FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

In vitro antioxidant activities were carried out on the ethanol extracts of the stem bark of Anthocleista Djalonensis, The methods used were standard procedures for assessment of its antioxidant properties using DPPH scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, thiobarbituricacid reactive assay, superoxide scavenging activity and ferric reducing-antioxidants power with their standard as Ascorbic acid. The stem washed clean of sand after which it was air-dried at room temperature and ground into fine powder. The powdered sample (168g) was extracted with 4.9L of Ethanol by maceration for 72 hrs with regular stirring, The mixture was filtered using muslin cloth and concentrated using rotary evaporator and subjected to freeze drying to obtain powdered form. The result of 1,1-diphenol-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract shows that the scavenging activity of DPPH was significantly higher (P>0.05) than the standard used(Ascorbic acid),it possesses Antioxidant activities. In the Thiobarbituricacid reactive substance (TBARs) assay, ethanol extract of A.djalonensis observed to be at bar with the standard used(Ascorbic acid). Although it was highest in the standard used. Since the A.djalonensis has been suspected to have antioxidant activities which helps in relieving stress and reducing organic species that enhances damage to the systems of the body, hence the experiment. In conclusion, from the results gotten A.djalonensis possesses good antioxidant properties, since it can be found naturally, it's use should be encouraged to help scavenge radicals and manage stress.

The worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance (AMR) has warranted the exploration of medicinal plants as alternate sources of antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial and phytochemical qualities of Pueraria phaseoloides (Tropical Kudzu) cold and hot water extracts were assessed in this study. The agar well diffusion method was used to test the extracts' antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. To evaluate potency, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were calculated. Through phytochemical screening, both extracts were found to contain flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids. The hot water extract showed the largest zones of inhibition and the lowest MIC values against P. aeruginosa and E. coli, indicating higher antibacterial activity than the cold water extract. At the tested concentrations, both extracts demonstrated bacteriostatic effects. The results show that the extraction temperature has a major impact on the release of the active ingredients that give antimicrobial activity. This study supports Pueraria phaseoloides' potential development as a natural source of antimicrobial agents and offers scientific support for its traditional use.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus on blood glucose, body weight and liver, kidney and pancreas reduced glutathione levels on normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the animals (diabetic control and diabetic treated), by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (45mg/body weight), while the control groups received equal volume of the citrate buffer (pH 4.5) solution intraperitoneally. Streptozotocin treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in the diabetic rats compared to the normal rats. The normal treated and diabetic treated rats were given Cymbopogon citratus extract for 21 days (400mg/body weight). The pancreas, livers, and kidneys of the rats were excised and biochemical assay of reduced glutathione was determined. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the fasting blood glucose levels of the normal treated rats when compared with the normal control rats at the end of the 21 days treatment period. Levels of blood glucose in the diabetic rats were significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to the normal control rats. However, levels of blood glucose in the diabetic treated rats were not significantly different (p>0.05) when compared to the diabetic control rats. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight in the diabetic rats when compared to the normal control rats. There was no significant % weight (p>0.05) gain in the diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats and also there was a non- significant (p>0.05) decrease in weight in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats. In the liver and the pancreas, the results for reduced glutathione concentration showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats, in the diabetic control rats when compared to the normal control rats and in the diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats. In thekidney, there was no significant difference observed (p>0.05) when the normal treated rats were compared with the normal control rats and when the diabetic treated rats were compared with thenormal control rats. However, when the diabetic treated rats were compared with the diabeticcontrol rats, there was a significant difference (p<0.05). Cymbopogon citratus does have somehypoglycemic and antioxidant properties but further research is needed to ascertain these claims.

The fungus Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that belongs to the family Ganodermataceae and mainly grows in the tropics. The effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on the mycelial growth of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum was investigated, and the best carbon and nitrogen sources were determined. Using standard potato dextrose agar (PDA) media as the growth medium, the mycelial growth of Ganoderma lucidum was observed. Subsequently, the sugar from PDA was then replaced with the selected nitrogen and carbon sources and used alternatively for each source inoculated with the fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The daily mycelial growth of each source was recorded. After 5 days of inoculation, the mycelial cells fully colonised the petri dishes. 10 days after inoculation, the fungus mycelial was harvested, dried, and the biomass recorded. Six selected carbon ources, which include glucose, lactose, starch, maltose, cellulose, and sucrose, were employed as nutrient supplements for the fungus Ganoderma lucidum's growth. All the sources promoted its growth, but maltose (66.88±1.44mm) and lactose 88±4.71mm) were most suitable for Ganoderma lucidum growth. Sucrose (55.0±1.87mm), and cellulose (37.88±1.44mm), was east suitable for Ganoderma lucidum's growth due to their growth rates. The most suitable carbon source for the biomass production of Ganoderma lucidum was sucrose (0.29±0.03g) and lactose (0.26±0.04g), while the least suitable was cellulose 5±0.02g) and glucose (0.15 ±0.06g). Six selected nitrogen sources were also employed as supplements in this study. They include ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, yeast, and urea. All nitrogen sources promoted the fungus' growth with the exception of urea, which showed no growth. Among the selected nitrogen sources used, yeast (69.25 ± 2.33mm) and ammonium sulphate (61.25±3.01mm) were most suitable for Ganoderma lucidum growth. The least suitable were ammonium nitrate (36.35± 0.96mm), sodium nitrate (47.13±0.48mm), and urea, which promoted no growth. The most suitable nitrogen sources for the biomass production of Ganoderma lucidum were yeast (0.52± 0.03g) and sodium nitrate (0.83±0.16g)
and the least suitable was ammonium sulphate (0.19 ±0.09g) and ammonium nitrate (0.16±0.02g). The morphological characteristics and density pattern of the mycelial of Ganoderma lucidum were also observed in the course of the study. Nutritional factors have been noted to be responsible for the growth and development of fungi. From this study, it is concluded that the most suitable carbon source for the growth of Ganoderma lucidum is maltose and lactose, while the most suitable carbon source for the biomass production of Ganoderma lucidum is sucrose and lactose.

The device described in this study can be used in hospitals to verify prescriptions, maintain patient data, and protect patient privacy. In this study, patient databases are tracked using RFID tags and a web server. This method can prevent prescription drug abuse in addition to capturing precise and current information on patients' prescriptions. Real-time patient data can assist clinicians in reducing medication errors and provide the best care possible. In this paper, a medical mechanism that uses the modified grouping proof process is suggested in order to improve medication safety for inpatients. The medical staff could verify the authenticity and integrity of a group of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are embedded on inpatient bracelets and drug containers by using the grouping proof protocol. RFID authentication is the ideal option for automated patient medication systems since it requires mutual authentication between the medication server and the tag.

Since antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern, alternative therapeutic sources derived from medicinal plants are required. In this study, cold and hot water extracts of Polyalthialongifolia leaves were examined for their phytochemical composition and antibacterial qualities. Extracts were made with aqueous solvents and tested using the agar well diffusion method against specific bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The antimicrobial potency was measured using the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of compounds linked to antimicrobial and therapeutic effects, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids. In contrast to the cold extract, the hot water extract demonstrated better antibacterial activity, suggesting that higher extraction temperatures promote the release of bioactive compounds. The research highlights Polyalthialongifolia's potential as a source of plant-based antimicrobial agents appropriate for upcoming pharmaceutical development and validates its ethnomedical significance.

This study investigates the renoprotective potential of the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction of Garcinia kola (GL) stem bark in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder often associated with severe complications, including diabetic nephropathy, which remains a leading cause of kidney failure. The search for plant-based therapeutic agents with minimal side effects has intensified, particularly in traditional medicinal systems where Garcinia kola is widely utilized. In this experiment, diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ), after which the animals were treated with varying doses of the DCM fraction of GL stem bark. Biochemical parameters including serum creatinine, urea, electrolyte levels, and blood glucose were evaluated, alongside histopathological examination of kidney tissues. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were also assessed to determine the mechanism of action. The results demonstrated that treatment with the DCM fraction significantly reduced elevated blood glucose levels and improved renal function indices compared to untreated diabetic controls. There was also a marked decrease in oxidative stress markers, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant defense systems. Histological findings revealed preservation of kidney architecture in treated groups, indicating protection against STZ-induced renal damage. In conclusion, the DCM fraction of Garcinia kola stem bark exhibits significant renoprotective effects in diabetic Wistar rats, likely mediated through its antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties. These findings suggest its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in the management of diabetic nephropathy, warranting further investigation into its active constituents and clinical applicability.

Cucumis sativus (cucumber) is known to contain a variety of bioactive substances and phytochemicals. Some of these chemical elements have been connected to the plant's traditional therapeutic uses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximate, phytochemical and phenolic contents of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Cucumis sativus. The Proximate analysis results showed that the medicinal plant contained more Nitrogen-Free Substances (NFS) and protein, but low level of fibre (p < 0.05), phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and other polyphenols were present in the plant, Phenols and saponins were present in high concentrations, while glycosides concentrations were low. The ethanol extract had significantly higher total phenol, but total flavonoid, flavonol and proanthocyanidin contents were significantly higher in the aqueous extract than in the ethanol extract (p < 0.05). The results obtained in this study indicate that C. sativus is a reservoir of potentially useful chemical compounds which may serve as drugs and provide newer leads and clues for modern drug design. C. sativus is a good source of phenolic compounds and could be used as a natural constituent of food and
medicines

This comparative study investigated the effects of preservative and preservative-free artificial tears on tear stability among dry eye patients. The participants completed the OSDI questionnaire to determine their subjective observations. A randomized controlled trial was used to group the participants. Tear film stability was assessed using fluorescein invasive tear break-up time (FTBUT), Schirmer’s test was carried out to determine the tear flow rate, the results were compared between the two groups. The results showed that the mean values for TBUT for Hypromellose were 6.25 ± 0.33 before and 6.75 ± 0.31seconds after, for Refresh was 6.40 ± 0.40 before and 7.55 ± 0.42 seconds after. Also, the mean values for TFR for Hypromellose were 8.36 ± 0.50 before and 8.61 ± 0.50 seconds after, for refresh was 9.69 ± 0.54 before and 10.05 ± 0.55 after seconds. The results obtained were analyzed using the SSPS 22.0. T-test and one- way ANOVA were used to compare the mean FTBUT and TFR values between both groups, the p values were 0.64 and 0.68 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the tear film stability and tear flow rate between both groups after four weeks (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that there was no notable difference between preservative artificial tears and preservative-free artificial tears on tear film stability and tear flow rate. It is recommended that clinicians can confidently recommend both preservative and preservative-free artificial tears as effective management options for dry eye. KEYWORDS: Dry eye syndrome, Artificial tears, Preservative, TBUT

This study examines how environmental pollutants affect aquatic animals' genetic integrity, with a focus on the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). This study was undertaken is to evaluate DNA damage in C. gariepinus samples obtained from the upstream of Ikpoba River in Benin City, a freshwater body impacted by human activities notably, industrial effluent discharge from a brewery into the river. The piscine micronucleus assay was employed for identifying and measuring breaks in DNA strands in ten (10) samples of C. gariepinus obtained from several points along the river because of its ecological and economic importance as well
as its high sensitivity to chemical stressors, serving as an ecotoxicological indicator species that offers important information about the level of pollution in aquatic habitats. Results showed that fish from the study site had significantly more DNA damage than control groups from unpolluted habitats, indicating that the Ikpoba River's contaminants cause genotoxic stress. It was revealed that heavy metals were among the possible sources of pollution that the study found to be important contributors to the observed genetic damage. Furthermore, the degree of exposure and pollutant concentration were associated with differences in DNA
damage levels among the fish studied. The findings highlight how urgently the Ikpoba River and other comparable water bodies need to be regularly monitored and cleaned up. Such genetic harm has consequences for population health and ecological sustainability in addition to individual creatures, underscoring the wider environmental and socioeconomic effects of water pollution. By laying the groundwork for upcoming ecotoxicological research and conservation tactics, this study is an essential step in comprehending and reducing genotoxic dangers in
aquatic systems.