DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY

This study investigated the bioactive phytochemical constituents of Monodora myristica (African nutmeg) seed and shell extracts using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to validate their traditional medicinal uses and explore their therapeutic potential. Monodora myristica, a tropical tree of the Annonaceae family native to Sub-Saharan Africa, is valued for its culinary and medicinal properties, yet its shell remains underutilized. The study aimed to identify, characterize, and compare the phytochemical composition of hydroethanol extracts from the seed and shell, and to evaluate their possible applications in medicine, food preservation, and nutraceutical development. GC-MS analysis revealed 28 compounds in the seed extract and 15 in the shell extract. The seed extract contained linoelaidic acid (29.49%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (26.97%), and (E)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester (21.90%), known for antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. The shell extract was rich in (E)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester (35.08%) and linoleic acid ethyl ester (22.21%), which possess strong pharmacological effects. These findings confirm the therapeutic potential of Monodora myristica, demonstrating that both seed and shell extracts are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. The study recommends further isolation, toxicity testing, and extraction optimization to support drug discovery and sustainable utilization.

The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging experiment was used in this study to assess the antioxidant capabilities of manually and commercially extracted sesame seed oil and palm kernel oil. The goal of the study was to ascertain how extraction techniques affect the
preservation of natural antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. The DPPH scavenging activities of oil samples were measured using spectrophotometry at 517 nm after they were extracted by hand cold pressing or purchased from commercial processors. The mean scavenging values of manually extracted sesame oil, commercially extracted sesame oil, and palm kernel oil were found to be 32.63%, 33.99%, and 28.90%, respectively. The standard control, ascorbic acid, revealed an inhibition of 64.17%. Both samples showed significantly stronger scavenging activity compared to palm kernel oil. Due to its lower phenolic concentration than sesame oil, palm kernel oil had the lowest scavenging activity of all the samples. However, its components of tocopherol and tocotrienol contributed to quantifiable antioxidant activity. The results corroborate data that antioxidant retention is influenced by extraction conditions, with less processed oils often retaining more thermolabile components. Thus, the study highlights the functional and nutritional advantages of manually extracted or less refined oils in promoting dietary antioxidant consumption and oxidative stability. Sesame oil is a more powerful natural source of dietary antioxidants than palm kernel oil because it generally showed better antioxidant activity, regardless of the extraction technique. These results emphasize how crucial it is to enhance the health-promoting components in edible oils by optimizing oil extraction techniques.

Hypertension is a major public health challenge globally and has contributed significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is caused by oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and lifestyle factors. Increasing interest in plant based alternatives has led to the use of polyherbal formulations, which provide synergistic antihypertensive and antioxidant effects. This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of six selected leaves which are, Justicia carnea (blood leaf), Moringa oleifera (miracle leaf), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Gongronema latifolium (utazi leaf), Hibiscus sabdariffa (Zobo leaf) and Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin). Previous studies shows that these plants contain important bioactive constituents like flavonoids, phenols, and vitamins which promote vasodilation, reduce oxidative stress, and support cardiovascular health. A polyherbal tea was formulated from the six leaves to evaluate its antioxidant capacity. The leaves were collected, authenticated, washed, shade-dried, pulverized, and stored in an airtight container. 50g of each of the leaves was measured and mixed in 1L of hot distilled water
in a ratio 5:1 to obtain aqueous extracts and then freeze-dried. The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed using FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl) assays to measure to scavenge free radicals (DPPH assay) and to reduce ferricions (FRAP assay). The result showed that the polyherbal extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity, with DPPH inhibition values of 71–85% and an IC₅₀ of 0.428 mg/mL, indicating good radical-scavenging ability. FRAP values (80–88%) confirmed high reducing power. Overall, this research confirms that the polyherbal tea possesses strong antioxidant compounds that can neutralize free radicals, support vascular health, and helps in the prevention and management of hypertension.

The physicochemical quality of commercially and locally extracted Sesamum indicum (sesame) and Gossypium hirsutum (cottonseed) oils was compared in this study, with an emphasis on three important freshness and stability indicators: acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA), and peroxide value (PV). These factors are essential for evaluating edible oils' hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity, which have a direct bearing on shelf life, consumer safety, and nutritional quality. Samples of oil were collected in Benin City, Nigeria, from both commercial and artisanal sources. AV, %FFA, and PV were measured using standard titrimetric and iodometric techniques, and SPSS version 30.0 was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of p < 0.05. Significant differences between the various oil samples were found in the results. In terms of freshness and oxidative stability, manually extracted sesame oil showed the lowest values in all indices (AV: 2.165 ± 0.3707 mg KOH/g; %FFA: 1.357 ± 0.2249; PV: 6.361 ± 0.7573 meq/kg). On the other hand, commercially extracted sesame oil showed much higher AV (12.9067 ± 0.6792 mg KOH/g), %FFA (6.759 ± 0.2702), and PV (45.3847 ± 1.1737 meq/kg), indicating increased lipid degradation, perhaps as a result of exposure to high temperatures and metal contaminants during industrial processing. Cottonseed oil showed the poorest quality profile, with AV (23.3043 ± 3.021 mg KOH/g), %FFA (11.722 ± 1.5195), and PV (99.586 ± 0.8009 meq/kg), reflecting high susceptibility to oxidative rancidity and limited storage stability. The findings are consistent with previous research showing that oil integrity is significantly impacted by extraction method, seed moisture, and storage conditions.

Moringa oleifera is widely valued for its medicinal and nutritional importance,particularly its rich content of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and assess its potential role in the management of oxidative stress. Fresh Moringa leaves were collected, washed, weighed, homogenised, and extracted using standard solvent extraction procedures to obtain the crude leaf extract used for analysis.The antioxidant capacity of the extract was examined using three established assays: the Nitric Oxide (NO) scavenging assay, the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Ascorbic acid served as the reference standard. Results showed that the Moringa extract exhibited considerable antioxidant activity across all assays, with NO inhibition ranging from 36.34–57.42%, FRAP reducing power from 46.68–58.58%, and DPPH radical scavenging from 57.44–84.21%. Although these values were lower than those of pure ascorbic acid, the extract still demonstrated strong free radical–neutralizing and electron donating abilities.The significant in-vitro activity observed in this study provides scientific justification for its traditional use as a natural antioxidant and suggests that Moringa oleifera is a promising candidate for future in-vivo studies aimed at exploring its therapeutic potential in oxidative stress–related conditions

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is a medicinal plant with potential bioactive compounds, including squalene, a valuable triterpene with wide pharmacological applications. This study aimed to compare the squalene content in aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts using GC–MS analysis. Leaves were collected from a local market in Iwo, Osun State, processed, and extracted with water and ethanol. Percentage yield, phytochemical composition, and GC–MS profiles were evaluated. Results showed that ethanolic extraction produced a higher yield (18.6%) compared to aqueous extraction (12.3%). Phytochemical screening indicated higher concentrations of terpenoids and steroids in the ethanolic extract. GC–MS analysis identified squalene as a major constituent in ethanol extract (14.35 mg/g) and in trace amounts in aqueous extract (0.92 mg/g). This study confirms that solvent polarity strongly influences squalene extraction, with ethanol being superior for non-polar compound recovery. These findings shows S. jollyanum is a promising natural source of squalene for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications, and provide a foundation for further standardization and commercialization efforts

Hypertension is a major global health burden, often termed the "silent killer." The increasing prevalence, especially in low andmiddle-income countries, necessitates the development of accessible, non-pharmacological management strategies. Functional foods rich in bioactive compounds offer a promising approach for blood pressure control. This study seeks to develop an anti-hypertensive snack bar from Cardaba banana, beetroot, tigernuts, soyabeans, and Justicia carnea leaves and to evaluate its in vitro antioxidant and vasoprotective potential. Flours were individually prepared from the raw materials. Four snack bar formulations were developed: a control (with all-purpose flour) and three variations (Samples A, B, C) with increasing proportions of Cardaba banana flour. The samples were analyzed for their Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging activity, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Nitric Oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. All experimental samples (A, B, and C) demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant and NO-scavenging activities compared to the control. Sample A exhibited the most potent bioactivity, showing the strongest H₂O₂ and NO scavenging abilities, as well as the highest TAC. It also had the lowest IC₅₀ value for NO scavenging (12.5 μg/ml), indicating superior efficacy. The activities were dose-dependent, with Sample A > Sample B > Sample C >. The formulated snackbars, particularly Sample C, possess significant antioxidant and nitric oxide-related vasoprotective properties in vitro. These results suggest that the combination of Cardaba banana, beetroot, tigernut, soyabean, and Justicia carnea flours can yield a functional food with strong potential to mitigate oxidative stress and promote cardiovascular health, validating its development as a portable anti-hypertensive snack

Sphenocentrum jollyanum (Menispermaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat fever, inflammation, jaundice, tumors, and metabolic disorders. Its pharmacological potential is thought to arise from bioactive secondary metabolites, yet comprehensive profiling of stem extracts remains limited. This study aimed to compare the phytochemical composition of aqueous and ethanolic stem extracts using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Dried stem material of S. jollyanum was extracted sequentially with water and ethanol. Extracts were analyzed using GC–MS, and compounds were identified by matching mass spectra to the NIST library. Retention times, relative peak areas, and compound identities were documented, with particular attention to unsaturated fatty acid derivatives. GC–MS detected 33 and 34 compounds in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The aqueous extract was dominated by inositol, 1-deoxy- (43.45%), along with α-methyl mannofuranoside, phytol acetate, and five unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, including methyl and ethyl oleate, oleamide, and 9-octadecenal. The ethanolic extract contained a higher proportion of lipophilic compounds, including triolein (13.46%), squalene (7.35%), methyl and ethyl oleate, oleamide, and 10-undecenoic acid methyl ester. Overall, unsaturated fatty acids and their esters accounted for over 30% of the total peak area in both extracts. S. jollyanum stems are a rich source of pharmacologically relevant UFAs (Unsaturated fatty acids), sugar alcohols, and bioactive lipids. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts provide complementary phytochemical profiles, supporting the plant’s traditional medicinal applications and highlighting its potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Further studies are warranted to isolate individual compounds and validate their therapeutic effects.

The quality of edible oils is a critical factor for consumer health, yet deterioration through hydrolysis and oxidation can lead to rancidity and the formation of toxic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of commercially available Glycine max (Soya Bean Oil), Elaeis guineensis (Palm Kernel Oil), and Gossypium hirsutum (Cotton Seed Oil) by determining key degradation indices. Oils were extracted from seeds sourced from a local market using the Soxhlet method. The acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA), and peroxide value (PV) were determined in triplicate for each oil sample using standard titrimetric methods (AOCS). The results revealed profound disparities in quality among the oils. Soya Bean Oil exhibited acceptable quality, characterized by a low acid value (3.35 ± 0.03 mg KOH/g), low %FFA (1.68 ± 0.02%), and a moderate peroxide value (13.07 ± 0.92 meq/kg). In stark contrast, Palm Kernel Oil and Cotton Seed Oil were of exceptionally poor quality, displaying extremely high acid values (23.30 ± 3.02 and 26.13 ± 2.75 mg KOH/g, respectively) and alarmingly high peroxide values (99.59 ± 0.80 and 107.49 ± 3.78 meq/kg, respectively). These findings indicate that while the SBO was of acceptable quality, the palm kernel oil and cotton seed oil samples exhibited severe hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity, far exceeding international safety standards and rendering them unsuitable for consumption. This study highlighted a critical public health issue regarding the quality of some oils available in local markets and underscores the urgent need for stricter quality control measures throughout the supply chain to mitigate health risks associated with consuming degraded oils.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a widely consumed tropical fruit highly valued for its nutritional and therapeutic qualities, with its oil as a major component used in food, cosmetics, and traditional medicine. Recently, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination of edible oils has led to concerns regarding the safety of coconut oil, especially its processing and storage practices. The aim of this study was to identify the concentrations of PAHs in some coconut oil products available in Edo State, Nigeria, to assess potential contamination and associated health risks. Coconut oil samples were collected from major markets in Edo State and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) following solvent extraction, sample cleanup using silica gel, and rotary evaporation concentration. The analysis showed that PAH levels in all tested coconut oil samples were below the detection limit (<0.05 mg/kg), indicating no significant contamination. This suggests that the processing methods and storage conditions of the sampled oils were sufficient to prevent PAH formation. The findings emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and adherence to best practices in oil extraction, storage, and distribution to maintain product safety and protect consumers who may not have sufficient knowledge.