Efficient utilization of plant genetic resources for nutrition and crop improvement requires systematic understanding of the important traits. Amaranthus species are distributed worldwide with an interesting diversity of landraces and cultivars whose leaves and seeds are consumed. Despite their potential to enhance food security and economic livelihoods, grain amaranth breeding to improve nutritional quality and adoption by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is scanty. This study assessed the variation among 29 grain amaranth accessions using 27 phenotypic (10 morphological and 17 nutritional) characters and 16 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Multivariate analysis of phenotypic characters showed the first four principal components contributing 57.53% of observed variability, while cluster analysis yielded five groups at 87.5% similarity coefficient. RAPD primers generated a total of 193 amplicons with an average of 12.06 amplicons per primer, 81% of which were polymorphic. Genetic similarities based on Jaccard's coefficient ranged from 0.61 to 0.88. The RAPD-based unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram grouped the accessions into nine clusters, with the same species clustering together. RAPD primers distinguished the accessions more effectively than phenotypic markers. Accessions in the different clusters as obtained can be exploited for heterotic gain in desired nutritional traits.

Background:Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in various pathological conditions. Synthetic antioxidants have adverse health effects, while many medicinal plants have antioxidant components that can prevent the harmful effects of ROS.Objectives:This study quantitatively determined the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of the stem bark of Terminalia glaucescens (EESTG).Materials and Methods:The objectives were achieved based on in vitro assays. Data were analyzed by Sigma Plot (version 11.0).Results:Using gallic acid as the standard compound, TPC value obtained was 596.57 μg GAE/mg extract. TFC content of EESTG, determined as quercetin equivalent was 129.58 μg QE/mg extract. Furthermore, EESTG significantly (P < 0.001) displayed higher reducing power activity than the standard compounds (ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT]). Total antioxidant capacity assay, measured by phosphomolybdate method, was 358.33 ± 5.77 μg butylated hydroxytoluene equivalents [BHTE]/mg extract. β-carotene-linoleate bleaching method affirmed the potency of EESTG because of its significantly (P < 0.001) higher anti-oxidant activity when compared with quercetin and BHT. Based on DPPH assay, EESTG displayed significantly (P < 0.001) higher activity than BHT, while the hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of BHT and quercetin significantly (P < 0.001) exceeded that of the extract, although EESTG still displayed a high level of activity obtained as 83.77% in comparison to 92.80% of the standard compounds.Conclusion:Findings from this study indicate the presence of promisingly potent phytoconstituents in EESTG that have the capability to act as antioxidants and free radical scavengers.

We examined the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in Wistar rats, treated with MTX (20 mg/kg) alone or in combination with PCA (25 and 50 mg/kg) body weight for a week. PCA significantly abated MTX-mediated increase in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation and lipid peroxidation as well as enhances glutathione balance and antioxidant enzymes in the testes and epididymis of treated animals. PCA suppressed MTX-mediated increases in interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor alpha and caspase-3 activity in treated animals. Additionally, PCA treatment mediated increases in luteinising and follicle-stimulating hormones, prolactin and testosterone levels with marker enzymes of testicular function, accompanied with increase in sperm functionality in treated animals. Conclusively, PCA may serve as potential supplementation, enhancing reproductive health in males undergoing MTX therapy. K E Y W O R D Sapoptosis, methotrexate, oxido-inflammation, protocatechuic acid, reproductive toxicity

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derivative of phenylacetic acid, which elicits its therapeutic effects via inhibition of cyclooxygenase (Ortiz, 2017; Patrignani & Patrono, 2015). Diclofenac is globally used by millions of people mainly for the treatment of pain, inflammation, degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhoea and trauma (Ahmed et al., 2019; Aygun, Kaplan, Odaci, Onger, & Altunkaynak, 2012). Indeed, global diclofenac consumed yearly has been estimated to be approximately 940 tons (Zhang, Geissen, & Gal, 2008). Although diclofenac is an effective chemotherapeutic drug, its harmful effects in both animals and humans are associated with inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Specifically, diclofenac-mediated nephropathy, hepatotoxicity and ulceration, which are well-documented, have been related to the induction of oxidative damage (Ahmed, Gad, & El-Raouf, 2017;

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. We investigated the molecular mechanism of antiproliferation potential of Acacia honey on NCI-H460 cells by cell cycle, viability, cytokines, calcium ion and gene expression analysis. Acacia honey inhibited cells proliferation, arrested G0/G1 phase, stimulated cytokines, calcium ion release as well as suppressed p53 and Bcl-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. We proposed that the molecular mechanism of the antiproliferation potential of Acacia honey on NCI-H460 cell line is due to cell cycle arrest, stimulation of cytokines and calcium ion as well as downregulation of Bcl-2 and p53 genes.