Bergapten, a furocoumarin found in many medicinal plants, is used for the management of various c... more Bergapten, a furocoumarin found in many medicinal plants, is used for the management of various conditions. The present in vitro study evaluated the ability of bergapten to prevent human erythrocyte hemolysis and protein denaturation. Bergapten administered at 10, 30, and 100 μg/ml exhibited a significant concentration-dependent protection on the erythrocyte membrane exposed to hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis. The concentration at which bergapten inhibited 50% of the cells from hemolysis (IC50) was determined on a dose-response curve, plotted as logarithmic (concentration) against percentage inhibition, keeping the hemolysis produced within the control group at 100%. Bergapten treatment produced an IC50 value of 7.71 ± 0.27 μg/ml and 4.23 ± 0.42 μg/ml for hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis, respectively. Diclofenac sodium at similar concentrations produced an IC50 value of 12.22 ± 0.30 μg/ml and 9.44 ± 0.23 μg/ml in the hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis, respectiv...
Aims: The stem bark of Sterculia setigera has been used in several African countries for the trea... more Aims: The stem bark of Sterculia setigera has been used in several African countries for the treatment of many inflammatory conditions. However, there is no scientific report to authenticate this usage. The current study, therefore, aims at assessing the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark extract of Sterculia setigera (SSE).
Altered vascular tone responsiveness to pathophysiological stimuli contributes to the development... more Altered vascular tone responsiveness to pathophysiological stimuli contributes to the development of a wide range of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Endothelial dysfunction represents a major culprit for the reduced vasodilatation and enhanced vasoconstriction of arteries. Adipose (fat) tissues surrounding the arteries play important roles in the regulation of endothelium-dependent relaxation and/or contraction of the vascular smooth muscle cells. The cross-talks between the endothelium and perivascular adipose tissues can be assessed ex vivo using mounted blood vessels by a wire myography system. However, optimal settings should be established for arteries derived from animals of different species, ages, genetic backgrounds and/or pathophysiological conditions.
Background: Recent evidence implicates malaria as a likely risk factor for the development of typ... more Background: Recent evidence implicates malaria as a likely risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through insulin resistance. However, the nature of malaria-induced insulin resistance and its relation to parasitaemia as well as the influence of multiple episodes on insulin resistance are unknown. As a result, the current work was designed to investigate the nature, the extent of infection and effects of episodes of malaria on insulin resistance in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: One hundred and forty rats were used for the experiments. Rats were grouped into naïve, malaria only, T2DM only and comorbidity of malaria and T2DM groups. Malaria was induced by Plasmodium berghei. Serum glucose and insulin levels were assessed before, during and after P. bergheiinduced malaria. Homeostatic models assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) and beta cell function (HOMAB) were computed. After the first bout of infection, animals were treated and subjected to the second episode of P. berghei infection. Results: Compared to the naïve group, levels of glucose and HOMAIR in the various treatment groups increased (P <0.05) but that of HOMAB decreased during the first episode of P. berghei infection. After treatment, only HOMAIR level was comparable across groups with glucose and HOMAB levels being highest in T2DM only and P. berghei-infected only animals respectively. A similar trend was observed in the second episode of P. berghei infection except that increased HOMAIR was observed at a much lower (P = 0.045) parasitaemia of 6.45% compared to 9.13% in the first episode. Parasitaemia correlated positively with HOMAIR (R = +0.297; P = 0.028) irrespective of episode of infection. Hypoglycemic effect of metformin was attenuated in P. berghei infection. Conclusion: P. berghei infection increased HOMAIR levels in diabetic and non-diabetic rats even at a relatively reduced parasitaemia. This observation may have implications for the evolution of T2DM in malaria-endemic regions.
Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, 2016
Inhibitors of DNA (Id) proteins have been implicated in cell growth, cell cycle control, apoptosi... more Inhibitors of DNA (Id) proteins have been implicated in cell growth, cell cycle control, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Studies reveal that Id1 and Id3 may be required for angiogenesis in adult tissues. This work aimed at investigating the consequences of loss-of-function of Id protein on growth and apoptosis in an in vitro model using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Using automated image analysis software (CellProfiler Analyst), cell cycle profiles of cell populations following siRNA down-regulation of Id proteins were investigated. Also, cell viability analysis with 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was evaluated. The study also employed flow cytometry using mitochondrial membranepotential marker (3, 3'-Dihexyloxacarbocyanine Iodide) (DiOC6) and Propidium Iodide (PI) as a marker of nonviable necrotic cells. Down-regulation of Id1 and Id3 reduced viable HUVECs populations. In addition, knock down of Id1 and Id3 showed cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, cell death analysis following the silencing of Id1 and Id3 induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that the inhibition of Id1 and Id3 may impair endothelial cell activation and angiogenesis and may also provide an attractive target for the development of new therapies for angiogenic disorders.
Background: Effective long-term management is the key to treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and ... more Background: Effective long-term management is the key to treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Aim: To ascertain the ability of cryptolepine (CRP) in managing DM and some associated complications. Materials and Methods: Changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), body weight, response to thermally-induced pain, and semen quality were assessed in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with CRP (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), or normal saline (2 ml/kg) per os. Hematological profile, liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, as well as liver, kidney, and pancreas histopathological examinations were also conducted to establish possible effects of CRP treatment. Results: CRP treatment reduced (P ≤ 0.001) FBS and body weight, inhibited (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) the latency to tail flick or withdrawal from pain stimulus. It did not alter (P > 0.05): Hematological parameters, elevated (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase, reduced (P ≤ 0.01) plasma urea, and elevated (P ≤ 0.001) plasma creatinine associated with DM. CRP, however, reversed (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) DM-associated elevation (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, and the reduction in high-density lipoproteins. CRP (10-30 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent regeneration of β-islet cells but could not repair degenerated liver and kidney tissue. CRP worsens dose-dependently (P ≤ 0.001) reduced sperm quality associated with DM. Conclusion: CRP abolishes hyperglycemia, weight loss, cold allodynia, neuropathic pain, and hyperlipidemia as well as pancreatic β-islet cell damage associated with DM. It, however, does not improve liver and kidney damage and lowered semen quality.
International Journal of Pharmacological Research, Mar 30, 2014
Roots of Jatropha curcas were harvested from Kete-Krachi in the Volta region of Ghana. The plant ... more Roots of Jatropha curcas were harvested from Kete-Krachi in the Volta region of Ghana. The plant was identified by a botanist in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast and a specimen kept in the herbarium of the School of Biological Sciences. The roots were air dried under a shade for fourteen days and pulverised into fine powder. A quantity of 0.2 kg of the
Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, 2017
Article history: Received on: 22/10/2016 Revised on: 09/11/2016 Accepted on: 30/11/2016 Available... more Article history: Received on: 22/10/2016 Revised on: 09/11/2016 Accepted on: 30/11/2016 Available online: 20/01/2017 Inhibitor of differentiation (Id) proteins are members of the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) group of transcription factors. These proteins uniquely have no DNA-binding domain and they play vital roles in cell growth, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, angiogenesis and neoplastic transformation. Objective: This work investigated the pro-apoptotic functions of Id proteins and their loss-or gain-of function mutants to delimit the functional domains that are essential for apoptosis in an in vitro model using human epithelial colon carcinoma cell line (HCT116). Plasmids encoding Id1, Id2, Id3 and Id4 proteins were transiently over-expressed in cultured HCT116. Initially, cell proliferation assay with MTT (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was performed, followed by apoptotic and cell cycle analyses on the transfected cells. Apoptotic and cell cyc...
Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage but also the largest endocrine organ in the body. Th... more Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage but also the largest endocrine organ in the body. The protein factors secreted from adipose tissue are collectively referred to as adipokines. Depending on the anatomical locations, adipose tissue depots show different metabolic and endocrine properties. Thus, the expansion and accumulation of adipose tissue exhibit regional variations that affect the cardiometabolic outcomes in distinctive manners. The present review includes subcutaneous, abdominal visceral, perivascular and epicardial adipose tissues for a brief discussion on their roles in the development of obesity-associated cardiometabolic diseases, with a special focus on the secretory profiles of adipokines.
Mitochondria associated membranes (MAM), which are the contact sites between endoplasmic reticulu... more Mitochondria associated membranes (MAM), which are the contact sites between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, have emerged as an important hub for signaling molecules to integrate the cellular and organelle homeostasis, thus facilitating the adaptation of energy metabolism to nutrient status. This review explores the dynamic structural and functional features of the MAM and summarizes the various abnormalities leading to the impaired insulin sensitivity and metabolic diseases.
Bergapten, a furocoumarin found in many medicinal plants, is used for the management of various c... more Bergapten, a furocoumarin found in many medicinal plants, is used for the management of various conditions. The present in vitro study evaluated the ability of bergapten to prevent human erythrocyte hemolysis and protein denaturation. Bergapten administered at 10, 30, and 100 μg/ml exhibited a significant concentration-dependent protection on the erythrocyte membrane exposed to hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis. The concentration at which bergapten inhibited 50% of the cells from hemolysis (IC50) was determined on a dose-response curve, plotted as logarithmic (concentration) against percentage inhibition, keeping the hemolysis produced within the control group at 100%. Bergapten treatment produced an IC50 value of 7.71 ± 0.27 μg/ml and 4.23 ± 0.42 μg/ml for hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis, respectively. Diclofenac sodium at similar concentrations produced an IC50 value of 12.22 ± 0.30 μg/ml and 9.44 ± 0.23 μg/ml in the hypotonicity and heat-induced hemolysis, respectiv...
Aims: The stem bark of Sterculia setigera has been used in several African countries for the trea... more Aims: The stem bark of Sterculia setigera has been used in several African countries for the treatment of many inflammatory conditions. However, there is no scientific report to authenticate this usage. The current study, therefore, aims at assessing the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark extract of Sterculia setigera (SSE).
Altered vascular tone responsiveness to pathophysiological stimuli contributes to the development... more Altered vascular tone responsiveness to pathophysiological stimuli contributes to the development of a wide range of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Endothelial dysfunction represents a major culprit for the reduced vasodilatation and enhanced vasoconstriction of arteries. Adipose (fat) tissues surrounding the arteries play important roles in the regulation of endothelium-dependent relaxation and/or contraction of the vascular smooth muscle cells. The cross-talks between the endothelium and perivascular adipose tissues can be assessed ex vivo using mounted blood vessels by a wire myography system. However, optimal settings should be established for arteries derived from animals of different species, ages, genetic backgrounds and/or pathophysiological conditions.
Background: Recent evidence implicates malaria as a likely risk factor for the development of typ... more Background: Recent evidence implicates malaria as a likely risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through insulin resistance. However, the nature of malaria-induced insulin resistance and its relation to parasitaemia as well as the influence of multiple episodes on insulin resistance are unknown. As a result, the current work was designed to investigate the nature, the extent of infection and effects of episodes of malaria on insulin resistance in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: One hundred and forty rats were used for the experiments. Rats were grouped into naïve, malaria only, T2DM only and comorbidity of malaria and T2DM groups. Malaria was induced by Plasmodium berghei. Serum glucose and insulin levels were assessed before, during and after P. bergheiinduced malaria. Homeostatic models assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) and beta cell function (HOMAB) were computed. After the first bout of infection, animals were treated and subjected to the second episode of P. berghei infection. Results: Compared to the naïve group, levels of glucose and HOMAIR in the various treatment groups increased (P <0.05) but that of HOMAB decreased during the first episode of P. berghei infection. After treatment, only HOMAIR level was comparable across groups with glucose and HOMAB levels being highest in T2DM only and P. berghei-infected only animals respectively. A similar trend was observed in the second episode of P. berghei infection except that increased HOMAIR was observed at a much lower (P = 0.045) parasitaemia of 6.45% compared to 9.13% in the first episode. Parasitaemia correlated positively with HOMAIR (R = +0.297; P = 0.028) irrespective of episode of infection. Hypoglycemic effect of metformin was attenuated in P. berghei infection. Conclusion: P. berghei infection increased HOMAIR levels in diabetic and non-diabetic rats even at a relatively reduced parasitaemia. This observation may have implications for the evolution of T2DM in malaria-endemic regions.
Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, 2016
Inhibitors of DNA (Id) proteins have been implicated in cell growth, cell cycle control, apoptosi... more Inhibitors of DNA (Id) proteins have been implicated in cell growth, cell cycle control, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Studies reveal that Id1 and Id3 may be required for angiogenesis in adult tissues. This work aimed at investigating the consequences of loss-of-function of Id protein on growth and apoptosis in an in vitro model using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Using automated image analysis software (CellProfiler Analyst), cell cycle profiles of cell populations following siRNA down-regulation of Id proteins were investigated. Also, cell viability analysis with 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was evaluated. The study also employed flow cytometry using mitochondrial membranepotential marker (3, 3'-Dihexyloxacarbocyanine Iodide) (DiOC6) and Propidium Iodide (PI) as a marker of nonviable necrotic cells. Down-regulation of Id1 and Id3 reduced viable HUVECs populations. In addition, knock down of Id1 and Id3 showed cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, cell death analysis following the silencing of Id1 and Id3 induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that the inhibition of Id1 and Id3 may impair endothelial cell activation and angiogenesis and may also provide an attractive target for the development of new therapies for angiogenic disorders.
Background: Effective long-term management is the key to treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and ... more Background: Effective long-term management is the key to treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Aim: To ascertain the ability of cryptolepine (CRP) in managing DM and some associated complications. Materials and Methods: Changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), body weight, response to thermally-induced pain, and semen quality were assessed in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with CRP (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), or normal saline (2 ml/kg) per os. Hematological profile, liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, as well as liver, kidney, and pancreas histopathological examinations were also conducted to establish possible effects of CRP treatment. Results: CRP treatment reduced (P ≤ 0.001) FBS and body weight, inhibited (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) the latency to tail flick or withdrawal from pain stimulus. It did not alter (P > 0.05): Hematological parameters, elevated (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase, reduced (P ≤ 0.01) plasma urea, and elevated (P ≤ 0.001) plasma creatinine associated with DM. CRP, however, reversed (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) DM-associated elevation (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, and the reduction in high-density lipoproteins. CRP (10-30 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent regeneration of β-islet cells but could not repair degenerated liver and kidney tissue. CRP worsens dose-dependently (P ≤ 0.001) reduced sperm quality associated with DM. Conclusion: CRP abolishes hyperglycemia, weight loss, cold allodynia, neuropathic pain, and hyperlipidemia as well as pancreatic β-islet cell damage associated with DM. It, however, does not improve liver and kidney damage and lowered semen quality.
International Journal of Pharmacological Research, Mar 30, 2014
Roots of Jatropha curcas were harvested from Kete-Krachi in the Volta region of Ghana. The plant ... more Roots of Jatropha curcas were harvested from Kete-Krachi in the Volta region of Ghana. The plant was identified by a botanist in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast and a specimen kept in the herbarium of the School of Biological Sciences. The roots were air dried under a shade for fourteen days and pulverised into fine powder. A quantity of 0.2 kg of the
Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, 2017
Article history: Received on: 22/10/2016 Revised on: 09/11/2016 Accepted on: 30/11/2016 Available... more Article history: Received on: 22/10/2016 Revised on: 09/11/2016 Accepted on: 30/11/2016 Available online: 20/01/2017 Inhibitor of differentiation (Id) proteins are members of the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) group of transcription factors. These proteins uniquely have no DNA-binding domain and they play vital roles in cell growth, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, angiogenesis and neoplastic transformation. Objective: This work investigated the pro-apoptotic functions of Id proteins and their loss-or gain-of function mutants to delimit the functional domains that are essential for apoptosis in an in vitro model using human epithelial colon carcinoma cell line (HCT116). Plasmids encoding Id1, Id2, Id3 and Id4 proteins were transiently over-expressed in cultured HCT116. Initially, cell proliferation assay with MTT (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was performed, followed by apoptotic and cell cycle analyses on the transfected cells. Apoptotic and cell cyc...
Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage but also the largest endocrine organ in the body. Th... more Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage but also the largest endocrine organ in the body. The protein factors secreted from adipose tissue are collectively referred to as adipokines. Depending on the anatomical locations, adipose tissue depots show different metabolic and endocrine properties. Thus, the expansion and accumulation of adipose tissue exhibit regional variations that affect the cardiometabolic outcomes in distinctive manners. The present review includes subcutaneous, abdominal visceral, perivascular and epicardial adipose tissues for a brief discussion on their roles in the development of obesity-associated cardiometabolic diseases, with a special focus on the secretory profiles of adipokines.
Mitochondria associated membranes (MAM), which are the contact sites between endoplasmic reticulu... more Mitochondria associated membranes (MAM), which are the contact sites between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, have emerged as an important hub for signaling molecules to integrate the cellular and organelle homeostasis, thus facilitating the adaptation of energy metabolism to nutrient status. This review explores the dynamic structural and functional features of the MAM and summarizes the various abnormalities leading to the impaired insulin sensitivity and metabolic diseases.
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Papers by DANIELS KONJA