DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

This study investigated the comparative effects of co-administration of aqueous and methanol fractions of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata on hematopoiesis in L-NAME/STZinduced hypertensive and diabetic male Wistar rats. Hypertension and diabetes are chronic metabolic disorders that frequently coexist and contribute to cardiovascular complications through oxidative stress and hematological alterations. Traditional medicinal plants such as Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata have been reported to possess antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties, yet their combined effects on blood cell formation remain underexplored. Hematological indices were evaluated to determine their effects on erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis, and thrombopoiesis. The findings revealed that both extracts produced beneficial effects on altered hematological parameters, with the methanol fraction showing greater hematoprotective efficacy. The methanol fraction significantly improved total lymphocyte, mid- sized cell percentage, and platelet indices, indicating enhanced immune response, erythropoietic stability, and hemostatic balance. These results suggest that the methanol fraction of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata exerts superior restorative effects on hematopoiesis in L- NAME/STZ-induced hypertensive and diabetic rats, highlighting its therapeutic potential in managing hematological disturbances associated with cardiometabolic disorders.

This study developed functional anti-diabetic snack bars using composite flours from Bambara groundnut, Cardaba banana, beetroot, guava leaf, and cinnamon, and assessed their mineral and antinutrient compositions in relation to blood glucose regulation. Three formulations (Samples A, B, and C) were analyzed for key minerals magnesium, zinc,calcium, iron, and Phosphorus and antinutrients such as phytates, oxalates, and cyanogenic compounds. Results revealed significant variations among samples. Sample B contained the most favourable mineral profile, with the highest levels ofmagnesium, zinc,and phosphorus, alongside low phytate content, indicating strong potential to support insulin activity and glucose metabolism. Sample A had high calcium but elevated antinutrients, while Sample C showed low antinutrient levels but reduced mineral density.Overall, Sample B demonstrated the best balance between nutrient richness and minimal antinutrient interference, highlighting the potential of indigenous crops in formulating functional foods for glycaemic management.

Hypertension is closely linked to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and reduced nitric oxide (NO) availability. Traditional medicinal plants are widely used for its management, yet scientific evidence supporting their efficacy remains limited. This study therefore evaluated the in vitro antihypertensive potential of a polyherbal indigenous tea prepared from Justicia carnea (Hospital too far), Moringa oleifera (miracle tree), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Gongronema latifolium (Utazi), Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), and Hibiscus sabdariffa (zobo). The formulation was assessed for nitric oxide scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), two key mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation. Nitric oxide scavenging ability was determined using sodium nitroprusside as the NO donor, while percentage inhibition values were used to estimate the IC₅₀. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the phosphomolybdenum assay. The polyherbal extract demonstrated strong NO scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.313 mg/mL, indicating consistent and concentration-dependent inhibition of NO radicals. The TAC results also showed a clear increase in antioxidant activity with rising extract concentration, confirming the presence of potent bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and anthocyanins that can neutralize reactive oxygen species. These findings suggest that the polyherbal tea possesses significant in vitro antihypertensive potential through its ability to preserve nitric oxide and reduce oxidative stress. The study provides scientific support for the traditional use of these plants in managing hypertension and highlights the formulation as a promising complementary remedy. Further in vivo studies and clinical investigations are recommended to establish its safety and therapeutic applicability.

This study comprehensively characterized the phytochemical profile of Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redh leaves, a plant traditionally used in West Africa for its medicinal properties. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, cardiac glycosides, sterols, terpenoids, and phenols. Quantitative analysis showed that cardiac glycosides had the highest concentration (0.26 ± 0.00), followed by terpenoids (0.21 ± 0.00) and phenols (0.12 ± 0.00), while sterols (0.05 ± 0.00) and tannins (0.11 ± 0.00) were present in relatively lower amounts. The identified phytochemicals are known to possess various biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which may contribute to the plant's medicinal uses. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the phytochemical composition of Emilia praetermissa and support its potential as a source of essential nutrients and therapeutic agents for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Further research is needed to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the plant's medicinal properties and to explore their potential uses in the development of new drugs and nutraceuticals.

This study aimed to determine metal analysis on the soil, weight changes, antioxidant defense systems, level of malondialdehyde, lipid content, the phospholipids profile, the activity for two weeks of energy and some enzymes in energy metabolism, and the lipid profile in tadpoles exposed to effluents from automobile workshops. Tadpoles were obtained from runoff water containing effluents used in automobile workshops from two different sites (Evbarake and Uwelu) in Benin City, Nigeria were used in this study. A total of 60 tadpoles were divided into three Groups with each group containing 20 tadpoles. Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 Evbarake site. Group 3 Uwelu site. Soil samples were collected from Capitol University of Benin Control group and automobile workshops (Exposed groups) respectively. The animals were maintained for the study period of two weeks with their requisite sample soil/water from the respective sites. Metal analysis on the soil, weight changes, antioxidant defense systems, level of malondialdehyde, lipid content, the phospholipids profile, the activity for two weeks of energy and some enzymes in energy metabolism, and the lipid profile were analyzed using standard methods. The data from Table 4.1 show that the heavy metal analysis were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control. The malondyaldehyde levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in tadpoles from both sites compared to the control group. The Evbarake site showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in catalase activity compared to the control, while the Uwelu site showed a slight decrease. The glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased in tadpoles from both test sites when compared to the control. Aldehyde oxidase activity was significantly higher in tadpoles from both contaminated sites compared to the control. The results demonstrated that the exposure led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total lipids, triacylglycerol, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins in a site-dependent manner. The exposure led to a significant increase in glucose levels. It was also observed that the exposure of tadpoles within the test sites decreased the weight of tadpoles and final weight of head region in tadpoles from the Uwelu site showed a significant decrease when compared to those from the control site (p < 0.05). Overall, this study provides important insights into the potential health risks associated with effluents exposure including alteration in glucose metabolism, antioxidant enzymes activity, and lipid peroxidation in the presence of effluents which may cause oxidative stress in the test sites. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential longterm effect of this exposure.

This report investigates the antioxidant capacity of an ethanol extract from the plant Funtumia elastica on the liver and kidneys of Wistar rats. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, which can lead to various diseases. The study evaluated the effects of the plant extract on several antioxidant parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in the liver and kidney tissues. The results demonstrated that the ethanol extract modulated these antioxidant parameters to varying degrees in the liver and kidneys. Notably, the extract exhibited a protective effect against lipid peroxidation in the liver, as evidenced by significantly reduced MDA levels in the Groups 3 and 4 compared to the control. Additionally, catalase activity was significantly upregulated in the liver of Group 2. However, GSH levels were significantly lower in the livers of treated groups compared to controls, suggesting potential compromise of the antioxidant defense system. No significant differences were observed for SOD and GPX activities in both organs across the groups. While the extract showed promising antioxidant effects, particularly in the liver, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic applications. The findings contribute to the understanding of Funtumia elastica's antioxidant properties and its potential use in managing oxidative stress-related conditions affecting vital organs

Procreation was an important moral issue, and to ensure that both men and women are potent enough to procreate, aphrodisiacs were used to correct sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is basically the inability to achieve a normal sexual intercourse, and this include premature or quick ejaculation, inhibited ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and orgasmic disorder (Kotta et al., 2013). In the 1990s, scientists carried out research work on aphrodisiacs and the first pharmacological remedy for impotence, Viagra (sildenafil) was approved. In a bid to look
for an agent that arouses sexual desire (aphrodisiac) with fewer side effects, the hunt for natural supplement from medicinal plants was intensified. Aphrodisiac plants have since been discovered and they have been pharmacologically tested in animals

Diabetes is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia or elevated blood sugar proven to be a major health problem. This study was aimed at evaluating in vitro inhibitory activities of methanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, and aqueous extracts of Canavalia ensiformis seed on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase at varying concentrations. Extraction of methanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous extracts of Canavalia ensiformis seed was carried out in this study. Phytochemical screening of the extracts of Canavalia ensiformis seed was carried out using standard methods. Dichloromethane and n- hexane extracts of Canavalia ensiformis seed were used for GC-MS analysis. Five different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, 100µg/ml) of each extract were used in this experiment. The standard drug acarbose was prepared using the same concentration range. The alpha amylase inhibition assay showed that the methanol with IC50 value of 13.03 µg/mL was the most potent in inhibiting alpha amylase while for the alpha glucosidase inhibition assay it was the aqueous extract with IC50 value of 43.78 µg/mL when compared to the other extracts. The Phytochemical screening results of methanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous extracts of C. ensiformis seed revealed the presence of starch, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, and phenols. GC-MS analysis of dichloromethane extract showed the presence of anti-diabetic compounds such as n-Hexadecanoic acid, 3-Eicosene and p-xylene. The results obtained in this study indicate that the extract of the C. ensiformis possesses alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities, thus supporting the traditional use of C. ensiformis seed extract by traditional healers for management of type II diabetes. In addition, the alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activities of C. ensiformis seed extracts observed in this study, may be one of the mechanisms of action of the seed in reducing elevated blood glucose levels as observed in diabetes mellitus.

Fungal infections are major hazards to crop health and yield in agricultural settings. This study investigates into how well salicylic acid and methyljasmonate work to lessen the negative effects of fungal pathogen exposure on oil palm seedlings. The effects of these phytohormones on the production of important plant biomolecules and antioxidants, such as carotenoids, lycopene, ascorbic acid, total sugar, proline, and vitamins A and E, was accessed by thorough investigation. The results show that when oil palm seedlings are exposed to fungal infections, their levels of significant plant compounds and antioxidants significantly decrease. Nevertheless, the utilization of salicylic acid and methyljasmonate exhibits an impressive ability to mitigate these deleterious consequences. In particular, both phytohormones efficiently promote the synthesis of vital biomolecules, preserve or increase antioxidant and vitamin levels, and reduce lipid peroxidation brought by fungal pathogen challenge. These findings highlight the phytohormones' potential as long-term and efficient tools in farming methods meant to lessen the negative effects of fungal infections on crop quality and productivity. Innovative crop protection and management techniques for oil palm farming can be developed with important insights from an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective actions of salicylic acid and methyljasmonate.

Malaria is an acute, life-threatening parasitic infection caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, posing a significant global health threat. The most virulent form that infects humans is Plasmodium falciparum. Current first-line treatments involve Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), but the increasing prevalence of antimalarial drug resistance constitutes a major impediment to global malaria control initiatives. Historically, traditional knowledge of indigenous plants has guided the discovery of effective antimalarials, such as quinine and artemisinin, underscoring the urgent need to explore plant-based medicines for alternative therapeutic strategies. Persea americana (avocado), a commercially valuable fruit tree, is used traditionally for malaria treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the methanolic extract of Persea americana seed for its antimalarial activity and acute toxicity level. The overall objective was to scientifically validate the plant’s use for anti-malarial therapy and suggest it as a promising source for new antimalarial compounds. Acute toxicity was assessed in six male Wistar strain mice (6–8 weeks old) using the limit test dose up and down procedure of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. Antimalarial activity was tested using the Peter’s 4-day Suppressive test in 20 male Wistar strain mice inoculated intraperitoneally with Chloroquine Sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 infected red blood cells. Extract doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg b.wt. were administered orally and daily for four days. Control groups received normal saline vehicle, chloroquine (25 mg/kg b.wt.), or lithium chloride (10 mg/kg b.wt.). In the acute toxicity study (OECD guideline 423), following the administration of 2000 mg/kg b.wt. of the Persea americana seed methanol extract, no mice death was recorded, and no other signs of toxicity were observed during the 14-day period. Therefore, the extract was deemed safe for administration at 2000 mg/kg b.wt.. The findings suggest that the Persea americana seed methanol extract has a low acute toxicity profile, as demonstrated by the safety of administering 2000 mg/kg b.wt. in mice. The antimalarial activity of Persea americana recorded decrease in % Parasitemia in mice and the most significant decrease in the highest dose administered. This validates the traditional use of the plant sample and highlight the Persea americana seed as a promising resource for discovering new antimalarial compounds