Moringa oleifera decoction is believed to alleviate gastrointestinal tract diseases. This study investigated antioxidant and anxiolytic activities of its leaves aqueous extract on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Rats (36) were randomly divided into six groups and received (20 days) distilled water, 10 mL/kg; Moringa oleifera leaf-aqueous extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or Loperamide (5 mg/kg). On days 1, 8, 17, and 20, behavioral parameters were evaluated. Colitis was induced (day 15, except in normal group) through acetic acid (4%, 1 mL) intra-rectal administration. After sacrifice (day 21), lesion number, weight/length ratio of the colon were recorded. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated. On day 20, Moringa oleifera (100 mg/kg) reduced the number of head dipping and the duration in opened arms, respectively 2.00 ± 0.37 and 5.00 ± 0.37 s against 14.50 ± 0.72 and 2.17 ± 0.48 s in the control. It decreased colon weight/length ratio: 112.29 ± 9.46 against 185.93 ± 5.28 mg/cm in the control; malondialdehyde level (P < 0.01) and nitric oxide concentration (P < 0.001), in the brain: respectively 25.60 ± 0.60 and 36.34 ± 1.19 against 34.00 ± 0.33 and 46.17 ± 3.25 µmol/mg of tissue in the control. In the serum, the extract (50 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the catalase activity (0.10 ± 0.00 against 0.03 ± 0.00 µmol/mg of protein in the negative control group). At 100 mg/kg, it increased (P < 0.001) reduced glutathione concentration to 5.07 ± 0.31 against 3.26 ± 0.08 µmol/mg of protein in the negative control group. The improvement on colitis pathophysiology, the antioxidant and the anxiolytic effects noted therefore suggest that Moringa oleifera can be a potential source of drugs alleviating anxiety and oxidative stress associated to ulcerative colitis.

Background: In Africa, neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly have become a major health concern due to the increase in live expectancy. Glutamate mediated neurotoxicity is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Ischemia, Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases. Plants with antioxidant properties are reported to protect vital organs against glutamate toxicity. This study aims to assess the effect of Dichrocephala integrifolia against monosodium glutamatemediated neurotoxicity and oxidative stress. Methodology: The decoction prepared from the leaves of Dichrocephala integrifolia was evaluated against monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mice. The animals were grouped in seven groups of 6 animals each. The animals received daily; distilled water (p.o) for the distilled water and the negative control groups, one of the four doses of the decoction of the plant (35, 87.5, 175 or 350 mg/kg p.o) for the tests groups and memantine (20 mg/kg p.o) for the positive control group. Monosodium glutamate (2.5 g/kg ip) was injected daily to animals except those of the normal control group all the seven days of the experimentation. Animals were observed for aggressiveness, locomotor and forepaws muscle grip activities 30 min after monosodium injections. Brain reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were also assessed following the behavioral tests on day 8. Results: The decoction of Dichrocephala integrifolia at the doses of 87.5 and 175 mg/kg significantly (p

Dichrocephala integrifolia Aqueous Extract Antagonises Chronic and Binges Ethanol Feeding-Induced Memory Dysfunctions: Insights into Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms: Ethanol consumption is widely accepted despite its addictive properties and its mind-altering effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of Dichrocephala integrifolia against, memory impairment, on a mouse model of chronic and binges ethanol feeding. Mice were divided, into groups of 8 animals each, and received distilled water, Dichrocephala integrifolia aqueous extract (25; 50; 100; or 200 mg/kg) or memantine (200 mg/kg) once a day, while fe, with Lieber-DeCarli control (sham group only) or Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet ad libitum for 28 days. The Y maze and the novel object recognition (NOR) tests were used to evaluate spatial short-term and recognition memory, respectively. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione levels, and proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1β, TNF-α, and Il-6) were evaluated in brain homogenates following behavioral assessments. The results showed that chronic ethanol administration in mice was associated with a significant ( ) reduction in the spontaneous alternation percentage and the discrimination index, in the Y maze and the NOR tests, respectively. It significantly ( ) increased oxidative stress and inflammation markers levels in the brain. Dichrocephala integrifolia (100 and 200 mg/kg) as well as memantine (200 mg/kg) significantly ( ) increased the percentage of spontaneous alternation and the discrimination index, in the Y maze and NOR tests, respectively. Dichrocephala integrifolia (100 and 200 mg/kg) likewise memantine (200 mg/kg) significantly ( ) alleviated ethanol-induced increase, in the brain malondialdehyde level, nitric oxide, Il-1β, TNF-α, and Il-6. From these findings, it can be concluded that Dichrocephala integrifolia counteracted memory impairment, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation induced by chronic ethanol consumption in mice.

Introduction: Thymus vulgaris is a plant used in Cameroon to alleviate and treat hangover symptoms. This study was conducted to assess the anxiolytic, memory-improving, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects of T. vulgaris on alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Methods: In this preclinical study 42 mice were grouped into seven equal sets of normal control, negative control, positive control (piracetam; 200 mg/kg), and test (T. vulgaris; 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) groups. All mice (except those of the normal control) were administered ethanol by gavage once daily for 28 days. After alcohol withdrawal, behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze, Y-maze, and open field) were performed from day 29 to day 31, one hour following appropriate treatments. Mice were euthanized on day 32 and the brains and the livers were used for histopathological assessment and oxidative stress parameters evaluation. Results: In the elevated plus maze test, T. vulgaris at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.001) increased the number of entries and the time spent in the open arms. The plant extract (200 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) increased the spontaneous alternation percentage in the Y maze. T. vulgaris administration decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in the brain and liver and increased glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). The plant extract reduced the neuronal degeneration and hepatocyte damage induced by chronic alcohol administration. Conclusion: T. vulgaris had anxiolytic, memory-enhancing, and hepatoprotective properties against alcohol toxicity. These results may justify the use of thyme in traditional pharmacopeia in the management of alcohol use disorders (AUDs).

Volume 8: Antioxidant Activities of Dichrocephala integrifolia (Linn.f.) O. Kuntze (Asteraceae) in a Mice Model of D-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Accelerated Aging