DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

This study evaluated liver function of diabetic rat treated with ethanol extract of Chrysophyllum albidum stem back. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally in the rat with streptozotocin [STZ, 40mg/kg body weight (bwt)], and rats with fasting blood glucose levels exceeding 200 mg/dL were considered diabetic. Animals were treated with 200 mg/kg bwt ethanol extract of C. albidum stem bark or 50 mg/kg bwt metformin for 14 days, with a diabetic control group receiving no treatment. Fasting blood glucose levels were monitored using an Accu-check glucometer before and during treatment. Blood sample collected after euthenization were used for biochemical analysis. Results showed a significant reduction in blood glucose level in metformin group compared to Ethanol extract of C.albidum (p < 0.05). Activities of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the plasma shown no significant increase when compared to control (p>0.05). Similarly, Albumin and Bilirubin concentration show no significant increase (p>0.05). These findings suggest that ethanol extract of C. albidum stem bark particularly at 200 mg/kg bwt, exerts significant ethnomedicinal effect on diabetic rat liver.

Colorectal cancer is a major health concern worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum. While conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery exist, they can be physically and emotionally taxing. This study investigates the ameliorating effects of chloroform extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Piper guineense on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)- induced colorectal cancer in Wistar rats. The research aimed to determine the potential of these plant extracts in mitigating oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by DMH exposure. 18 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a DMH-only group, and a treatment group receiving DMH along with 250 mg/kg of the chloroform extract. DMH was administered orally using a dolphin’s gavage for 8 weeks (twice a week).At the end of DMH administration, 250 mg/kg bwt of Chloroform fraction of P.amarus and P.guinensis were administered with the aid of a dolphin’s gavage for 2 weeks (daily) treatment period. Biochemical markers such as liver and kidney function enzymes, oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde), and serum electrolytes as well as Tumor Protein 53(TP53)were analyzed. The results indicated a significant increase in oxidative stress markers in the DMH-only group, while rats treated with the plant extracts exhibited improved antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced markers of tissue damage. These findings suggest that Phyllanthus amarus and Piper guineense possess potential chemoprotective properties against DMH-induced colorectal cancer through antioxidant mechanisms. Further research is necessary to explore their clinical applicability and potential therapeutic benefits in cancer prevention and treatment.

The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, metabolism, and synthesis of essential biomolecules, but its exposure to toxicants such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) often results in severe hepatic damage. This study investigated the ameliorative potential of Entandrophragma utile stem bark extracts on selected liver enzymes in CCl₄-intoxicated Wistar rats. Fresh stem bark of E. utile was collected, air-dried, and extracted using methanol, after which the crude extract was fractionated into ethyl acetate and ethanol residue fractions. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five animals each: normal control, CCl₄ control, silymarin treated, and groups treated with crude, ethyl acetate, and ethanol residue fractions of E. utile. The extracts were administered orally for 28 days, while CCl₄ was given intraperitoneally in the final week to induce hepatotoxicity. Blood samples were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities using standard colorimetric methods. Results revealed that CCl₄ intoxication caused significant elevation in all liver enzyme markers compared with the control, indicating hepatic injury, whereas treatment with E. utile extracts markedly reduced these enzyme levels in a manner comparable to the standard drug, silymarin. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most pronounced hepatoprotective effect, suggesting the presence of potent antioxidant constituents capable of mitigating oxidative stress and restoring normal liver function. In conclusion, Entandrophragma utile possesses significant hepatoprotective properties against CCl₄-induced liver damage, validating its traditional use in managing hepatic disorders and indicating its promise as a natural source of therapeutic agent

This study evaluates the antioxidant and toxicity profiles of Alstonia boonei aqueous root extract in Wistar rats, a plant widely used in African traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. Despite its extensive traditional use, limited scientific data exist on its biochemical effects and potential toxicity. This study aims to assess the antioxidant activity and safety profile of Alstonia
boonei to validate its pharmacological relevance. Fourteen Wistar rats were assigned to three groups : a control group and four treatment groups receiving varying doses (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) of Alstonia boonei root extract for 21 days. Biochemical assays assessed glutathione (GSH), vitamin C levels, total protein concentration, and organ weights. Acute and subacute toxicity studies were conducted, and statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA (p ≤ 0.05). No mortality or observable toxicity symptoms were recorded, confirming the extract’s safety at doses up to 5000 mg/kg. A dose-dependent increase in total protein concentration was observed in the liver, reaching 2.60 ± 0.13 g/dL in the 100 mg/kg group (p ≤ 0.05), suggesting enhanced protein synthesis. However, GSH levels declined significantly in the liver from 124.59 ± 2.62 µg/mL (control) to 23.77 ± 0.82 µg/mL (100 mg/kg), indicating a potential transient depletion of antioxidant reserves. Vitamin C levels showed a compensatory increase, peaking at 76.62 ± 27.27 µg/mL in the liver of the 500 mg/kg group. The findings suggest that Alstonia boonei root extract exhibits strong antioxidant potential while maintaining a favorable safety profile. However, the observed depletion of GSH highlights the need for caution in prolonged use. Future research should explore long-term effects, optimal dosage, and molecular mechanisms to ensure its safe application in medicine.

Phosphatase enzyme activities were investigated in plantain (Musa paradisiacal) bracts to determine the activities of ALP and ACP. Fresh bracts were collected and analyzed for both acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate. The study revealed that alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher than acid phosphatase activity in plantain bracts, with mean values of 0.265 ± 0 µmol/min/g fresh weight and 0.253 ± 0.008 µmol/min/g fresh weight, respectively. Maximum ACP activity was observed at pH 3.5, while ALP showed optimal activity at pH 9.5. Temperature optimization studies indicated peak activities at 45°C for ACP and 40°C for ALP. Mg2+ was used as a modulator and results gotten showed than it was a positive modulator for both ALP and ACP as their activity increased, While Pi was shown to inhibit the activities of both Enzymes. The presence of these phosphatases, particularly the predominant acid phosphatase, indicates their crucial role in phosphate metabolism during bract development and senescence. These findings provide valuable insights into the biochemical processes occurring in plantain bracts and may contribute to understanding the physiological changes during plantain flower development.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of asthma. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Synclisia Scabrida (Meirs) on reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in lungs tissue of wistar rats with ovalbumin-induced asthma. Twenty (20) female wistar rats were divided into three subgroups and treated with ovalbumin-induced asthma for three weeks (21 days) followed by administration of Synclisia Scabrida (Meirs) at 0.4ml daily. The result showed that the extract significantly increased Glutathione (GSH) levels and decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the lung tissue of treated rats compared to control groups. These findings suggests that Synclisia Scabrida (Meirs) has antioxidant properties and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of asthma. The study provides new insights into the role of oxidative stress in asthma and potential benefits of using natural products in the management of the disease.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus frequently coexist, significantly increasing cardiovascular disease risk due to dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. This study investigates the impact of co-administering losartan/metformin (L/M) and losartan/glibenclamide (L/D) on plasma and cardiac lipid profiles in L-NAME/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hypertensive/diabetic male Wistar rats, with a focus on total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. Fifty-two male Wistar rats (50–80 g) were housed under standard laboratory conditions and acclimatized for two weeks. Hypertension was induced by administering L-NAME (40 mg/kg) in drinking water for four weeks, while diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Successful induction was confirmed by systolic blood pressure measurement (tail-cuff method) and fasting blood glucose levels >200 mg/dL. The rats were divided into six groups (n=6 per group): control, untreated, diabetic treated with L/M, and diabetic treated with L/D. Drug administration was conducted orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, rats were sacrificed via cervical dislocation. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture into EDTA-coated tubes, centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and plasma was stored at −20°C for lipid profile analysis. Cardiac tissues were excised, homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and centrifuged to obtain supernatants for further analysis. Plasma and cardiac total cholesterol levels did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.05). The hypertensive/diabetic group exhibited reduced HDL-cholesterol (85.0 ± 19.2 mg/dL) compared to the normotensive/non-diabetic control (110.8 ± 2.1 mg/dL). Treatment with L/D showed the highest HDL levels (2.87 ± 2.71 mg/dL), suggesting a possible beneficial effect of glibenclamide on HDL metabolism. Triglyceride levels varied significantly (p < 0.05), with hypertensive/diabetic rats showing elevated plasma (160.0 ± 27.2 mg/dL) and cardiac (27.92 ± 12.55 mg/dL) triglycerides compared to controls. L/M treatment reduced plasma triglycerides to 145.2 ± 17.7 mg/dL, while L/D increased them to 180.3 ± 51.0 mg/dL, suggesting metformin’s superior role in mitigating hypertriglyceridemia. Plasma LDL-cholesterol levels remained unchanged across all groups (p > 0.05), indicating limited effects of these drug regimens on LDL metabolism. This study highlights the differential impact of losartan/metformin and losartan/glibenclamide co-administration on lipid metabolism in hypertensive/diabetic rats. These findings contribute to optimizing therapeutic strategies for managing dyslipidemia in comorbid hypertension and diabetes

This research examined the toxicological properties of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa and Cinnamomum verum aqueous extracts on the platelet count and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in male wistar rats. Through the method used by Lorke, thirty-nine rats were placed under the control and treatment groups. There were three rats in the control group and twelve rats in each of the treatment groups. In each treatment group, three rats were administered 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of the corresponding plant extract as well as individual rats were administered 1500, 2900, and 5000mg/kg. It was administered over six days, and biochemical and hematological analyses were conducted in order to determine the liver and blood functioning as well as a proximate analysis of the plant composition. The proximate findings revealed that Curcuma longa had the highest carbohydrate and moisture levels, Andrographis paniculata recorded the highest mineral and fibre levels and Cinnamomum verum had the highest protein content. There were no substantial changes in body weight and this showed dose tolerance. There were dose-dependent platelet-level effects: Andrographis paniculata increased thrombopoiesis with dose, Cinnamomum verum induced a small and reversible platelet-depleting effect, and Curcuma longa had no effect on platelet counts. AST activities were normal in all groups with Curcuma longa (1000 mg/kg) having the best hepatoprotective activity in terms of reduced enzyme activity. In general, the acute exposure to the aqueous extracts was hepatotoxic and hematological toxicity-free. Curcuma longa and Andrographis paniculata exhibited significant hepatoprotection and platelet balance respectively. The findings suggest that both of these herbal extracts are biochemically safe in the dose range tested and they justify the safe use as traditional and modern therapeutic agents.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia causes damage to important tissues and organs (heart, liver, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark and its fractions on some biochemical status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Crude ethanol extract prepared from pulverised stem bark of the plant was fractionated using analytical grade solvents (n-hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol). Adult male rats (Wistar strain, n = 56) weighing between 150 and 200 g were randomly assigned to eight groups (7 rats/group): control, diabetic, metformin, extract, and hydroethanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. With the exception of control group, DM was induced in the rats via intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg body weight). This was followed by treatment (daily) with either metformin, ethanol extract or fractions of C. albidum stem bark for 14 days. At the expiration of the treatment period, plasma/tissue samples obtained from the rats were used for biochemical analyses. Blood glucose concentration and body weight were monitored on weekly basis. Indices of liver and kidney function; oxidative status in selected tissues (plasma, liver, kidney, pancreas), lipid peroxidation index and haematological parameters were measured. The results obtained showed that induction of DM with STZ significantly increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, organ weights (liver, kidney), malondialdehyde (MDA), indices of liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and some haematological parameters (white blood cell, lymphocyte, granulocyte, mid-cell), but it decreased the activities/levels of hepatic/renal/pancreatic antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], body weight, pancreas weight, plasma total protein, albumin, and electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻), high-density lipoprotein holesterol (HDL-C), platelet count, and red blood cell indices when compared to control (p < 0.05). However, treatment with C. albidum stem bark extract/fractions markedly reduced FBG level, organ weights (liver, kidney), and MDA, but it enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and pancreas weight (p < 0.05). Similarly, extract/fractions treatment improved lipid profile and haematological parameters, while restoring indices of liver and kidney function. The results were comparable to those of metformin (standard drug). Histopathological examination of pancreatic and liver tissues of diabetic untreated rats showed cell reduction of the islet of Langerhans and pancreatic acini, congestion of the central vein, as well as loss of normal hepatocytic architecture, indicating severe pancreatic and liver damage. However, treatment with C. albidum extract/fractions revealed improvement in liver/pancreas histology. Histopathological examination of pancreatic and liver tissues further supported the biochemical findings. The results obtained in this study have shown that ethanol extract of C. albidum stem bark and its fractions can markedly reduce typical derangements associated with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus (that is, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress.

This study investigates the effect of Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract on apoptotic and cytokine activity in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinoma in Swiss albino rats. Colon cancer remains a major global health burden, and the exploration of plant-derived bioactive compounds for safer chemoprevention has gained increasing attention. Phyllanthus amarus, a medicinal plant known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, was evaluated for its potential to mitigate colon carcinogenesis. Colon cancer was induced in rats through subcutaneous administration of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) once weekly for 10 weeks. Experimental groups received oral doses of ethanol leaf extract of P. amarus at concentrations of 250, 350 and 450 mg/kg body weight throughout the treatment period. Biochemical, histological, and molecular assessments were performed to determine oxidative stress status, apoptotic activity, and cytokine modulation. Treatment with P. amarus significantly decreased oxidative stress by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reducing lipid peroxidation levels. Histopathological analysis revealed restoration of normal colon tissue architecture and reduced dysplasia in treated rats compared to the DMH control group. Molecular findings showed that P. amarus extract enhanced apoptosis by upregulating the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9, while downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Furthermore, cytokine assays demonstrated that P. amarus modulated inflammatory signaling by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and elevating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These outcomes indicate that P. amarus confers chemoprotective effects through suppression of oxidative damage, activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway via caspase-9 and caspase-3, and regulation of cytokine balance