DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting how the body processes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, stemming from insulin deficiency or dysfunction. The disease burden continues to grow, bringing complications that damage multiple organ systems. Diabetic nephropathy, one of the most serious complications, remains a leading cause of kidney failure. Traditional herbal remedies have shown promise in managing diabetes and its complications, with several plants demonstrating protective effects on kidney function. This study evaluated the nephroprotective effects of a bi-herbal leaf aqueous extract combining Vernonia amygdalina and Alstonia boonei against streptozotocin-induced kidney damage in Wistar rats. The leaves were washed, air-dried for two weeks, ground into powder, and soaked in distilled water for three days to create an extract, which was then concentrated and refrigerated for later use. The rats were grouped into 6 groups and kept in comfortable conditions with proper temperature control, regular feeding schedules, and care that followed all ethical guidelines for animal research. The rats were induced with STZ (streptozotocin), and a renal function test was carried out to assess kidney health. The results showed that the bi-herbal extract provided maximum protective effects at the lowest dose tested, significantly outperforming higher doses (P<0.05). The extract demonstrated measurable nephroprotective activity, suggesting potential therapeutic value in preventing diabetes-related kidney damage. These findings indicate that lower concentrations of the bi-herbal combination may be more effective than higher doses in protecting kidney function. Additional research is needed to establish optimal dosing protocols and confirm long-term safety before clinical application.

Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) is a medicinal herb renowned for its essential oils rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant constituents. This study evaluated the influence of dumpsite pollution on the phytochemical and functional composition of O. gratissimum essential oil obtained from Egor, Ovia North-East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. Essential oils extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus were characterized by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The GC–MS analysis revealed a predominance of hydrocarbons particularly decane and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate suggesting petroleum- and plastic-derived contamination, while FTIR spectra identified nitrogenous, carbonyl, and halogenated functional groups absent in uncontaminated reference samples. These alterations indicate that dumpsite exposure disrupts the biosynthesis of natural oxygenated terpenes, thereby diminishing the therapeutic quality of the oil and introducing potential toxicants. The findings demonstrate that environmental pollution significantly affects the chemical integrity of O. gratissimum and hence, the need to restrict its cultivation near polluted environments

Medicinal plants have long been used in traditional African medicine for managing kidney-related ailments, largely due to their rich phytochemical compositions and therapeutic potential. This study investigated the effects of methanol leaf extract of Anthocleista grandiflora on renal and electrolyte parameters in Wistar rats. A. grandiflora, a member of the Gentianaceae family, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties attributed to its bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, iridoids, saponins, and tannins. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted with methanol. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control and three treatment groups receiving 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of the extract orally for 28 days. Biochemical parameters including urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate were analyzed using standard diagnostic methods. Results indicated no statistically significant (p > 0.05) alterations in serum urea and creatinine concentrations across all groups, suggesting that the extract did not impair renal excretory function or protein metabolism. Similarly, electrolyte values remained within normal physiological limits, confirming the maintenance of acid–base balance and tubular integrity. Slight fluctuations in sodium and potassium were non-dose-dependent and within safe reference ranges. The extract demonstrated renal safety and stability across the measured biochemical parameters. The findings imply that methanol leaf extract of A. grandiflora exerts no nephrotoxic effects and may instead support renal homeostasis through its antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing mechanisms. These results validate its ethnomedicinal use in managing renal and urinary disorders and support its potential as a safe natural therapeutic agent for kidney protection. Further studies are recommended to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive constituents responsible for its renoprotective effects.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a vital food and oilseed crop in Nigeria, contributing significantly to dietary protein and economic livelihoods. However, long-term storage in sealed plastic or glass bottles applicable in a common household and small-scale trader practice creates a microaerobic, high-humidity environment conducive to fungal proliferation and aflatoxin contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of a ternary essential oil blend derived from cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) which are all Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) botanicals
against fungal isolates from heavily infested groundnut samples. Fungal enumeration on Potato Dextrose Agar revealed a mean contamination level of 1.42 × 10⁷ CFU/g (replicates: 1.38, 1.42,
1.46 × 10⁷ CFU/g), exceeding the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) safety threshold (<10⁴ CFU/g) by 1,420-fold. Morphological and microscopic
characterization identified six fungal species, with Aspergillus parasiticus (30.6%), A. flavus (28.2%), and Emericella astellata (18.8%) dominating the mycoflora. Coconut Extract Agar (CEA) under UV 365 nm and Ammonia Vapor Test (AVT) confirmed 88.2% of isolates as aflatoxigenic, indicating high risk of B- and G-group aflatoxin synthesis. The methanol extract of the spice mixture exhibited strong, concentration-dependent antifungal activity in disc diffusion assays, producing inhibition zones of 7.7–23.2 mm across 25–100% concentrations, with maximum efficacy (23.2 mm) against E. astellata at 100%. The essential oil blend demonstrated complete fungicidal action, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.0% (E. astellata) to 7.0% (A. parasiticus) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) from 3.0% to 9.0%. The MFC/MIC ratio (≤4) confirmed fungicidal rather than fungistatic activity. Mechanistically, the blend disrupts fungal cell membrane integrity, inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, and suppresses aflatoxin pathway genes. The GRAS-compliant essential oil blend presents a promising, safe, and natural antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic agent for groundnut preservation. Future research should focus on in-situ validation and quantitative aflatoxin reduction using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).