DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae), commonly known as sesame, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crops, valued for its high oil content (40–60%) and diverse medicinal applications. Beyond its culinary importance, sesame possesses a wide array of secondary metabolites that contribute to its pharmacological and nutritional properties. This study focused on the qualitative and quantitative determination of total tannin, saponin, and alkaloid contents in sesame seeds to evaluate their phytochemical potential. Dried sesame seeds were procured from a local market in Edo State, Nigeria, and processed
following standard phytochemical procedures. The qualitative screening confirmed the presence of tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, while quantitative evaluation revealed that tannins were the most abundant phytochemical (21.27 + 0.35 g TAE/kg), followed by saponins (20.08 ± 0.33g DE/kg) and alkaloids (9.10 ± 0.49 %). The presence of these bioactive compounds indicates that sesame seeds possess strong antioxidant
and therapeutic potential. Tannins contribute to antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, saponins play a role in cholesterol regulation and immune modulation, while alkaloids are associated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings support the traditional use of sesame in herbal medicine and suggest its further application in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Traditional medicine has long played a crucial role in healthcare, particularly in Africa, where medicinal plants are widely used to treat various ailments. Picralima nitida, also known as the African bitter bean, is one such plant valued for its therapeutic properties, including its use in treating malaria, fever, and inflammatory conditions. Yet, regardless of its broad use in traditional medicine, scientific research on its biochemical effects is insufficient, particularly concerning its influence on mineral metabolism and metabolic health. In this study, forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received standard doses of aqueous Picralima nitida extract daily for a specific period, while the control group received no treatment. At the end of the study, serum calcium and uric acid concentrations were analyzed to determine potential alterations in mineral homeostasis. As calcium is essential for bone health, erve function, and enzymatic processes, and uric acid is a key metabolite linked to conditions such as gout and kidney disease, understanding how Picralima nitida affects these parameters is crucial. The findings of this study will contribute to the scientific validation of Picralima nitida in traditional medicine, therefore determining whether its continued use is safe and beneficial for metabolic and mineral homeostasis. Additionally, it could open pathways for further research into its pharmacological applications, potentially leading to the development of standardized herbal treatments based on traditional knowledge.

Hyperlipidemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is often managed with conventional lipid-lowering drugs that may have adverse effects. This study investigates the effects of methanol extract of Spondias mombin on total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in high-fat diet-fed rats. Experimental groups- group three, group four and group five received
different doses of the extract, while controls- positive control (group 1) and negative control (group 2) remained untreated. Biochemical analysis revealed a significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides in treated rats, suggesting potent hypolipidemic effects (p<0.05). The observed lipid-lowering activity may be attributed to phytochemicals such as flavonoids,
tannins, and saponins, which regulate lipid metabolism and possess antioxidant properties. These findings highlight Spondias mombin as a promising natural alternative for hyperlipidemia management, warranting further research on its mechanisms and clinical applications

Medicinal plants contain numerous phytochemicals that have the ability to prevent, manage, and cure various diseases. Picralima nitida has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times and possesses several pharmacological properties. This study aimed to access the toxicity effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Picralima nitida using healthy normal adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, investigate its effect on glucose and insulin secretion and analyze its effect on the pancreas. We carried out both acute and subchronic toxicity study. The acute toxicity study comprised of 15 rats and was carried out in 2 phases. At the end of acute toxicity test, there were no visible signs of toxicity observed in all the animals administered the extracts. Subchronic toxicity study comprised of 30 rats and lasted for over a period of four (4) weeks. Fasting blood sugar levels were measured in groups administered with doses of 150mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 800mg/kg, 2000mg/kg and 5000mg/kg. Across all groups, there was a consistent decrease in FBS when the baseline FBS is compared to the final week FBS. This suggests that the aqueous stem bark extract of P.nitida may be a potential hypoglycemic agent, although these changes are not statistically important. Insulin levels were measured to access the extract’s impact on insulin secretion and compared to the normal control group (4.04±3.32), most doses did not significantly alter insulin secretion, except for the 150mg/kg dose which increased to about 4.30±2.26a and 5000mg/kg dose, which showed a substantial increase (27.94±23.21). However, this increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.433). The effects of the extract on the pancreatic weight showed a significant reduction across all doses compared to the normal control. Pancreatic weight decreased significantly at all administered doses (150mg/kg to 5000mg/kg) with p = 0.000, indicating a high level of statistical significance. The histology of the pancreas showed that there was no inflammation also the extract at 150mg/kg and 2000mg/kg dose increased Islets of Langerhans markedly. At 300mg/kg and 5000mg/kg there was no increase in Islets of Langerhans.

The study investigated the chemical composition of the water-soluble fraction derived from Lonchocarpus cyanescens leaves, a West African medicinal plant traditionally used for ailments like arthritis and ulcers. After fresh leaves were extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus and the water fraction was isolated and derivatized, it was analyzed by GC-MS. Initial phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of key secondary metabolites like flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. GC-MS profiling of the water fraction identified 12 major compounds, comprising over 95% of the total composition. The most predominant constituents were hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid, 18.5%), 9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid, 15.2%), phytol (12.8%), and squalene (10.4%). These identified compounds, which also included beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, are recognized for their antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, suggesting a chemical basis for the plant's ethnomedicinal applications. The results underscore the potential of the water fraction as a source of bioactive compounds and recommend further bioactivity assays to confirm therapeutic efficacy

Research has been ongoing on many plant materials, especially those discarded as waste, to exploit their nutritional and antinutritional properties. Generally, plant parts (seeds, leaves, bark, fruits, stems) contain bioactive agents with medicinal properties but require proper assessment. Avocado (P. americana) seeds are often discarded after taking the pulp of the fruit. Until recent times, Researchers have identified a wealth of therapeutic compounds in the husk of avocado seeds which are normally discarded. The present study was aimed at determining the level of anti-nutrients and possibly heavy metals in the seed of Avocado. The seeds were removed from the pulp, washed, dried, cut into smaller pieces and allow to air dry completely and then pulverised. The seed powder of P. americana was analysed to determine its mineral contents and some antinutritional properties (oxalate and phytate). The quantitative analysis of these parameters showed that the anti-nutritive components are Phytate (1.07%) and oxalate (6.16%) respectively. The mineral analysis revealed zinc (3.415 mg/kg ±0.145), Lead (0.035 mg/kg ±0.005), iron (2.775 mg/kg ± 0.105), Nickel (0.115 mg/kg ±0.005), Copper(0.265 mg/kg ±0.015), Cobalt (0.14 mg/kg ±0.01), Chromium (0.08 mg/kg ±0) respectively. This study, therefore revealed that P. americana seeds have a low level of oxalate and phytate contents while there were low levels of some heavy metals as seen in the result. In conclusion, the seeds of P.
Americana were found to be a beneficial potential therapeutic agent.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which often leads to complications such as increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and imbalances in serum phosphate concentrations. Picralima nitida, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, has shown potential antidiabetic and biochemical regulatory effects. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of P. nitida on glycated hemoglobin and serum phosphate concentrations in male Wistar rats after a controlled feeding period. A total of [40] male Wistar rats were divided into e perimental groups, including a control group and treatment groups receiving varying doses of P. nitida extract. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention to assess HbA1c levels and serum phosphate concentrations. The results revealed a significant reduction in HbA1c levels in treated groups compared to the
control, indicating improved glycemic control. Additionally, P. nitida administration didn’t influenced serum phosphate concentrations. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Picralima nitida in diabetes management and its possible impact on phosphate metabolism. Further studies are recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms and confirm its clinical applicability

Cola nitida, commonly known as kola nut, is widely recognized for its stimulant and medicinal properties. This study investigates the antioxidant potential of its ethanol extract, highlighting its significance as a natural source of bioactive compounds. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the onset of chronic diseases, thereby increasing the need for effective and safe antioxidants. Ethanol extraction, widely regarded for its ability to isolate phytochemicals, was utilized to obtain the active constituents of Cola nitida.
Through various invitro assays such as determination of DPPH radical scavenging ability, determination of the ferric-reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), determination of Fe chelating ability, determination of hydroxyl radical (OH•2+) scavenging ability and
determination of nitric oxide (NO•) scavenging ability with quercetin as the control. Theresult disclosed DPPH radical scavenging capacity of the extract (EC₅₀ = 0.539 ± 0.010mg/mL) was lower than that of Quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.453 ± 0.010 mg/mL). Similarly, the Fe²⁺chelating ability (EC₅₀ = 0.162 ± 0.010 mg/mL) and nitric oxide scavenging activity (EC₅₀ =0.107 ± 0.05 mg/mL) were slightly lower than those of Quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.147 ± 0.009mg/mL and EC₅₀ = 0.103 ± 0.05 mg/mL, respectively). The FRAP assay indicated nonsignificant difference between the extract and the control. However, the extract demonstrated significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀ = 0.062 ± 0.008 mg/mL), which was more potent than quercetin (EC₅₀ = 0.086 ± 0.009 mg/mL) The ethanol extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging properties and lipid peroxidation inhibition, demonstrating its potential in combating oxidative stress. This research highlights Cola nitida as a promising natural antioxidant source with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods.

Sida acuta commonly known as wire weed possesses several therapeutic properties that can be recognized in traditional medicine. Sida acuta has been found to contain several photochemical (flavonoids, tannins, steroids), antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extract of Sida acuta on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme. In this study, the result on the α-amylase assay shows that the standard (acarbose) has better in vitro antidiabetic properties on α-amylase enzyme by inhibiting α-amylase at IC50 of 29997.9µg/ml when compared to the inhibitory properties of the aqueous Sida acuta
extract which had an IC50 of 42966.9µg/ml. The result obtained from the α-glucosidase assay
showed that the IC50 of the standard (acarbose) had better in vitro antidiabetic properties on the αglucosidase enzyme by inhibiting α-glucosidase at an IC50 of 10120.52µg/ml when compared to
that of the extract (IC50 of 14333.29µg/ml). In conclusion the extract displayed its medicinal properties by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme and could be used as a possible anti
diabetic therapeutic agent.

Chasmanthera dependens stem is used in African traditional medicine as a remedy for various maladies and also as a as a remedy for leprosy and lupus; however, scientific evidence tovalidateits uses in gastric ulcer healing is lacking. This study investigated the 'Gastroprotective effect of methanol extract of Chasmanthera dependens on aspirin induced ulcerated rats. Atotal numberof twenty-five (25) albino Wistar rats weighing between (120g-200g) were usedinthegastroprotective screening. The rats were randomly divided into three (3) control groups (n=15)and two (2) test groups (n=10) which are classified as follows; Normal control (n=5):
Administered only clean water and commercial feed, Negative control (n=5): Aspirin (300mg/kg)body weight. Positive control (n=5): Misoprostol (20mg/kg) body weight for seven (7) days+Aspirin (300mg/kg) body weight, Gastroprotective (n=5): Chasmanthera dependens extract (250mg/kg) body weight for seven (7days) + Aspirin (300mg/kg) body weight, Gastroprotective(n=5): Chasmanthera dependens extract (500mg/kg) body weight + Aspirin (300mg/kg) bodyweight. The animals were fasted for a period of 24hours, 300mg/kg body weight dose of aspirinwas used to induce ulcer. After four (4) hours, under light anaesthesia by chloroform, the animal swere sacrificed, stomach removed, washed, opened on greater curvature and examined for ulceration. Gastric injuries, ulcer index, pH and acid output were evaluated. The results obtained revealed gastric mucosa damage as evident by marked morphological changes, increasedulcerscore, ulcer index and acid output at p< 0.05. Results of this study showed that methanol can effectively extract the active constituents responsible for anti-ulcerogenic properties. This result has therefore justified the use of extracts of roots of Chasmanthera dependens in the traditional treatment of gastric ulcers in Nigeria.