DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

Arsenic contamination of the environment poses a significant global health threat, with chronic exposure leading to severe toxicity in vital organs, primarily mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Ruthin, a dietary flavonoid, against sodium arsenate (SA)-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. A total of thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=7): Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Rutin 50 mg/kg), Group 3 (SA 10 mg/kg), Group 4 (SA 10 mg/kg + Rutin 25 mg/kg), and Group 5 (SA 10 mg/kg + Rutin 50 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. Following the treatment period, animals were sacrificed, and liver and kidney tissues were harvested for biochemical analysis. Key markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, including Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS), Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and Nitrite (NO_2^−) levels, were assayed in the tissue homogenates. The results revealed that administration of sodium arsenite alone (Group 3) caused a highly significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of RONS, MPO activity, and Nitrite in both the liver and kidney when compared to the control group, indicating severe oxidative damage and inflammatory infiltration. Conversely, co-administration of Rutin at both 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg (Groups 4 and 5) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated these SA-induced increases. The higher dose of Rutin (50 mg/kg) demonstrated a more pronounced protective effect, restoring the biochemical parameters towards control levels. This study concludes that Rutin possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that effectively ameliorate sodium arsenite-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in Wistar rats, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent against arsenic-induced organ damage

Luffa cylindrica is a popular, medicinal vine belonging to the Curcubitaceae family that reproduces from seeds. Commonly called loofah, Luffa cylindrica is used in treating pains, backaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fever, syphilis, dysentery and tumours. Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts, using ethanol was studied to explore its In-vitro antioxidant activity and HPLC profile. DDPH (α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), Hydroxyl radical, and Nitric oxide scavenging activity were assayed to determine the antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica. Also, bioactive compounds were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Phytochemical screening of the ethanoic extract of the Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Quercetin was the most predominant compound present.

Chasmanthera dependens is a plant known for its medicinal purposes. Liver diseases, especially those induced by toxins such as CCl4, continue to be a significant global health concern. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroethanol extract of Chasmanthera dependens on liver function test parameters in CCl4- induced toxicity. In this experimental study,25 male
Wistar rats were divided into five groups :Group 1 was a control group, Group 2 was a CCl4- treated group,Group 3 was a silymarin treated group of 140mg/kg, Group 4 and 5 were Chasmanthera dependens treated groups receiving different doses of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) along with CCl4 induction. The rats were sacrificed after 2weeks of treatment and blood was collected to run the analysis. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in liver function parameters total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, and in globulin concentration, there was no significant difference in conjugated biliburin concentration when compared to normal control group. The group receiving the highest dose of Chasmanthera dependens (500 mg/kg) showed an improvement in liver function parameters, total protein and albumin. In conclusion, the hydroethanol extract of Chasmanthera dependens exhibited hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced liver toxicity by preserving liver function test parameters particularly in terms of protein synthesis and maintaining blood protein levels. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of Chasmanthera dependens in protecting the liver from toxic insults and warrant further investigations into its underlying mechanisms of action.

Acute toxicity studies is essential for determining the immediate safety of substances following a single high-dose exposure, providing early indicators of potential adverse effects or lethality. CellifeIQ, a multi-component nutraceutical formulated with antioxidant-rich herbal extracts, vitamins, and minerals, is widely promoted for supporting cellular health, yet its toxicological safety has not been scientifically evaluated.This study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of CellifeIQ in male Wistar rats. Using Lorke’s method,male wistar rats received single oral doses of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg and were observed for 14 days for mortality, behavioural changes, body-weight trends, feed and water intake, and gross pathological alterations in major organs. No mortality occurred at any tested dose, indicating an LD₅₀ greater than 5000mg/kg. Mild and transient effects, such as slight restlessness or sedation, were observed at higher doses but resolved within hours, while delayed mild itching was noted only at doses ≥1000 mg/kg. Body-weight progression, feed consumption, water intake, and feed efficiency showed no significant differences compared to controls (p>0.05). Gross necropsy revealed no visible abnormalities in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, or spleen. CellifeIQ demonstrated very low acute oral toxicity and may be considered practically non-toxic under single-dose exposure conditions in male Wistar rats. However,further studies including sub acute and chronic toxicity,biochemical assays,histopathology, and genotoxicity evaluations are recommended to fully characterize its long-term safety profile.

This study investigated the bioactive phytochemical constituents of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) seed extracts and the hydroethanolic precipitate using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to validate their traditional medicinal uses and explore their therapeutic potential. Myristica fragrans, an aromatic evergreen tree, widely cultivated in Nigeria mainly in the southern and rainforest regions, is valued for its culinary and medicinal properties. The study aimed to identify, characterize and compare the phytochemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from the seed, and the hydroethanolic precipitate of the seed extract, and to evaluate their possible applications in medicine, food preservation, and nutraceutical development. GC MSanalysis revealed 62 compounds in the seed extract and 55 in the hydroethanolic precipitate. The seed extract and the hydroethanolic precipitate contained tetradecanoic acid (myristic acid) in abundance, 1,2,3 trimethoxy-5-2-propenyl, palmitic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, and 1,3 benzodioxole derivatives, known for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. These findings confirm the therapeutic potential of Myristica fragrans, demonstrating that both the seed extracts and hydroethanolic precipitate are valuable sources of bioactive compounds.

The global rise in Type 2 Diabetes necessitates dietary interventions, with low-glycemic functional foods offering a promising management strategy. While the separate health benefits of indigenous crops like Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Cardaba banana (Musa Balbisiena), and beetroot (Beta vulgaris) are known, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding their synergistic efficacy in a composite food product. This study therefore aimed to develop and evaluate the blood glucose-lowering potential of a functional snack bar formulated from these indigenous Nigerian ingredients. Bambara groundnut, Cardaba banana, and beetroot were processed into flours/powders. Three snack bar formulations (Samples A, B, C) with varying proportions of these ingredients, along with guava leaf and cinnamon powder, were developed. The nutritional composition of the snacks was determined through proximate analysis (AOAC methods) for moisture, ash, crude FIBER, fat, protein, and carbohydrate content. Consumer acceptability was assessed via sensory evaluation by a 75-member panel. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. The proximate analysis revealed a strong nutritional profile across all samples, characterized by high complex carbohydrate (66.04-70.78%) and FIBER content (0.60-1.43%), alongside low fat (0.87-1.00%) and appreciable protein levels (7.32-7.95%). Sensory evaluation indicated high consumer acceptability, with Sample C emerging as the most preferred formulation. In conclusion, the study successfully developed a palatable and nutrient-dense functional snack bar from indigenous crops, with a composition conducive to glycemic control. The formulated snack, particularly Sample C, represents a viable, culturally acceptable dietary option for managing Type 2 Diabetes, warranting further in-vivo studies to confirm its anti-diabetic efficacy.

Diabetes mellitus is intrinsically linked to a pro-thrombotic state, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. This study investigated the potential anticoagulant activity of the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida using the Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin (PTTK) assay in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Rats were categorized into the Diabetic Control (G1, 21.50±0.50 s) and three treatment groups receiving 200 mg/kg b.w. (G5), 400 mg/kg b.w. (G3), and 500 mg/kg b.w. (G6) of the extract. PTTK values were measured and expressed as Mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). Data were analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s Post Hoc Test, with significance accepted at P<0.05. Treatment with P. nitida resulted in a significant prolongation of PTTK compared to the diabetic control. The maximum anticoagulant effect was observed in the Mid-High dose (400 mg/kg b.w.) group (G3), which recorded the highest mean PTTK of 23.00±3.00 seconds. A non-linear dose-response was identified, as the highest dose (500 mg/kg b.w., G6) yielded 21.50±0.50 seconds, matching the diabetic control and demonstrating reduced efficacy compared to the mid-high dose. These findings confirm that the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida possesses significant anticoagulant potential by modulating
the intrinsic coagulation pathway. The optimal therapeutic window was identified at 400 mg/kg b.w., supporting the extract’s potential as a natural antithrombotic agent to mitigate cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Elu), a plant widely employed in traditional medicine to manage infections, inflammation, and mental disorders, remains underexplored in terms of its non-polar chemical constituents. In this study, Leaves of Lonchocarpus cyanescens were collected, processed and extracted with ethanol, after which their non-polar constituents were isolated using n-hexane. Analysis of this fraction by GC– MS enabled the identification of several lipophilic metabolites using the NIST14 spectral library, with match qualities ≥90%. Nineteen compounds were detected, predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenes, fatty acid methyl esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and glycerides. The most abundant compounds were 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (33.50%), 1-ethyl-2- methylbenzene (6.63%), o-cymene (6.42%), and 1,3-dioctanoin (6.23%). These constituents are known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and membrane-active properties, suggesting that the hexane fraction may contribute to the plant’s reported ethnomedicinal effects. The prevalence of volatile and lipophilic compounds also underscores the effectiveness of hexane in selectively extracting nonpolar metabolites. This study provides a detailed GC–MS profile of the n-hexane fraction of L. cyanescens, thereby expanding existing phytochemical knowledge and laying a foundation for
future isolation, characterization, and pharmacological investigations

Moringa oleifera is lauded for its nutritional benefits, but localized data on its composition is essential for effective application. This study determined the proximate composition of dried Moringa oleifera leaves sourced from Benin City, Nigeria. Using standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods, the dried leaf powder was analyzed in triplicate for its moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content. The results revealed a composition dominated by carbohydrates (66.45 ± 1.83%) and a high ash content (10.43 ± 0.88%), indicating significant energy potential and mineral density. Moderate levels of crude protein (7.88 ± 0.08%) and crude fibre (7.13 ± 0.47%) were found, while crude fat was low (0.54 ± 0.01%). The low moisture content (6.80 ± 0.40%) suggests good storage stability. This profile confirms Moringa oleifera as a potent source of energy and essential minerals, validating its traditional use against malnutrition. The findings provide a scientific basis for its targeted utilization as a low-cost, sustainable ingredient for food fortification and nutraceutical products aimed at enhancing energy intake and addressing micronutrient deficiencies in local communities.

Helicobacter Pylori infection has been identified as an important risk factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancers. The purpose of this study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated risk factors in undergraduate students of college of medical science and faculty of Agriculture in University of Benin. Whole blood samples were randomly collected from 93 participants both male and female and analyzed using antibodies against H. pylori. Participants' demographic and clinical information were obtained using a structured questionnaire. The study results showed that out of 93 selected participants, 59 (63.9%) showed positive for Helicobacter Pylori antibodies, while 34(36.6.%) were negative for Helicobacter antibodies. Popularity of Helicobacter Pylori infection was f o u n d t o b e sl i g h t l y h i g h e r i n f e ma l e p a rt i c i p a n ts c om p a r e d wi t h ma l e participants. Based on age, the prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori infection was significantly higher (P<0.05) in participants from 16 to 25 years old compared to other age groups. Symptomatic participants primarily complained of heartburn, followed by loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and eventually vomiting. However, none of them complained about vomiting blood. Identifiable risk factors associated with infection include misuse of pain killers drugs, infected drinking water, living with someone having the bacteria among others .The aim of this work was to generate information focusing on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in study participants. The information generated will help provide the public health intervention needed to examine these issues and provide evidence-based prevention to students inthe College of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture as well as the generalpopulation of the University of Benin