Daniel L Ajaghaku | Enugu State University of Science & Technology (original) (raw)
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Papers by Daniel L Ajaghaku
The concentrations of Lead, Iron, zinc, Copper, Manganese and Tin was determined in Tap water sam... more The concentrations of Lead, Iron, zinc, Copper, Manganese and Tin was determined in Tap water samples in Ekpan district of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from six different sites each of industrial and residential areas of the district and were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). From the industrial location, Lead and Iron in samples S3 and S4 respectively were significantly (p<0.05) above the WHO limit for Lead and Iron in drinking water while only Manganese from sample S5 in residential areas was significantly (p<0.05) above the WHO limit for Manganese in drinking water. Tin was not dictated in all the samples collected from the industrial area while both Lead and Tin were absent in samples collected from the residential areas. The levels of Lead and Iron from the industrial areas of Ekpan district are above the WHO limits, indicating higher risk of Lead and Iron toxicities in this district.
ISRN Pharmacology, 2014
Folkloric use of root-bark extract ofAlstonia booneiin the treatment and management of many disea... more Folkloric use of root-bark extract ofAlstonia booneiin the treatment and management of many disease conditions may be associated with free radical scavenging as part of its mechanisms of action. We therefore evaluated the ability of different solvent fractions of the methanol extract, crude precipitate from the extract, and isolated compound from the crude precipitate for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of useful phytocompounds. Ethyl acetate fraction showed better antioxidant activity with IC50of 54.25 μg/mL while acetone and methanol fractions have 121.79 and 141.67 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate and isolated compound showed IC50values of 364.39 and 354.94 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate, fractions, and compound1showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical although lower than that of ascorbic acid.
Background Plant endophytic fungi have been recognized as an important and novel resource of natu... more Background Plant endophytic fungi have been recognized as an important and novel resource of natural bioactive products with potential application in different fields of life. Purpose The present work evaluated the antioxidant and immunosuppressive activities of the extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Psidium guajava and Newbouldia laevis. Study design/methods Endophytic fungi were isolated from the selected plants and their secondary metabolites extracted with ethyl acetate after solid state fermentation on rice media for 21 days at 22°C. Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay) was used to determine the antioxidant capacity of the extracts and their IC50 were calculated, using quercetin as the standard. Immunomodulatory activities of the extracts were evaluated using cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression model. Bioactive components of the extracts were examined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis, Results Two endoph...
Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has... more Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has led to the need for alternative therapeutic intervention to mitigate the symptoms and diseases associated with menopause. This study investigated the estrogenic effect of root extract of M. aboensis (MA) as a potential plant derived alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Phytoestrogen content of the methanol root extract and its solvent fractions was determined using genistein as standard. Further characterization of the phytoestrogen rich fraction (PRF) was done using HPLC-DAD. Acute toxicity of the extract was determined across oral doses of 100–5000 mg/kg while its effective dose (ED50) was tested at doses ranging from 100–1600 mg/kg using vaginal cytology as an index of estrogenicity. Uterotrophic effect, serum estradiol quantification, liver and kidney toxicities were tested following 30 days treatment of ovariectomized female rats with PRF. The LD50 of the extract was ...
International Journal of Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Ethnomedicine
Context: Diarrhea, a major leading cause of death among under-five children in developing countri... more Context: Diarrhea, a major leading cause of death among under-five children in developing countries is still ravaging the society today due to limitations associated with conventional treatment approaches. The leaf of Rauwofia vomitoria (R. vomitoria) is used by the locals in Nigeria for the treatment of diarrhea. Aim: This study evaluated the anti-diarrheal activity of the leaf extract and fractions of R. vomitoria using animal models. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out. The extracts and fractions of R. vomitoria were screened using castor-oil induced diarrhea, castor-oil induced enteropooling, charcoal meal test and ex-vivo anti-spasmomodic models. The tests groups received 400 mg/kg of the extract, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions based on the result of preliminary study. The Negative control (5 ml/kg of 5% Tween-80) and Positive control (Loperamide, 2 mg/kg and atropine sulphate, 10 mg/kg) were used. Ex-vivo anti-spasmodic test was carried...
International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014
Gongronema latifolium fruit has wide application in ethnomedicine, especially in maintaining heal... more Gongronema latifolium fruit has wide application in ethnomedicine, especially in maintaining healthy living and general body healing. We therefore investigated the antioxidant, immunomodulatory activities, and safety of its ethanol extract and fractions. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test while in vivo activities were determined using carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4) induced oxidative stress. Cell and humoral mediated immune responses were also evaluated together with toxicity studies. The extract, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions showed inhibition of DPPH radical with IC 50 s 120, 90, and 60 g/mL, respectively. Methanol fraction at 200 mg/kg produced significant (< 0.05) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (MDA conc. 1.2 mol/L) compared to control (2.8 mol/L). Both ethyl acetate and methanol fractions at 200 mg/kg produced significant (< 0.05) phagocytic index of 0.021 and 0.025, respectively, compared with control (0.01). Significant (< 0.05) elevations of white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were noticed on the 91st day at higher doses. Generally, this study justified the traditional use of G. latifolium fruit for general body healing and maintenance of healthy living. Long term administration is safe on the haematological and biochemical systems especially at lower doses and its toxicity at higher doses is reversible.
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of two commonly used herbs, Aframomum mel... more To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of two commonly used herbs, Aframomum melegueta (A. melengueta) and Dennettia tripetala (D. tripetala) on CYP 3A enzymes. In vitro inhibition of the enzymes were assessed with microsomes extracted from female albino rats using erythromycin-N-demethylation assay (EMND) method while their in vivo effects were measured by estimating simvastatin plasma concentrations in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental analysis as implemented in WinNonlin pharmacokinetic program. EMND assay with intestinal microsomes indicated that aqueous extracts of D. tripetala and A. melengueta significantly (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) inhibited intestinal CYP 3A activity at both 50 μg and 100 μg concentrations. Petroleum ether extract of D. tripetala and ethanol extracts of A. melengueta inhibited intestinal CYP3A activity at 100 μg but not at 50 μg concentrations. All the extracts showed an in vitro dose dependent CYP 3A inhibition with liver microsomes. In vivo analysis showed that pre-treatment with the extracts enhanced systemic absorption of simvastatin with reductions in metabolizing enzymes activity as indicated in significant increases in maximal concentration, area under curve, area under moment curve and mean resident time of simvastatin (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Herbal preparations containing these plants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; extracts should be used with caution especially in patients on CYP450 3A substrate medications.
Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human dise... more Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human diseases. However, its traditional use in the treatment of wounds has not been validated by any scientific study. Also, its safety in the management of chronic disease conditions requires attention. We evaluated the wound-healing activity of the aqueous extract and fractions of F. exasperata, as well as its safety after subchronic oral administration. Similar percentage of wound contraction was observed with 5% w/w extract ointment application and administration of cicatrin powder (standard) on the 4(th) day, while better contraction than the standard was recorded with higher concentrations of the extract ointment. Of all the fractions tested, significant (P < 0.05) contraction was only noticed in chloroform fraction, though lower than that of the aqueous extract. The extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition of all the tested microbial isolates. Extract administered up to 50...
The chronic and comorbid nature of HIV infection necessitate the use of multiple drugs including ... more The chronic and comorbid nature of HIV infection necessitate the use of multiple drugs including herbs to relieve symptoms with a possible increase in herb–drug interaction cases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Millettia aboensis (Hook. f.) Baker, Fabaceae, on cytochrome P450 3A isoenzyme and the influence of this effect on the bioavailability of two antiretroviral agents. In vitro effect of ethanol extract of M. aboensis on intestinal and liver microsomes extracted from female rats was assessed using erythromycin-N-demethylation assay method while in vivo effects were determined by estimating simvastatin plasma concentrations in rats. The effect of the extract on pharmacokinetic parameters of orally administered efavirenz (25 mg/kg) and nevirapine (20 mg/kg) was determined in rats divided into groups (n = 5). Plasma drug concentrations were assayed using HPLC and pharmacokinetic parameters determined through a non-compartmental analysis as implemented in WinNonli...
Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has... more Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has led to the need for alternative therapeutic intervention to mitigate the symptoms and diseases associated with menopause. This study investigated the estrogenic effect of root extract of M. aboensis (MA) as a potential plant derived alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Phytoestrogen content of the methanol root extract and its solvent fractions was determined using genistein as standard. Further characterization of the phytoestrogen rich fraction (PRF) was done using HPLC-DAD. Acute toxicity of the extract was determined across oral doses of 100À5000 mg/kg while its effective dose (ED 50) was tested at doses ranging from 100À1600 mg/kg using vaginal cytology as an index of estrogenicity. Uterotrophic effect, serum estradiol quantification, liver and kidney toxicities were tested following 30 days treatment of ovariectomized female rats with PRF. The LD 50 of the extract was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg while the ED 50 was calculated to be 321.58 mg/kg. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest phytoestrogen content of 115 mg genesteinEq/ g. HPLC-DAD analysis of this fraction identified these phytoestrogens as 9-alpha-OH-pinoresinol, isoprunetin 8C glucoside, daidzin, genistein 6C glucoside and Neobavaisoflavone. At 200 mg/kg, PRF showed serum estradiol level of 3.16 pg/mL against 0.25 and 5.82 pg/mL shown by the vehicle and estradiol control groups respectively. Administration of PRF showed a dose dependent weekly increase in vaginal cornification. Treatment with 1 mg/kg estradiol valerate and 400 mg/kg PRF significantly (p < 0.05) increased the uterine weight compared to OVX control. However, at 200 mg/kg, PRF was unable to produce significant increase compared to OVX control. Estradiol control showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher increase in uterine weight (0.153 mg/100 g body weight) than the 200 mg/kg PRF fraction (0.025 mg/100 g body weight). The PRF administration confers significant (P < 0.05) protection of the liver and kidney against ovariectomy induced organ damage. The weak uterotrophic effect and wide margin of effective and toxic doses of PRF of MA supports its use as alternative to HRT .
The concentrations of Lead, Iron, zinc, Copper, Manganese and Tin was determined in Tap water sam... more The concentrations of Lead, Iron, zinc, Copper, Manganese and Tin was determined in Tap water samples in Ekpan district of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from six different sites each of industrial and residential areas of the district and were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). From the industrial location, Lead and Iron in samples S3 and S4 respectively were significantly (p<0.05) above the WHO limit for Lead and Iron in drinking water while only Manganese from sample S5 in residential areas was significantly (p<0.05) above the WHO limit for Manganese in drinking water. Tin was not dictated in all the samples collected from the industrial area while both Lead and Tin were absent in samples collected from the residential areas. The levels of Lead and Iron from the industrial areas of Ekpan district are above the WHO limits, indicating higher risk of Lead and Iron toxicities in this district.
ISRN Pharmacology, 2014
Folkloric use of root-bark extract ofAlstonia booneiin the treatment and management of many disea... more Folkloric use of root-bark extract ofAlstonia booneiin the treatment and management of many disease conditions may be associated with free radical scavenging as part of its mechanisms of action. We therefore evaluated the ability of different solvent fractions of the methanol extract, crude precipitate from the extract, and isolated compound from the crude precipitate for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of useful phytocompounds. Ethyl acetate fraction showed better antioxidant activity with IC50of 54.25 μg/mL while acetone and methanol fractions have 121.79 and 141.67 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate and isolated compound showed IC50values of 364.39 and 354.94 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate, fractions, and compound1showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical although lower than that of ascorbic acid.
Background Plant endophytic fungi have been recognized as an important and novel resource of natu... more Background Plant endophytic fungi have been recognized as an important and novel resource of natural bioactive products with potential application in different fields of life. Purpose The present work evaluated the antioxidant and immunosuppressive activities of the extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Psidium guajava and Newbouldia laevis. Study design/methods Endophytic fungi were isolated from the selected plants and their secondary metabolites extracted with ethyl acetate after solid state fermentation on rice media for 21 days at 22°C. Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay) was used to determine the antioxidant capacity of the extracts and their IC50 were calculated, using quercetin as the standard. Immunomodulatory activities of the extracts were evaluated using cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression model. Bioactive components of the extracts were examined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis, Results Two endoph...
Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has... more Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has led to the need for alternative therapeutic intervention to mitigate the symptoms and diseases associated with menopause. This study investigated the estrogenic effect of root extract of M. aboensis (MA) as a potential plant derived alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Phytoestrogen content of the methanol root extract and its solvent fractions was determined using genistein as standard. Further characterization of the phytoestrogen rich fraction (PRF) was done using HPLC-DAD. Acute toxicity of the extract was determined across oral doses of 100–5000 mg/kg while its effective dose (ED50) was tested at doses ranging from 100–1600 mg/kg using vaginal cytology as an index of estrogenicity. Uterotrophic effect, serum estradiol quantification, liver and kidney toxicities were tested following 30 days treatment of ovariectomized female rats with PRF. The LD50 of the extract was ...
International Journal of Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Ethnomedicine
Context: Diarrhea, a major leading cause of death among under-five children in developing countri... more Context: Diarrhea, a major leading cause of death among under-five children in developing countries is still ravaging the society today due to limitations associated with conventional treatment approaches. The leaf of Rauwofia vomitoria (R. vomitoria) is used by the locals in Nigeria for the treatment of diarrhea. Aim: This study evaluated the anti-diarrheal activity of the leaf extract and fractions of R. vomitoria using animal models. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out. The extracts and fractions of R. vomitoria were screened using castor-oil induced diarrhea, castor-oil induced enteropooling, charcoal meal test and ex-vivo anti-spasmomodic models. The tests groups received 400 mg/kg of the extract, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions based on the result of preliminary study. The Negative control (5 ml/kg of 5% Tween-80) and Positive control (Loperamide, 2 mg/kg and atropine sulphate, 10 mg/kg) were used. Ex-vivo anti-spasmodic test was carried...
International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014
Gongronema latifolium fruit has wide application in ethnomedicine, especially in maintaining heal... more Gongronema latifolium fruit has wide application in ethnomedicine, especially in maintaining healthy living and general body healing. We therefore investigated the antioxidant, immunomodulatory activities, and safety of its ethanol extract and fractions. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test while in vivo activities were determined using carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4) induced oxidative stress. Cell and humoral mediated immune responses were also evaluated together with toxicity studies. The extract, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions showed inhibition of DPPH radical with IC 50 s 120, 90, and 60 g/mL, respectively. Methanol fraction at 200 mg/kg produced significant (< 0.05) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (MDA conc. 1.2 mol/L) compared to control (2.8 mol/L). Both ethyl acetate and methanol fractions at 200 mg/kg produced significant (< 0.05) phagocytic index of 0.021 and 0.025, respectively, compared with control (0.01). Significant (< 0.05) elevations of white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were noticed on the 91st day at higher doses. Generally, this study justified the traditional use of G. latifolium fruit for general body healing and maintenance of healthy living. Long term administration is safe on the haematological and biochemical systems especially at lower doses and its toxicity at higher doses is reversible.
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of two commonly used herbs, Aframomum mel... more To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of two commonly used herbs, Aframomum melegueta (A. melengueta) and Dennettia tripetala (D. tripetala) on CYP 3A enzymes. In vitro inhibition of the enzymes were assessed with microsomes extracted from female albino rats using erythromycin-N-demethylation assay (EMND) method while their in vivo effects were measured by estimating simvastatin plasma concentrations in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental analysis as implemented in WinNonlin pharmacokinetic program. EMND assay with intestinal microsomes indicated that aqueous extracts of D. tripetala and A. melengueta significantly (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) inhibited intestinal CYP 3A activity at both 50 μg and 100 μg concentrations. Petroleum ether extract of D. tripetala and ethanol extracts of A. melengueta inhibited intestinal CYP3A activity at 100 μg but not at 50 μg concentrations. All the extracts showed an in vitro dose dependent CYP 3A inhibition with liver microsomes. In vivo analysis showed that pre-treatment with the extracts enhanced systemic absorption of simvastatin with reductions in metabolizing enzymes activity as indicated in significant increases in maximal concentration, area under curve, area under moment curve and mean resident time of simvastatin (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Herbal preparations containing these plants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; extracts should be used with caution especially in patients on CYP450 3A substrate medications.
Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human dise... more Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human diseases. However, its traditional use in the treatment of wounds has not been validated by any scientific study. Also, its safety in the management of chronic disease conditions requires attention. We evaluated the wound-healing activity of the aqueous extract and fractions of F. exasperata, as well as its safety after subchronic oral administration. Similar percentage of wound contraction was observed with 5% w/w extract ointment application and administration of cicatrin powder (standard) on the 4(th) day, while better contraction than the standard was recorded with higher concentrations of the extract ointment. Of all the fractions tested, significant (P < 0.05) contraction was only noticed in chloroform fraction, though lower than that of the aqueous extract. The extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition of all the tested microbial isolates. Extract administered up to 50...
The chronic and comorbid nature of HIV infection necessitate the use of multiple drugs including ... more The chronic and comorbid nature of HIV infection necessitate the use of multiple drugs including herbs to relieve symptoms with a possible increase in herb–drug interaction cases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Millettia aboensis (Hook. f.) Baker, Fabaceae, on cytochrome P450 3A isoenzyme and the influence of this effect on the bioavailability of two antiretroviral agents. In vitro effect of ethanol extract of M. aboensis on intestinal and liver microsomes extracted from female rats was assessed using erythromycin-N-demethylation assay method while in vivo effects were determined by estimating simvastatin plasma concentrations in rats. The effect of the extract on pharmacokinetic parameters of orally administered efavirenz (25 mg/kg) and nevirapine (20 mg/kg) was determined in rats divided into groups (n = 5). Plasma drug concentrations were assayed using HPLC and pharmacokinetic parameters determined through a non-compartmental analysis as implemented in WinNonli...
Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has... more Poor compliance with conventional estrogen replacement therapy due to associated side effects has led to the need for alternative therapeutic intervention to mitigate the symptoms and diseases associated with menopause. This study investigated the estrogenic effect of root extract of M. aboensis (MA) as a potential plant derived alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Phytoestrogen content of the methanol root extract and its solvent fractions was determined using genistein as standard. Further characterization of the phytoestrogen rich fraction (PRF) was done using HPLC-DAD. Acute toxicity of the extract was determined across oral doses of 100À5000 mg/kg while its effective dose (ED 50) was tested at doses ranging from 100À1600 mg/kg using vaginal cytology as an index of estrogenicity. Uterotrophic effect, serum estradiol quantification, liver and kidney toxicities were tested following 30 days treatment of ovariectomized female rats with PRF. The LD 50 of the extract was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg while the ED 50 was calculated to be 321.58 mg/kg. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest phytoestrogen content of 115 mg genesteinEq/ g. HPLC-DAD analysis of this fraction identified these phytoestrogens as 9-alpha-OH-pinoresinol, isoprunetin 8C glucoside, daidzin, genistein 6C glucoside and Neobavaisoflavone. At 200 mg/kg, PRF showed serum estradiol level of 3.16 pg/mL against 0.25 and 5.82 pg/mL shown by the vehicle and estradiol control groups respectively. Administration of PRF showed a dose dependent weekly increase in vaginal cornification. Treatment with 1 mg/kg estradiol valerate and 400 mg/kg PRF significantly (p < 0.05) increased the uterine weight compared to OVX control. However, at 200 mg/kg, PRF was unable to produce significant increase compared to OVX control. Estradiol control showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher increase in uterine weight (0.153 mg/100 g body weight) than the 200 mg/kg PRF fraction (0.025 mg/100 g body weight). The PRF administration confers significant (P < 0.05) protection of the liver and kidney against ovariectomy induced organ damage. The weak uterotrophic effect and wide margin of effective and toxic doses of PRF of MA supports its use as alternative to HRT .