SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES,

Seasoning cubes such as Tasty Cube (Chicken Flavour) are widely consumed in
African households for flavor enhancement. While generally regarded as safe, their
content of monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium, and preservatives has raised
concerns about potential biochemical effects, particularly oxidative stress. Previous
studies have implicated MSG and sodium-rich additives in the alteration of
antioxidant enzyme activity and lifespan reduction in animal models.The aimof this
study was to investigate the modulatory effects of Tasty Cube on survival rate andselected antioxidant enzymes Sodiundismutase,Catalase and Gluthathione Peroxidase(SOD, CAT, GPx) in Drosophila melanogaster. Adult flies of about 525 in total were divided into four (5) groups;A,B,C,D, and E representing
Control,0.3g,0.15g,0.10g,and 0.05g group and fed diets supplemented with these
concentrations of Tasty Cube alongside a control diet. Survival assays were conductedover a defined period, while biochemical analysis of antioxidant enzyme activities
was carried out using standard spectrophotometric methods.The results showed a mildreduction in survival rate, with flies exposed to higher concentrations of Tasty Cube
exhibiting significantly reduced lifespan compared to controls (p<0.05). Antioxidant
assays revealed that while low to moderate doses caused a mild increase in CATactivity (p<0.05), higher doses significantly suppressed SOD and GPx activities
(p<0.05), indicating oxidative imbalance.In conclusion, Tasty Cube seasoning exerts
measurable toxicological effects in Drosophila melanogaster, characterized by mildlyreduced survival and disruption of antioxidant defense mechanisms. These findings
highlight the potential risks associated with chronic seasoning cube consumption andunderscore the need for public health awareness regarding moderated dietary use.

The cerebrum, vital for cognition and motor control, is highly susceptible to toxic injury. Excess manganese chloride exposure induces oxidative stress, mitochon drial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, resulting in cerebral degeneration. Vanillin, a natural antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, may counter these effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the activity of vanillin against manganese chloride–induced cerebral toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as the control group; Group B rats were administered 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group C rats were administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin and 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group D was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride and 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group E was administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group F was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin. All administrations lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activities were evaluated using the Y-Maze Test. Results from the study showed manganese chloride-exposed rats showed significant (p<0.05) weight loss, cognitive deficits, decreased antioxidant enzymes activity, and increased lipid peroxidation with vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei observed in the cerebrum histology

The rising prevalence of Hypertension has increased the search for functional foods that provide both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. This study focused on the production and evaluation of functional biscuits made from selected plant materials including Cardaba Banana, Beetroot, Tigernut, Justicia carnea, and Soybean. The aim was to determine their antioxidant scavenging abilities and evaluate their potential as a natural antihypertensive snack.

Composite flours were prepared from the selected plant materials and incorporated into biscuit formulations. The resulting products were analyzed for phytochemical profile, mineral content, and proximate composition to determine their nutritional value and bioactive components. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH Radical Scavenging Assay and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power methods.

The findings revealed that the formulated biscuits contained appreciable levels of dietary fiber, potassium, nitrates, betalains, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other phytochemical compounds known for their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant evaluation demonstrated notable free radical scavenging activity, suggesting that the biscuits possess significant functional potential.

The study concludes that the developed biscuits have considerable antioxidant capacity and may serve as a functional snack with potential antihypertensive benefits. Their consumption may therefore contribute to dietary strategies aimed at the management and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The study focused on the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry of phenolic compounds and antioxidant related constituent in the aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum stem, a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional healthcare across Nigeria. The stem samples were sourced from Iwo Market in Osun State. The analysis was carried out using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) at LEEDEX Laboratory in Lagos to identify the major bioactive constituents responsible for antioxidant activity. A total of 33 compounds were detected in the aqueous extract. Among these, four major compounds were identified due to their relevance to phenolic and antioxidant properties. Peaks 2 and 4 were confirmed as phenolic compounds—Phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy- and Phenol, 3,4,5-trimethoxy—indicating the presence of significant phenolic content in the extract. Peaks 32 and 33 were identified as Squalene and di-α- Tocopherol, respectively. Although non-phenolic, both compounds are well-documented antioxidants that contribute to the overall antioxidant capacity of the extract. The presence of both phenolic and non-phenolic antioxidant compounds suggests that the aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum possesses strong antioxidant potential. These findings support the medicinal value of the plant and align with its traditional use for managing oxidative stressrelated conditions. The results highlight the importance of further research to explore additional therapeutic properties, optimize extraction methods, and understand the stability of its bioactive constituents.

The persistent burden of malaria in sub-Sahara Africa despite different interventions spanning decades makes it a major public health concern, especially in this region. The study was aimed at investigating how malaria infection affects these hemorheologic factors (haematocrit, fibrinogen and whole blood viscosity) and understand their implications in the severity of the disease. This research was conducted at the University ofBenin, Benin City, on a a total of 35 students within the age range of 18-25 years. Blood samples were collected from the participant and tested for haematocrit, fibrinogen and whole blood viscosity using a micro hematocrit centrifuge, the clauss method, reid and ugwu method respectively. Twenty five students who had no traces of malaria infection were used as control. Results showed a non-significant decrease in Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in the test subjects when compared with the control subjects. There was also no significant increase in fibrinogen level and whole blood viscosity between the test subjects and the control subjects. However, on the basis of sex, the malaria-infected males showed marked difference in their haemorrhegic factors when compared to the non-infected control male subjects. While the haemorrhaegic factors of the malaria-infected female subjects did not differ significantly from the haemorrhaegic factors of the female control subjects. Thus, implying that the male subjects were responsible for the significant difference observed in the overall number of malaria-infected subjects in this study, due to slight changes in PCV Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the haemorrhaegic factors between the groups of control subjects overall and on the basis of sex. It can thus, be concluded that malaria infection does have an impact on haemorrhegic factors. In view of the attempts at eliminating malaria in sub-sahara Africa, everyone in the region must contribute their quota to its elimination.