FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Background: Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria throughout Nigeria. The rise of substandard and falsified medicines endangers patient safety, effective treatment, and antisubstitution for decreased susceptibility to effective treatment. This study evaluated in-vitro pharmaceutical quality of artemether￾lumefantrine brands that are marketed in Benin City. Methods: Sixteen (16) brands of artemether-lumefantrine tablets were procured from Patented and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and retail pharmacies licensed through NAFDAC throughout Benin City. Samples were evaluated based on pharmacopoeial standards of visual/organoleptic packaging and tablet assessment, weight uniformity, tablet hardness, friability, disintegration time, in-vitro dissolution and assay for % purity of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Results: All 16 brands were NAFDAC-approved and presently active. All samples passed critical evaluative tests associated with weight uniformity, dissolution (all >80% in 60 min), and % purity (assay) with all brands within pharmacopoeial standards of 90.0% - 110.0% meaning active pharmaceutical ingredients are accounted for. However, significant quality concerns were raised as 1 brand (Biolumefar) failed the friability test (3.00% weight loss) due to compromised mechanical integrity. 1 brand (Contrine plus) failed disintegration time analysis as the average time elapsed was >30 min according to pharmacopoeial standards. Finally, a statistically significant difference was found in tablet hardness across all brands (range: 6.50 LP to 11.33 kP). xi
Conclusion: Overall, findings present inconsistent quality. While it is a positive outcome that no brands failed the assay for content of active ingredients, the failure of two brands in the most critical physical assessments - one for friability and one for disintegration -indicates inferior manufacturing processes and quality control standards. Therefore, there is a continued need for post-market surveillance from NAFDAC to ensure all AL products in circulation are quality compliant to avoid malarial treatment failures secondary to drug resistance

Species belonging to the Cola genus (Malvaceae) are common across tropical regions of Africa and are well known for their use in traditional medicine, particularly for managing infections, inflammatory conditions, and disorders linked to oxidative stress. Several species are also valued in folk practices for their stimulating, antiemetic, and antiproliferative effects. This study investigates the phytochemical profile, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, of the 70% ethanolic stem bark extract of Cola rostrata. The plant material was collected from Amapu-Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Abia State, Nigeria. It was air-dried,
pulverized, and extracted using 70% ethanol by maceration. Identification and quantification studies were achieved via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C-12 column with a water–acetonitrile gradient, using 280 nm as detection wavelength. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis employed a DB-5MS column with helium as a carrier gas and compound identification was supported by NIST library matching. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TAC assays. Antibacterial activity was determined through agar well diffusion and dilution techniques
against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis,, and Enterobacter cloacae. The mode of antibacterial action was determined by calculating the MBC/MIC ratio for susceptible isolates.

Hypertension is a major public health concern in Nigeria, and the financial demands of its longterm management often limit patients’ ability to sustain effective treatment. The chronic nature of the condition requires ongoing medication, regular clinic visits, and laboratory monitoring— costs that can impose significant financial strain on individuals and households.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which triggered a global pandemic in 2019. Phytochemicals such as diosmin and quercetin, which are present in and/or structurally similar to compounds found in Bryophyllum pinnatum, have demonstrated antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical and in silico studies and remain promising candidates for further drug development. This study aims to explore the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of compounds in Bryophyllum pinnatum using GC-MS and in silico methods. Ninety-nine phytochemicals from Bryophyllum pinnatum (38 isolated compounds from literature and 61 from GC-MS analysis of extracts) were evaluated. The 3D structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD/ACE2 B0AT1 protein complex (PDB ID: 6M17) was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank and prepared by removing water molecules and non-standard residues, adding hydrogen atoms using BIOVIA Discovery Studio. The compounds’ 3D structures were retrieved from the PubChem database. Each compound was docked against the spike RBD/ACE2 complex. Physicochemical, pharmacokinetic (ADME), and toxicological properties were assessed using the SwissADME and ProTox II webservers. Thirty-four phytochemicals, including two identified via GC-MS, exhibited binding affinities below –6.8 kcal/mol. Kaempferitrin showed the highest affinity (–10 kcal/mol), followed by diosmin (–9.5 kcal/mol). Post-docking and ADMET analyses indicated that some of these compounds possess favourable ADME profiles and acceptable toxicity. Bryophyllum pinnatum shows selective anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential. Taraxasterol and taraxerol displayed favorable binding and safety profiles, whereas kaempferitrin, diosmin, and bersaldegenin orthoacetate, despite stronger binding, may be limited by toxicity and warrant further optimization.

The Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), recently introduced by the
National Universities Commission (NUC), represents a major shift in the structure and delivery of undergraduate programmes in Nigeria. The curriculum emphasizes competency based training, greater practical exposure, and enhanced skills development. These changes may influence students’ academic experiences and psychological wellbeing. This study assessed the perceived
stress levels and major stressors among second-year pharmacy students undergoing training under the CCMAS framework at the University of Benin.

Food preservation is an important aspect of extending shelf life and ensuring food safety. Calcium propionate is a widely used preservative that inhibits mold growth and extends the shelf life of baked products such as biscuits. Concerns have been raised about the potential health implications of the intake of excessive amounts of calcium propionate including its neurological as well as metabolic effects. This study focuses on the colorimetric assay of calcium propionate in commercially produced biscuits to determine its concentration and evaluate compliance with permissible food additive limits. In this analysis, a colorimetric method was employed, based on the reaction of propionate anions with ferric cations to produce a reddish-brown complex. A UV–visible spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance of the resultant solution at a wavelength of 600nm and the concentration was determined from a standard calibration curve.

Background: Diclofenac is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for the management of pain and inflammatory disorders such as arthritis. Despite its therapeutic effectiveness, conventional immediate-release diclofenac formulations are often associated with frequent dosing and increased risk of gastrointestinal irritation due to rapid absorption and elimination. Sustained-release matrix tablet systems have been developed to address these limitations by providing prolonged drug action, reducing dosing frequency, and minimizing adverse effects. The selection and optimization of excipient blends, especially
hydrophilic polymers, play a pivotal role in achieving a desirable sustained-release profile and robust tablet quality.
Objective: This study investigates the effect of polymer blends, specifically hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and maize starch mucilage, in combination with Eudragit RL-100 and
polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the physical properties and drug release characteristics of sustained-release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets. Method: Matrix tablets were manufactured by direct compression, utilizing varying proportions of HPMC and maize starch mucilage as hydrophilic polymer binders within systems also containing Eudragit RL-100 and PEG. All formulations were evaluated for tablet hardness, friability, and disintegration time using standardized pharmacopeial procedures, with an emphasis on comparing physical integrity and sustained-release performance across ten distinct batches

Background: The rise in resistance to synthetic antimicrobial agents has encouraged interest in herbal formulations. Cassia alata Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), commonly known as the candle bush, is traditionally used for treating skin infections due to its rich phytochemical constituents. This study focuses on formulating an herbal shampoo using Cassia alata leaf extract and evaluating its antimicrobial activities against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Objectives: To formulate the leaf extract of Cassia alata into a shampoo and investigate its antimicrobial profiles. Methods: Standard procedures were followed to evaluate the presence of phytochemicals. The methanol extract was incorporated into a shampoo base prepared using stearic acid, sodium hydroxide, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulfate and additives. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method against the following test organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus
aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans) at extract concentrations of 100-500 mg/ml. Zones of inhibition were compared with ciprofloxacin (bacterial control) and Ketoconazole (fungal control). Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Anthraquinones, Saponins, Tannins and Alkaloids. The shampoo formulation was clear, exhibiting good foam formation, with no signs of phase separation, indicative of its stability. There was no skin irritation. The formulated herbal shampoo, containing the leaf extract of C. alata showed marked reduced antimicrobial activity at 500 mg/ml when compared to the standard antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: Cassia alata herbal shampoo formulation has shown promising prospect as a potent source of phytonutrients and can be used in managing microbial activities of the skin.

Introduction: The survival and interaction of probiotic microorganisms in pharmaceutical carriers are critical in determining their therapeutic efficacy. This study investigated the survival pattern of Lactobacillus gasseri in the presence of selected suppository bases and Escherichia coli , with the aim of identifying a suitable base that enhances probiotic viability while inhibiting pathogenic growth. Methods: Pure cultures of Lactobacillus gasseri and Escherichia coli were obtained and characterized through Gram staining and biochemical tests. Survival studies were conducted
by inoculating the organisms in media containing different suppository bases— glycerogelatin, Polyethylene Glycol (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL), and Theobroma base—and monitoring their growth patterns over time. The regression equations for the
growth curves were determined as follows: control Lactobacillus gasseri, y = 6.81 + 0.18x; glycerogelatin, Escherichia coli , y = 4.31 − 0.06x; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, Escherichia coli , y = 3.27 + 0.24x; Theobroma base, Escherichia coli , y = 6.93 + 0.23x. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate significance (p < 0.05)

The leaves of Persea americana have been discovered to exert antimicrobial properties. The upsurging need for new antimicrobial formulations has driven the quest to formulate and test the compatibility of formulation excipients and avocado extract. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol avocado leaf extract of Persea americana and its balm formulation. Fresh Persea americana leaves were harvested, dried, pulverized and macerated in ethanol for a week. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract, after which it was formulated into balms (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/ml). The different balm concentrations were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using the ditch plate method. Ciprofloxacin was used as the positive control, and statistical significance was determined using ANOVA, with a significance level of P≤ 0.05. The ethanol plant extract was found to contain alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. The extract with (0, 100 mg/ml) showed no activity on the tested organisms. The extracts at 200 and 400 mg/ml exhibited antimicrobial activity ranging from 19 – 27 mm with the 400 mg/ml extract showing greater activity against the tested organisms. The balm formulation exerted reduced antibacterial activity compared to crude extract. The balm formulation with (0, 100 mg/ml) showed no activity, while the 200 and 400 mg/ml showed lesser activity ranging from 8 – 20 mm. Conclusively, the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of avocado leaves was influenced by the balm formulation. This indicates that the interactions and compatibility of formulation excipients are crucial factors to consider when formulating herbal products.