Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

149-155

Authors: Mohamed Ali Deyab, Taha Mohamed El-Katony, Magda Faiz El-Adl, Fatma Mohamed Ward

Objective: To relate the chemical composition of Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux (D. dichotoma) to variation of water characteristics at Hurghada, Egypt. Methods: Sea water and D. dichotoma fronds were collected from Hurghada shores, during autumn of 2014. Water samples were analyzed and fronds of D. dichotoma were biochemically quantified. Results: Sea water was characterized with high levels of salinity, P and heavy metals but with low content of nitrogen. The confined nature and the high evaporation of the Red sea contribute to the high salinity while the mining and transportation of phosphatic ore in the nearby region contribute to the high load of P and heavy metals. With the progress of season from September to November, water temperature was markedly reduced whereas pH and ionic content of water was reduced to a lesser extent, with marked alteration in ionic composition. With the progress of season towards winter, there was marked reduction in mineral composition of the fronds, shift in frond composition in favor of carbohydrates at the expense of proteins, lipids and alginates; and shift in the pigment composition in favor of chlorophylls at the expense of carotenoids and fucoxanthin. Conclusions: These facts point to active growth and photosynthetic activity during the cold period; that is, D. dichotoma is a cold water alga. D. dichotoma had moderate nutritive value, with moderate contents of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals. The mineral accumulation capacity of the fronds was more evident for N, P and K than for Ca, Mg and heavy metals.

162-166

Authors: Osasenaga Macdonald Ighodaro1,2*, Oluseyi Adeboye Akinloye1, Regina Ngozi Ugbaja1, Samuel Olatunbosun Omotainse

Objective: To examine the effects of Sapium ellipticum (S. ellipticum) extract on hepatic activities of glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats (four groups, n = 8) were used in this study. S. ellipticum was assessed at two different doses, 400 and 800 mg/kg BW, in comparison with metformin (12 mg/kg BW) as a standard antidiabetic drug. All treatments were done orally (p.o), twice daily at 8 h interval for a period of 21 days. Glucose-6-phosphatase and glucokinase activities were respectively determined. Hepatic and muscle glycogen contents were estimated as well. Results: STZ caused significant decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity and concomitant increase in glucokinase activity. S. ellipticum especially at 400 mg/kg significantly restored glucokinase activity by 40.31% and glucose-6-phosphatase activity by 37.29%. These effects were though significantly lower than that of metformin which enhanced glucokinase activity by 94.76% and simultaneously inhibited glucose-6-phosphatase activity by 49.15%. S. ellipticum also improved hepatic glycogen level by 32.37% and 27.06% at 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. HPLC-MS analysis of active S. ellipticum fractions in dynamic MRM mode (using the optimized compound-specific parameters) revealed among other active compounds, the presence of amentoflavone, which has been associated with anti-diabetic function. Conclusions: The ability of S. ellipticum extract to concurrently inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase and activate glucokinase in this study suggests that it may be a treatment option for type 2 diabetes patients and the presence of amentoflavone in the plant extract may account for its anti-diabetic potential.

174-178

Authors: Uduak Akpan Okon*, Titilope Helen Olatunbosun

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) with those of insulin and glibenclamide. Methods: Type I and II diabetes mellitus (DM) were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin and intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (100 mg/kg) along with streptozotocin, respectively. The state of diabetes was confirmed weekly by testing blood glucose level using a glucometer. Results: The weekly blood glucose levels were higher in type I DM than in type II DM. Type I DM plus O. gratissimum showed a weekly progressive significant reduction in blood glucose compared to type I DM control. Type I DM control showed a duration dependent significant higher blood glucose concentration compared to normal control. Type I DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a time dependent significant lower glucose level compared to normal control and type I DM control. Combination treatment of type I DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a significantly elevated glucose concentration compared to normal control which was similar to type I DM control. Insulin treatment in type I DM showed a weekly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type I DM control. Type II DM control showed a fairly constant blood glucose concentration throughout the duration of treatment that was significantly higher than that of the normal control. Type II DM plus O. gratissimum showed a fairly steady significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a fairly constant significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a slightly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Type II DM with glibenclamide showed almost steady significant reduction in glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Conclusions: From the result, it is evident that O. gratissimum and V. amygdalina administration produces more potent hypoglycemic activity than insulin and glibenclamide in type I and II DM models, respectively

182-186

Authors: Lejla Ridanovic, Damir Jurica, Sanel Ridanovic

Objective: To evaluate temporal and spatial nutrient level regimes and thermotolerant coliform counts (TTC) as water quality determinants. Methods: The annual research was conducted from November 2014 to November 2015, over six sampling seasons at seven selected sites within the greater City of Mostar, the regional centre of Herzegovina. For determination of physical, chemical and microbiological parametres Standard Methods for the Examination od Water and Wastewater (APHA, 1995) were used. Results: The results indicate that nutrient levels are within prescribed limits, although they are raised along a longitudinal gradient, correlating with wastewater outlest. The water quality was found to be within the I/II class during all tested seasons, suggesting that the river Neretva is in good condition and meets the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000). The TTC counts, however indicate a high level of contamination, due to communal wastewater outlets. Conclusions: Raised nutrient and bacterial contents are noted in high number of waterways, worldwide. Hence a more thorough investigation from epidemiological and toxicological aspects is warranted for setting the water quality standards.