No abstract

This research was carried out to determine the antimalarial efficacy of Cassia sieberiana against Plasmodium parasites isolated from patients attending Nassarawa Specialist Hospital, Kano Nigeria. The research revealed that the leaf extracts of C. sieberiana are highly effective in killing Plasmodium parasite belonging to falciparum species. It was also established that the extracts are not harmful and are safe for human consumption. Accordingly, the study recommended pharmacological screenings with fractions of methanol extract as well as the isolation and identification of active compounds from the plant. The leaf extracts of C. sieberiana could be used for antiplasmodial therapy; however, it is imperative to carry out further tests to ascertain the effects on human organs such as heart and liver in order to determine the level of safety.

Hyperlipidemia is abnormal of lipid metabolism that presents in the bloodstream. The study aims is to investigate the effects on a combination mixture of Zinger officinale, Allium sativum, Citrus lemon, honey, and Malus domestica vinegar (ZACA) in rats fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD). 36 male Sprague dawley rats were divided into 6 groups. ZACA extracts (1mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg of bodyweight) were administered along with high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 18 weeks. Simvastatin 10 mg/kg of bodyweight was used as a control. In vitro; ZACA extracts had oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 2000 µmol TE/100 mL, total phenolic content (TPC) is 7537 ± 54.5%, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity is 27.34 ± 2.71% , Elastase inhibitory assay is (29.29 ± 1.65% and lipoxygenase inhibitory assay is 98.58 ± 1.42%. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected the presence of Hesperidin in ZACA extract that acts as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory agent. In vivo; ZACA extract decreased bodyweight, adipose tissue weight, and improved lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein). The results demonstrate that ZACA extracts have a protective effect against hyperlipidemia and beneficial as dietary supplement.

Galactomannan nanoparticles possess attractive properties such as biodegradable and biocompatible; significant in biomedical applications. Galactomannan (GA) isolated from the mature seed of a local plant, petai belalang known scientifically as Leucaena leucocephala were modified to acrylated galactomannan (AcGA) which acted as a precursor molecule for the preparation of crosslinked galactomannan nanoparticles (CL-GA). AcGA was synthesized using acryloyl chloride (AC) as a chemical modifier through esterification process. Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) was used as the crosslinker for the preparation of CL-GA. Successful conjugation of GA with acrylates was verified by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Thermal properties of pure galactomannan, AcGA and CL-GA were measured using DSC to complement spectroscopic results. TEM images revealed the particle size of AcGA to be in the range of 30-100 nm; and increased to 200-850 nm range after the crosslinking process. Efficiency of CL-GA to trap crystal violet dye as a model drug was followed by UV Vis Spectroscopy. Results showed that CL-GA is capable of trapping crystal violet dye and has the potential to be used as a drug carrier.

The waste seeds of Leucaena leucocephala (LLS) used in this study were unused residues obtained after oil and polysaccharides extraction. The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was isolated from LLS by acid treatment. MCC produced was, then, further converted to glucose by using sulphuric acid at 121 °C by varying the acid concentration and reaction time. The sugar composition was analyzed by using the phenol-sulfuric acid method and pre-column derivatization HPLC technique. The yield of glucose ranging from 70–85% could be obtained from MCC hydrolyzates, depending on the hydrolysis factors, which corresponding to around 57-75% of the percentage conversion of MCC to glucose.Cellulose isolated from LLS was, therefore, potentially suitable to be utilized in liquid biofuels and other value-added chemicals such as bioethanol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF), and levulinic acid.