J. M. Agbedahunsi, PhD, KSM
Principal Research Fellow
B.Sc. (Ibadan), M.Phil., Ph.D. (Ife)

Email: jagbedah@oauife.edu.ng, foluagbedahunsi@yahoo.com

Phone number: +234 803 409 3594

EDUCATIONAL DEGREES

1. Investigation into the metabolism of sulphonilamide and sulphodimethoxine administered orally to rabbits. B.Sc. Dissertation University of Ibadan
   
2. Investigation into the moulds of Sorghum vulgare in relation to brewing of Burukutu beer. B.Sc. Dissertation, University of Ibadan.

WORK EXPERIENCE

1. Tutor: Gaskiya College, Cardoso Lagos, 1980 – 1983
   
2. Tutor: H.O.D Science, Gbongan Community High School, Gbongan, Oyo State, Nigeria 1983-1984

1. Graduate Assistant/ N.Y.S.C, Department of Chemistry, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, 1979 -1980

1. Research Assistant in the Drug Research and Production Unit, 1984-1985
   
2. Junior Research Fellow in Drug Research and Production Unit, 1985-Sept.1987
   
3. Research Fellow II – in Drug Research and Production Unit 1987- 1992
   
4. Research Fellow I – in Drug Research and Production Unit 1992 – 1998
   
5. Senior Research Fellow in Drug Research and Production Unit -1998-2005
   
6. Principal Research Fellow in Drug Research and Production Unit – Oct. 2005 to date

POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

TECHNICAL SKILLS

1. In vivo techniques for the anti malarial bioassay using mice
   
2. acute and sub chronic toxicity determination of drugs in rats
   
3. Anti-malarial bioactivity directed purification and isolation of phytochemicals .
   
4. Characterization of isolated chemicals to elucidate their structures using spectroscopic methods.
   
5. Choline esterase inhibition assay using both the spectroscopic and the in situ TLC autobiographic methods.

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

1. Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy-Member since 1985 to date
   
2. Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy- National Secretary (1995 – 1999) , National Vice President ( 2007- to date)
   
3. Nigerian Field Society – Member since 1985 to date
   
4. New York Academy of Sciences – Member since June 1999
   
5. The Research Board of Advisors of the American Biographic Institute – Member since 2002
   
6. Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) - Associate Member since 2000

SOME CONFERENCES ATTENDED WITH DATES

1. I was invited as an expert to plan a Conference on Traditional Medicine and Therapy organized by the Goethe Institute (German Embassy) in Lagos on 29th January, 1997.
   
2. I attended and chaired two sessions at a two day Seminar on Traditional Medicine: Dosages and Norms organized by the Goethe Institute 10- 11th November 1997 at the Goethe Institute Victoria Island Lagos.
   
3. I participated at an Advanced Leadership Training Seminar, Haggai Institute, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A 1-29TH June, 2001
   
4. I visited the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (Kew Gardens), Surrey London on 18th June, 2003 and delivered a paper at the Joint Scientific Meeting of (Kew – Kings-Square) Phytochemical Research Groups. This group consists of Scientists from Kings College, London, London School of Pharmacy and Kew Botanic Gardens. The joint scientific meeting was held at the Jodrell Laboratory Auditorium in the Kew Gardens. The delivered paper was entitled Anti-Malarial and Toxicological Studies on Khaya grandifoliola.
   
5. I also visited the Chelsea Physics gardens at Chelsea, London on the 16th July, 2003. Biodiversity of the varieties of flora across the world were observed at the two Gardens.
   
6. Poster presentation at the British Pharmaceutical conference April, 2004.
   
7. Paper presentation at the American Society for Pharmacognosy conference Arizona USA, July, 2004
   h. I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy held at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan on the 4th November 2004.
   
8. I was one of the University representatives at the 1st Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair for the presentation of research projects of high standard and with relevance to National development at the African Hall, International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria 23-25th November 2004. We were overall 2nd best University in the Federation.
   
9. Paper presentation at the West African Network of Natural Products Research Scientists (WANNPRES) Second Scientific Meeting 1-4 August 2006 Elmina Ghana
   
10. Poster presentation at the 50th anniversary meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Europe in Cambridge April 11-14th 2007 entitled Non alkaloidal inhibitors of acetycholinesterase. Houghton et al 2007

REFEREED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (2004 -2007)

1. Elufioye, T.O and Agbedahunsi J.M. (2004). Activity of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) on malaria infection. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 93: 167-171.
   
2. Agbedahunsi, J.M., Fakoya, F.A. and Adesanya, S.A. (2004).Studies on the anti- inflammatory and toxic effects of the stem bark of Khaya ivorensis (Meliaceae) on rats Phytomedicine 11(6): 504-508
   
3. Houghton, P.J. Agbedahunsi JM and Adegbulugbe A (2004) Choline esterase inhibitory properties of alkaloids from two Nigerian Crinum species Phytochemistry 65: 2893-2896
   
4. Elufioye, T.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M. and Adesanya, S.A. (2004). 8-(2- methoxybutanoyl)-3,10 Epoxy-3,8’-dihydroxyl -4,11 (13)-germacradien-12,6- olide. A new sesquiterpene lactone from Tithonia diversifolia . Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicines 8: 74-76.
   
5. Bumah, V.V., Essien, U.E., Agbedahunsi J.M. and Eka, O.U. (2005). Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on Red blood cells and bones Phytotherapy Research. 19: 928-931
   
6. Bumah VV., Essien UE. , Agbedahunsi JM and Eka OU (2005). Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on some biochemical parameters in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 102: 446-449
   
7. Agbedahunsi, JM., Anao, I., Adewunmi, CO. and Croft, SL (2006). Trypanocidal properties of Terminalia ivorensis A.Chev. (Combretaceae) . African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 3 (2): 51-56
   
8. Avwioro O.G Onwuka S.K. Moody J.O. Agbedahunsi J.M. Oduola T. Ekpo O.E and Oladele A.A( 2007).Curcuma longa extract as a histological dye for collagen fibres and red blood cells Journal of Anatomy 210: 600- 603

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

1. Life Time Leadership Award by the Haggai Institute Atlanta, U.S.A since June 2001
   
2. Research Board of Advisor to the American Biographical Institute since 2002 to date
   
3. The Royal Society U.K Developing World Study Visit (DWSV) Award, Dec.2003- Mar. 2004 and March – June 2007 for Postdoctoral Fellowship at King’s College London.

PUBLICATIONS

1. Agbedahunsi J.M., Elujoba, A.A. and Adesina, S.K. (1987). Estimation of hecogenin and tigogenin from Nigerian Agave species. The Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 3(1): 23-28
2. Makinde, J.M., Awe S.O. and Agbedahunsi, J.M (1988). Effect of Khaya grandifoliola extract on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice Phytotherapy Research 2(1): 30-32
3. Agbedahunsi, J.M. and Elujoba A.A., and Adesina, S.K. (1990). Fermentation of Furcraea selloa leaf for steroidal sapogenin Fitoterapia 61(4): 364-366
4. Agbedahunsi, J.M., Oloke, J.K., and Aladesanmi, A.J. (1993). Antimicrobial activity of Pleoceras barteri root extract. Fitoterapia 64 (1): 81- 82
5. Agbedahunsi, J.M. and Aladesanmi A.J. (1993). Effect of Eugenia uniflora on early malaria infection. Fitoterapia 64(2): 174-175
6. Gebremedhin, G. Adewunmi, C.O., Becker, W., Agbedahunsi, J.M. and Dorfler G. (1994).Hirundinicidal activities of some natural molluscides used in schistosomiasis control. Journal of ethnopharmacology 41: 127-132
7. Agbedahunsi, J.M., Elujoba, A.A, Makinde, J.M. and Oduola, A.M.J (1998). Antimalarial activities of Khaya grandifoliola stem bark. Pharmaceutical Biology 36(1): 8-12.
8. Agbedahunsi, J.M and Elujoba, A.A., (1998). Grandifolin from Khaya grandifoliola stem bark, Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine 2: 34-36
9. Agbedahunsi, J.M., Owolabi, O.O, Oyewunmi, T.O and Oduola, A.M.J (2000). Antimalarial activity of the roots and leaves of Dracaena frangrans Gawl. Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicines 5: 34-36
10. Adewunmi, C.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M., Elujoba, A.A. and Ojewole, J.A.O(2001). Ecotoxicity and some pharmacoepial standards of Tetrapluera tetraptera Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicines 5: 8-12
11. Adewunmi, C.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M., Adebajo, A.C., Aladesanmi, A.J., Murphy, N and Wando, J (2001).Ethno-veterinary Medicine Screening of medicinal plants for trypanocidal properties.Journal of Ethnopharmacology 77: 19-25
12. Elufioye, T.O and Agbedahunsi J.M. (2004). Antimalarial activities of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) and Crossopteries febrifuga (Rubiaceae)on mice in vivo Journal of Ethnopharmacology 93: 167-171.
13. Agbedahunsi, J.M., Fakoya, F.A. and Adesanya, S.A. (2004).Studies on the anti- inflammatory and toxic effects of the stem bark of Khaya ivorensis (Meliaceae) on rats Phytomedicine 11(6): 504-508
14. Houghton, P.J. Agbedahunsi JM and Adegbulugbe A (2004) Choline esterase inhibitory properties of alkaloids from two Nigerian Crinum species Phytochemistry 65: 2893-2896
15. Elufioye, T.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M. and Adesanya, S.A. (2004). 8-(2- methoxybutanoyl)-3,10 Epoxy-3,8’-dihydroxyl -4,11 (13)-germacradien- 12,6- olide. A new sesquiterpene lactone from Tithonia diversifolia Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicines 8: 74-76.
16. Bumah, V.V., Essien, U.E., Agbedahunsi J.M. and Eka, O.U. (2004). Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on Red blood cells and bones Phytotherapy Research. 19: 928-931
17. Bumah VV., Essien UE. , Agbedahunsi JM and Eka OU (2005). Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on some biochemical parameters in rats Journal of Ethnopharmacology 102: 446-449
18. Agbedahunsi, JM., Anao, I., Adewunmi, CO. and Croft, SL (2006). Trypanocida properties of Terminalia ivorensis A.Chev. (Combretaceae) . African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3 (2) 51-56
19. Avwioro O.G Onwuka S.K. Moody J.O. Agbedahunsi J.M. Oduola T. Ekpo O.E and Oladele A.A( 2007).Curcuma longa extract as a histological dye for collagen fibres and red blood cells Journal of Anatomy 210: 600- 603

RESEARCH INTEREST

1. Steroidal Research: That the yield of steroidal sapogenins obtained from my work on Estimation of hecogenin from Nigerian Agave species compared favourable with those obtained in Agave samples of other countries.(Paper, i.) In Nigeria, Fucraea selloa produced more hecogenin than any of the Agave species studied, hence a better source of the compound
2. Antimalarial Research: That the stem barks of Khaya grandifoliola has anti-malarial activity even against chloroquine resistant P. falciparum strain in vitro (Papers ii, vii). Grandifolin a novel bicycle (3,3,1) nonane derivative of phragmalin isolated from the active NH-2 fraction of Khaya grandfoliola which gave I.C50 of 1.4 µg/ml against the multi-drug resistant strain (Paper, viii). The anti-malarial principle of this plant gave 91% chemosuppression of plasmodial parasite and an I.C50 value of 1.7µg/ml for the multidrug resistant clone W2 strain and 0.8 µg/ml for the Nigerian Plasmodium falciparum isolates (Paper vii). In the sub-chronic toxicity test carried out on the plant extract. Morphological abnormalities were found only within the white matter of the cerebral cortex especially at high doses. At lower doses there were no significant changes when compared with the control. The margin between the therapeutic dose (100 mg/kg) and the toxic dose 500-1000 mg/kg gives K. grandifoliola indication that the extract is a possible non-toxic anti-malarial product with L.D50 > 1000 mg/kg. The ethanolic extract showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity 69.43% at 200mg/kg (Paper, xiii). The biochemical parameters and the effects of the plant on red blood cells and bones have been studied. gave significant increase (p < 0.5) in Red Blood Cells count (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin and plasma iron content in rats. There was a general trend of reduction in bone minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Cu.). A significant decrease (p< 0.5) was observed at 500mg/Kg dose. However there was a dose dependent significant (p<0.5) increase in bone potassium and iron (K and Fe) content. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) gave a significant (p < 0.5)decrease. K. grandifoliola therefore showed positive effect on erythropoesis and no significant effect on bone mineral content at therapeutic doses {Paper, 3 (c) i}. K. grandifoliola had also been shown to have significant hypoglycaemic, hypoproteinaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effects on rats at (p< 0.05). There was significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the Liver protein content and glutathione (GSH). The concentration of free fatty acid in the plasma was not significantly reduced nor was there any significant increase in the liver malondialdehyde (MDA) in the extract treated rats {Paper, 3 (c)ii}. A number of other Nigerian medicinal plants have been investigated for their anti-malarial activities such as Eugenia uniflora (Paper, v), Dracaenia fragrans (Paper, ix), Tithonia diversifolia and Crossopteryx febrifuga (Paper, xii). Their levels of antimalarial activities had been evaluated. 8-(2- methoxybutanoyl)-3, 10 Epoxy-3,8’-dihydroxyl -4,11 (13)-germacradien-12,6- olide. A new sesquiterpene lactone from the antimalarial active fraction of Tithonia diversifolia was identified (Paper, xv).
3. Schistosomicidal and Trypanocidal Research:In line with the Unit’s objective on the search for natural products to combat prevalent tropical parasitic diseases, I have worked in collaboration with other researchers in the Unit and contributed to knowledge in the area of Hirudinicidal activities of some natural molluscicides used in schistosomiasis control (Paper, vi). Some Nigerian medicinal plants have been screened for trypanocidal properties which are useful in both human and ethno-veterinary medicine {Papers xi, and 3 (c) iii}.Ecotoxicity and pharmacoepial standards were determined for a natural molluscicide used in the control of schistosomiasis (Paper, x)
4. Alzheimer’s Disease Research: During my stay at the Kings College London, April- August, 2003, December 2003 to March 2004 and March –June 2007 I worked on the choline esterase inhibition properties of some Nigerian medicinal plants, Crinum jagus, Crinum glaucum and Maytenus senegalensis and Peltophorum pterocarpum. Similarly I have studied some glucosynolates as acetycholinesterase inhibitors Acetycholinesterase is a major inhibitor of acetycholine, a neurotransmitter found in the synapse of cerebral cortex. Inhibition of acetycholine is one the major causes of Alzheimer’s disease .The research was partly funded by the Royal Society U.K under the Developing World Study Visit (DWSV) Award, 2003 and 2007.