MAJOR RESEARCH THRUST

• Biological and Pharmacological Based Research Division
• Chemistry Division
• Production and Quality Control Division

BIOLOGICAL & PHARMACOLOGICAL BASED RESEARCH DIVISION

This division is made up of three major sections. These are:

• The Pharmacological / Biological Research section
• The Microbiological Research section and
• Insecticidal / Insect repellency Research

• Toxicology of bioactive substances Research
• Anticonvulsant Research
• Alzheimer's Research
  1. Anti-cholinesterase
• Anti infective Research
  1. Antimalarial
  2. Anti schistosomicidal/ Molluscicidal
  3. Trypanocidal
  4. Antitrichomonal

• Antimicrobial properties of Nigerian Medicinal Plants.
• Studies of prevalence and control of schistosomiasis disease
• Antibiotic resistant surveillance studies
• Studies of antimicrobial principles of extracts and volatile oils from Nigerian medicinal plants.

Insecticidal/Insect repellency Research

• Lavicidal properties of some essential oils and plant extracts
• Mosquito repellent activities of Xylopia aethiopica, Piper guinense Ocimum species Cymbogon citratus etc
• Formulation of an effective mosquito repellent topical product from lemon grass oil
• Antioviposition effects of volatile oils e.g Xylopia aethiopica

CHEMISTRY DIVISION

In order to fulfill the mandate establishing the Unit which is to encourage, provide facilities for and initiate research into natural drugs and pesticides with special interest in African medicinal plants. This is with a view to developing them into different dosage forms, and develop appropriate pharmacopoeia. Hence the major research thrust of this division is phytochemistry. However some researchers venture into the area of synthetic chemistry based on their discipline. Molecules isolated from natural origin are modified to produce more bioactive products.
The under-listed are some of the research accomplishments of Research fellows in this division:

• Chemistry of Zanthoxylum species (Rutaceae family)
• Chemistry of plants with anticonvalsant properties e.g. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit, Solanum species, Clausena anisata etc.
• Chemistry of medicinal plants with antimalarial activity e.g. Khaya species, Tithonia diversifolia.
• Chemistry of Plants with cholinesterase inhibitory activities e.g. Crinum species, (C. jagus and C. glaucum), Maytenus senegalensis, Anona senegalensis, Peltoforum pterocarpum. etc.
• Chemistry of plants with other anti-microbial properties e.g. Acalypha wilkesiana, Ageratum conyzoides, Kelanchoe crenata etc.
• Chemistry of plants with Schistosomicidal properties e.g. Tetrapleura tetraptera, Zingiber officinale etc.

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PRODUCTION & QUALITY CONTROL DIVISION

Conventional Drug Manufacture: The Unit successfully defended a drug production proposal for funding through the appropriate University Committees. The funding has been approved by the University Council. Funds when released will enable the Unit register the products with NAFDAC and other appropriate bodies.

1. PRODUCTS WE MANUFACTURE include paracetamol tablets, paracetamol elixir and chloroquine syrup. The Unit has validated processes for the manufacture of these drugs. These products are supplied to hospitals and clinics in and around Ile-Ife.
2. Products we can manufacture WITH ADEQUATE FUNDING include Vitamin C Syrup, Multivitamin Syrup, Calamine Lotion, Mist-Magnesium Trisilicate, Cough mixture and Mist Ferris etc.
3. Products we can manufacture IF THE REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE is provided include Chloroquine tablets, Phthalylsuphathiazole tablets, Vitamin C tablets and Co-trimoxazole tablets. The formulae for products mentioned in [b] and [c] can be readily developed and the processes validated.

Drug Development from Natural Products
Our abundant natural products - medicinal plants, animals, and inorganic residues - remain a good source of our medicines and pharmaceutical products. Of these, higher plants are comparatively cheap sources of very important active substances for the pharmaceutical industry.

MINOR RESEARCH THRUST

Screening of Nigerian medicinal plants for biological activities

Medicinal Plant Garden:
The unit has a medicinal garden allocated within the Teaching and Research Farm on the campus of the University. The garden has about 100 different plant taxa including specialized collections of medicinal plants under investigation or commonly used by traditional healers. The garden serves as sources of information and reservoir for medicinal plants. Students visit the garden for plant identification and collection. The garden is laid out based on the different taxa cultivated.

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