Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry

Microbial Interventions in Cancer Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms, Engineering Strategies and Translational Constraints

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Microbial interventions are being developed as anticancer agents, local drug factories, replicating immunotherapies and modifiers of treatment response. Their appeal arises from properties that conventional medicines do not readily reproduce: active replication, environmental sensing, penetration of poorly perfused tissue, programmable payload production and the capacity to engage innate and adaptive immunity. This critical narrative review evaluates tumour-targeting bacteria, engineered bacterial therapeutics, oncolytic viruses and manipulation of the host microbiome from a molecular-biology perspective. Literature published from 1 January 1990 to 29 May 2026 was selected through a transparent search of PubMed/MEDLINE, reference chaining and bibliographic verification of article identity and Digital Object Identifiers. The evidence indicates that microbial therapies operate through partially shared molecular modules: selective localisation or replication, pattern-recognition receptor signalling, immunogenic cell injury, antigen release and cross-presentation, metabolic reprogramming, and spatially restricted expression of therapeutic cargo. Yet the maturity of evidence differs sharply across platforms. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin and talimogene laherparepvec demonstrate that live microbial products can achieve clinical utility, whereas most engineered bacteria remain supported mainly by murine models and early-phase studies. Oncolytic viruses have produced durable responses in selected settings, but apparently strong phase I or II signals have not always translated into improved survival in randomised trials. Gut-microbiome associations with immune-checkpoint inhibitor outcomes are reproducible at a broad ecological level but inconsistent at the level of individual taxa; early faecal microbiota transplantation studies provide proof of principle rather than definitive efficacy. Across platforms, the central translational problem is not simply potency but control: biodistribution, genetic stability, inflammatory dose, immune clearance, manufacturing consistency and reversibility must be treated as molecular design variables. Progress will depend on mechanism-linked biomarkers, standardised pharmacodynamic measurements, rational combination trials and containment architectures that are validated under clinically realistic conditions.

Regulatory Effects of Solvent-partitioned Fractions of Cola acuminata Seed on Glucose Metabolism in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, a metabolism disorder symptomized by high concentration of fasting blood glucose, poses major health challenge.

Aims: This research aimed at assessing antihyperglycemic potentials of n-hexane-partitioned (NHF), n-butanol-partitioned (NBF), ethyl acetate-partitioned (ETHF) and residual-partitioned fractions of Cola acuminata seed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effects of these solvent-partitioned fractions were assessed on fasting blood glucose (FBS), serum insulin (SI) and hepatic glycogen (HG) concentration. Also, on activities of hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glucose-6-phospatase (G6Pase), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (F16BPase) and glycogen phosphorylase GPase).

Study design: Experimental design was completely randomized design and analysis of variance was used to process data with the aid of GraphPad Prism version 6.0.

Methodology: 35 male, non-diabetic albino rats (weights between 120g – 150g) were randomly divided into 7 seven groups. Rats were induced with diabetes using streptozotocin except control group. Diabetic groups were administered distilled water, metformin, NHF, ETHF, NBF and residual-partitioned fraction (RF) of Cola acuminata seed respectively. Effects of these treatments were assessed on FBS, SI and HG concentrations of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after 15-day experimental period. Also, activities of HK, G6PDH, G6Pase, F16BPase and GPase were determined.

Results: NHF, ETHF, NBF and RF of Cola acuminata seed significantly alleviate (P < .05) increased FBS concentration (from 30.73± 0.52 to 4.73± 0.34 mmol/L) and activities of G6Pase, F16Bpase and GPase (from 13.05 to 7.56; 13.72 to 9.09 and 8.96 to 3.33 U/L/mg protein respectively) while decreased concentration of SI and HG; activities of hepatic HK, G6PDH were notably increased (P < .05) (from 1.57 to 3.20 mg/ml; 35.42 to 73.74 mg/dl; 0.64 to 1.42 mmol/min/mg protein; 1.51 to 2.26 U/L/mg protein).

Conclusion: The study concluded that these solvent-partitioned fractions of Cola acuminata seed shows modulatory potentials on some glucose-metabolizing parameters via inhibition and stimulation of their activities and concentration.

Bioactive Potentials of Dacryodes edulis and Persea Americana Seeds

Stella L. Dumkhana, Charity U. Ogunka-nnoka, Nwikiri Barile — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study compared the phytochemical composition, detected volatile constituents, and in vitro antioxidant activities of aqueous seed extracts from Dacryodes edulis and Persea americana. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colourimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed using nitric oxide, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assays, while dichloromethane extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–flame ionisation detection (GC-FID). Persea americana contained more flavonoids (1.862 mg/mL) but fewer phenolics (0.645 mg/mL) than Dacryodes edulis, which contained 1.516 mg/mL flavonoids and 0.825 mg/mL phenolics. GC-FID detected 29 compounds in Dacryodes edulis, predominantly fatty acid methyl esters, and 12 compounds in Persea americana, with butylated hydroxytoluene as the predominant peak. Both extracts showed concentration-dependent scavenging activity. Persea americana produced lower IC₅₀ values than Dacryodes edulis in the nitric oxide (4.045 vs 12.319 mg/mL), DPPH (17.93 vs 41.03 mg/mL), and H₂O₂ (5.229 vs 17.866 mg/mL) assays. Ascorbic acid showed lower IC₅₀ values than both extracts in all assays. These findings indicate that both seed wastes contain measurable phytochemicals and detected volatile constituents with in vitro antioxidant activity. Persea americana showed stronger scavenging activity under the tested conditions, whereas Dacryodes edulis showed a more diverse detected compound profile. Replicated analyses and confirmatory GC-MS identification are required before practical applications can be established.

Comparative in Vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of the Root Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants: Implications in Diabetes Phytotherapy

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The present study comparatively evaluated the in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of methanolic root extracts of selected medicinal plants and their implications for diabetes phytotherapy. Methanolic root extracts of C. citratus, C. afer, and V. amygdalina were compared with acarbose, a standard synthetic inhibitor. Roots were collected from Ebukuma, Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria, air-dried, pulverised, extracted with methanol, concentrated, and stored at −4°C before enzyme inhibition assays. Percentage inhibition was determined at concentrations of 20–100 mg/mL, and IC₅₀ values were calculated. All extracts exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of both α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Among the plant extracts, C. citratus showed the strongest inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 35.8 ± 1.7 mg/mL for α-amylase and 32.4 ± 1.5 mg/mL for α-glucosidase. Costus afer recorded IC₅₀ values of 47.6 ± 2.0 mg/mL and 45.1 ± 1.3 mg/mL, while V. amygdalina exhibited IC₅₀ values of 58.9 ± 2.2 mg/mL and 48.7 ± 1.4 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Acarbose showed the greatest inhibitory potency, with IC₅₀ values of 21.0 ± 1.2 mg/mL for α-amylase and 20.5 ± 1.1 mg/mL for α-glucosidase. These findings demonstrate that C. citratus possesses the highest enzyme-inhibitory potential among the investigated plants and support its further investigation as a potential source of antidiabetic agents. Further studies should isolate the bioactive constituents and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Biochemical Properties and Stability Profile of Alpha-Amylase Produced by Aspergillus niger from Compost Soil

Nwikiri, Barile, B. M. Onyegeme-Okerenta, M. O. Monanu, S. I. Omeodu — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the biochemical properties and stability profile of α-amylase produced by Aspergillus niger isolated from compost soil collected in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. The fungal isolate was obtained using standard serial dilution and culture techniques and was screened for amylase production using starch hydrolysis assays. Enzyme production was achieved through submerged fermentation using a defined nutrient medium, followed by partial purification using ammonium sulphate fractionation and gel filtration chromatography. The partially purified enzyme was characterised to determine its biochemical behaviour under varying physiological conditions. The results showed that α-amylase activity increased with substrate concentration, reaching optimum activity at higher starch levels before plateauing, suggesting substrate saturation. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at temperatures between 60 °C and 70 °C, indicating moderate thermostability. pH optimisation studies revealed that the enzyme performed optimally under near-neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, while strongly acidic and alkaline environments markedly reduced activity. Thermal stability analysis showed that enzyme activity was maintained at moderate temperatures but declined after prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. Metal-ion studies demonstrated that Cu²⁺ enhanced enzyme activity, whereas Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and EDTA inhibited enzymatic performance. The findings suggest that α-amylase from compost-derived Aspergillus niger exhibits promising biochemical characteristics, including reasonable stability under industrially relevant conditions. These properties indicate potential applicability in starch processing and related biotechnological industries. However, further purification, molecular characterisation, and process optimisation are required to fully establish its industrial viability.

Nutritional Composition of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Seeds Treated with Different Concentrations of Dichlorvos Pesticide

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a nutritionally important cereal that is susceptible to insect infestation during storage. Dichlorvos is commonly used to control storage pests; however, its application may influence the nutritional composition of treated grains. This study evaluated the nutritional composition of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seeds treated with different concentrations of dichlorvos (DDVP) pesticide. A preliminary survey identified DDVP as the pesticide most commonly used by the sampled grain merchants for pearl millet storage. Treatment solutions containing 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mL of DDVP were separately diluted in 250 mL of distilled water and applied to 1 kg portions of pearl millet seeds, representing low-, medium-, and high-concentration treatments, respectively. An untreated sample served as the control. After air-drying, the samples were stored for 30 days and analysed for vitamin, mineral, proximate, and amino acid composition using standard procedures. Vitamin A decreased significantly in the low- and high-concentration samples but increased in the medium-concentration sample, while vitamin C decreased significantly in the low- and high-concentration samples. Vitamins B6 and E did not differ significantly among the samples. Phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc decreased significantly in all treated samples, while magnesium decreased significantly at the medium and high concentrations. Protein and moisture contents decreased, carbohydrate content increased, and ash and lipid contents showed no significant differences. Most measured amino acid concentrations were lower in the treated samples. These findings indicate that DDVP treatment may alter the nutritional composition of stored pearl millet seeds. Further studies should assess pesticide residues and the biochemical mechanisms associated with these changes.