Programme: BIochemistry
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://itsupport.cu.edu.ng:4000/handle/123456789/28779
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Item Association between CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 gene polymorphisms and testosterone levels in Nigerian prostate cancer patients(Scientific Reports, 2025) Ekenwaneze, Christogonus Chichebe; Zakari, Suleiman; Amadi, Emmanuel Chimuebuka; Okesola, Mary; Rotimi, Solomon Oladapo; Oyekan, Ademola; Fatiregun, Olamijulo; Iweala, Emeka Eze Joshua; Odedina, Folakemi T.; Ogunlana, Olubanke OlujokeProstate cancer (PCa) is a primary global health concern and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Genetic variation in androgen pathways is essential in PCa development and progression. Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) gene encodes a critical metabolic enzyme involved in testosterone (TT) synthesis, as it converts cholesterol into androstenedione. Similarly, the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1) gene encodes an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to androstenedione, a critical precursor for TT production. The case-control study was conducted on 40 PCa patients and 40 healthy males with matching ages. Detection of CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 polymorphisms was done using the TaqMan genotyping assay, and estimation of TT levels in serum was done using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Detected genotypes were AA, AG, and GG for CYP17A1, and AA and CA for HSD3B1; the adrenalpermissive CC genotype of HSD3B1 was absent. The TT levels were significantly lower in PCa patients (p = 0.00148). No significant associations were found between polymorphisms in CYP17A1, HSD3B1 and TT levels. The HSD3B1 CA genotype showed a non-significant trend toward increased PCa risk (OR = 2.39, p = 0.183) that requires validation in larger studies before any clinical relevance can be established.Item Comparism of Bioactive Components in Hydroethanol Extract of Corchorus olitorius and Amaranthus hybridus Leaves(Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 2024-08) Dania, Omoremime E.; Dokunmu,, Titilope M.; Iweala, Emeka Eze JoshuaThe importance of dietary vegetables cannot be overemphasised. This study aimed to screen the bioactive compounds present in C. olitorius and A. hybridus hydroethanol (30:70%v/v) extract. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for characterising the phytocomponents. A. hybridus had 9 compounds compared to C. olitorius, which had 15 compounds. Neophytadiene, hexadecenoic acid methyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, phytol, and methyl stearate were present in both extracts. C. olitorius alone contained bicyclo (3,1,1) heptane, 2,6,6 trimethyl, 2-tridecanone, pyridine-3-carboxamide,4-dimethylamino-N (2,4-difluorophenyl), octadecenal and octadecane 1-etheyloxyl while 2-pentadecanone, 6, 10, 14-trimethyl-, dodecanoic acid, ethyl 9-hexadecenoate and 3, 7, 11, 15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadece 1-ol were present in A. hybridus only. The three main compounds present in C. olitorius were hexadecenoic acid (21.99%), octadecane 1-ethenyloxy (19.51%) and hexadecanal (18.08%). In A. hybridus, hexadecenoic acid (43.75%), methyl stearate (23.43%), and phytol (10.90%) were the most common compounds. The bioactive constituents identified have numerous applications such as antimicrobial, flavour enhancing, anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, chemo signalling, antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and insecticidal properties.Item Chemical profiling, toxicity assessment, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. (Burseraceae) bark in rats(Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 333, 2024) Umeh, lNkiruka Edith; Onuorah, Remigius Tochukwu; Ekweogu, Celestine Nwabu; Ijioma, Solomon Nnah; Egeduzu, Ozioma Glory; Nwaru, Ezeibe Chidi; Iweala, Emeka Eze Joshua; Ugbogu, Eziuche AmadikeEthnopharmacological relevance The bark of Canarium schweinfurthii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diabetes, pain, malaria, fever and diarrhoea. Aim of the study The chemical phytoconstituents, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects and safety profile of the aqueous extract of Canarium schweinfurthii bark (AECSB) were investigated. Materials and methods Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the phytochemical composition. In the acute toxicity test, AECSB were administered up to 2 g/kg by oral gavage. For the subacute toxicity test (28 days), rats in group 1 (control) received no AECSB, while rats in groups 2–4 were administered different doses of AECSB. Charcoal meal transit and castor oil-induced diarrhoea models were used to study the antidiarrheal effect, while egg albumin/carrageenan and acetic acid/tail immersion models were used for the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive studies, respectively. With the exception of the acute toxicity experiment, AECSB was administered orally at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. Results Bioactive phytoconstituents identified include p-cymene, δ-terpinene, linalool and phytol. No adverse effects or mortality were observed in acute and subacute studies. Treatment with AECSB (28 days) had no significant effect on organ weight, biochemical, hematologic and histopathologic parameters compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). Comparable antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects were observed in both AECSB- and standard drug-treated groups, while the 400 and 800 mg/kg AECSB-treated groups showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects compared to the standard drug-treated and control groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion AECSB has antidiarrheal, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects and can be safely used for therapeutic purposes.Item Anticancer Activity of Ethyl Acetate Fraction and Ethanol Leaf Extract of Olax subscorpioidea against DMBA-Induced Female Rats(Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 2024) Adelegan, Ayodeji A.; Talabi, Azeem A.; Dokunmu, Titilope M; Iweala, Emeka Eze JoshuaBreast cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths in developing nations. Olax subscorpioidea is used in Nigerian traditional medicine as a treatment for cancer. The study examined the effects of Olax subscorpioidea's ethyl acetate fraction (OSEA) and ethanol leaf extract (OSE) on 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were evaluated using established procedures. The study involved 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats with an average weight of 110 ± 20 g. The rats were given a dose of 80 mg/kg of DMBA to stimulate proliferation. Subsequently, OSEA, OSE (250 mg/kg BW), and tamoxifen (6.6 mg/kg BW) were administered. The trial spanned a duration of 22 weeks. The study evaluated the impact of the treatment on various aspects such as body weight, organ weight, liver and kidney function, oxidative stress indicators, oestrogen levels, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Cancer antigen 153 (CA-153), and mammary tissue histology. It was found that body weight, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Reduced glutathione (GSH), liver enzymes, and renal function increased significantly with OSEA and OSE therapy. The levels of oestrogen, IL-6, CA-153, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly. The histological study revealed that OSEA and OSE had a positive impact on acini normalisation and the inhibition of breast ductal cell growth. The study found that OSEA and OSE demonstrated promising effects against cancer, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. The results offer scientific support for the traditional use of Olax subscorpioidea as a potential natural remedy for breast cancer.Item Pro-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of Corchorus olitorius and Amaranthus hybridus leaves in DMBA-induced breast cancer(Phytomedicine Plus, 2024) Dania, Omoremime E.; Dokunmu, Titilope M.; Adegboye, Bose E.; Adeyemi, Alaba O.; Chibuzor, Favour C.; Iweala, Emeka Eze JoshuaBackground: Breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer and accounts for the most lost disability-adjusted life years in women worldwide. Tumour-promoting inflammation and sustained proliferative signaling are some hallmarks of cancer which can be activated by environmental carcinogens that induce oxidative stress and inflammation via increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion. Increased binding of estrogen promotes the develop ment and proliferation of breast cancer. Phytochemicals have been reported to promote health by combating oxidative stress. Purpose: This study aims to assess the potential of crude hydroethanolic extract of C. olitorius (CO) and A. hybridus (AH) singly and in combination on IL-6 and estrogen in DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats. Study design: A 9 × 6 animal model made up of three groups each of control (normal, negative, positive), che mopreventive, and therapeutic (CO, AH, CO + AH mix). Methods: Phytochemical analyses were carried out on the plants, and breast cancer (BCa) was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by administering 80 mg/Kg BW DMBA single dose orally. ELISA kits were used to determine the levels of IL-6 and estradiol in plasma. Results: The group administered Tamoxifen and a combination of both plants recorded significantly higher plasma levels of estradiol (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0242) respectively. Chemopreventive AH and CO + AH mix (39.46 ± 3.167; 39.69 ± 1.837) respectively had IL-6 levels similar to the normal control (38.03 ± 2.334) and less than in the corresponding therapeutic groups (60.75 ± 13.08;57.88 ± 15.32) suggesting synergistic effect of both plants. Conclusion: A. hybridus can better prevent inflammation. We propose that the plants possess pro-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory potentials.Item Targeting c-Met in breast cancer: From mechanisms of chemoresistance to novel therapeutic strategies(Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, 2024) Iweala, Emeka Eze Joshua; Amuji, Doris Nnenna; Oluwajembola, Abimbola Mary; Ugbogu, Eziuche AmadikeBreast cancer presents a significant challenge due to its heterogeneity and propensity for developing chemo resistance, particularly in the triple-negative subtype. c-Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met), a re ceptor tyrosine kinase, presents a promising target for breast cancer therapy due to its involvement in disease progression and poor prognosis. However, the heterogeneous expression of c-Met within breast cancer subtypes and individual tumors complicates targeted therapy. Also, cancer cells can develop resistance to c-Met inhibitors through various mechanisms, including bypass signaling pathways and genetic mutations. The off-target effects of c-Met inhibitors further limit their clinical utility, necessitating the development of more selective agents. To overcome these challenges, personalized treatment approaches and combination therapies are being explored to improve treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Novel c-Met inhibitors with improved selectivity and reduced off-target toxicity show promise in preclinical studies. Additionally, targeted delivery systems aim to enhance drug localization and reduce systemic toxicity. Future directions involve refining inhibitor design and integrating c-Met inhibition into personalized treatment regimens guided by molecular profiling. This review explores the mechanisms by which c-Met contributes to chemoresistance in breast cancer and current challenges in targeting c-Met for breast cancer therapy. It discusses strategies to optimize treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient prognosis and reducing mortality rates associated with this devastating diseaseItem Association between CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 gene polymorphisms and testosterone levels in Nigerian prostate cancer patients(Scientific reports, 2025) Ekenwaneze, Christogonus Chichebe; Zakari, Suleiman; Amadi, Emmanuel Chimuebuka; Okesola, Mary; Rotimi, Solomon Oladapo; Oyekan, Ademola; Fatiregun, Olamijulo; Iweala, Emeka Eze Joshua; Odedina, Folakemi T.; Ogunlana, Olubanke OlujokeProstate cancer (PCa) is a primary global health concern and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Genetic variation in androgen pathways is essential in PCa development and progression. Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) gene encodes a critical metabolic enzyme involved in testosterone (TT) synthesis, as it converts cholesterol into androstenedione. Similarly, the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1) gene encodes an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to androstenedione, a critical precursor for TT production. The case-control study was conducted on 40 PCa patients and 40 healthy males with matching ages. Detection of CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 polymorphisms was done using the TaqMan genotyping assay, and estimation of TT levels in serum was done using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Detected genotypes were AA, AG, and GG for CYP17A1, and AA and CA for HSD3B1; the adrenalpermissive CC genotype of HSD3B1 was absent. The TT levels were significantly lower in PCa patients (p = 0.00148). No significant associations were found between polymorphisms in CYP17A1, HSD3B1 and TT levels. The HSD3B1 CA genotype showed a non-significant trend toward increased PCa risk (OR = 2.39, p = 0.183) that requires validation in larger studies before any clinical relevance can be established.