DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Arachis hypogaea l. (Groundnut) is a major leguminous oilseed crop widely cultivated in Nigeria for its nutritional and economic importance. It serves as a vital source of protein, oil, and bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. Limited studies have integrated proximate, phytochemical evaluations of its varieties within different agro-ecological zones. This study aimed to carry out a comparative evaluation of the proximate, and phytochemical properties of two Arachis hypogaea varieties cultivated in Niger and Sokoto States, Nigeria. Standard analytical procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and the American Oil Chemists’ Society were employed for proximate analysis while High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used for quantitative phytochemical 11 determination. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS (version 25.0) with significance set at p < 0.05. The results revealed minor variations between the two varieties. Niger samples exhibited higher fibre (15.20%) and ash content, while Sokoto samples contained higher protein (8.40%) and carbohydrate (48.70%) levels. Qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides in both samples, with tannins detected only in the
Sokoto variety. HPLC results showed that the Sokoto variety had significantly higher flavonoid and terpenoid concentrations (p < 0.05), suggesting stronger antioxidant potential. The observed compositional differences indicate that environmental and varietal factors influence the nutritional and phytochemical attributes of Arachis hypogaea. Both varieties demonstrated excellent nutritional and functional qualities suitable for food, nutraceutical, and industrial applications. In conclusion, the study underscores the nutritional richness and biochemical diversity of Arachis hypogaea, recommending the Sokoto variety for nutraceutical use and the Niger variety for fibrerich food formulations. Future research integrating genetic and environmental profiling is suggested to enhance varietal improvement and industrial utilization

Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It possesses different biological activity including antioxidant andantimicrobial activities, antibacterial and analgesic activity. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of Vernonia amygdalina on cardiovascular disease risk factors in rats exposed to DMH. Adult Wister rats (n= 30) were collected and randomly assigned to groups (8 rats per groups): normal control, DMH only, Silymarin control, extract only, post treatment 1, post treatment 2, Pre- treatment 1, and Pre- treatment 2. Group 1, was supplied with food and water regularly but no Vernonia amygdalina extract, silymarin antibiotic or 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered. Group 2, 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered at 3millilitres per kilograms of body, alongside with food and water to induce the heart damage. Loss of appetite, fatigue and dizziness was noted after few days of administration. Group 3, the silymarin an antibiotic at 100ml\kg by weight was administered, DMH was then administered every day for 12 days. Concentrations of lipids: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, TAG, High and low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as Atherogenic index, Atherogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio and cardiac Nitric Oxide was measured in plasma

This study investigated different extraction methods and antioxidant properties of Kigelia africana through the analysis of extract yields, total flavonoid content, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Four extraction methods were evaluated: methanol crude extract (ME), flavonoid-rich extract (FRE), methanol extract-ethyl acetate fraction (ME EAA), and flavonoidrich extract-ethyl acetate (FRE EAA). The FRE EAA showed the highest yield (0.2173), while FRE demonstrated the lowest yield (0.016). Total flavonoid content analysis revealed highest concentrations in the flavonoid-rich extract (185.6 ± 4.2 mg QE/g), followed by ethyl acetate fraction (142.3 ± 3.8 mg QE/g), and methanol extract (98.7 ± 2.9 mg QE/g). All extracts
exhibited concentration-dependent hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, with IC50 values ranging from 7.508 ± 0.4 mg/mL (ME) to 7.644 ± 0.2 mg/mL (FRE). These findings suggest that while different extraction methods significantly affect yield and flavonoid content, all extracts
demonstrate comparable antioxidant activity, with the flavonoid-rich extract showing particularly promising results for potential therapeutic applications.

Male infertility remains a major global health concern, often associated with oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and exposure to pharmacological agents such as paroxetine (Agarwal et al., 2022). This study investigated the curative effects of aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on paroxetine-induced infertility in male Wistar albino rats, focusing on serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as histological findings. The extract was prepared by soaking 385g of dried Hibiscus sabdariffacalyces in 5000 ml of distilled water for 48 hours, followed by filtration and concentration to obtain a powdered form (Salami & Afolayan, 2021). Twemty five healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each: normal control, negative control, positive control, and two treatment groups administered 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract, respectively. Hormonal assays were conducted using ELISA methods ). Treatment with Hibiscus sabdariffa at 250 mg/kg restored testosterone levels close to normal, while LH showed no significant changes, suggesting preserved pituitary function. Histological observations further confirmed the protective and restorative effects of the extract on testicular morphology (Okasha et al., 2024). These findings indicate that Hibiscus sabdariffa contains bioactive antioxidants capable of mitigating oxidative and hormonal disturbances caused by paroxetine. The study concludes that moderate doses of Hibiscus sabdariffa can enhance hormonal balance and protect testicular health, supporting its traditional use as a fertility-enhancing medicinal plant (Adetuyi et al., 2023; Mohd Luqman et al., 2024).

Many plants have the potential of preventing and treating acute and chronic diseases. The protective effect of medicinal plant is often maintained through an increased expression of antioxidants and scavenging of free radicals. Cucumis sativus has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Some of its active compounds have demonstrated in vitro anti-tumor, anti- viral and antibacterial effects. The current study was aimed at evaluating the renal protective activity of Cucumis sativus against streptozotocin-induced renal toxicity. A total of twenty five Wistar rats were purchased and used for this study. The animals were grouped into five of five animals each. Group 1 served as normal control and was exposed to standard diet. Group 2 was the negative control administered streptozotocin (STZ) but not treated. Group 3 was the standard drug group (administered STZ and treated with metformin). Group 4 was the first treatment group exposed to STZ and treated with 200 mg/kg bwt of the extract. Group 5 was the second treatment group exposed to STZ and treated with 300 mg/kg bwt of the extract. At the end of the study, animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed. Blood sample was collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, put into plain containers and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min to obtain serum. The serum was further subjected to renal function assessment. Results from this study revealed that STZ elevated the levels of urea and serum electrolytes. Elevated renal indices were significantly reduced sequel to the administration of the extract and metformin. Findings from this study suggest that the ethanol extract of C. sativus possesses ameliorative properties and can be used in the management of STZ-related renal damage

The mineral and antinutirent content of Picralima nitida fruit pulp andbarkwereinvestigated. The results of the analyses revealed the existence of antinutritionalsubstance in P. nitida stem bark and pulp. Phytate (140 1.2) mg/g, Oxalate(8.6470.23) mg/g, Saponin (89.23 2.45) mg/g, Tannin (89.23 2.45) mg/g, andAlkaloid(8.722 0.170) mg/g were the antinutritional content. The presence of thesesignificant antinutrients in P. nitida pulp and bark may endowit with a varietyofmedicinal qualities. The sample contained high levels of phytate, tannins, andoxalate. A digital flame photometer was used to determine the mineralsNa(21.00)mg/g and K(161.84)mg/g in the processed pulp and bark sample(Model2655- 00). The extra minerals are Mg(4.40)mg/g, Ca(11.60)mg/g, Cu(0.14)mg/g, Fe(4.40)mg/g, Zn(4.80)mg/g, and Mn(1.20)mg/g were calculated using anAtomicAbsorption Spectrophotometer (AAS-Model-alpha 4). This study discoveredthatp.nitida pulp and bark are high in nutrients, minerals, and antinutrients that arefavorable to human health.

This study was aimed at assessing the effects of diesel on the growth and morphology of Eichhornia crassipes. Samples of Eichhornia crassipes were collected from Ologbo pond, Edo State, Nigeria. Diesel was purchased at the Faculty of Agriculture Cooperative gas station, University of Benin, Benin city. The plants were then exposed to different concentration of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% (v/v ) and 0% control. Parameters used in the study include plant height, root length, stolon length, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, stolon girth, leaf diameter and determination of fresh and dry weight. Using three replicates per treatment, the plants were exposed to all concentration for 8 days. The results showed that all morphological parameters had a low mean value as compared to control, which shows that diesel was dentrimental to the plant. The effects were concentration dependent. The leaves of the test plants also showed changes in morphology. Chlorotic and necrotic lesions were noticed on the adaxial and abaxial surface. Further research should be carried to better understand the effects of diesel on E. crassipes and other aquatic macrophytes. Also adequate measures should be put in place to avoid pollution of the environment with diesel. Early response should be ensured in the case of diesel oil spillage in order to reduce the duration of exposure of ecosystems to oil pollution.

Bioactive compounds are important nutritional components that are present in small amount in
fruits and vegetable and are known for their various behavioral, immunological and physiological health benefit. This research utilized HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) analytical method, to identify and quantify the phytochemicals and bioactive compounds present in the Dichloromethane fraction of extract of Uraria picta. Analysis by HPLC revealed Six prominents compounds which include Ammodendrine (22.0694 ug/ml), Cyanogenic glycoside 20.1936 ug/ml), Spartein (15.9760 ug/ml), Tannin (12.9619ug/ml), Sapogenin ( 10.9960 ug/ml) and proanthocyanidine( 10.4914 ug/ml) with antioxidant, Anticancer and anti inflammatory potentials. These bioactive compounds have been reported to possess multiple therapeutic activities, which explain the use of Uraria picta leaves in traditional
medicine to treat numerous diseases.

Malaria is a life threatening disease that affects approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide. The emergence of drug resistance parasite to currently available drugs and the spread of insecticide resistance mosquito vector have resulted in drawback to malaria control programs. Hence the need to develop novel antiplasmodial agent that will be cheaper and effective against the Plasmodium parasite. This study was aimed at evaluating the antiplasmodial property and cytotoxicity of methanol extracts of Tetrorchidium didymostemon leaves and stem bark. The study entailed preliminary evaluation of the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant activity of the plant extracts. The in vitro antiplasmodial property of the plant extracts (using the candle jar method) in chloroquine sensitive strain of P. falciparum (3D7 strain) and cytotoxicity (using Vero cell line) were assessed. In vivo antiplasmodial property of the extracts was evaluated on Plasmodium berghei ANKA infected Swiss mice. Fractionation of the most active extract; in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the subsequent fractions were also carried out. The most active fraction was analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID).

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), originated in India, belongs to family Cucurbitaceae, is most widely cultivated vegetable crop all over the world. Cucumber is the fourth most important vegetable crop after tomato, cabbage, and onion. Although its calorie and nutritional value is very low, it’s a primary source of vitamins and minerals in the human diet (Mah, 1989). It’s eaten in the unripe green form, the ripe yellow form normally becomes too bitter and sour. Antioxidants are substances that prevent and stabilize the damages caused by free radicals, it supplies electrons from antioxidants to damage cells.