The majority of liver-related illnesses are caused by occupational and domestic exposure to toxic chemicals like formaldehyde (FA), which is widely common in Africa and the world at large. Hence, measures should be taken to protect humans from its hazardous effects. This study, therefore, examines the protective potential of Ganoderma lucidum (100 mg/kg body weight) on formaldehyde-induced (40%) liver oxido-inflammation in male rats. Male Wistar rats, 150–200 g, were allotted into four groups of 10 animals as follows: Group 1 was orally treated with 1 mg/mL distilled water, Group 2 was exposed to a 40% formaldehyde vapor environment for 30 min per day, Group 3 was orally treated with 100 mg/kg ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum, and Group 4 was co-administered formaldehyde and 100 mg/kg ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum. Rats were then sacrificed 24 h after administering the last dose of treatment, and the livers were excised. Ganoderma lucidum significantly reversed the formaldehyde-mediated reduction in body and organ weight. Ganoderma lucidum administration significantly prevented oxido-inflammation by reducing the levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione contents, as well as the normal level of nitrite and myeloperoxidase production in FA-treated rats. Additionally, Ganoderma lucidum reversed a large decline in proinflammatory markers in formaldehyde. Furthermore, Ganoderma lucidum restores formaldehyde-induced histological alterations in the liver. Collectively, our results provide valuable information on the protective potential of Ganoderma lucidum in protecting formaldehyde-induced liver oxido-inflammation in male rats.

Ficus exasperata has been used to treat ulcer, diabetes, fever, and a variety of stress‐related disorders. Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug‐induced acute liver injury. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extract of F. exasperata (EFE) on acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Rats were pretreated with EFE (150, 250, 500 mg/kg) and thereafter received 250 mg/kg APA intraperitoneally (i.p.). The normal control group received distilled water, while the negative control group received 250 mg/kg APAP, respectively. Hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress‐antioxidant parameters were then assessed. Flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and glycosides, but not phenolics were detected by EFE phytochemical analysis. No mortality was recorded on acute exposure of rats to varying concentrations of APAP after 24 h; however, a dose‐dependent increase in severity of convulsion, urination, and hyperactivity was observed. APAP overdose induced high AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin levels in the serum, invoked lipid peroxidation, depleted GSH, decreased CAT, SOD, and GST levels, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) level, myeloperoxidase activity, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, NF‐κB, COX‐2, MCP‐1, and IL‐6 were also increased. Importantly, pretreatment of rats with EFE before acetaminophen ameliorated and restored cellular antioxidant status to levels comparable to the control group. Our results show and suggest the hepatoprotective effect of F. exasperata and its ability to modulate cellular antioxidant status supports its use in traditional medicine and renders it safe in treating an oxidative stress‐induced hepatic injury.

Background: Diabetes is associated with chronic hyperglycaemia, long-term damage, dysfunction, and organ failure. This study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the twigs of Andrographis paniculata and its toxicological markers on Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Albino rats. Methods: A total of thirty rats were randomly divided into five groups of six animals each. Non-diabetic animals were treated with distilled water as non-diabetic sham control group 1, while diabetic animals (group 2, 3, 4 and 5) were treated with 60 mg/kg bw STZ intravenous (iv) and 100 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of metformin orally for group 2, distilled water for group 3, and 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt of Andrograhis paniculata (A. paniculata) for groups 4 and 5, respectively. The animals were dosed for 28 days, after which they were sacrificed. Liver and kidney function tests as well as livid profile tests were used as the biomarkers of toxicological assessment. Fasting blood glucose was carried out weekly. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was conducted on the 28th day of the antidiabetic assessment. Results: A. paniculata groups 4 and 5 were significant at different doses (p < 0.05) in reducing the blood glucose level in comparison with metformin. There were significant changes in total and direct bilirubin, total protein, potassium, triglyceride and inorganic phosphorus in 500 mg/kg bwt of the treated group in comparison with the metformin and diabetic group groups. A. paniculata at 500 mg/kg bwt is most effective for its antidiabetic and organ protecting effects.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become notorious globally. Increasingly emerging evidence shows that NAFLD is strongly associated with inflammation, with proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF‐α) playing a vital role in its progression. In this work, an attempt was made to verify the anti‐inflammatory activity of Ruzu herbal bitters (RHB), an antiobesity medicinal concoction, on NAFLD induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) in albino Wistar rats. Twenty‐five (25) rats were divided into five groups as follows: Group 1, the normal control, was maintained on standard rat chow and received normal saline (1 ml/kg body weight (BW)/day) for twelve weeks. The other groups were maintained on HFD for twelve weeks. Thereafter, groups 2–5 were treated with pioglitazone (4 mg/kg BW/day), RHB (0.6 ml/kg BW/day), normal saline (1 ml/kg BW/day), and fenofibrate (10 mg/kg BW/day), respectively. The animals were sacrificed after the experimental period. Biochemical indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation were assayed in the liver according to standard methods. The histological features of the liver were also compared to assess liver damage. RHB significantly (p < 0.05) reduced body weight and liver index, inhibited oxidative stress, boosted antioxidant enzymes by increasing the activity and level of SOD and GSH, reduced proinflammatory markers (IL‐2, IL‐6, TNF‐α), and reversed histological alterations induced by NAFLD in rat liver. In conclusion, the anti‐inflammatory activity of RHB in the prevention of NAFLD in rats has been confirmed.

Background and Objectives. Moringa oleifera has been scientifically reported to have effects on diabetes and obesity. An explanatory mechanism on how the plant exerts its enzyme inhibitory activities are yet to be detailed. This study was aimed at carrying out an in vitro assessment of ethanolic extracts (AEEs) of M. oleifera leaves for their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities. Methods. Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, α-amylase, and α-lipase inhibitory assessment were carried out on Moringa oleifera extract. Results. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and alkaloid contents of values 0.070±0.005mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 0.180±0.020mg rutin equivalent/g, 0.042±0.001mg tannic equivalent/g, and 12.17±0.001, respectively, while the total protein analysis was 0.475±0.001mg bovine serum albumin equivalent/g. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values were 0.534±0.001mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 0.022±0.00008mg rutin equivalent/g, respectively. Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and nitric oxide (NO) assays showed the extract to have a strong free radical scavenging activity. The 50 inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of the lipase and amylase activities of the extract are 1.0877mg/mL and 0.1802mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion. However, α-lipase and α-amylase inhibiting activity of M. oleifera could be related to the phytochemicals in the extract. This research validates the ethnobotanical use of M. oleifera leaves as an effective plant-based therapeutic agent for diabetes and obesity.