Kenechukwu Obikeze

University of the Western Cape | uwc · School of Pharmacy

Cathepsin S (CatS) is a proteolytic enzyme and a member of the cysteine protease family of proteolytic enzymes. Cathepsins S, K, and L are particularly similar in terms of their amino acid sequences and interactions with substrates, and this has made it difficult to develop inhibitors with specificity for either CatS, CatK, or CatL. The involvement...

Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including adverse outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Different diagnostic criteria are used for GDM, and it is not clear how these affect the reported prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This protocol is for a systematic review to describe...

Background Atherosclerosis is a form of cardiovascular disease that affects the endothelium of the blood vessel. Series of events are involved in the pathophysiology of this disease which includes the breaking down of the connective tissue elastin and collagen responsible for the tensile strength of the arterial wall by proteolytic enzyme. One of t...

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative health condition symptomized by dementia is characterized majorly by the accumulation of Aβ peptides and Tau hyperphosphorylation. AD also progresses as a result of oxidative stress caused by an increase in the expression of Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B). Therefore, possible drug candidates wh...

This study investigated the effect of processing and freeze-drying on targeted volatile compounds (terpenes) of Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet. Air-dried plant material was processed to obtain: (i) roughly ground leaves and stems (RGMHO); (ii) finely ground leaves and stems (FGMHO); and (iii) wool-like fraction (WLMHO). Terpene content of the...

Variation in plant species and extraction solvents play a crucial role in the recovery of their bioactive compounds and antifungal efficacy. Thus, in this study, a comparative investigation was carried out using extraction solvents: 70% acetone and 95% ethanol to obtain crude aqueous extracts from Helichrysum odoratissimum and H. patulum. Crude aqu...

Background: Leonotis leonurus extracts and compounds have been extensively studied for pharmacological effects. However, most of the diterpenes isolated from the plant have not been evaluated as possible contributors to the cardiovascular effects of the plant extracts. In this study, computational modelling was used to predict the drug-likeness and...

Background: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene has come to prominence due to its reported function in the clearance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) was utilized to study the genetics of PCSK9 gene. Method: Sixteen vervet monkeys were selected to screen for possible PCSK...

Extracts of indigenous plants have been explored to control several plant diseases and fruit pathogens, as well as in the development of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of spatial variation and application of different extraction solvent on the antioxidant properties (total polyphenols (TP), and radical scavenging capacity v...

Over the years, post-harvest management strategies of fungal pathogens have depended on the aggressive usage of synthetic chemicals (fungicides). This conduct has been reported to have a negative environmental impact, cause potential harm to humans due to exposure to residues, and increase the risk of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms resistan...

Objective: To evaluate the impact of PEG content on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NP physicochemical properties, hydrophobic drug release (rifampicin as a model drug) and human serum protein binding. Methods: Rifampicin loaded and unloaded nanoparticles with PEG content of 0-17% (w/w) were prepared by an emulsification-evaporation techniq...

Purpose: To assess the effect of the crude methanol leaf extracts of Tulbaghia violacea William Henry Harvey (Alliaceae) on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in ageing normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), and compare the results obtained with those for adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: T. violacea (5 – 150 mg/kg) and/or vehic...

Tulbaghia violacea William Henry Harvey (Harv. Alliaceae) is a small bulbous herb belonging to the family Alliaceae. It is used in South Africa to treat fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, and hypertension. Meanwhile, cardiovascular disease accounts for about 30% of total global death, with most of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income count...

Artemisia afra (Asteraceae) is a traditional medicinal plant frequently used in steam inhalation form to treat respiratory conditions. Quantify luteolin content in A. afra dried crude and aqueous extract. Evaluate the pulmonary effects of A. afra steam inhalation, nebulised A. afra extract and luteolin in isolated perfused lungs (IPL). Evaluate the...

Background Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) is used to treat various ailments, including hypertension (HTN) in South Africa. This study aims to evaluate the contributions of muscarinic receptors and changes in plasma aldosterone levels to its anti-hypertensive effect. Methods In the acute experiments, methanol leaf extracts (MLE) of T. violace...

Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) is a small bulbous herb which belongs to the family Alliaceae, most commonly associated with onions and garlic. In South Africa, this herb has been traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments, including fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, hypertension and stomach problems. The aim of this study was to e...

A new diterpenoid, (13S)-9 alpha, 13 alpha-epoxylabda-6 beta(19), 15(14) diol dilactone (1), was isolated from Leonotis leonurus and the structure determined via NMR analysis. The compound causes significant changes in blood pressure of anaesthetized normotensive rats and exhibits a negative chronotropic effect.

High patient load and understaffing in public health care facilities preclude the provision of optimal pharmaceutical services in South Africa. A Service Learning in Pharmacy (SLIP) programme for the University of the Western Cape's final year pharmacy students was implemented in health care facilities to assist in service provision. Students rotat...

This thesis discussed the cardiovascular effects of the aqueous leaf extract and a fraction of the methanol extract of Leonotis leonurus, a plant commonly used in traditional medicine in South Africa for the treatment of hypertension and other cardiac problems. The cardiovascular effects was tested on anaesthetized normotensive male Wistar rats and...