Department of Biochemistry

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Author: search.filters.author.Cleanclay, Wisdom D.

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    Ethnopharmacological relevance, phytochemistry, potential health benefits and toxicity profile of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr (pineapple)
    (Pharmacological Research - Natural Products 10 ( Elsevier), 2026) Ugbogu, Eziuche A.; Iweala, Emeka Joshua; Ukachukwu, Chukwudi Eke; Babayo, Christy; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Isreal, Chollom Longs; Omonhinmin, Conrad A.; Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Okoro, Benedict Chukwuebuka
    In traditional medicine, the cortexes of A. comosus are used as an alexipharmic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal agent, while the leaves are commonly used as a remedy for indigestion. This review provides a thorough and upto- date literature on the ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and potential health benefits of A. comosus. The articles used for this study were obtained from databases such as ScienceDirect, Frontiersin, PubMed, Springer, and MDPI. In addition, only articles written in English were included in this review. Phytochemical analysis revealed that A. comosus contains numerous biologically active compounds, including n-hexadecanoic acid, bromelain, n-heptadecanol-1, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, squalene, α-tocopherol, tetradecane, 5- hydroxymethylfurfural, dihydroxyacetone, dodecane, DL-α-tocopherol, furan methanol, dodecanoic acid, and 2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one, among others. Various in vivo and in vitro biochemical studies have also shown that A. comosus possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antimalarial, cardioprotective, anthelmintic, and antidiabetic properties. Therefore, this review shows the biologically active compounds in A. comosus and the potential of different parts of A. comosus to prevent and treat various diseases. While A. comosus has shown promise in animal studies, human clinical trials are needed to determine safe and effective doses. Further research may reveal additional uses for this versatile plant as a functional food and in modern healthcare as a traditional and complementary alternative medicine.
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    Surveillance of Wolbachia infection in mosquito species in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
    (Discover Applied Sciences, 2025-03-27) Tebamifor, Mercy Eyitomi; Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Mamudu, Collins Ojonugwa; Ogunlana, Olubanke Olujoke
    Introduction In light of climate change, proliferation of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria is a mounting concern, driven by expanding mosquito populations as a result of favorable environment for their survival. Addressing public health challenges caused by mosquitoes demands constant innovation and sustainable solutions. Objective This study responds to recent reports of Wolbachia infections in West African mosquito species, suggesting their potential as biocontrol agents for disease vectors. We seek to detect the presence of Wolbachia pipientis in different mosquito species in Ota and identify mosquito species present in the area. Method We conducted a comprehensive mosquito larval surveillance in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria using a systematic stratified random sampling method from November 2022 to March 2023 to assess mosquito species distribution and Wolbachia infection. During this period, we surveyed mosquito larvae in various sites, rearing them to adulthood. We meticulously identified species, sex, and collection locations then, stored specimens at − 20 °C. Sodium chloride precipitation protocol was employed to extract DNA from the mosquitoes individually. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was carried out using one to one point five microliter of DNA, with distilled water as negative control. Results Out of 1265 emerging young adult mosquitoes, 62.1% were females, while 37.1% were males. Aedes species constituted 22.2%, Anopheles 37.2%, and Culex 40.6% of the population. DNA analysis identified Wolbachia infection in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, with wsp gene sizes ranging from 590 to 632 bp, confirming Wolbachia presence by sequencing. Conclusion Our study is the first report on Wolbachia presence in Aedes sp within this region, which suggests that this mosquito species is a less likely vector for dengue virus and other related infectious agents. The study highlights the importance of continuous mosquito population and breeding site monitoring for potential biocontrol interventions against disease vectors.
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    In silico molecular modeling and simulations of black tea theaflavins revealed theaflavin-3’-gallate as putative liver X receptor-beta agonist
    (Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics Volume 41, 2023) Adigun, Temidayo O.; Danazum, Ammar U.; Umar, Haruna I.; Na’Allah, Asiat; Alabi, Mutiu A.; Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Aberuagba, Adepeju; Alejolowo, Omokolade O.; Bamidele, Joy O.; Omotayo, Olakunle S.; Medayedupin, Oluwatobi A.
    The low constitutive activation of Liver X receptor, an endogenous nuclear receptor with two subtypes (α and β), is a condition lying at the crossroad of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Both natural and synthetic Liver X receptor agonists have reportedly shown remarkable antiproliferative and atheroprotective effects but the repeated doses of its synthetic ones are also paradoxically associated with hyperlipidaemic effects and neurotoxicity, though attributed to the alpha subtype. This highlights the need for novel, safe, and potent LXR-beta-selective agonists. Hypocholesterolaemic effects of black theaflavins have been widely reported, but data on the exact theaflavin compound (s) responsible for these effects is currently lacking. Neither is information on the possible modulatory effects of the compound (s) on LXRbeta nor its possible implications in the context of drug development for cardiovascular diseases and cancers is explored. On this account, we investigated the potential interaction of four main theaflavin monomers (TF1, TF2A, TF2B & TF3) with human LXR-beta through robust computational modelling that entails molecular docking, free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The ligands were further profiled (in silico) for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicological properties. Our result revealed theaflavin TF2B as a putative LXR-beta agonist, possibly responsible for the widely observed hypocholesterolaemic effect in black tea. This finding, while encouraging, needs to be experimentally verified in wet studies.
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    Mechanisms of carbamate resistance in the malaria vector: Anopheles gambiae
    (Parasite Epidemiology and Control, 2026-02-18) Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Akanni, Mosunmola H.; Bajepade, Tobiloba I.; Ajeoge, Joshua K.; Zakari, Suleiman
    In Africa, the female Anopheles gambiae is the primary malaria vector and a key target of vector control measures. The four principal classes of insecticides used in the control of these vectors are pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines. Historically, pyrethroids were the main type of insecticides employed to impregnate insecticide-treated nets because they are less toxic to humans and more effective against mosquitoes. The effectiveness of these interventions is however currently challenged by the development of pyrethroid-resistant mosquito populations. The World Health Organization recommends alternative or rotational use of carbamate insecticides in pyrethroid resistant areas. The mechanism of action of carbamates is to inhibit acetylcholinesterase reversibly to trigger the build-up of acetylcholine in mosquito nerves and consequent paralysis and death of the mosquito. However, carbamate resistance is also on the rise, and poses significant issues to malaria control systems. Notably, the mechanisms of carbamate resistance in Anopheles gambiae are target site mutations in the acetylcholinesterase gene and increased detoxification of carbamate by enzymes, including esterases and cytochrome P450s. This review presents a synthesis of existing information on the molecular and metabolic pathways of carbamate resistance in the Anopheles gambiae and discuss their consequences for the control of malaria vector. Understanding these resistance mechanisms is crucial for sustaining the effectiveness of IRS, informing insecticide resistance management strategies, and guiding malaria control policies in areas where pyrethroid resistance is increasing. AnophelesAnophelesAnophelesKeywords: Carbamate, Insecticide Resistance, female Anopheles gambiae, Malaria Vector
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    Photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy: An advancement in cancer treatment
    (Results in Chemistry (Elsevier), 2024) Oluwajembola, Abimbola Mary; Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Onyia, Abimbola F.; Chikere, Bruno N.; Zakari, Suleiman; Ndifreke, Ebong; De Campos, Opeyemi C.
    Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically proven advancement in cancer treatment that has progressively gained consideration as a possible method of cancer treatment over time. This therapy, which involves the administration of a photosensitizing drug before activation of the drug with light from a source such as a laser to produce a cytotoxic effect, is minimally invasive and could increase the life expectancy of cancer patients. Cancer has been a major threat to human health, and it affects the quality of life of cancer patients as it is one of the topmost causes of mortality worldwide. The burden of cancer has been projected to increase to 2.1 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in Africa by 2040. It is therefore expedient to put in more effort in proffering preventive measures, more efficient treatments, and possible cures for this disease. Recent studies have shown that many types of tumors can be destroyed using PDT. Tumor cells are destroyed via apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy through some mechanisms in PDT. The successful outcome of this therapy depends greatly on three components which are photosensitizer (PS), light and molecular oxygen. Out of these three, photosensitizer is the most essential. Among the characteristics of a potent PS are the presence of a tetrapyrrole structure and the ability to initiate a photodynamic reaction when irradiated typically at a wavelength between 600 nm and 800 nm, although some PS can function effectively outside this range. This review highlights the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of cancer and emphasizes the importance of PS, with more focus on those derived from natural sources, in determining the outcome of the therapy.
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    A ReviewofNovelCancerTherapeuticsandCurrent Research Trends
    (Wiley The Scientific World Journal Volume 2025, 2025) Oluwajembola, Abimbola Mary; Zakari, Suleiman; Cleanclay, Wisdom D.; Ayeni, Timothy; Adebosoye, Adewale; Okoh, Olayinka S.; Folamade, Joshua; Bawa, Inalegwu; Ogunlana, OlubankeOlujoke
    The uncheckedgrowthandspreadofaberrantcellsdescribeawidelydiversecollectionofdisordersthatcollectivelyconstitute cancer. Conventionaltherapiesforcancer,includingradiationtherapy,chemotherapy,andsurgery,haveincreasedthechances of survivalsignificantly inmostpatients.Thesetraditionalmethodsusuallyresultinlowtumorortumorcellspecificity, significant systemictoxicity,andthedevelopmentofdrugresistance.Thisreviewsummarizesupdatesincancertherapy,some of whichincludecutting-edgetherapiesrepresentedbyCAR-Ttherapy,targetedtherapies,genetherapy,arginine-depriving therapy, mitochondria-targetedtherapies,neutrophil-targetedtherapies,andthelatestPROTACtechnologyforproteolysis- targeting chimera.Ithasemphasizedmechanismsunderlyingthesenewtherapeuticstrategiesandtheirtranslationalpotential for treatinghumancancers.Wefurtherdiscuss,foreachapproach,thechallenges,limitations,sideeffects, anddelivery systems. Thereviewproceedswithadynamicchangeinthelandscapeofcancerresearchinbiology,wheremachinelearning and artificial intelligenceareincreasinglyimportanttoimproveourunderstandingofthemechanismsofcancerandtreatment responses. Wealsodescribethepotentialofstemcelltherapy,metabolomics,andnoveldrugdeliverysystemstowardbetter patient outcomes.Thepaperpullstogethersomeofthecurrentresearch findings andresultsofclinicaltrialsinnew therapeutic developmentsandemergingareasofresearchthatholdoutexcitingpromisesforthefutureprogressofcancer treatment