FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or sustain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance standard. The condition often arises from impaired relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, a physiological process essential for penile erection, as it permits increased arterial inflow and blood retention within the penile tissue. Disruption of this mechanism is a major contributor to ED, making the corpus cavernosum a primary target for pharmacological intervention. Conventional management typically involves phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, which enhance nitric oxide–mediated smooth muscle relaxation. However, prolonged use of these agents has been linked to undesirable side effects and contraindications in certain individuals, thereby increasing the interest in natural alternatives derived from medicinal plants with established traditional aphrodisiac uses. The therapeutic potential of plant-derived agents for ED treatment has gained increasing attention because they are derived from natural sources and show reduced toxicity while targeting multiple biological pathways.

Migraine is defined as a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe headache, typically unilateral and pulsating in nature, lasting between 4 and 72 hours, and commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. Current migraine treatments are effective but often limited by side effects, high costs, and the risk of medication-overuse headaches. Adverse effects such as vasoconstriction in cardiovascular patients, sedation from ditan, and the metabolic or teratogenic risks of some preventive agents restrict their broader use. These challenges highlight the need for safer, multi-targeted therapies and new compounds that act on established migraine targets like CGRP and 5-HT receptors. This study aims to use in-silico methods to assess the potential anti-migraine activity of phytoconstituents derived from Crassocephalum crepidioides, Nigella sativa, Petasites hybridus and Tanacetum parthenium. Phytoconstituents (493) present in these plants were obtained from literature sources, their 3D SDF structures were downloaded from PubChem. The protein targets: Serotonin 5-HT₁B (6G79), 5-HT₁D (7E32), 5-HT₁F (7EXD) and CGRP (63EY) receptor were obtained from Protein data bank and prepared using BIOVIA Discovery Studio 2020 and PYMOL. Molecular docking, post-docking analysis and ADMET profiling were done using PyRx, BIOVIA discovery studio 2020 and ADMETlab 3.0 web server respectively. Fourteen (14) phytoconstituents present in rassocephalum crepidioides, twenty four (24) phytoconstituents present in Nigella sativa, forty three (43) phytoconstituents present in Petasites hybridus, and thirty nine (39) phytoconstituents present in Tanacetum parthenium had binding affinity comparable to their reference drugs in the range of -6.9 to -11 kcal/mol. ADMET profiling of the phytoconstituents showed good oral bioavailability, and an overall balanced toxicity profile suggesting acceptable safety. These findings suggest that certain phytoconstituents from the selected plants may possess potential anti-migraine activity against key migraine-associated targets

Background: Alzheimer's disease represents a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by substantial cognitive deterioration and frequently accompanied by behavioral manifestations, particularly anxiety. While contemporary therapeutic interventions predominantly target cognitive deficits, they inadequately address anxiety related symptoms. This investigation examined the neurotherapeutic potential of Ritonavir (a protease inhibitor) within an aluminum chloride (AlCl3) - induced model of Alzheimer's disease, focusing specifically on its anxiolytic properties and capacity to modulate APOE4 gene expression.
Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the anxiolytic efficacy and molecular regulatory effects of Ritonavir across multiple dosing regimens (100, 200, and 400mg/kg) in disease-model mice, comparing its therapeutic profile against Donepezil and control groups. Methods: Fifty-six mice underwent randomized allocation into seven experimental cohorts. Anxiety-related behaviors were assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze paradigm, while exploratory tendencies were quantified via the Hole Board Test. Hippocampal APOE4 gene expression patterns were determined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methodology. Results: Behavioral assessments demonstrated that the highest Ritonavir concentration
(400mg/kg) produced significant anxiolytic effects in the Elevated Plus Maze, evidenced by increased open-arm exploration duration (p < 0.05) relative to AlCl₃-induced disease controls. This dosage exhibited comparable efficacy to Donepezil. Furthermore, the 400mg/kg cohort demonstrated enhanced exploratory behavior in the Hole Board assessment. Molecular analysis revealed that Ritonavir 400mg/kg effectively normalized APOE4 transcriptional levels toward baseline parameters, demonstrating statistical superiority over lower concentrations and the reference medication (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ritonavir at 400mg/kg exhibits robust anxiolytic properties coupled with favorable APOE4 gene expression modulation, suggesting potential utility as a dual-mechanism therapeutic agent capable of addressing both behavioral symptomatology and molecular pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease.

Pain is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses both sensory and emotional elements and is often linked with anxiety. This research investigated the effects of diclofenac, orphenadrine, and their combination on pain perception and anxietyrelated behaviours in mice. Twenty-four albino mice weighing 22–32 g were randomly a signed to four groups and administered saline (10 mL/kg, control), diclofenac (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), orphenadrine (25 mg/kg, orally), and orphenadrine (25mg/kg) + diclofenac (50mg/kg). Anxiety-like behaviour was evaluated using the Hole Board Apparatus, while analgesic activity was measured using the Formalin-Induced Paw-Licking Test. In silico studies were also carried out to test for serotonergic activity of the drugs. In the formalin test, diclofenac significantly decreased paw-licking time in both the early and late phases (*p < 0.05), demonstrating strong peripheral analgesic activity. Orphenadrine showed a moderate reduction in nociceptive behaviour, while the combined treatment produced the greatest analgesic effect (***p < 0.001 vs. control, #p < 0.05 vs. orphenadrine), indicating a possible synergistic interaction between the two agents

The increasing global reliance on medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes especially in developing countries has intensified the need for scientific validation of their biochemical activities and safety. Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier, a member of the Combretaceae family is traditionally used in various African communities for the treatment of wounds, gastrointestinal issues, and inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the effects of the methanol leaf extract of T. mantaly on various biochemical parameters of female Wistar rats, when administered for 28 days. Fresh leaves of T. mantaly were harvested, authenticated, shade-dried and then oven-dried, before milling into powdered form using an electric miller. The resulting powdered leaf was subjected to methanol (100%) extraction with the aid of a Soxhlet apparatus, concentrated with a rotary evaporator, and reduced to dryness on a thermostatically controlled water bath (65℃). The extract was administered orally to four groups of female Wistar rats containing 5 rats each, at concentrations of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg respectively, for 28 days. The liver, renal and lipid parameters were assayed using standard methods

Probiotic organisms coexist with a diverse range of pathogenic microbes within mucosal environments, where survival is influenced by ecological competition and surrounding physicochemical conditions. Lactobacillus reuteri is known to exert antagonistic effects against Escherichia coli, yet its viability can be altered by the medium in which it is delivered. This study evaluated the survival of L. reuteri in selected suppository bases in the presence of E. coli. L.
reuteri was incorporated into glycerogelatin, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and theobroma bases, and co-incubated with E. coli. Viable counts were monitored over time and survival was analysed using linear regression, while differences in survival relative to the control were evaluated using
paired t-test. Theobroma supported the highest survival of L. reuteri (slope = 0.26; R2 = 0.795), followed by
polyethylene glycol (slope = 0.25; R2 = 0.799), indicating that these environments better maintained microbial viability under competitive stress. In contrast, glycerogelatin significantly reduced L. reuteri survival (slope = 0.06; R2 = 0.229), with the reduction being highly significant
(P < 0.001), suggesting strong susceptibility to inhibitory effects. The result of the finding indicate that the survival of L. reuteri in the presence of E. coli is markedly influenced by the surrounding base, and theobroma base with a lipid and polymeric nature provide more favorable conditions for probiotic persistence than glycerogelatin which is a hydrophilic gelatinous systems.

Background: Self emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) offer a means of enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of drugs with poor water solubility. The aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate a self emulsifying drug delivery system of diclofenac potassium using palm oil as the lipid phase.
Method: Five batches of SEDDS labelled B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 were prepared by incorporating diclofenac potassium in SEDDS bases of palm oil and Tween 80 at varying component ratios. The resulting formulations were evaluated for their self-emulsification performance upon dilution with water by visual inspection and classified according to standard emulsion grading criteria (Grade A, B, or C). They were evaluated for their stability and Absorbance values.
Result: The emulsification performance demonstrated significant variability across the batches, with Batch B1 successfully forming a highly stable Grade A emulsion, indicating rapid and fine self-microemulsification. Conversely, Batches B2 and B3 yielded a satisfactory Grade B emulsion, whereas Batches B4 and B5 resulted in a milky Grade C emulsion, signifying poor emulsification performance. Batches B1, B2 and B3 showed stability,while batches B4 and B5 showed poor stability. The batches had absorbance values which ranged from 0.579 ±0.006 to 0.713 ±0.004 showing considerable drug entrapment.
Conclusion: The optimal performance of Batch B1 confirms that diclofenac potassium can be successfully formulated into a stable SEDDS using palm oil, providing a practical, scalable, and effective strategy for enhanced in vitro dissolution and potential clinical application.

Background: Herbal medicine has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, offering a range of therapeutic effects derived from natural sources. Despite advancements in conventional treatments, herbal therapies remain popular, especially among adults. Objectives: The broad objectives of the study are usage, challenges, attitudes, knowledge,
and willingness toward the use of herbal medicine among adults in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Uhunmwonde Local Government
Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria. The study population comprised adults aged 18 years and above who have used, are currently using, or have any relevant knowledge of herbal medicine. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was designed based on the requirement and literature review. The questionnaire was divided into sections covering socio-socio-demographics, gathering information on participants’ age, gender, education,

occupation, religion, and ethnicity to provide a detailed profile. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 software. Results: Overall, 280 participants were enrolled. Most of the respondents (54, 19.3%) were aged 60-69 years, with a nearly balanced gender distribution (42.2% male, 57.9% female). Herbal medicine use was prevalent among respondents, with 76.1% having used it and 47.5% currently using it. However, 26.1% faced challenges in finding reliable information, and 17.5% struggled with determining the correct dosage. Traditional healers were the
most common source (103/280), followed by healthcare professionals (46/280) and books/magazines (41/280). Males used self-prepared remedies more than females
(p=0.009), while females preferred herbal vendors. Higher education levels were associated with increased use of pharmacies, while those with no formal education relied
on traditional healers (p=0.000). Conclusion: The study highlights the usage, challenges, attitudes, knowledge, and
willingness toward herbal medicine among adult patients. Findings indicate that while many older adults in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area use herbal medicines, barriers such as accessibility, safety concerns, and lack of proper guidance hinder their optimal use.
Keywords: Herbal medicines, Adults, Challenges and barriers, Attitudes, Knowledge.

Background: Pharmaceutical manufacturing often relies on imported and synthetic binders, which can be costly and have variable availability. This study was aimed at evaluating starch from a locally sourced tuber, water yam (Dioscorea alata), as a cost-effective alternative. The study specifically compared the performance of native (unmodified) starch to pregelatinized water yam starch and corn starch. Methods: Starch was extracted from fresh Dioscorea alata tubers. A portion of this starch was then pregelatinized by forming a starch slurry of 50g of the extracted starch in 100ml of water and then heating it at 80ºc until a gel was formed. The gel was dried at 55ºF, converted back to powdered form and subjected to physicochemical characterization. Three distinct batches of 500mg paracetamol tablets were formulated using 0.5g/mL of corn starch, (2) native water yam starch, and (3) pregelatinized water yam starch as the binders. All tablet batches were evaluated for standard quality control parameters, including friability, disintegration time, and in-vitro dissolution. Results: All formulations using water yam starch (both native and pregelatinized) produced tablets with excellent mechanical strength, as indicated by friability values well below the 1.0% pharmacopeial limit. The disintegration test, however, revealed critical differences. The corn starch tablets failed, with a disintegration time of over 2 hours. The native water yam starch tablets also failed, at 43 minutes. In striking contrast, the tablets made with pregelatinized water yam starch passed with an excellent disintegration time of 60 seconds. The dissolution results directly reflected this: the corn starch and native starch batches failed to release the drug, while the pregelatinized batch met the standard. Conclusion: This study confirms that pregelatinization is an essential modification to unlock the potential of water yam starch. While native water yam starch acts as too strong a binder, pregelatinization transforms it into a highly effective, multifunctional excipient that provides both good binding and rapid disintegration. Pregelatinized Dioscorea alata starch is, therefore, a viable, locally sourced, and superior alternative to conventional binders like corn starch for immediate-release tablet formulations.

This study evaluated the survival dynamics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in isolation and in co culture with Escherichia coli underdifferent bases: glycerogelatin, polyethylene glycol (PEG),and Theobroma. In monoculture, L. rhamnosus exhibited steadygrowth (y = 4.27 + 0.24x; R² =0.891), establishing a stable baseline. Co-culture with E. coli in glycerogelatin led to pronounced suppression (y = 5.17 + 0.03x; R² = 0.203; P = 0.002), indicating severe stress and competitive inhibition. PEG similarly reducedviability (y = 5.51 + 0.1x; R² = 0.487; P = 0.015), suggesting limited protective capacity. In contrast, Theobroma mitigated antagonistic effects (y = 6.67 + 0.2x; R² = 0.829; P = 0.032), supporting partial growth recovery. These findings indicate that bases significantly modulate microbial competition, with Theobroma providing the most favorable environment for L. rhamnosus survival amidst E. coli interference