278
administered to diabetic rats induces notable and probable changes of the glucidic
metabolism. The use of whole grain millet appears useful to correct the hyperglycaemia caused by diabetes mellitus and can thus prevent, and even decrease the
intensity of this disease (Nani et al. 2011).
The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in pearl millet as compared to any other
cereal grain highlights its potential in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, arthritis and certain types of cancer. Pearl millet grains can be
processed and consumed as ingredients in diversified foods. They are called “nutricereals” because of their high protein, fibre, mineral, and fatty acids contents, as
well as their antioxidant properties. Also, they are an alternative food for celiacs and
gluten sensitive individuals (Dias-Martins et al. 2018). The protein in millet consists
of all varieties of essential amino acids including leucine. It is a good source of
Tryptophan, an amino acid which can raise serotonin level and helps stress reduction. Also, from the result obtained in this study, pearl millet possesses ability to
serve as reducing agent and therefore can serve as a of antioxidants which counter
the accumulation of free radicals in the body (Odusola et al. 2013).
Zea mays hair has been claimed to have effect particularly on renal diseases
including chronicnephritis, benign prostate hyperplasia, gout, chronic nephritis
andcystitis. It helps to pass stone from kidney and urinary tract and prevent inflammation. Besides, Zea mays hair has anti-prostatitis and anti-spasmodic activities
(Solihah et al. 2012).
A study evaluated membrane stabilization and detoxification potential of ethyl
acetate fraction of Zea mays Stigma maydis in acetaminophen-induced oxidative
onslaughts in the kidneys of Wistar rats. The acetaminophen-mediated significant
elevations in the serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, and tissue levels of oxidized glutathione, protein-oxidized products, lipid peroxidized products, and fragmented DNA were dose dependently assuaged in the
fraction-treated animals. The fraction also markedly improved creatinine clearance
rate, glutathione, and calcium concentrations aswell as activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase in the nephrotoxic rats. These improvements may be attributed to the antioxidative and membrane
stabilization activities of the fraction. The overall data from the present findings
suggest that the fraction could prevent or extenuate acetaminophen-mediated oxidative renal damage via fortification of antioxidant defence mechanisms (Sabiu
et al. 2016).
The present study targeted the possible association between cereals and legumes
and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Results indicated that higher consumption of refined cereals and white bread is associated with higher CRC risk. The
study also showed that higher intake of whole grains and legumes is associated with
lower risk for developing CRC. The protective effect of whole grains against risk of
developing CRC could be attributed to nutrients and phytochemicals content of
whole grains including dietary fibres, resistant starch, oligosaccharides escaping
from digestion in the small intestine and then being fermented in the gut to produce
short-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, whole grains are rich in antioxidants,
S. A. A. Makbul et al.
administered to diabetic rats induces notable and probable changes of the glucidic
metabolism. The use of whole grain millet appears useful to correct the hyperglycaemia caused by diabetes mellitus and can thus prevent, and even decrease the
intensity of this disease (Nani et al. 2011).
The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in pearl millet as compared to any other
cereal grain highlights its potential in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, arthritis and certain types of cancer. Pearl millet grains can be
processed and consumed as ingredients in diversified foods. They are called “nutricereals” because of their high protein, fibre, mineral, and fatty acids contents, as
well as their antioxidant properties. Also, they are an alternative food for celiacs and
gluten sensitive individuals (Dias-Martins et al. 2018). The protein in millet consists
of all varieties of essential amino acids including leucine. It is a good source of
Tryptophan, an amino acid which can raise serotonin level and helps stress reduction. Also, from the result obtained in this study, pearl millet possesses ability to
serve as reducing agent and therefore can serve as a of antioxidants which counter
the accumulation of free radicals in the body (Odusola et al. 2013).
Zea mays hair has been claimed to have effect particularly on renal diseases
including chronicnephritis, benign prostate hyperplasia, gout, chronic nephritis
andcystitis. It helps to pass stone from kidney and urinary tract and prevent inflammation. Besides, Zea mays hair has anti-prostatitis and anti-spasmodic activities
(Solihah et al. 2012).
A study evaluated membrane stabilization and detoxification potential of ethyl
acetate fraction of Zea mays Stigma maydis in acetaminophen-induced oxidative
onslaughts in the kidneys of Wistar rats. The acetaminophen-mediated significant
elevations in the serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, and tissue levels of oxidized glutathione, protein-oxidized products, lipid peroxidized products, and fragmented DNA were dose dependently assuaged in the
fraction-treated animals. The fraction also markedly improved creatinine clearance
rate, glutathione, and calcium concentrations aswell as activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase in the nephrotoxic rats. These improvements may be attributed to the antioxidative and membrane
stabilization activities of the fraction. The overall data from the present findings
suggest that the fraction could prevent or extenuate acetaminophen-mediated oxidative renal damage via fortification of antioxidant defence mechanisms (Sabiu
et al. 2016).
The present study targeted the possible association between cereals and legumes
and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Results indicated that higher consumption of refined cereals and white bread is associated with higher CRC risk. The
study also showed that higher intake of whole grains and legumes is associated with
lower risk for developing CRC. The protective effect of whole grains against risk of
developing CRC could be attributed to nutrients and phytochemicals content of
whole grains including dietary fibres, resistant starch, oligosaccharides escaping
from digestion in the small intestine and then being fermented in the gut to produce
short-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, whole grains are rich in antioxidants,
S. A. A. Makbul et al.