DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Since prehistoric times, medicinal herbs have been used due to their therapeutic and pharmaceutical value due to the presence of some bioactive compounds which have been written and proven to show effectiveness against ailments such as jaundice, genital infections, fever, wounds amongst others. Phyllanthus Amarus is traditionally used for various infections, inflammation and cancer. 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine is a potent colon cancer inducer in animals. The present study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of n-hexane fraction of Phyllanthus Amarus on 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer in swiss albino mice. 15 male swiss albino mice of weight 14g-26g were acclimatized for a week and randomized into 3 groups (5 per group). Group A (-DMH), Group B (DMH+ 450mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of n-hexane fraction of P. amarus) Group C (DMH+). 20 mg/kg body weight of DMH was administered orally for 24doses (3 times a week for 2 months). The plant extracts were administered daily for 2 weeks (14days) with the aid of a dolphin gauge immediately after colon cancer induction. In the present study, the antioxidant parameters e,g, SOD(×103 )(u/mg wet tissue) and CAT(×102 )(u/mg wet tussue) of control were significantly different from the treated group as seen in the result (2.156±0.64 and 0.42± 0.28 )for SOD,(11.66 ± 0.78 and 2.93± 0.75) for CAT. For MDA(×10-4 )(m/mg wet tissue) GPX(u/mg wet tissue) and GSH(g/wet tissue )there was no significant difference when the control group (0.209±0.015) for MDA, (0.037±0.014 )for GPX and (1.23±0.087) for GSH was compared to treated group (0.17±0.02) for MDA, (0.08± 0.015) for GPX and (1.93± 0.19 )for GSH. For liver function test, there was significant difference between the control (168.9 ±24.57), treated (219.42±54.8) and untreated group (156.56±11.68) for ALT activity(u/L) in the liver homogenate, but there was no significant difference at p<0.05 for AST(u/L) across all groups Control(25.6± 0.58), treated (26.77±1.16) and untreated(29.1±0.579 ).

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 this study, the differential effect of one and two weeks exposure to carbendazim on renal toxicity in rat was carried out. Twenty male rats were grouped into control and test group. The rats were labelled using picric acid and weight of individual rats were taken using a weighing balance and recorded as initial weight. The control group was orally administered 1% tween 80 using a gavage, while the test group was orally administered 200mg/kg body weight of Carbendazim dissolved in 1% tween 80 (acts as vehicle) using a gavage. oral administrations were done once and the rats were monitored for a period of 1-2 weeks and observations were recorded. After one week of Carbendazim exposure, five (5) rats from each group were anaesthesized in chamber containing Chloroform and blood was collected by cardiac puncture. The kidneys were excised, trimmed free of connective tissues and weighed. One kidney from each group was immersed in formalin and used for histopatholigical study while the remaining kidneys were stored at -4 0c until needed for biochemical studies. The parameters measured were; Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase ,Malondialdehyde ,Urea and Creatinine. There was no significant change (p>0.05) in kidney weight of rats when compared with the normal control but the weight of kidney decreased significantly (p<0.05). Increase in MDA levels were not significant (p>0.05)in carbendazim treated groups compared with normal control after 7days and 14 days respectively. The elevation in Catalse activity after 7 days was not significant(P>0.05) in Carbendazim treated group when compared to the control but Catalase activity increased significantly (P<0.05)after 14 days which may be an indicator of the body trying to alleviate oxidative stress. increased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is beneficial in event of increased free radical production. SOD levels increased significantly (p<0.05)in carbendazim treated rats compared with the control after 7days of Carbendazim exposure. The significant increase in Urea and Creatinine levels in the blood may be attributed to Carbendazim toxicity. Creatinine levels increased significantly (p<0.05) after 7 days in carbendazim treated group compared with the normal control. After 14 days, the increase in Creatinine levels was not significant (p>0.05) in Carbendazim treated group compared with control. In histopathological examination, Ultra-structural changes were observed in the kidney of rats treated with carbendazim compared to those of control. Inflammatory infiltrates and tubular necrosis which indicates damage to kidney tubules were observed in the kidney of carbendazim treated rats (plate 2 and plate 4) after 7 days and 14days respectively

A wide array of ethno-medicinal values has been attributed to the different parts of Annona muricata, and indigenous communities in Africa and South America extensively use this plant to augment conventional drugs. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies were carried out on the stem bark extract of Annona muricata Linn. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of A. muricata on hematological parameters in wistar albino rats. A total of Sixty (60) male albino rats were divided into 12 groups of five (5) rats each. They were given grower pellets and water. Groups one (control), two, three, four, five, six were administered 0, 200, 500, 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extract per day respectively for a period of 28days.Weekly measurements of body weight were carried out. After 30 days, the rats were subjected to overnight fast after which they were sacrificed, with their
blood and organ samples collected into sterile containers with anticoagulant. Hematological profiles showed increased levels of red blood cells and its related indices for both methanolic and aqueous extract of Annona muricta. The investigation into the sub-chronic toxicity of methanol and aqueous extract of the stem bark of Annona muricata revealed no significant effect on the immunity of wistar albino rats.

Hypertension and diabetes are major global health problems that often occur together, worsening cardiovascular and hematological complications. Standard therapies such as Lisinopril and Glibenclamide are effective but can alter normal blood parameters during prolonged use. This study compared the effects of Lisinopril/Glibenclamide (50 mg/kg) and the methanol fraction of Sida acuta and Cleome rutidosperma (50 mg/kg) on hematopoietic modulation in hypertensive and diabetic male Wistar rats. Hypertension and diabetes were induced using L-NAME and
Streptozotocin. Rats were divided into seven groups, including normal, untreated hypertensive/diabetic, and treated groups. Treatments were administered orally for five weeks. Blood samples were analyzed for red and white cell indices, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet parameters. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Induction of hypertension and diabetes caused elevated monocyte and granulocyte counts, indicating systemic inflammation. Both treatments significantly reduced monocyte levels (p < 0.001), but only the plant extract reduced granulocyte percentage (p = 0.003), suggesting stronger anti-inflammatory action. Lisinopril/Glibenclamide treatment lowered hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.016), while the Sida acuta/Cleome rutidosperma extract maintained normal red cell values, showing hematoprotective effects. The drug combination increased platelet count and size, whereas the plant extract preserved normal platelet balance. The methanol extract of Sida acuta and Cleome rutidosperma demonstrated comparable—and in some areas superior—hematopoietic and antiinflammatory effects to Lisinopril/Glibenclamide. Its ability to maintain erythroid and immune balance suggests potential as a natural adjunct or alternative therapy for managing hypertension– diabetes comorbidity.

Andrographis paniculata can be found in different environment ranging from plains, hill, slopes or even road sides and it is grown annually mostly in western asia. It is widely used in the treatment of disease such as sore throat, liver disease, gastrointestinal infection etc. It is characterized by it's bitter taste which is known to contribute to its name " The king of bitters". The aim of this research was to observed and determine the effect of aqueous extract of Adrographic paniculata on the activity of lipase, GGT and GPx on streptozotocin induced rat. The results of this study showed that Andrographis paniculata has potent therapeutic potential and could be used in the treatment of diabetes.

Vegetable oils are significant sources of dietary fatty acids. Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil
derived from the fruit of the palm plant (Elaeis
guineensis
) and is among the most produced and
widely used edible oils globally. Nevertheless, storage circumstances substantially modify its
chemical composition, elevating free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Free fatty acids (FFAs) are recognized
for their capacity to compromise membrane integrity and enzymatic activity, potentially altering
ATPase functions and resulting in modified hepatic metabolism. Employing groups of Wistar rats as
experimental models, one group used as control and the other groups fed with fresh and stored palm
oil containing varying levels of free fatty acids, assays were carried out to investigate the effects of
fresh and stored palm oil on the change in body weight and the activity of calcium ions ATPase
activity and magnesium ions ATPase activity in the liver of the Wistar rats. The results indicates that
consumption of fresh and stored palm oil with varied free fatty acid levels (0.4%-42.7%) led to
increase in the body weight of rats. Fresh palm oil with low free fatty acid levels contributes to
optimal liver function by preserving the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. This is due to its antioxidant components in fresh palm oil such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids which played a protective role by mitigating oxidative stress, maintaining enzyme activity and promoting cellular homeostasis. Stored palm oil with elevated free fatty acid levels resulting from oxidation exhibited negative effects on ATPase activity in ca2+ and Mg2+ particularly for Ca²⁺ATPase. This study reviews the effects of fresh and stored palm oil after consumption