Biology subjects

Odimegwu, J. I.

Publications and source records attributed to Odimegwu, J. I..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLE EXTRACTS USEFUL FOR ESTROGEN METABOLISM FOR DIINDOLYLMETHANE (DIM)

3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, found in Cruciferous vegetables (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower,) which promotes Estrogen metabolism in females. It has been known to help in reduction of heavy blood flow during menstruation especially in females with uterine fibroids. Dim-plus a herbal supplement contains Vitamin E, DIM, Phosphatidlycholine, Spinach, Cabbage, and Broccoli powder. The purpose of this research is to extract and identify the compounds present in Broccoli, Spinach and Cabbage obtained in local markets in Lagos, Nigeria and compare it with the reference standard DIM-plus. Identification of compounds qualitatively by TLC showed different Rf values which were compared with the reference to identify compounds with similar Rf values. Extract was also subjected to HPLC analysis to confirm the presence of DIM in the Cruciferous vegetables using Dim-plus(R) as standard. Based on the TLC and HPLC analysis it was discovered that the common peak which the crude extracts of the vegetables has is DIM. Thus, the vegetable extracts have Diindolylmethane.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

DIURETIC AND ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITY OF CLERODENDRUM CHINENSE (OSBECK) MABB. AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN 8% SALT DIET INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE RATS.

Diuresis refers to increase in the rate of urine flow and sodium excretion from the system via the urine. It is a necessary excretory process that may prove difficult for some disease systems e.g. enlarged prostates. Hypertension occurs as a result of systolic blood pressure higher than 140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mmHg. It is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting more a billion people worldwide. A high dietary sodium intake is one of the factors associated with the development of hypertension. Clerodendrum chinensis is used by local communities in West Africa for its diuretic and anti-hypertensive properties. We analyse the phytochemical properties of the mixed leaf, root and stem aqueous extract of the plant and investigate its anti-hypertensive and diuretic activity in Sodium chloride diet induced hypertensive rats. The anti-hypertensive effect of extract at different concentrations (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) was studied and compared with known drug compound; Furosemide. Treated animal urine was analyzed for urinary excretion and diuretic action. The anti-hypertensive effect was statistically significant when compared with the control p < 0.001. The extract at 100mg/kg demonstrated the best systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering potential as compared to other concentrations. The diuretic action of the plant extract at the lowest dose (100 mg/kg) was high and quantitatively similar to the standard drug. The combined powdered leaf, stem and roots aqueous extract of C. chinense possesses anti-hypertensive and diuretic potential in salt loaded hypertensive rats.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2023

DEVELOPMENTAL ULTRASTRUTCTURE MICROSCOPY IN DRUG DISCOVERY FROM DIOSCOREA SPECIES

Tubers of wild Dioscorea species (yam) are used as low-cost materials for the synthesis of steroids; cortisone and progesterone using the Marker Degradation chemical route. Decoctions from yam leaves and tubers are also used in ethnomedicine for regulating female fertility and alleviating painful periods and menopausal symptoms. It is now known that yam tuber extracts reduce and inhibit the proliferative action of breast cancer cells and reverse cardiovascular diseases. Due to current urgent needs and global interest in plants biodiversity advancement and drug discovery importance: Dioscorea composita and Dioscorea floribunda shoots were studied with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to detect anatomical types of trichomes compared to essential oil production as integrated into the ontogeny of the studied shoots and hydro-distilled oils from the same organs were characterized with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The SEM study revealed the presence of oil glands, the capitate type on the epidermal layers of parts studied which GC/MS analysis further revealed the components of the oils on the leaves to be Farnesene, Citronellyl acetate, Terpinene, Elemol, Nerolidol, Farnesol and Valerenyl acetate. This is the first time these phytoconstituents are reported in the species. In this light, microscopical methods supported by chromatography contribute to the rapid identification of novel lead compounds contributing to important drug discovery.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Anti-arthralgic activity of the n-hexane extract (HTp) of yellow oleander seeds;Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K.Schum. (Apocynaceae) seeds are known to possess cardioactive glycosides such as thevetin A, thevetin B, nerifolin etc. They are also used locally for general pain relief for which there is no scientific evidence to our knowledge. Arthralgia is regarded generally as pain without inflammation. It is endemic in the society and sufferers continue to imbibe pain relieving drugs in their tons all over the world. Analgesic activity test was carried out using the formalin-induced pain models, at 0.1g, 0.2g and 0.3g/kg doses of n-hexane extracts of Thevetia peruviana seeds (HTp) in Wistar mice. Diclofenac was used as positive control. Acute toxicity test was carried out at doses of 1000, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg weight of test subject. It was observed that HTp at concentrations of 0.1g, 0.2g and 0.3g/kg showed significant analgesic effect at compared to the control. The percentage inhibition observed was 29.60%, 44.80% and 50.72% for the early pain phase and 100% for the late pain phase respectively, indicating HTps NSAID-like property. HTp showed the highest percentage inhibition at 300 mg/kg (50.72 %) and significant (P<0.005) pain reduction. HTp did not produce any toxicity up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg weight which is very interesting as the seeds are known for their toxicity due to the cardiac glycoside presence. The results of the study suggest that HTp does indeed relieve pain significantly in a dose dependent manner, thus justifying its use in management of arthralgia.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2020

Clerodendrum Chinensis Extracts; AeC And EeC Exert Rapid Antihypertensive Effects In L-Name Hypertensive Experimental Models.

BackgroundThe rise in occurrence of hypertension, a non-communicable disease and a major factor for chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, which most times lead to sudden death is worrisome. Resistant hypertension is more common and may have no symptoms at all for months or years, but then can cause heart attack, stroke, and vision and kidney damage. Prevention and quick management of hypertension are therefore essential in reducing the risk of these debilitating ailments. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Clerodendrum chinensis (AeC and EeC) are used by local communities of West Africa as medicine for rapid antihypertensive actions. We aim to discover the scientific basis for the use of the herb as medicine. MethodsThis work investigates the antihypertensive effects of AeC and EeC in L-Arginine Methyl Ester Hydrochloride (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats Acetylcholine, L-Arginine and Sodium Nitroprusside were used as standards. All results were expressed as means {+/-} standard error of mean. Differences were considered significant at p <0.05. ResultsIntravenous administration of the extracts caused a significant decrease in the Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MABP) in a dose-dependent manner. AeC at 100mg/kg caused a significant decline in blood pressure in a dose-related manner. Likewise at 100mg/kg, EeC reduced MABP steadily from 103.9{+/-} 2.55 to 34.1{+/-} 0.95mmHg. The two extracts; possess significant antihypertensive properties. ConclusionsBoth extracts show significant antihypertensive effects and at high doses could lead to hypotension and so should be used with care. Further research is necessary to determine safe dosage forms.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2020

HUMAN BREAST TUMOUR CELLS VIABILITY EFFECT OF AFRICAN DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA TUBER EXTRACTS IN MCF-7 AND MDA-MB231 CELL LINES.

ObjectiveWe aim to test the efficacy of edible Dioscorea species grown and consumed in Nigeria, Africa on two breast cancer cell lines; MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 derived from a luminal and a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) respectively and to confirm safety in non-tumour cells MCF-10A using a well established cytotoxic compound paclitaxel as a standard. Metastatic breast cancer is a prevalent cause of mortality in women around the world. Breast cancer therapies have greatly advanced in recent years, but many patients develop cancer re-occurrence and metastasis and subsequently yield to the disease because of chemoresistance. MethodsEthanolic extracts of Dioscorea rotundata boiled and raw (DiosB and DiosR) respectively were chemically analysed for the presence of diosgenin using HPLC and the cytotoxic activity of the extracts were tested on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells In vitro by MTT assay. ResultsDiosB and DiosR extracts showed a higher maximal effect on MCF-7 cells than on MDA-MB231 after 24 h and 48 h treatments (p<0.0001 and p<0.05 respectively). DiosR, if applied at a range between 50-70 g/ml, can be effective to reduce breast tumor cell viability without affecting non tumorigenic MCF-10A cells either at 24 h or at 48 h. DiosB showed an IC50 of 38.83g/ml while DiosR showed an IC50 of 41.80g/ml. ConclusionThese results show that ethanolic extracts of Dioscorea rotundata tubers could be used effectively to treat breast cancer tumors and this is in sync with its diosgenin content as other Dioscorea species applied for similar treatments in Asia and elsewhere.

cancer biology↗