To investigate the gene expression profile of endosperm development, a cDNA library was constructed and characterized from the pulp of coconut at different developmental stages. The constructed cDNA library incorporat...To investigate the gene expression profile of endosperm development, a cDNA library was constructed and characterized from the pulp of coconut at different developmental stages. The constructed cDNA library incorporated approximately 1 × 10^7 clones in total, and the size of the insertion fragments ranged from 800 to 2 000 bp. Sequencing results of 100 randomly picked clones showed that the recombination rate was 96%. In subsequent sequence analysis, 41 clones （41%） were homologous to known function proteins, and 23 clones showed high amino acid identity （more than 80%） with the corresponding genes of different plants. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that oleosin and globulin genes are pulpspecific expression, and have differential expression level in different developmental stage. Clone 29, recognized as homologous to KIAA1239 protein （Homo sapiens）, was observed to occur nine times, indicating that this gene may be over-expressed during the endosperm development stage. However, the homologous protein was found only in mammals, and the detailed function is still unknown. Elucidation of the functional characterization of these genes will be carried out immediately.展开更多
Background: The synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract is a common drink in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is assumed to have various health benefits. Howe...Background: The synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract is a common drink in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is assumed to have various health benefits. However, the synergistic mixture of the content has not been studied scientifically, hence the need to evaluate its effect on the liver and kidney being part of the body’s metabolic organs. Aim: This study evaluated the synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract in male albino rats. Methods: Acute toxicity LD<sub>50</sub> of STCD was carried out, afterwards, fifteen male albino rats were grouped into three groups with 5 rats in each group;Control, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg STCD. The rats were administered STCD orally 24 hourly, for 21 days, with feed and water ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of the liver and kidney biomarkers, while the liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological examination using standard laboratory methods. Descriptive statistics were computed and expressed as Mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA and Turkeys test was performed. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Acute toxicity LD50 of STCD was observed to be ≥2404.2 mg/kg body weight. An increase in the percentage body weight difference of 8.39% and 2.86% was observed for 200 and 400 mg/kg STCD groups. Also, the liver weight was observed to increase in 400 mg/kg (3.92 ± 1.42) in comparison to the control group (3.48 ± 1.61), a decrease in the kidney weight was observed in all groups administered STCD in comparison to the control group. Administration of STCD at both 200 and 400 mg/kg revealed a decrease in the concentration of the hepatic biomarkers AST, ALT, ALP, TP, Albumin, Total and conjugated bilirubin. The kidney biomarker Urea was observed to decrease in concentration for 200 mg/kg STCD (4.60 ± 1.83) and 400 mg/kg STCD (4.76 ± 0.74) when compared to the control group (6.32 ± 2.74). A decrease in Creatinine was observed in 200 mg/kg (91.80 ± 34.69) and 400 mg/kg (98.60 ± 15.53) in comparison to the control group (117.60 ± 42.88). The histological examination of the liver of rats administered STCD revealed structural normal central vein, hepatocytes and portal tract. The kidney examination revealed normal glomeruli and normal tubule. Conclusion: The findings of this study opine that STCD improved the health of both the liver and kidney as evidenced via the biomarkers and histological examinations of the liver and kidney. This study therefore recommends the intake of STCD at moderate doses for improved liver and kidney function due to its bioactive compounds and nutritional content.展开更多
Objective:Virgin coconut oil(VCO)has been used in the management of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Therefore,this research investigated the effect of long-term consumption of VCO diet on learning and memory in C...Objective:Virgin coconut oil(VCO)has been used in the management of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Therefore,this research investigated the effect of long-term consumption of VCO diet on learning and memory in CD1 mice.Methods:Thirty male CD1 mice(divided into three groups,n=10)were fed with standard rodent chow(control),5%and 20%VCO diets(respectively)for 28 d.The Morris Water Maze(MWM)test was used to test the effect of VCO on visuo-spatial learning and memory,while the Novel Object Recognition Test(NORT)was used to measure short-and long-term recognition memory.Results:Learning performance of mice did not differ in the MWM.During the probe trial,duration in the retention quadrant and annulus crossings were lower(P<0.05)in the 5%and 20%VCO diet groups compared to the control diet group,showing that VCO impaired visuo-spatial memory.During the NORT,mice showed more total approaches in the 20%VCO diet group(P<0.05)compared to control and the 5%VCO diet groups during the short-term memory test.During the long-term memory retention test,the total approaches were also higher in the 20%VCO group compared to control and 5%VCO group(P>0.05).The discrimination index was also lower in the 20%VCO group compared to control and 5%VCO diet groups indicating impaired long-term cognitive memory in mice given 20%VCO diet.Histological examination of brains showed damage within the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus in the 20%VCO diet group,in line with the behavioural observations.Conclusion:Long-term consumption of virgin coconut oil diet impairs memory in mice.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated wi...AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated with letrozole(1 mg/kg body wt) to induce PCOD, and after 21 days of induction rats were administered orally with 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 of Cocus nucifera flower aqueous extract, respectively. Estrus cycle and blood sugar were monitored once a week throughout the study. After scarification, various biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant status(superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione reductase(GSH)) of the uterus homogenate, lipid profile(total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein(HDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL), and triglycerides(TG)) of the serum were determined. Weights of the uterus and ovaries were separately monitored. The characteristics of changes in the ovary were evaluated by histopathological studies. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of volatile and pharmacologically active phytoconstituents. C. nucifera flower extract-treated groups showed estrus cyclicity and increased uterus weight which indicates the estrogenic effect. The improved blood sugar level, ideal lipid profile, good antioxidant status, and histopathology results revealed the recovery from poly cystic ovaries. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that C. nucifera flower is a potential medicine for the treatment of PCOD and this study supports the traditional uses of C. nucifera flower.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30560092)
文摘To investigate the gene expression profile of endosperm development, a cDNA library was constructed and characterized from the pulp of coconut at different developmental stages. The constructed cDNA library incorporated approximately 1 × 10^7 clones in total, and the size of the insertion fragments ranged from 800 to 2 000 bp. Sequencing results of 100 randomly picked clones showed that the recombination rate was 96%. In subsequent sequence analysis, 41 clones （41%） were homologous to known function proteins, and 23 clones showed high amino acid identity （more than 80%） with the corresponding genes of different plants. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that oleosin and globulin genes are pulpspecific expression, and have differential expression level in different developmental stage. Clone 29, recognized as homologous to KIAA1239 protein （Homo sapiens）, was observed to occur nine times, indicating that this gene may be over-expressed during the endosperm development stage. However, the homologous protein was found only in mammals, and the detailed function is still unknown. Elucidation of the functional characterization of these genes will be carried out immediately.
文摘Background: The synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract is a common drink in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is assumed to have various health benefits. However, the synergistic mixture of the content has not been studied scientifically, hence the need to evaluate its effect on the liver and kidney being part of the body’s metabolic organs. Aim: This study evaluated the synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract in male albino rats. Methods: Acute toxicity LD<sub>50</sub> of STCD was carried out, afterwards, fifteen male albino rats were grouped into three groups with 5 rats in each group;Control, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg STCD. The rats were administered STCD orally 24 hourly, for 21 days, with feed and water ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of the liver and kidney biomarkers, while the liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological examination using standard laboratory methods. Descriptive statistics were computed and expressed as Mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA and Turkeys test was performed. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Acute toxicity LD50 of STCD was observed to be ≥2404.2 mg/kg body weight. An increase in the percentage body weight difference of 8.39% and 2.86% was observed for 200 and 400 mg/kg STCD groups. Also, the liver weight was observed to increase in 400 mg/kg (3.92 ± 1.42) in comparison to the control group (3.48 ± 1.61), a decrease in the kidney weight was observed in all groups administered STCD in comparison to the control group. Administration of STCD at both 200 and 400 mg/kg revealed a decrease in the concentration of the hepatic biomarkers AST, ALT, ALP, TP, Albumin, Total and conjugated bilirubin. The kidney biomarker Urea was observed to decrease in concentration for 200 mg/kg STCD (4.60 ± 1.83) and 400 mg/kg STCD (4.76 ± 0.74) when compared to the control group (6.32 ± 2.74). A decrease in Creatinine was observed in 200 mg/kg (91.80 ± 34.69) and 400 mg/kg (98.60 ± 15.53) in comparison to the control group (117.60 ± 42.88). The histological examination of the liver of rats administered STCD revealed structural normal central vein, hepatocytes and portal tract. The kidney examination revealed normal glomeruli and normal tubule. Conclusion: The findings of this study opine that STCD improved the health of both the liver and kidney as evidenced via the biomarkers and histological examinations of the liver and kidney. This study therefore recommends the intake of STCD at moderate doses for improved liver and kidney function due to its bioactive compounds and nutritional content.
文摘Objective:Virgin coconut oil(VCO)has been used in the management of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Therefore,this research investigated the effect of long-term consumption of VCO diet on learning and memory in CD1 mice.Methods:Thirty male CD1 mice(divided into three groups,n=10)were fed with standard rodent chow(control),5%and 20%VCO diets(respectively)for 28 d.The Morris Water Maze(MWM)test was used to test the effect of VCO on visuo-spatial learning and memory,while the Novel Object Recognition Test(NORT)was used to measure short-and long-term recognition memory.Results:Learning performance of mice did not differ in the MWM.During the probe trial,duration in the retention quadrant and annulus crossings were lower(P<0.05)in the 5%and 20%VCO diet groups compared to the control diet group,showing that VCO impaired visuo-spatial memory.During the NORT,mice showed more total approaches in the 20%VCO diet group(P<0.05)compared to control and the 5%VCO diet groups during the short-term memory test.During the long-term memory retention test,the total approaches were also higher in the 20%VCO group compared to control and 5%VCO group(P>0.05).The discrimination index was also lower in the 20%VCO group compared to control and 5%VCO diet groups indicating impaired long-term cognitive memory in mice given 20%VCO diet.Histological examination of brains showed damage within the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus in the 20%VCO diet group,in line with the behavioural observations.Conclusion:Long-term consumption of virgin coconut oil diet impairs memory in mice.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated with letrozole(1 mg/kg body wt) to induce PCOD, and after 21 days of induction rats were administered orally with 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 of Cocus nucifera flower aqueous extract, respectively. Estrus cycle and blood sugar were monitored once a week throughout the study. After scarification, various biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant status(superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione reductase(GSH)) of the uterus homogenate, lipid profile(total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein(HDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL), and triglycerides(TG)) of the serum were determined. Weights of the uterus and ovaries were separately monitored. The characteristics of changes in the ovary were evaluated by histopathological studies. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of volatile and pharmacologically active phytoconstituents. C. nucifera flower extract-treated groups showed estrus cyclicity and increased uterus weight which indicates the estrogenic effect. The improved blood sugar level, ideal lipid profile, good antioxidant status, and histopathology results revealed the recovery from poly cystic ovaries. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that C. nucifera flower is a potential medicine for the treatment of PCOD and this study supports the traditional uses of C. nucifera flower.
