FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Free radicals have been implicated in the occurrence of oxidative stress. They have also been found to be important in the pathophysiology of a number of disease conditions. This therefore, underlies the need for very effective antioxidants. Ficus exasperata has been used traditionally for the treatment and management of numerous disease conditions. Assessment of antioxidant properties creates opportunities for further research into the pharmacological, toxicological properties and clinical relevance of Ficus exasperata. The plant sample was collected, identified, dried, and extracted. Plant sample was assessed for its phytochemical constituents, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), using spectrophotometric methods. Using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and Total Antioxidant Capabilities (TAC), the antioxidant properties of the plant extract was assessed using specified methods. Glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols were among the phytochemicals observed to be present. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was -1.82±47 mg GAE/g of exteract, Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) was found to be 47.69±23.2 mg QE/g of extract. The IC50 of ascorbic acid and extract for DPPH scavenging activity was determined to be 1.31 µg/mL and 1.91 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 for TAC of the extract was determined to be 1.23 µg/mL, while that of the standard (ascorbic acid) was found to be 8.82𝑥10−9 µg/mL.

Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. It refers to compounds that are extracted from the poppy seed (e.g morphine) as well as semi synthetic and synthetic compounds with similar properties (e.g fentanyl) (WHO, 2021). The term opioid is used to refer to all compounds that bind to opiate (opioid) receptors. Opioids are alkaloids that are directly derived from the opium poppy plant and the name “Opiate” can be used to describe them. Among these alkaloids are codeine and morphine. Opioids include synthetic opioids like methadone, fentanyl and propoxyphene as well as semi-synthetic opiates, which are medications made from naturally occurring opiates (such as heroin from morphine and oxycodone from thebaine). Narcotic is a legal term used to describe opioids and a few other drugs that are grouped with the opioids by law enforcement hence, it should not be used in the clinical setting (Naidu et al, 2015). Opioids have a number of impacts on the brain including numbing of pain. They work by attaching to opioid receptors on the cells of the brain. These cells send out signals that cause massive amounts of dopamine to be released throughout the body, thereby reducing the experience of pan and increases feelings of pleasure

This study used mouse models to assess the acute toxicity and analgesic effects of Moringa oleifera extract. Acute toxicity was tested by giving different oral dose up to 5000 mg/kg, which resulted in no mortality, showing relative safety. The analgesic efficacy was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking assays. The extract considerably reduced writhing behaviors in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05), indicating peripheral analgesic effects. In the formalin test, the extract significantly reduced paw licking time in both neurogenic (early) and inflammatory (late) phases, with significant effects at moderate and high dosages (p < 0.05), indicating wide analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. These data confirm Moringa oleifera extract's potential as a safe and effective analgesic agent. Moringa oleifera's phytochemical components, which include flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and phenolic acids, are thought to work together to provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits. The extract's ability to attenuate nociceptive behaviors in established experimental models backs up its longstanding use in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. The findings of this work give experimental confirmation for Moringa oleifera root bark as a promising natural analgesic with a wide range of efficacy, prompting further investigation into its pharmacological mechanisms and possible clinical applications. The extract's analgesic efficacy and safety profile make it a promising lowrisk pain management option

The leaf of T. mantaly is a component of traditional medicine, yet its scientific safety profile, particularly on the blood, is not well-established. This research aimed to provide information on the acute toxicity profile and a comprehensive description of the haematological effects of the plant's methanol leaf extract in Wistar rats, by examining both the immediate effect of a single high dose, and the sub – acute effect of repeated daily administrations. The leaf of T. mantaly was collected, authenticated, dried and milled into powder form. The powder (1050 g) was Soxhlet extracted using methanol, concentrated and dried to obtain 27.98% yield of extract. Acute toxicity test was done using Lorke’s method. Evaluation of the acute effect of a single high dose of 5000 mg/kg and the sub – acute effect of graded doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of the extract on haematological parameters of female Wistar rats, were done using standard methods. The acute toxicity test revealed that the extract is relatively safe with LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. However, administration of the 5000 mg/kg dose of the extract revealed a non – toxic physiological stress response, which manifested as a decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia) and lymphocytes (lymphopenia), as well as a sharp rise in neutrophils (neutrophilia). The 28 days sub – acute study demonstrated the safety profile associated with the administration of lower graded doses of the extract. An immunomodulatory effect, with a slight increase in the number of lymphocytes an platelets, were observed. In conclusion, the methanol leaf extract of T. mantaly possesses a high margin of safety and it is relatively safe, at the tested doses. However, caution is seriously advised in its use, at high doses.

Benign prostate hyperplasia is a disease of ageing men. Oxidative stress is a promoter of the ageing process. This study evaluated the effect of the aqueous fraction of the ethanol leaf extract of Cassia alata l.[fabaceae] on antioxidant and lipid per oxidation status of male rats induced with benign prostate hyperplasia. Six groups of six rats each were induced with benign prostate hyperplasia by the subcutaneous administration of testosterone (4mg/kg). Groups 1, 2, and 3 received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of the fraction respectively. Group 5 rats (negative control) received 10 ml/kg of distilled water. Group 4 animals (standard control) were treated with finasteride (5mg/kg) while Group 5 rats (negative control) received 10 ml/kg of distilled water. Group 6 animals (normal control) were neither induced nor treated. All administration was daily for 28 days by oral gavage. Rats were sacrificed on the 29th day, blood was obtained, and serum enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured with Elisa assay test kits. Malondialdehyde concentration was equally measured. The extract did not significantly (P<0.05) increase the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx compared to the negative control, while MDA concentration was also not significant.

Background: Herbal teas, also known as tisanes, are beverages prepared by infusing plants or plant parts such as seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, dried nuts, fruits, and grasses into hot water, producing a distinct taste with various health benefits. Insufficient comparative analysis exists for commonly consumed herbal teas in Nigeria, regarding antioxidant activity, organoleptic, and physicochemical parameters. The purpose of this study is to conduct an in vitro evaluation of organoleptic, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties of selected herbal teas. Method: Ten herbal tea brands (Ginseng tea, Adams Moringa tea, Organic Immune System Booster, 3 Ballerina Tea, Legend Tea and Herbs, Qualitea, Top Tea, Lipton, Costa Tea, and Richmond) were selected from supermarkets and local markets in Edo state, Nigeria. The selected herbal teas were assessed for their organoleptic and physicochemical properties (pH, moisture content, and specific gravity). In the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, the absorbance at 517 nm of the herbal teas brewed at different temperatures (95, 28, and 10℃) was determined using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The percentage inhibition was calculated, and the results were recorded. Result: The organoleptic properties of the herbal tea brew were fresh and within acceptable sensory limits. The pH determination shows that the herbal teas have pH values within the acidic range (<7), from 4.83 to 6.03. From the test carried out, the moisture content ranged from 3.4% to 8.5% (<10%). The specific gravity determination showed that the teas have specific gravity similar to that of water (1.000 g/mL), ranging from 0.92 to 1.02 g/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging assay shows that the percentage inhibition of the teas brewed at 95℃ ranged from 0 to 83.46%. The percentage inhibition of the teas brewed at 28℃ ranged from 59.04 to 82.02%, and the percentage inhibition of teas brewed at 10℃ ranged from 65.52 to 84.62%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the analyzed herbal teas met the basic quality requirements. The majority of the herbal teas exhibited high antioxidant activity (high percentage inhibition) when brewed at lower temperatures. Costa tea did not show activity at 95℃.

Background: .The tetracycline class of antimicrobials demonstrates a broad spectrum of activity against various pathogens, encompassing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as atypical organisms.However, their use for bacterial infections has been restricted in recent years due to the emergence of resistant organisms employing efflux and ribosomal protection mechanisms.However tetracycline has been used for therapeutic reasons in both humans and animals
Aim: The primary aim is to perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis on various brands of tetracycline found in pharmacies in Benin city. Method: Visual inspection was performed according to World health Organisation Visual Inspection of Medicines Template while the dissolution test was performed using the United State Pharmacopoeia modified method of spectrometry according to Ahmed et al was used and absorbance was taken at 362nm.
Results: The visual inspection showed that 90% of the brand inspected met the required standard according to the USP. The dissolution test showed that the percentage content in 20 40 and 60 minutes was within the range of 91.31 - 99.53, 92.62 - 99.53 and 97.83 - 99.57 respectively the spectrometry test shows that all the brands met up to the 90 -125% (USP).
Conclusion: The conclusion of this research shows that the analysed tetracycline brands follow the official monographs, except for the color deviation that was noted in the T7 tablets.

Background: Pain and inflammation remain major health concerns that reduce quality of life despite many available treatments. Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and orphenadrine, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, target different pain pathways. This study investigates whether their combined use enhances analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, offering a safer and more effective approach to pain management. Method: Twenty-four Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups to receive saline, diclofenac (50 mg/kg), orphenadrine (25 mg/kg) and ophenadrine-diclofenac (25 mg/kg-50 mg/kg). Analgesic effects were assessed using the acetic acid–induced writhing and hole- board tests, while COX inhibition was evaluated using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Data were expressed as Mean ± SEM and analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with significance set at p < 0.05. Result: Diclofenac (1.67 ± 0.76), orphenadrine (2.17 ± 0.95), and their combination (0.00 ± 0.00) significantly reduced writhes compared to control (6.00 ± 1.53; p < 0.05). COX-2 levels were markedly lower in diclofenac (88.32 ± 1.18), orphenadrine (27.59 ± 2.26), and combination (68.30 ± 1.43) treated groups versus control (95.26 ± 1.88). In the hole-board test, the combination group (24.33 ± 1.59) maintained head dips comparable to the control group. Conclusion: Diclofenac and orphenadrine provide complementary pain relief, with diclofenac acting peripherally and orphenadrine centrally. Their combination synergistically abolished writhing, balanced COX-2 activity, and preserved normal exploratory behaviour. These results highlight the diclofenac–orphenadrine combination as an effective multimodal analgesic that enhances pain control while supporting central function.

Benign prostate hyperplasia is a disease of ageing men. Oxidative stress is a promoter of the ageing process. This study evaluated the effect of the ethanol seed extract of Persea Americana (PAE) on antioxidant and lipid per oxidation status of male rats induced with benign prostate hyperplasia and spectroscopic analysis of the extract. Five groups of five rats each were induced
with benign prostate hyperplasia by the subcutaneous administration of testosterone (3mg/kg). Group 1 rats (negative control) received 10 ml/kg of distilled water. Group 2 animals (standard control) were treated with finasteride (4mg /kg). Groups 3, 4 and 5 received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg dose of PAE respectively. Groups 6 animals (normal control) were neither induced nor
treated. All administration was daily for 28 days by oral gavage. Rats were sacrificed on the 29 th day, blood obtained, and serum enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (Gsr) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured with Elisa assay test kits. Malondialdehyde concentration was equally measured. High-Performance Liquid
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to identify compounds present in PAE. The extract significantly (P<0.0001) increased the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and Grs compared to the negative control at the dose of 400 mg/kg while MDA concentration was significantly reduced. Digoxin, tetramethylquercetin and abscisic acid were identified in PAE

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD’s) remain the dominant course of mortality in developed and developing countries. Due to changing life styles, socio-economic status and decline in provision of healthcare services in developing countries such as Nigeria, myocardial infraction is making a significant contribution to national healthcare burden and mortality statistics.
Aim: This present study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum on some cardiac function biomarkers in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats.
Methodology: Acute toxicity test and haemotological and biochemical analysis of the extract was done using standard methods. Wister rates aged 2 – 3 months weighing 150 to 200 grams were acclimatized for 2 weeks and grouped into 4 (A– D) groups. B and C orally received graded doses of extracts (B = 50, C = 100, mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days. Group A served as control and group D served as standard group 2ml/kg of cargradenol Blood samples (5ml) were collected into ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) containers and analysed using haemetological automety following manufacturers guidelines. Isoprenaline was induced 85mg/kg on 26th and 27th day in all groups.
Result Gnetum africanium extract displayed no accurate toxicity up to 5g/kg; at doses of 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg, it demonstrated no significant effects on cardiac biomarkers when compared with the control against isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats across parameters including organ weight, body weight changes, cardiac biomarkers and oxidative-antioxidant balances