Poster Presentation Royal Australian Chemical Institute National Congress 2026

Phytochemical investigation, characterization, haematological and histopathological studies of cancer induced Wistar rat fed with Piper nigrum extracts.   (#624)

Victory Okodugha 1 , Godwin Emuokhonun 1
  1. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Ekpoma, EDO, Nigeria

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for about 9.6 million deaths worldwide. It occurs when one is exposed to carcinogens which could either be as chemical agents like benzene or as physical agents such as radiation like X - Ray or biological agents such as human papilloma virus which can disrupt the structure of the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). Many of the chemical carcinogens are electrophilic compounds or free radicals which are metabolized in the body as reactive intermediate that can form covalent bonds with DNA leading to a distortion in DNA structure. Blood cancer also called hematological cancer for example account for about 6 - 8% of all cancer cases and 7 - 8% of cancer death worldwide. It is formed when abnormal blood cells grow uncontrollably, thereby disrupting the functionality of normal blood cells. Piper nigrum, commonly called Black pepper, is a spice plant, known for its historical medicinal use in various human ailments. This study aims to determine the phytoconstituents, characterize and evaluate the haematological and histopathological activity of the cancer induced Wistar rat fed with Piper nigrum extracts. The research involves oral administration of benzene through gavage in Wistar rat to induce cancer, extraction of the seed and leaf of Piper nigrum using maceration method with methanol solvent, fractionation of the crude extracts using varying solvents ranging from non-polar to polar solvents, determination of the anticancer potential of the various fractions and the isolation of the bioactive fraction(s) using combined chromatographic techniques. The identification and characterization of the bioactive molecules present in the active fraction(s) of Piper nigrum will be determined using UV (Ultraviolet), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-red), GC-MS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) and HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). The haematological and histopathological parameters of the cancer induced Wistar rats fed with various fractions of Piper nigrum extracts will be assessed by investigating the Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), Bone marrow, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Platelets, liver, lungs and lymph node. This study will provide insights into the potential therapeutic importance of the seed and leaf extracts of Piper nigrum in anticancer activity, leading to the development of a new novel compound(s) with lesser adverse effect.