Department of Biochemistry
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Item Anti-Aging Potential of Bioactive Phytoconstituents Found in Edible Medicinal Plants: A Review(MDPI, 2024-06) Iweala, Emeka J.; Adurosakin, Oluwapelumi Eniola; Innocent, Ugochukwu; Omonhinmin, Conrad A.; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Ugbogu, Eziuche A.Aging is a complex biological and physiological change that leads to a loss of function in all living organisms. Although the mechanism behind the aging process is still largely unknown, scientific studies have shown that oxidative stress and age-related low autophagy, which are associated with various chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, promote aging. Interestingly, many medicinal plants and their biologically active compounds have the ability to extend lifespan as they can inhibit oxidative stress and promote autophagy. This review evaluates and provides up-to-date information on the anti-aging potential of bioactive compounds in edible medicinal plants. In this study, seventeen (17) biologically active compounds from edible medicinal plants with anti-aging effects were reviewed. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that these biologically active compounds exhibit anti-aging effects via various mechanisms such as the activation of autophagy, increases in antioxidant enzymes, reductions in reactive oxygen species, the inhibition of inflammatory markers, and the downregulation of senescence genes. This study suggests that edible medicinal plants containing these bioactive compounds may promote health and extend lifespan. However, the exact mechanisms, effective doses, clinical trials, and chronic and genotoxic effects of bioactive compounds as anti-aging agents should be further investigated.Item GC–MS analysis of locally processed palm kernel oil and its mild ameliorative effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in rats(Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2025-11) Ugbogu, Eziuche A.; Iweala, Emeka J.; Jessie‑Green, Gina; Amuji, Doris Nnenna; Nwankwo, Nnamdi; Okoro, Benedict Chukwuebuka; Dania, Omoremime ElizabethThis study investigated the phytochemical composition of locally processed palm kernel oil (LPPKO) and its ameliorative effect on carbon tetrachloride ( CCl4) toxicity in albino Wistar rats. Phytochemical composition was analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). For acute toxicity, a single oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg LPPKO was administered. On day 1, groups 2–5 experimental rats received a single dose of 1 mL/kg CCl4 diluted 1:1 in olive oil. Thirty minutes after CCl4 administration, rats in groups 3, 4, and 5 received LPPKO orally at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 14 days. GC–MS analysis identified nine bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) and β-sitosterol. The acute toxicity assessment revealed no detectable signs of toxicity or mortality. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in high-density lipoproteins, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, total cholesterol, platelets, chloride, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the LPPKO-treated groups compared to the CCl4- induced untreated groups (negative control) in both male and female rats. LPPKO treatment has a positive effect on CCl4- induced toxicity in rats by decreasing ALT, AST, ALP, and MDA and increasing SOD, GSH, and CAT. This study shows that LPPKO has the potential to mildly reduce the toxic effect of CCl4 on the liver of Wistar rats.Item Overview of the human genome(Translational and Applied Genomics, 2025) Oyelade, Jelili; Isewon, Itunuoluwa; Ogunlana, Olubanke; worunse, Oluwadurotimi A; Oyesola, Olusola; Aromolaran, Olufemi; Dokumu, Titilope; \uwagun, Ibitayo Adem; Iheagwam, Franklyn; Babatunde, Eunice; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Obembe, OlawoleThe human genome is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus of human cells, as well as the small DNA found inside individual mitochondria. Complete sequencing of the 3 billion base pairs that make up the human genome has made available a deluge of information that has enhanced our understanding of evolution, physiology, causality of disease, and association between heredity and environment in humans. This chapter discusses discoveries in genetics that spawned the field of human genomics. It further highlights the role of human genome in disease susceptibility, as well as its prospects for the future of healthcare.Item Corrigendum to “Phytochemical composition, acute and subacute toxicity profile of Persea amaricana seed oil in albino Wistar rats” [Toxicol. Rep. 14 (2025) 101982](Toxicology Reports (Elsevier), 2025) Iweala, Emeka J.; Okore, Finian Uchenna; Okoro, Benedict Chukwuebuka; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Amuji, Doris Nnenna; Ugbogu, Eziuche A.Item Lipid peroxidation and activity of some antioxidative enzymes in the root of maize (Zea mays) cultivated on cadmium contamination soil(Journal / Scientia Africana / Vol. 20, 2021-04-23) Ugbeni, O.C.; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Eruotor, H.In this study, we examined the tolerance capacity of Zea mays to cadmium pollution. Soil was treated with varied concentrations of Cadmium; 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg/kg soil and Zea mays planted. Root samples were collected in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6. Activities of Peroxidase, catalase superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation were investigated. Decrease in peroxidase activity was extremely significant (p <0.05) in weeks 4 and 5 while that of week 6 was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from normal. The decrease correlated with increase in Cadmium concentration. However, at the highest concentration of 30 mg/kg of soil the trend was not significant. Increase in the activity of catalase was recorded in weeks 3 and 6. This increase didn’t follow a particular trend but at higher concentration of Cd and long term exposure, it became apparent. There was a negative correlation between catalase activity and lipid peroxidation. In week 3, catalase activity was not significant (p > 0.05) and lipid peroxidation was significant (p < 0.05) while at week 4, catalase activity was significant (p < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation was not significant (p = 0.8432). Catalase activity was not significant (p = 0.2753) at week 5 and lipid peroxidation was significant (p = 0.0030). At week 6 when catalase activity became extremely significant (p < 0.05), lipid peroxidation had a p value of 0.0128. Generally no significant activity (p > 0.05) was observed for superoxide dismutase. A significant increase in absorption of cadmium (p = 0.0374) at 30mg/kg soil was observed between weeks 5 and 6. It was also observed that cadmium had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the root weight during the period of study. It’s suggestive therefore Cadmium contamination of soil could affect growth of maize and induce oxidative stress.Item Bioactive Phytoconstituents and Their Therapeutic Potentials in the Treatment of Haematological Cancers: A Review(MDPI, 2023-02) Iweala, Emeka J.; Oluwapelum, Adurosakin E.; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Ugbogu, Eziuche A.Haematological (blood) cancers are the cancers of the blood and lymphoid forming tissues which represents approximately 10% of all cancers. It has been reported that approximately 60% of all blood cancers are incurable. Despite substantial improvement in access to detection/diagnosis, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, there is still high recurrence and unpredictable but clearly defined relapses indicating that effective therapies are still lacking. Over the past two decades, medicinal plants and their biologically active compounds are being used as potential remedies and alternative therapies for the treatment of cancer. This is due to their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer activities and negligible side effects. These bioactive compounds have the capacity to reduce proliferation of haematological cancers via various mechanisms such as promoting apoptosis, transcription regulation, inhibition of signalling pathways, downregulating receptors and blocking cell cycle. This review study highlights the mechanistic and beneficial effects of nine bioactive compounds (quercetin, ursolic acid, fisetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, gambogic acid, butein and celastrol) as potential remedies for chemoprevention of haematological cancers. The study provides useful insights on the effectiveness of the use of bioactive compounds from plants for chemoprevention of haematological cancers.Item 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 ChukwuebukaIn 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.Item The Biotechnology of Hydrogel-Based Biocomposites(Fabrication Techniques and Emerging Applications of Hydrogels, 2026) Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Iweala, Emeka E. J.Hydrogels are a unique type of polymer that is hydrophilic. This chapter explores the applications of hydrogels in tissue engineering, skin regeneration, soft robots, and artificial muscle production. For tissue engineering, there is a need to maintain proper hardening and desirable strength of hydrogels at physiological temperatures under biological conditions for proper formation of scaffolds with complex shapes. The use of hydrogels for skin regeneration stems from the need to correct skin defects without scarring by enhancing reparative properties and regeneration. Hydrogels promote angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and wound closure effectively. Hydrogels have been used to construct actuators, sensors, communicators, power sources, and computational circuits for soft robots. They are responsive to ambient stimuli, increasing their sensitivity; they are quite flexible and potentially enduring large deformations, making them good substrates for innovative research in artificial muscle generation. While hydrogels offer significant advantages in wound healing and tissue engineering, challenges such as optimising mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and production scalability remain.Item Phytochemical composition, acute and subacute toxicity profile of Persea amaricana seed oil in albino Wistar rats(Toxicology Reports, 2025) Iweala, Emeka Joshua; Okore, Finian Uchenna; Okoro, Benedict Chukwuebuka; Dania, Omoremime Elizabeth; Amuji, Doris Nnenna; Ugbogu, Eziuche AmadikeObjective: This study investigated the phytochemical composition and toxicity profile of Persea americana seed oil (PASO) in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the chemical constituents of PASO. For the acute toxicity test, PASO was administered orally in a single dose of up to 3000 mg/kg body weight (bw). For the subacute toxicity test, the rats were divided into four (4) groups. Group I (normal control), while groups II, III and IV received 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg PASO daily, respectively, for 14 days. Results: In the acute toxicity test, the lethal dose (LD50) of PASO was estimated to be 1477.83 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity test, PASO significantly increased (p < 0.05) aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, urea, malondialdehyde, high density lipoprotein, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and cardiac troponin and significantly decreased glutathione, red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), superoxide dismutase and catalase compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our study showed that the LD50 of PASO is 1477.83 mg/kg body weight, which classifies it as a moderately toxic substance. In subacute toxicity, our results revealed that treatment with PASO resulted in an increase in liver enzymes, urea and creatinine, and inflammatory markers, and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that PASO impairs liver and kidney functions and may cause cardiac or muscle damage in albino Wistar rats.