Despite the frightening mortality rate associated with COVID-19, there is no known approved drug to effectively combat the pandemic. COVID-19 clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and other complications. At present, there is no known effective treatment or vaccine that can mitigate/inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Available clinical intervention for COVID-19 is only palliative and limited to support. Thus, there is an exigent need for effective and non-invasive treatment. This article evaluates the possible mechanism of actions of SARS-CoV-2 and present Nigeria based medicinal plants which have pharmacological and biological activities that can mitigate the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mode of actions includes hyper-inflammation characterized by a severe and fatal hyper-cytokinaemia with multi-organ failure; immunosuppression; reduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enhance pulmonary vascular permeability causing damage to the alveoli; and further activated by open reading frame (ORF)3a, ORF3b, and ORF7a via c-Jun N- terminal kinase (JNK) pathway which induces lung damage. These mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 can be mitigated by a combination therapy of medicinal herbs based on their pharmacological activities. Since the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multifactorial with co-morbidities, we strongly recommend the use of combined therapy such that two or more herbs with specific therapeutic actions are administered to combat the mediators of the disease.
Aims: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf and the effect of its methanolic extract on serum lipid profile of albino rats. Study design: Experimental Animal Model.
Background: Jatropha tanjorensis is a commonly consumed green leafy plant that has found usage in folk medicine. Sodium benzoate (C 6 H 5 COONa) is a widely used preservative in food/drink industries with potential cytotoxicity. Protective effect of some leafy plants on xenobiotic-induced toxicity have been established. Hence, this study sought to investigate the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on sodium benzoate mediated renal and hepatic dysfunction in rats. Results: Sodium benzoate treatment caused significant (P < 0.05) alteration in kidney (serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine) and liver (aspartate and alanine transaminases, acid and alkaline phosphatases) damage markers, serum albumin, globulin and total protein levels as well as cellular architecture which were significantly reversed in groups treated with the leaf extracts. Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract revealed the presence of terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and tannins. Conclusion: Sodium benzoate-induced alterations in the renal and hepatic indices were mitigated following treatment with J. tanjorensis leaf extracts which suggests protective effect of the extract against sodium benzoate intoxication.
Objective: In furtherance of the scientific search for suitable antidotes for pro-oxidative toxicants which man is exposed to on daily basis, the study investigated the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf extract on arsenate-mediated hepatic and renal toxicity using rats as a model.
Methodology:Twenty-eight rats were sorted into four groups containing seven rats each. Group A (control) received distilled water while 10 mg/kg bw of sodium arsenate was administered intraperitoneally to groups B, C and D to induce hepatic and renal damage. Group C and D were treated with oral administration of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata respectively for 14 days.Results: Arsenate significantly (P? 0.05) induced hepatic and renal damage characterized by elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Arsenate also caused decreased serum concentrations of albumin, globulin and total protein as well as significant depletion in antioxidant status (glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver and kidney of the rats. Administration of leaf extract of Ficus exasperata significantly (P? 0.05) attenuated all these toxic effects by boosting antioxidants status and normalizing serum hepatic and renal markers.
Conclusion:These results are indicative of the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf on liver and kidney dysfunction arising from oxidative damage.
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