidant preparations.
Israel Oghenevwodokohwo Okoro,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (July 2020)
Abstract
Background: In Nigeria, the leaves of Manihot esculenta (Crantz) are eaten as vegetables. The leaves are rich in phytochemicals, valuable and natural sources of antioxidants, and are highly useful for human health and disease prevention. This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of two extracts derived from the plant leaves on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were also assessed.
Methods: The leaves of M. esculenta were processed and extracted with ethanol and acetone. The extracts were evaluated for their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. Also, their total flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined, using standard in vitro assays.
Results: The ethanol extract exhibited a higher α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity than the acetone extract, which positively correlated with their total flavonoid and phenolic contents. In addition, the ethanol extract strongly inhibited the α-glucosidase activity (IC50: 0.77±0.03 mg/mL) than Acarbose (IC50: 1.52±0.14 mg/mL). However, both extracts of ethanol (IC50: 1.29±0.02 mg/mL) and acetone (IC50 1.66±0.05 mg/mL) were less effective in inhibiting α-amylase compared with that of Acarbose (IC50 0.99±0.02 mg/mL). Comparatively, the percent inhibition of the extracts and Acarbose were in this order: ethanol extract > Acarbose > acetone extract.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the extract of M. esculenta leaves have anti-hyperglycemic effects. They are potential alternative antioxidants that could be used to reduce oxidative stress in the body and in the management of diabetes.
