E. O. Oshomoh

Haemolytic anaemia is characterised by accelerated erythrocyte destruction and is often accompanied by oxidative damage and organ dysfunction. Medicinal plants used in traditional medicine may offer protective and regenerative benefits in anaemic conditions. This study evaluated the regenerative effects of a polyherbal aqueous leaf extract of Ipomoea batatas, Justicia carnea and Ficus sur on selected organs in phenylhydrazine-induced haemolytic anaemic rats. Anaemia was induced in Wistar rats using phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Animals were treated with graded doses of the polyherbal extract, while control groups included normal and anaemia-induced untreated rats. Liver, spleen and thymus tissues were harvested and processed for histopathological examination using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia caused marked histopathological alterations in the liver, spleen and thymus, including hepatocellular degeneration, splenic architectural distortion and thymic involution. Treatment with the polyherbal extract resulted in varying degrees of tissue protection and structural recovery across the organs examined. The polyherbal aqueous extract of I. batatas, J. carnea and F. sur demonstrated protective and regenerative effects against phenylhydrazine-induced organ damage, supporting its potential role in the management of haemolytic anaemia.

This study scientifically validated the traditional therapeutic use of Allium sativum by comparing the extraction yield, phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant potential of aqueous and ethanol extracts. Although the aqueousss extract
produced a higher yield (22.87%) than the ethanol extract (14%), biological activity was greater in the ethanol extract, highlighting the importance of solvent polarity in selectively extracting bioactive compounds. Both extracts showed concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal isolates, with greater susceptibility observed in Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans; however, the ethanol extract demonstrated superior efficacy, supported by lower Minimun Inhibitory Concentrattion(MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration(MBC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration(MFC) values.
Antioxidant assays 2,2 – diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power(FRAP) revealed significant activity in both extracts, with the ethanol extract exhibiting higher ssradical scavenging ability and reducing power than the aqueous extract. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses confirmed the presence of key secondary metabolites, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, which were more abundant in the ethanol extract and strongly associated with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Overall, despite its lower extraction yield, the ethanol extract of A. sativum showed greater biological
potency, providing strong scientific support for the medicinal use of garlic and its potential application in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.

Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) is a medicinal herb renowned for its essential oils rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant constituents. This study evaluated the influence of dumpsite pollution on the phytochemical and functional composition of O. gratissimum essential oil obtained from Egor, Ovia North-East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. Essential oils extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus were characterized by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The GC–MS analysis revealed a predominance of hydrocarbons particularly decane and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate suggesting petroleum- and plastic-derived contamination, while FTIR spectra identified nitrogenous, carbonyl, and halogenated functional groups absent in uncontaminated reference samples. These alterations indicate that dumpsite exposure disrupts the biosynthesis of natural oxygenated terpenes, thereby diminishing the therapeutic quality of the oil and introducing potential toxicants. The findings demonstrate that environmental pollution significantly affects the chemical integrity of O. gratissimum and hence, the need to restrict its cultivation near polluted environments

The antimicrobial activity, proximate composition and phytonutrient contents of the ethanolic extracts of the young and mature leaves of Greenwayodendron suaveolens were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The moisture contents of the young and mature leaves were 9.9% and 11.882% respectively. The ash contents of the young and mature leaves were 6.142% and 6.418% respectively. The crude fiber content of the young and mature leaves was 5.550% and 5.080% respectively. The crude fat content of the young and mature leaves was 14.750% and 18.870% respectively. The crude protein content of the young and mature leaves was 1.338% and 1.025% respectively. The carbohydrate content of the young and mature leaves was 72.220% and 68.607% respectively. The phytonutrient analysis carried out indicated that percentage alkaloid was 24.43 and 11.45 in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. Phenolic contents were 64.00 µg/mL and 51.00 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. Flavonoid content was 39.50 µg/mL and 13.75 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts at respectively. Saponin content at 1,147 µg/mL and 1,205 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. While tannin content was 65.00 mg/mL and 47.25 mg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts at respectively. The ethanolic leaf extracts of Greenwayodendron suaveolens inhibited the growth of all the test organisms at the concentration of 25 mg/mL

This study investigated the chemical composition of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) essential oils collected from Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Ovia-North East Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to comparatively evaluate the bioactive constituents and determine variations in phytochemical profiles that influence the plant’s medicinal and industrial applications. Essential oils were extracted using Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane and analyzed by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC – MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The GC–MS results revealed a complex mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenoids, phenolics, long-chain alkanes, fatty acids, esters, and sterols. Major bioactive compounds identified included thymol, caryophyllene oxide, o-cymene, neophytadiene, phytol, and squalene, with thymol emerging as the dominant bioactive constituent. Among the samples, Oredo extract showed higher concentrations of oxygenated terpenes and hydrocarbons, indicating stronger antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, while Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia-North samples exhibited broader chemical diversity. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C = O), and carbon – carbon double bonds(C = C), characteristic of phenolics, terpenoids, and aromatic compounds. These findings validate the therapeutic and aromatic relevance of O. gratissimum, highlighting its potential applications in medicine, cosmetics, and food industries. The study concludes that environmental and geographical factors significantly influence the chemical variability and quality of O. gratissimum essential

Anaemia remains a significant global health challenge, with conventional iron supplementation frequently associated with gastrointestinal side effects and poor patient compliance. This has necessitated the exploration of herbal alternatives with improved safety profiles and better tolerability. This study evaluated the hematinic potential of a polyherbal aqueous extract combining leaves of Justicia carnea, Ipomoea batatas, and Ficus sur using an experimental Wistar rat model of hemolytic anaemia. Thirty-six Wistar rats were subjected to phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced hemolytic anaemia (40 mg/kg for seven consecutive days). Following confirmation of anaemia through significant reductions in red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume on Day 1, the animals were randomly assigned to six groups: three treatment groups receiving the polyherbal extract at graded doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; a positive control group administered 5 mg/kg folic acid; a negative control receiving no treatment; and a normal control group without induction or treatment. Treatment interventions continued on daily basis for 14 days. Post treatment assessment demonstrated dose-dependent hematological recovery across all measured parameters. The highest dose (100 mg/kg) exhibited remarkable efficacy, producing a 60.15% increase in Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, 38.50% elevation in hemoglobin levels, and 55.66% improvement in Pack Cell Volume (PCV), with the performance comparable to the standard folic acid control. Statistical analysis revealed significant inter-group differences in RBC count at Day 7 (p = 0.005) and PCV at Day 14 (p = 0.05).

This study comparatively evaluated the peripheral blood smear restorative potential of the equal mixture of aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts of Justicia carnea Lindl., Ficus sur L., and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. in phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced haemolytic anaemia Wistar rats, with the aim of providing scientific validation for their traditional use as “blood tonics” in Southern Nigeria. Haemolytic anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ on days 1 and 2, after which rats were treated daily for 14 days with distilled water (negative control), vitamin C ( positive control), while aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg respectively. Peripheral blood smears prepared on days 0, 7, and 14 post-induction were microscopically assessed for key erythrocyte morphological parameters including anisocytosis, poikilocytosis (schistocytes, echinocytes, stomatocytes), polychromasia, and presence of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs). At 24 hours post-PHZ, severe haemolytic damage was evident across all PHZ-treated groups, which moderately normalize by day 7. Treated animals exhibited a near-complete normalization of RBC size and shape by day 14. The findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological endpoints like anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and nucleated RBCs into preclinical evaluations of anti-anaemic phytomedicines.

The immune system plays a vital role in protecting the body from infections, toxin, and oxidative damage. However, it can be weaken or impaired by chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, malnutrition, exposure to chemical agents, or certain medications. In recent years, plant-based immunomodulators have gained global attention as promising alternatives to synthetic drugs such as Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis and Justica carnea,, being utilised as immunoprotecive agents. The aim is to assess the Immunoprotective effects of the aqueous polyherbal leaf extract of equal amount of Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis, and Justica carnea, in phenylhydrazine induced immunosuppressed Wistar rats. The method used for this analysis were evaluated using standard and established method. Oral administration of polyherbal extract at doses 25, 50, 100 mg/kg significantly increase blood levels compared to untreated group. CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts were monitored for 24 hours(1 day), 7 days, and 14 days. Results showed a dose dependent restoration of immune cell counts, with 50 mg/kg group exhibiting the most significant improvement in (CD4+ = 7.95 ± 0.12 cells/mm3 ; CD8+ = 3.11 ± 0.0 cells/mm3) when compared to the untreated group. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the polyherbal leaf extract of equal amount of Ipomoea batatas, Ficus carpensis, and Justica carnea as an immunoprotective agent at 50 mg/kg of the extract as the best. This validates its traditional use and such insights as a promising alternative for the development of innovative treatments for metabolic disorders.

This research study was carried out to evaluate the fat soluble vitamin contents (vitamin A, D, E and K) in solvent extracted melon seed oil and to determine the Amino acid profile of whole melon seed flour over a period of time. Results on fat soluble vitamins shows that, vitamin A had the highest value, followed by vitamin E, K and vitamin D had the lowest value of the fat soluble vitamin content and they were all relatively stable from month 0 to month 1. Result on whole melon seed flour shows that, it contains eleven essential amino acids and seven non-essential amino acids. Therefore solvent extracted melon seed oil
contains fat soluble vitamins and whole melon seed flour contains the basic essential amino acids.