GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER(Ag) AND GOLD(Au) NANOPARTICLES

Cardiovascular disorders, particularly hypertension, continue to pose major health challenges worldwide, necessitating the search for new therapeutic agents with improved efficacy and safety. Imidazole-based compounds have gained attention due to their diverse pharmacological profiles, including notable antibacterial, antifungal and antihypertensive properties. This study employed a computational screening approach to evaluate selected imidazole derivatives for potential antihypertensive activity, followed by the synthesis of a lead derivative (2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole). Molecular docking was conducted using PyRx (AutoDock Vina) to predict binding affinities and interaction profiles with key hypertension-related protein targets1O86, 4ZUD, 5XPR and 6L88). Several screened derivatives demonstrated strong binding affinities comparable to or higher than the reference drug, suggesting potential inhibitory activity through similar interaction mechanisms at the active site residues. In particular, 2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole, 1-benzoyl- 4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole, and 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4,5 diphenyl-1H-imidazole showed the most favorable binding energies and stable protein–ligand interactions across all target proteins. ADMET profiling further indicated acceptable pharmacokinetic behavior for these candidates. The synthesized 2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole was obtained in a yield of 81.28% and was subjected to preliminary characterization, exhibiting a melting point of 269–272 °C.. The findings highlight promising imidazole structural features with potential antihypertensive relevance and support further synthesis, and biological evaluation of these compounds to advance drug development in hypertension management.

All thanks to God almighty for giving me the grace, wisdom and strength to complete this my project work and also for His provision, protection and unmerited favour throughout the period of my study. To my supervisor Dr. F.I Okolafor, I want to say thank you for taking out time to ensure that this work was a success and for your unending support, love and care. May the good Lord continue to bless and reward you accordingly. My warm regards goes to my H.O D; Dr. E.O Oshomo and the entire lecturers and staffs of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Benin for their services rendered in making me a better person. Thank you all. Special gratitude to my parents Mr. and Mrs. Monday Aludu for being there always as regarding the spiritual, financial and all round support. May the good Lord continue to grant you many more years. I say a very big thank you to my sweet and lovely siblings, Obokparo, Eroure, Ajiri and Edafe thank you all for your support and care. I am forever grateful. To my friends Ejobona Mike and Victor who stood by me in the thick and thin of my project period and my entire five years of study in University of Benin, I want to say I love you all and may God grant you your heart desires. Lastly, I wish to express my gratitude to my course mates who assisted me at one point or the other. God bless you all