FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing global health threat, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic agents. Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), a perennial herb rich in bioactive compounds such as citral, geraniol, and flavonoids, has demonstrated significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of soap formulated with Cymbopogon citratus extract obtained via n- hexane solvent extraction. Fresh Cymbopogon citratus leaves were collected from Obagie community, Edo State, Nigeria, shade-dried, and pulverized. A total of 500 g of powdered leaves was macerated in 2.5 L of analytical-grade n-hexane for seven days at room temperature. The extract was filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 40 °C. Phytochemical screening of the n-hexane extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Soap was prepared via cold saponification method using palm and coconut oils. Antimicrobial assays were conducted on the extract and soap using concentrations of 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, and 400 mg/ml against bacterial and fungal strains. The n-hexane extract showed the highest zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (28 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (26 mm) at 400 mg/ml. The formulated soap demonstrated notable activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.5 mm), and Penicillium spp. (22.5 mm) These findings support the potential of Cymbopogon citratus-based soap as a natural, safe, and effective topical antimicrobial agent, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a glucose intolerance disorder first recognized during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as preeclampsia, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. The global burden of GDM is rising, including in Nigeria, yet screening remains inadequate in many primary healthcare (PHC) settings. Objective: This study assessed the risk status and associated factors of GDM among pregnant women attending PHC centers in Egor and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at selected PHC facilities were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on demographic, obstetric, and lifestyle factors, alongside a nine-item GDM risk assessment tool. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency testing (Cronbach’s alpha) were used for analysis. Results: Most respondents were aged 26–35 years. Based on the risk assessment tool, 74.7% were low risk, 22.4% moderate risk, and 2.9% high risk for GDM. Significant predictors included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, family history of diabetes or hypertension, and previous obstetric complications. Sociodemographic factors such as marital status, education, and occupation were not significantly associated. Regular exercise and healthy diets were linked to lower GDM risk. The risk assessment tool showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.702). Conclusion: Early identification of at-risk women through effective screening and timely antenatal care can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Integrating GDM risk assessment, counseling, and lifestyle education into PHC services is strongly recommended

Hypertension affects approximately 1.3 billion people globally and remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite available treatments, challenges including resistant hypertension, poor adherence, and adverse effects persist. This study employed integrated computational and experimental approaches to design and synthesize novel imidazole-based antihypertensive compounds. Molecular docking using AutoDock Vina evaluated four imidazole derivatives against key hypertension-related targets: 6L88, 7BVQ, 5XPR, and 1O86. The compound 2-hexyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole exhibited superior binding with affinities of -6.3 to -7.9 (kcal/mol) to all the targets used. SwissADME analysis predicted favorable pharmacokinetics: high gastrointestinal absorption, optimal lipophilicity, and full Lipinski compliance. ProTox-3.0 toxicity profiling also showed acceptable safety with no predicted mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, or cytotoxicity. Based on these results, 2-hexyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole was synthesized via Debus-Radziszewski condensation with 77.3% yield and melting point of 184-186°C. Structure-activity analysis confirmed both hexyl and phenyl substituents are essential for optimal binding. This work demonstrates rational drug design principles in identifying promising antihypertensive leads and establishes a foundation for developing imidazolebased cardiovascular agents

Purpose: The study was carried out to evaluate public knowledge and dosage form preferences among adult participants, assess patient’s choices of dosage forms in drug therapy and demonstrate the association of the respondent demographic variables and dosage form preference. Methods: This study focused on the general population. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was converted to Google form and distributed to various social media platforms including Instagram, X, WhatsApp and Facebook in March, 2024. Participants were encouraged to provide answers to the questions until over 500 responses were recorded. Responses were evaluated for demographics, knowledge and choices associated with their use of drug dosage forms. Results: The analysis of the association between demographic variables and patients' dosage form preferences showed that participants exhibited varying preferences with statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for specific dosage forms. Educational status, religion, and occupation demonstrated no significant association (p > 0.05) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that patients' educational backgrounds, religion, and occupation may not be decisive factors in determining their preferences. Participants’ income however demonstrated a statistically significant association (p = 0.020) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that individuals with different income levels may have distinct preferences for specific dosage forms. Overall, these findings underscore the complexity of factors influencing dosage form preferences and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches in medication formulations to cater to the diverse needs of patient populations.Conclusion: Considering diverse demographic factors and individual preferences in formulating medications influences patients choices and compliance

Background: Telepharmacy, the provision of pharmaceutical care through telecommunication and digital technologies has emerged as a transformative innovation for improving access to pharmacy services, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. In Nigeria, the concept remains relatively new, and community pharmacists play a central role in its successful implementation. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions is therefore essential for advancing digital healthcare integration. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, toward telepharmacy and identified potential barriers to its adoption. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community pharmacists practicing in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 188 questionnaires were distributed using a convenience sampling technique during professional meetings and on-site pharmacy visits. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering four domains: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, attitude, and perceived challenges related to telepharmacy. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarized responses, while Chi-square tests determined associations between variables at a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 188 distributed questionnaires, 179 were returned and analysed. Most respondents were male (75.3%), aged 31–40 years (51.1%) and held a B.Pharm degree (57.9%). Knowledge of telepharmacy was generally high: 93.3% acknowledged its availability in Nigeria, and 98.3% agreed it played an important role during global health crises. Perception toward telepharmacy was positive. Attitudinal responses were similarly favourable, with 82.6% expressing willingness to adopt telepharmacy in practice and 87.1% believing it would improve pharmaceutical care in Benin City. However, major challenges identified included poor internet connectivity (96.1%), limited patient digital literacy (84.3%), lack of training (76.4%), high installation cost (68.0%), and patients’ unwillingness to pay for services (62.4%). Years of experience were significantly associated with knowledge level (p = 0.026), while gender influenced perception (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The study revealed high awareness and positive attitudes toward telepharmacy among community pharmacists in Benin City, reflecting readiness to integrate digital technologies into pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, infrastructural and economic barriers particularly unreliable internet services, inadequate training, and low patient acceptance remain critical obstacles. Strengthening ICT infrastructure, developing national telepharmacy guidelines, and providing continuous professional training are necessary steps toward sustainable telepharmacy adoption in Nigeria.

Background: Substance use among university students has become a growing concern, particularly when such use is linked to academic pursuits. This study examines the influence of academic-related substance use on student performance, perceptions, and implications, focusing on undergraduate students in the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin. Academic-related substance use refers to the consumption of stimulants, energy drinks, prescription medications or other psychoactive substances with the intention of improving concentration, alertness or academic productivity. Objectives: The study investigates the prevalence of these substances, student’s motivations for use, perceived academic benefits and the actual academic and health consequences associated with their consumption. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect quantitative data from a representative sample of students (200 - 600 level). The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Among respondents, majority of the respondents (190; 66.0%) reported using substances such as caffeine, prescription stimulants or energy drinks. Among the substances used, caffeine in the form of coffee and energy drinks was the most commonly consumed (159; 55.2%). (107; 37.2%) strongly disagreed that academic pressure encourages substance use. (138; 47.9%) stated that substance use had no impact on their academic performance. The chi-square analysis indicated no statistically significant association between ADHD diagnosis and academic motivation (χ² = 6.252, p = 0.619). Conclusion: The findings revealed a high prevalence of stimulant and caffeine use, primarily driven by academic pressure, accessibility and the perceived need to enhance alertness or concentration

Background: Clinical clerkship potentially serves as an effective approach to enhance pharmacy students' understanding of and attitudes towards pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care (PC) highlights the importance of pharmacists providing patient-centered care Aim of the study: To assess pharmacists’ perception on the inclusion of community pharmacy in clinical clerkship in Benin city, Edo state. Method: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study across 13 community pharmacies in Benin City, A Face-to-face interview with the 13 selected pharmacists was conducted within the community pharmacy premise. Results: Community pharmacists revealed that they provide a wide range of pharmaceutical services. All the preceptors had positive reception of clerkship program and they described the involvement of community pharmacies in clinical clerkship as a welcome development and great innovation as the experiences of the preceptors with the students have been good and fabulous so
far. The challenges associated with community pharmacies involvement in preceptorship include; Unseriousness of students and interference of students' schedule with normal school work, unwillingness of pharmacists to participate, transportation cost, time constraints, little space for one-on-one interaction etc. Some of the areas of improvement suggested by the various
pharmacist include provision of transportation, adequate time for learning and also educating the students what is expected of them. The student performance was generally rated above average (50%), except for P5 which rated student performance based on confidence level below the average (40%).

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (bitter leaf) and Spondias mombin Linn (hog plum) are medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the safety profile, phytochemical constituents and toxicological effects of these extracts in Female Wistar rats. Ethanol extract of both plants were collected, authenticated and prepared. Qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted revealing the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, phenolic compounds, steroids/triterpenes, saponins and cardiac glycosides, with a notable absence of cyanogenic glycosides. Sub-acute assessment on Female Wistar rats were carried out following oral gavage of the extracts at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg doses for 28 days. The V. amygdalina extract demonstrated high systemic tolerance, with all doses maintaining stable blood, liver, and kidney functions. It exhibited beneficial immunomodulatory effects, specifically activating the spleen and mobilizing lung defense mechanisms. Meanwhile, a mild liver inflammation (portal hepatitis) was observed exclusively at the 200 mg dose. Conversely, S. mombin extract presented a safety paradox: standard blood tests suggested it was systemically protective (reduced AST/ALT and Urea), yet histopathology study revealed toxicity. This toxicity manifested as destructive localized damage, including ulceration of the coronary arteries and bronchioles, making the extract critically unsafe for internal consumption. This research validates V. amygdalina as a safe, systemic immunomodulator within the tested dose range. While S. mombin presented a safety paradox. The findings strongly necessitate the mandatory integration of detailed histopathology into regulatory safety screening protocols for traditional plant medicines to detect latent, life-threatening organ toxicity that standard blood tests can miss.

Traditional herbal remedies according to World Health Organization, will have a place in the health-care system only if recommendations for their use are founded on research that establishes their credibility and acceptability. The goal of standardization is to validate herbal products in terms of their safety, efficacy, quality and reproducibility. Hence this research work, designed to study some inherent characteristics of the leaf of Margaritaria discoidea that determines the quality of its product. The plant leaves were collected and identified. Pharmacognostic studies for the determination of some quality control parameters for the leaves of M. discoidea were conducted using standard prescribed methods. Macroscopy of M. discoidea leaves revealed that the leaves were simple, petiolated, alternate with entire margins and reticulate venation. Microscopy showed the presence of straight-walled epidermal cells, unicellular trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals and paracytic stomata. The transverse cut through the mid-rib section showed isobilateral tissue arrangement. chemo-microscopy showed the presence of lignin, cellulose, mucilage, tannins, starch and fixed oils. Phytochemical screening of the powdered leaves showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroidal nucleus and alkaloids. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of a number of separated constituents in the methanolic extract of the plant. Quantitative determinations for proximate analysis were moisture content (8.23%), total ash (8.62%), crude fibre (3.43%), crude fat (9.10%), crude protein (19.80%)and carbohydrates (59.05%). Vitamin C was present in minute quantity. Elemental analysis showed the presence of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sodium, copper, zinc and potassium. Methanol extractive value, Foaming and Swelling indices were 25.83%, < 100 and 5 ml/g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed twelve constituents in the plant material. The compounds with the highest concentrations are kaempferol, phyllochrysine, phyllanthine and betulinic acid. From this research work, standardization indices which could be used for the proper identification of the plant (M. discoidea) so as to prevent adulteration, have been provided. These details could be recorded in an official monograph

The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has created an urgent need for new and more effective antiviral agents, particularly those derived from natural sources. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae), commonly known as the King of bitters, is a medicinal plant valued for its antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals from Andrographis paniculata as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (PDB ID:7BV2) using molecular docking and ADMET predictions. The 3D structure of the SARS-CoV-2 protein was obtained from the RCSB PDB. Amino acids at the binding site of the protein were identified using PLIP. The protein was prepared for docking in BIOVIA Discovery Studio. Phytochemicals isolated from the plant and identified using GC-MS were downloaded from PubChem as SDF files and imported into PyRx for molecular docking. Post-docking interaction was analysed in BIOVIA Discovery Studio. The ADMET predictions of the phytochemicals were done using the Swiss ADME web server and ProTox-3.0. Molecular docking results from 90 isolated compounds and 23 compounds from GC-MS analysis revealed 27 isolated compounds with a binding affinity range of -6.9 to -8.5 kcal/mol against the target protein, as compared to the standard drug (Remdesivir Triphosphate) and co-crystallized ligand (F86) with binding affinities of -7.7 and -6.8 kcal/mol, respectively. These 27 compounds were selected for post-docking analysis and ADMET profiling. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) possesses phytoconstituents with potential inhibitory activity against the SARS-CoV-2 protein. Methyl 3,4-dicaffeoylquinate, identified as the top compound, along with 5-Hydroxy-7,2',6'-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,2',6'- Tetrahydroxyflavone, and Apigenin showed good absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination (ADME), and a comparatively safe toxicity profile. Therefore, further experimental validation is required to confirm their therapeutic potential as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2