Parker Joshua

University of Nigeria | UNN · Department of Biochemistry

The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimalarial effects of the methanol extract of Erythrina senegalensis leaves (MEES) and its ameliorative effects on some haematological and biochemical alterations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty Swiss mice, 18–22 grams were placed in 6 groups of 5 mice. Grou...

Lasianthera africana P. Beauv. (Icacinaceae) is a traditional Nigerian medicinal plant used for treatment of ulcers, diarrhea, parasitic infections and diabetes. This study was aimed at characterizing the bioactive principles extractable from the flavonoid-rich fraction of L. africana leaves (LAFRF), and to evaluate its effects on renal and cardiac...

Context Schumanniophyton magnificum Harms (Rubiaceae) is used traditionally in Nigeria for the treatment of snake bites. Snake venom contains phospholipase A2 (PLA2) which plays a key role in causing inflammation and pain. Objective To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the methanol extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum (MESM) leaves through...

Lasianthera africana P. Beauv. (Icacinaceae) is a good source of natural antioxidants, having the potential to protect against oxidative stress-related diseases and complications. This study investigated the antioxidant, hepatoprotective and curative effects of flavonoid-rich fraction of L. africana leaves (LAFRF) against carbon tetrachloride-induc...

Context Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken (Crassulaceae) is used traditionally to treat many ailments. Objectives This study characterizes the constituents of B. pinnatum flavonoid-rich fraction (BPFRF) and investigates their antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity using in vitro and in silico approaches. Materials and methods Methanol extract...

Background Myocardial Infarction still persists as the most prevalent cardiovascular disease and is a top cause of morbidity and mortality in doxorubicin treated cancer patients. This study evaluated the prophylactic effect of the ethanol root bark extract of Cleistopholis patens (ERBECP) against doxorubicin-induced myocardial infarction in wistar...

Diabetic nephropathy affects 20–40% of diabetes patients and has been reported to be the leading cause of end-stage renal failure in diabetes patients. The study aimed to investigate the potential of a combined extract of Syzygium aromaticum (cloves) and Xylopia aethiopica (Negro paper) to prevent renal damage and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced di...

Background Immunological abnormalities are implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Due to the drug-related adverse effects of currently available orthodox immunomodulators, natural immunomodulators are being looked upon as potential agents to replace them in therapeutic regimens. This research aimed to investigate the immunomodulat...

Sida linifolia L. is a valuable plant of West Tropical Africa with several folklore claims and growing evidence of its bioactivity, including its pain-relieving potential; however, scientific validation of these claims is still limited. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and analgesic potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of th...

Background The use of Parinari curatellifolia for the management of malaria by Africans without scientific validation, prompted this study, to investigate the antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem bark (EEPCSB) in Plasmodium berghei (NK-65)-infected mice. Method Thirty mice (16–21 g) were grouped into six of five m...

Background: The use of Parinari curatellifolia for the management of malaria by Africans without scientific validation, prompted this study, to investigate the antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem bark (EEPCSB) in Plasmodium berghei (NK-65)-infected mice. Method: Thirty mice (16 -21 g) were grouped into six of five...

Plant-derived nanomaterials (PDNM) have gained significant attention recently due to their potential pharmacological applications against pathogenic microbes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and certain metabolic diseases. This review introduces the concept of PDNMs and their unique properties, including their small size, high surface area, and abi...

The study aimed to investigate the effect of fermented n-hexane extract of Pentaclethra macrophylla seeds (FPMSE) in an experimental model of glaucoma. Eighteen rabbits (1-1.8 kg body weight) were allocated into six groups of three rabbits (six eyes per group). Group 1 was the normal control. Ocular hypertension was induced with 1% prednisolone ace...

Despite the invasiveness of the Hepatitis B infection, its vaccines are only formulated with FDA approved alum-based adjuvants, which poorly elicit a lasting immune response, hence the need for a more effective adjuvant system. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and toxicity of eggshell membranes (ESM) when administered as an adjuvant for the...

This work is primarily designed to determine, through cell lines, the cytotoxic responses of pancreatic cancer cell (PANC-1) to reconstituted lyophilized extracts of coconut milk, bitter leaf and tomato with a view of evaluating the anticancer properties of these extract. The cytotoxicity analysis was performed on the extracts using the MTT assay m...

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related non-neoplastic disease of the prostate gland in men that has become a global health issue in recent years. Due to the side effects of conventional treatment options, attention is now focused on phytotherapeutics for its management. We investigated the possible protective effect of Saccharomyces c...

This study investigated the bioactive compounds, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and antioxidant properties of the ethanolic leaf fraction of Sida linifolia (ELFSL). The in vitro anti-inflammatory study employed membrane stabilization, phospholipase A2, platelet aggregation, albumin denaturation, and protease inhibition assays. Intraperitoneal...

Background Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) is used traditionally in west Africa to treat asthma, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, filariasis microbial infections and conjunctivitis. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of aqueous seed extract of D. stramonium L. (ASEDS) on Wistar rats. Methods Thirty Wistar albino rats (180–200 g)...

Psidium guajava L. (fam. Myrtaceae) is a semi-deciduous tree endemic to tropical and subtropical areas. The leaves, roots and bark have long been used for folkloric and medicinal purposes such as in the treatment of hypertension, fever, toothache and diarrhoea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effec...

Background Alcohol use disorder is becoming an increasing problem among adolescents. As a result, it has been reported that abuse of alcohol contributes to over 3 million deaths each year globally and is one of the world’s leading risk factors of morbidity, mortality and disability among adolescents. Aim Therefore, investigation was carried out to...

Background Garcinia kola (Gluttiferae) is recommended traditionally for the management of diabetes in Nigeria. This present study evaluated the effect of the ethanol extract of G. kola seeds on the biochemical and hematological status of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Methods Rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Diabetes was induced...

Major solutions to human health challenges are encrypted in nature's resources. Despite the focus of contemporary research on characterizing plant natural products and phytochemicals, a vast number of plants are yet to be discovered, or their products functionally characterized. Garlic is one of the most common traditional Chinese medicinal plants...

Psidium guajava L. (fam. Myrtaceae) is a semi-deciduous tree endemic to tropical and subtropical areas. The leaves, roots and bark have long been used for folkloric and medicinal purposes such as in the treatment of hypertension, fever, toothache and diarrhoea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects...

Introduction: diabetes mellitus can lead to complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) is a test of glycaemic control in T2DM patients, and its association with CVD can be mediated through modulation of risk factors such as dyslipidaemia. It is suggested that correlation of HbA1c with blood lipids may enable...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam., an African traditional medicinal plant, is used for treatment of malaria and diabetes. Aim To investigate the antidiabetic property of ethyl acetate fraction of F. zanthoxyloides root-bark (EAFFZRB) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods Extraction, isolation, preliminary...

Despite the significance of potatoes in combating hunger and ensuring global food security , their potential for fostering a sustainable society has not been fully exploited due to its complex biological system as a polyploid. Therefore, there is a need for a more gene-informed potato breeding program to improve yields, nutrient content and other m...

The wide application of peroxidase in biotechnology, food industries, environmental remediation and medical diagnosis has necessitated the interest for further research on the enzyme. This study investigated the kinetic parameters of maturing Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) fruit peroxidase with the prospect to ascertain its potentials and viability...

Fipronil is used to control pests to improve farm yield, however, indiscriminate use of fipronil has been reported to endanger crabs leading to their extinction. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of fipronil on several hematological and biochemical parameters of blue land crabs. We exposed blue land crabs to either fipronil or to a cont...

Immunomodulators help to maintain immune-system homeostasis, thereby acting as prophylactic and immunotherapeutic agents for several diseases. The increasing side effects associated with the use of synthetic immunomodulators have necessitated the search for an alternative remedy. This study investigated the immunomodulatory potential of the methano...

Toxic metals such as aluminium accumulation in the brain have been associated with the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative disorders. Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves contain a vast array of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, that may play a role in the prevention of toxic and degenerative effects in the brain. This study assessed the neuro-...

The devastating nature of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has fostered the need for potent therapeutics to manage or curb its severity. As a response, several studies on drug repurposing, vaccine design and optimizing natural phytochemicals are ongoing. This study aims at screening for potent and novel anti-COVID phytochemicals from the rhizome of Curcuma...

The devastating nature of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has fostered the need for potent therapeutics to manage or curb the disease’s severity. As a response, several studies on drug repurposing, vaccine design and optimizing natural phytochemicals are ongoing. This study aims at screening for potent and novel anti-COVID phytochemicals from the rhizome o...

The unpurified enzyme gave specific activity of 51.36 μ/mg and thereafter it was subjected to two phases of purification process of salt precipitation and gel filtration. The precipitating agent was ammonium sulphate while Sephadex-G100 served as purification matrix. The purification fold achieved after precipitation and filtration was 3.3 and with...

Although aluminum-containing adjuvants are widely used in human vaccination due to their excellent safety profile, they exhibit low effectiveness with many recombinant antigens. This study investigated the adjuvanticity of snail mucin with recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine (rHBsAg). Twenty-five (25) female mice distributed unbiasedly into 5 groups we...

Background: Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) is used traditionally in West Africa to treat asthma, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, filariasis microbial infections and conjunctivitis. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of aqueous seed extract of D. stramonium L. (ASEDS) on Wistar rats. Methods: Following phytochemical analysis of...

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) is an indigenous Nigerian medicinal plant used traditionally for treating fever, malarial infection, sexual impotence, gonorrhea, malaria, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal pain. This study investigated the safety profile and antimalarial activity of methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides root-bark on Plasmodium b...

Abated immune responses against recombinant hepatitis-b protein vaccine by chitin in mice Majority of recombinant protein vaccines employ alum-based adjuvants to boost their immunogenicity in subjects. However, the safe-profiled alum-based adjuvants demonstrate relative ineffectiveness with these recombinant vaccines. This work investigated the adj...

Background and Objective: Tephrosia bracteolata is a medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this study, the anti-diabetic potentials, phytochemical and proximate composition of various extracts of Tephrosia bracteolata leaves were investigated. Materials and Methods: Extraction of pulverized leaves of Tephrosi...

The evolution of drug resistant strains of Plasmodium has presented global health challenges despite the development of chloroquine and other anti-malarial drugs. In this regard, the possibility of Tithonia diversifolia reversing the efficacy of CQ was studied. Curative anti-plasmodial potential of T. diversifolia ethanolic leaves extract and fract...

Alcoholic decoction of Salacia nitida root bark is used for the treatment of malaria, and prolonged alcohol dependence causes an imbalance in antioxidants. This study evaluated the free radical scavenging effect of aqueous extract of Salacia nitida root bark against ethanol-induced hepatic stress in rats. Thirty-six rats (210-290 g) divided into 6...

Although aluminum-containing adjuvants are widely used in human vaccination due to their excellent safety profile, they exhibit low effectiveness with many recombinant antigens. This study investigated the adjuvanticity of snail mucin with recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine (rHBsAg). Twenty-five (25) female mice distributed unbiasedly into 5 groups we...

Various aromatic compounds that are structurally analogous to lignin were tested as possible/preferred substrates for purified laccase from newly isolated white rote fungi, Trametes polyzona WRF03. The pH optima were tested using different substrates and kinetic studies were conducted at these pH optima. The pH optima in the presence of ABTS, α-nap...

Background: Tephrosia bracteolata Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) is a traditional Nigerian medicinal plant used for the treatment of whitlow, toothache, wounds, and diabetes. Aim: This study investigated the biochemical and histopathological effects of the ethanol extract of T. bracteolata leaves (EETB) and its fractions on alloxan-ind...

Published version available

A 60 day study was carried out to determine the effect of protein supplement in Kano brown bucks. Twenty four bucks with initial weight of 10.25-12.33 kg were grouped into three of eight bucks each and were randomly assigned to the three treatment diets in a completely randomized design. Prior to this, concentrate diets were formulated to contain 1...

A 60 day study was carried out to determine the effect of protein supplement in Kano brown bucks. Twenty four bucks with initial weight of 10.25-12.33 kg were grouped into three of eight bucks each and were randomly assigned to the three treatment diets in a completely randomized design. Prior to this, concentrate diets were formulated to contain 1...

Oxidative stress has been linked to the pathogenicity of many diseases. This study investigated the total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) of the methanolic extract and solvent fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous) of Desmodium ramosissimum using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride assays respective...

Most of our water resources are gradually becoming polluted due to the addition of foreign materials from the surroundings. These include organic of plant and animal origin, land surface washing, and industrial and sewage effluents. The problem of environmental pollution due to toxic metals has begun to cause concern now in most major metropolitan...

Medicinal plants play a vital role in ensuring proper health is attained by human beings due to their antioxidants constituents. The large family Euphorbiaceae contain nearly about 300 genera and 7,500 species. Amongst all, Ricinus communis or castor bean plant has high traditional and medicinal values towards a disease-free community. The objectiv...

Background: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that is used in the treatment of rhinitis and other allergies. Objectives: The objectives of this research was to develop and evaluate transdermal patches for improved delivery of chlorpheniramine in infants using hypromellose and cassava starch composite polymers. Methods: Chlorpheniramine transderm...

Additional information for Quercetin calibration standard plot, UV-visible spectrum, and infrared spectrum of the LAFRF, as well as mass spectra for all non-phenolic compounds detected in the LAFRF are available as supplementary data.

Introduction: Malaria is one of the most common diseases that threaten many of the subtropical and tropical regions. Countries where the risk of transmission of malaria is at the high rate are over a hundred currently and these counties are being visited by over 125, 000, 000 international travelers on yearly basis. Materials and Methods: Chemical...

This study was carried to determine the effect of Prosopis africana seed extract after induction of paracetamol in Wistar albino rats to ascertain its ameliorating capacities in terms of liver damage. The assay was done on alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hematological parameters. Thirty-two Wistar alb...

Introduction: The alarming rate of drug failure against malaria necessitates the development and deployment of novel and highly efficacious antimalarial drugs. The use of natural plant remedies in curtailing the malaria catastrophe remains uncertain, as only a small fraction of plants has been evaluated and developed for their medicinal potentials....

Background: Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapeutic agent, whose activation induces oxidative stress, causing nephrotoxicity. The present study ascertained the effect of the aqueous extracts of Datura stramonium seeds and leaves on cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided i...