Department of Medical Biochemistry
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Item Mut L Homolog 1 (Mlh1) Exon 16 Mutational Analysis in Ghanaian Colorectal Cancer Patients on Treatment at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2023) Dorbu, A.S.Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC), commonly known as cancer of the colon or rectum is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In developing nations, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa, colorectal cancer is becoming more common. According to World Cancer Research Fund International Statistics in 2020, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. It is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women with approximately 1.9 million new cases and 900,000 expected deaths. In Ghana's capital, Accra, colorectal cancer ranks third among the most frequent cancers, and also ranked tenth among cancer death in the country. M utations in the hMLH1 gene are responsible for the bulk of known instances of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer despite the presence of a minor number of variation in the other mismatch repair (MMR) genes(such as hMSH2,hMSH3, hMSH6, hPMS1, and hPMS2). In fact, over 300 germ line mutations have been identified in the MLH1 gene which can be diagnosed easily by automated sequencing. Accordingly, exons 16 and 18 of the MLH1 gene are designated as genetic hotspots for mutations, which agrees with other populations findings. Several studies have also discovered alterations in this gene and exon, and depending on where you live, its presence varies. Aim: Study therefore looked at mutations in exon 16 of the MLH1 gene associated with colorectal cancer in Ghanaian colorectal cancer patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study in which 71 Ghanaian confirmed colorectal cancer patients (cases), who had been clinically and histologically diagnosed by doctors, compared to 68 non-CRC healthy Ghanaians (controls). A questionnaire was used to obtain patients information, and 5mls of whole blood was taken into an EDTA tube. The buffcoat (white blood cells) obtained from the whole blood was used to extract DNA. Primers targeting exon 16 of the MLH1 gene were designed and used to amplify exon 16 from the extracted DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified DNA (amplicons) were afterwards sequenced and the sequenced products subjected to bioinformatics analysis to look for any genetic alterations. Results: Out of the 71 case samples, 28(39.4%) samples DNA amplification was detected on the agarose gel to the expected band size of 195 bps. All the 68 control samples were amplified to the expected band size of 195 bps. Out of the 139 study samples collected, 96 samples (71 cases, 25 controls) were sequenced. For the case samples; 14(19.7%) out of the 71 case samples were without MLH1 exon 16 region; 30(42.3%) samples had good nucleotide sequence of which 2 had a single guanine (G) nucleotide insertion when aligned with healthy control and reference sequence. Twenty five (25) case samples (35.2%) had sequences that were not clear. For the control samples, all (25) had fairly good nucleotide sequences that had 100% alignment with the reference sequence. Conclusion: This study is the first compiled molecular information on the Ghanaian CRC population. The study reported two types of mutations; whole exon (16) deletion and a single guanine nucleotide insertion (frameshift) mutation at codon 596 of the coding sequence of exon 16 MLH1 protein. Whole exon (16) deletion in this study accounted for 19.7% (14/71) of the total mutations found within the MLH1 exon 16 gene while insertion frameshift mutation was observed in 2.8% (2/71) of the cases.Item Antibody Responses Generated Against P. Falciparum and A. Gambiae Antigens in Suspected Malaria Patients with Variant Haemoglobin Genotypes(University Of Ghana, 2021-07) Agrah, B.HbAS and HbAC are known to be protective against P. falciparum infection, but it is unclear how this protection is conferred in malaria symptomatic patients in Ghana. Theoretically, HbAS and HbAC protect against P. falciparum malaria by improving naturally acquired immunity to the parasite. Also, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has played a significant role in blood parasite clearance in individuals infected with P. falciparum, suggesting the protective mechanism of the acquired immunity. This study investigated haemoglobin genotypes and their effects on IgG levels in symptomatic malaria. This research was a nested archival cross-sectional study that enrolled 600 symptomatic malaria patients aged between 2 to 89 from the ten regions in Ghana. Parasite species and density were determined, followed by haemoglobin phenotyping for malaria microscopy-positive patients. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on all the samples to examine the differential effects of exposure to Anopheles mosquitoes (gSG6-P1), sexual stage malaria parasites (Pfs230), and asexual stage malaria parasites (EBA 175 3R). The haemoglobin variants observed among malaria microscopy-positive patients in eight regions of Ghana were HbAA, HbAC, HbSC, HbAS, HbSS, HbCC, and HbAF. In conclusion, there were significant differences in the total concentration of anti-EBA 175 3R and anti-gSG6-P1 antibodies in malaria negative and positive microscopy samples. Although a significant association was established between the concentrations of IgGs measured against the various antigens in different haemoglobin variants in malaria microscopy positive samples, it was clear that the number of participants with IgG against gSG6-P1 antigen was significantly greater in HbAA participants than in the other haemoglobin variants. Yet the same assessment could not be made for the sexual stage antigen (Pfs230) and the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA 175 3R). In general, no significant relationships were established between the influence of age, gender, and haemoglobin variants on the anti-Pfs230, anti-EBA 175 3R, and anti-gSG6- P1 antibodies.Item Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection among Sickle Cell Disease Patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Mawuli, G.Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Disease progression has been implicated with circulating genotypes of HCV. Determination of RNA and genotypes of HCV in sickle cell disease patients may give an indication of their contribution to the observed clinical manifestations and disease progression which will inform appropriate clinical management. Aim: This study sought to identify and characterize HCV in sickle cell disease patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which enrolled 142 sickle-cell patients from the Ghana Institute for Clinical Genetics, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Patient information was obtained through a questionnaire and 3/mls of whole blood was collected. The plasma obtained was screened by serology and the viral nucleic acid extracted was amplified by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with primers targeting the HCV core gene. Amplified DNA were purified and sequenced. Sequenced products were purified and put into the genetic analyzer for analysis. HCV genotypes were obtained by phylogenetic analysis. Results: A total number of 142 SCD patients were recruited in this study with majority of them being females (64%). The median age was 25 years. Seventy-two (51%) had been transfused. Out of the 142 patients’ samples collected 12 (9%) were sero-positive for anti- HCV total antibodies. HCV RNA was amplified from 8 (6%) out of the 142 patients’ samples. One of the 12 seropositives was HCV RNA positive. Five (63%) out of the HCV RNA positive samples were successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic tree constructed with GenBank reference sequences, clustered all five sequences from our study into genotype 1, specifically 1b. Conclusion: This study established the seroprevalence of 9% of total antibodies to HCV among sickle cell patients whilst circulating HCV among the study population were found to be genotype 1 strain.Item Geographical Differences of Antinuclear Antibodies and the Predisposition of Autoimmune Disease among Adults from Four Regions of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2018-07) Sarpong, B.K.Introduction: Despite being thought to be a group of rare disorders, the incidence of autoimmune conditions like Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis are on the rise in Ghana. Autoimmune disorders result from a breakdown of immunologic tolerance leading to an immune reaction against self-autoantigens. Antinuclear antibodies are a group of autoantibodies that mediate the pathogenesis of several autoimmune conditions especially SLE and has been relevant biomarkers in the diagnosis of several connective tissue disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the sera of the healthy population and in the sera of patients with autoimmune disorders, many years before the onset of the disease. Research on the susceptibility and potential of autoimmunity in the Ghanaian population is lacking. This study determined the prevalence, types, demographic and ethno-geographic correlates of antinuclear antibodies among healthy Ghanaian adults. Methods: Sera from 370 (133 males and 237 females, 1:1.8 male/female ratio) healthy Ghanaians from four regions and aged 18 years and above were tested for the presence of different antinuclear antibodies. The presence of anti-DFS70 was detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay and anti-dsDNA, chromatin, Ribosomal-P, Ro /SSA, SSA 52, SSA60, La / SSB, centromere B, anti-Sm, SmRNP, RNP 68, RNP A, Scl-70, and Jo1 were detected by multiplex immunoassay using Bio-Rad Bioplex 2200 system. The health status and demographics of each participant was determined through the administration of a structured questionnaire. Results: The total prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA positive) in the study participants is 14.21% which falls within the prevalence range estimated for other healthy populations. There was no significant difference in the positivity of antinuclear antibodies between both sexes, 14.84% and 12.61% (p-value=0.555) for male and female respectively. Most of the autoantibodies tested negative among majority of the study participants. There was no significant difference between age and the positivity for specific antinuclear antibodies tested (p-value 0.073-1) but there was a significant difference in ANA positivity with age (p-value=0.015). This conforms to the well-known hypothesis that autoantibody production increases with increasing age due to reduced self-regulatory mechanisms. There were significant ethnical and geographical differences in the prevalence of anti-dsDNA (p-values=0.048 and 0.013 respectively) with detection in only Ewes and Northerners (1.87% and 5.62% respectively) and the Upper West and Volta Regions (6.25% and 2.83% respectively). ANA positivity did not correlate with ethno-geographic distribution. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a high prevalence of antinuclear antibodies among healthy Ghanaian adults and that seems to be influenced mainly by age and sex. ANA positive frequency does not have a strong ethnic variability. Anti-dsDNA exhibit ethno -geographic variability.Item Molecular Characterization of Haemagglutinin Genes of Influenza B Viruses Circulating In Ghana during 2016 And 2017(University Of Ghana, 2018-07) Yakubu, A.M.Background: Influenza B viruses are receiving attention lately perhaps due to the degree of haemagglutinin (HA) antigen mismatching between vaccine composition strains and circulating strains. Neuraminidase inhibitor (NI) antiviral has also been implicated in prophylaxis and treatment of severe cases of influenza diseases. However, mutations in the two major surface glycoproteins, HA and nueraminidase (NA) could cause the virus to escape host defence mechanisms leading to failure of the host immune system to recognize the viruses as well as failure to antiviral therapy, data seems scanty hence the focus of this research. Main Objective: To molecularly characterize the lineages of influenza B virus strains that circulated in Ghana between 2016 and 2017. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that used selected Ghanaian archived influenza B clinical specimens: representatives of both lineages. Viral RNAs were extracted and amplified using real time reverse transcriptase assays (rtRT-PCR) and subsequently sequenced and analyzed. Results: A total of eleven and six amino acids substitutions were detected in the recent Ghanaian influenza B strains-influenza B Victoria and Yamagata lineages, respectively. Both Influenza B Victoria and Yamagata lineages were also closely related to Influenza B/Brisbane/60/2008 and Influenza B/Phuket/3073/2013 respectively. Conclusions: Three main amino acid substitutions (P31S, I117V and R151K) were found in influenza B Victoria lineages circulating between 2016 and 2017, with one strain possessing a unique glycosylation site at amino acid position 51 in the HA2 subunit. Two main substitutions (L172Q and M251V) were also detected in the HA gene of influenza B Yamagata. The recent deletion sub-group in influenza B virus reported by the US CDC was not identified among analysed specimens. Monitoring of the patterns of influenza B evolution would aid in efficient selection of representative viruses for use in the both the design and formulation of influenza vaccines.Item Immune Response To Genetically Diverse Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocytes In Areas Of High And Low Malaria Transmission Intensity In Southern Ghana(University of Ghana, 2017-06) Odarkwei, S.N.B.Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes are able to infect the mosquito even at levels below microscopic detection and are responsible for malaria transmission. Gametocytes are exposed to immune pressure from the host and as a result, the host is able to develop antibodies against these gametocytes. However, it has not been determined whether naturally acquired immune response against gametocytes have a direct correlation with the presence of sub-microscopic gametocytes in the peripheral blood. The aim of the study was to determine differences in the prevalence of gametocytes and access the quality and quantity of immune responses to gametocytes in two towns in Ghana which have different malaria transmission patterns and also determine whether genetically diverse gametocytes induce altered immune responses. The immunogenicity of gametocyte antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 were evaluated using archived serum samples from a longitudinal study involving children between the ages of 6 - 12 years. Briefly, the levels of antibodies against two gametocyte antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in sera of Ghanaian children were monitored using ELISA. Gametocyte prevalence and diversity was analyzed using amplification fragment length polymorphism of Pfg377 (female gametocyte osmiophilic gene) in corresponding cDNA samples. ELISA results showed that there was significant similarity in means of the IgG and IgM antibody response for both Pfs230 and Pfs48/45. PCR detected a higher allelic frequency of the Pfg377 gene in gametocytes found in Obom as opposed to Abura. The correlation analysis with SPSS statistical software showed that there was no significant association (r < 0.4 and p-value > 0.05) between naturally acquired immunity in the host and gametocyte diversity. However, further work would have to be done such as molecular quantification of the Pfg377 gene and membrane feeding with the serum samples to see its possible effect on malaria transmission.Item Association Between Hepcidin, Insulin Resistance And CRP In Type 2 Diabetes Patients At The Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2018-01) Boadi, A.L.Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and remains a global health challenge. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a leading root of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Growing evidence indicates a strong association between T2DM and high level of hepcidin; a major regulator of iron homeostasis. Iron overload is an important risk factor that plays a major role in pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. Insulin resistance and elevated c-reactive proteins have been shown to predict the occurrence of target organ damage in diabetes and in the general population, possibly across all age ranges. The study of the relationship between the major regulator of iron metabolism; hepcidin, C- reactive protein (CRP) and insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes patients may shed more light on the mechanisms of diabetes complications which may ultimately improve prevention and management strategies of this debilitating disease. General Aim: this study sought to investigate the association between hepcidin, insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels with T2DM and their connected variables in samples of diabetes patients at Korle-Bu teaching Hospital. Method: In the case-control study design, 111 T2DM patients were recruited from the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre (NDMRC), Korle-Bu, and 29 non-diabetic adults (controls) were recruited from surrounding communities. Body mass index, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, hepcidin and C- reactive protein levels were determined for each participant. HOMA2-IR was calculated. T2DM was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, and the use of anti-diabetic drugs. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. University of Ghana Anthropometric measurements such as body fat, weight (kg), height (m), waist circumference (m) and hip circumference (m) were also measured. Results: in unadjusted analysis, a significant difference in mean values of FPG, Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Low density Lipoprotein cholesterol, Triglyceride, insulin, and HOMA-IR was observed between subjects with and without T2DM. CRP level was significantly higher in both T2DM and non T2DM subjects (p = 0.02). In both cases and controls, there was a significant association and positive correlation between CRP and hepcidin (p< 0.01), log insulin (p= 0.02), and HOMA-IR (p= 0.05). Subjects with higher CRP levels (> 3.0 mg/L) are at increased risk of T2DM compared to those with low CRP levels. Hepcidin correlated negatively with IR (p= 0.05) and Insulin (p= 0.02) and correlated negatively with β cell function (p= 0.04) and insulin sensitivity (p= 0.04). Conclusions: These results suggest that elevated CRP, increased IR and reduced hepcidin levels are associated with T2DM. Recommendations: Further work with larger sample size as well as other confounding protein analysis should be carried out in the future. Further longitudinal studies should be carried out to identify the causative link which might be unique to the Ghanaian.Item Anti-Gametocyte Antibody Levels and Submicroscopic Gametocytaemia in an Area of Seasonal Malaria Transmission(University of Ghana, 2016-03) Quaye, J.; Dzudzor, B.; Amoah, L.E.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences Department of Medical BiochemistryBackground: Malaria is one of the leading vector-borne infectious diseases in the world with alarming death rates, which is of public health concern. Only 0.1-1 gametocyte per μL blood is sufficient to spread malaria; however microscopy which is the gold standard for detection has a detection limit of 8 gametocytes per μL. Therefore, some individuals who may be diagnosed by microscopy as negative for gametocyte may be possible reservoirs of malaria transmission. Main Objective: This study determined sub-microscopic gametocyte prevalence and antigametocyte antibody levels to gamete surface antigens Pfs230, Pfs48/45 (transmission blocking vaccine candidates) and crude gametocyte antigen (G. Extract) from collected blood samples in recruited volunteers from the Bongo District in the Upper East Region of Ghana, which is an area of seasonal malaria transmission. Also, a determination of the correlation between the prevalence of submicroscopic gametocyte levels and anti-gametocyte antibody levels was conducted. Design: Indirect enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the levels of antigens (Pfs230, Pfs48/45, crude gametocyte antigen, glutamate rich protein (GLURP) and merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3)) specific antibodies in archived serum samples. Messenger ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) was extracted from archived blood samples preserved in RNA later (an RNA preservative) at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR). Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from the mRNA using a reverse transcriptase. Nested PCR was carried out to amplify the Pfs25 gene from the cDNA products and visualized on a 2% agarose gel. Results: It was established that prevalence of gametocyte carriage at submicroscopic level (2.76 %) was two times higher than gametocyte carriage estimated by microscopy (1.26 %).Antibodies to all the antigens tested were lowest among the under-five (5) years and seroprevalence (%) frequently increased with age. Linear regression analysis revealed that, gametocyte-specific antibody response was influenced by level of gametocytaemia and other confounding factors. A moderate but significant correlation was found to exist between Pfs230 antibody titres and antibody titres against the crude gametocyte antigen during both the wet and dry seasons (Wet season: Spearman r = 0.414, p < 0.0001; Dry season: Spearman r = 0.390, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There were antibody levels to gametocyte antigens Pfs48/45, Pfs230 and crude gametocyte antigens and generally antibody levels decreased in the dry season. In addition, antibody seroprevalence increased with age for both wet and dry seasons. This is a confirmation that these antigens are potential candidates for transmission blocking vaccines. A submicroscopic level of gametocytes was over two-fold higher compared to microscopic estimates of gametocytes. Also, there was weak but significant correlation between Pfs230 and G. Extract. This means that Pfs230 can be used in place of crude gametocyte antigen for the estimation of gametocyte exposure. Finally, from this study it was established that the gametocytespecific antibody response was influenced by level of gametocytaemia and other confounding factors.Item Common Mitochondrial Dna Mutations among Infertile Males on Referral to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Bimah, B.; Ocloo, A.; Dzudzor, B.; University of Ghana, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences Department of Medical BiochemistryBackground: Studies to find the association between male infertility and mtDNA mutations have been carried out by many researchers but reports from these studies have been varied and contradictory at times. However studies of this nature are scarce in Ghana. The present study has therefore provided a baseline data on mtDNA mutations in relation to male infertility for further studies to be carried out in this area. Main Objective: The overall objective is to ascertain the common mtDNA mutations in the sperm of Ghanaian infertile men referred to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, with the various forms of sperm abnormalities compared to their normospermic counterparts and fertile controls. Design: The study was carried out at the Urology and the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments of the KBTH, Accra. Patients referred to these Departments were recruited for the study where their demographic and clinical information was collected by means of a questionnaire. Semen samples were collected from 56 patients and 5 fertile participants as controls. A standard semen analysis was conducted on the samples and was followed by total DNA extraction, amplification and purification of mtDNA from the total DNA after which sequencing was performed using the next generation sequencer (Illimina-MiSeq). Results: The percentage of male infertility due to asthenozoospermia and oligospermia were 1.79% and 5.36% respectively. Majority of the patients, 17 (30.36%) had normal semen parameters, followed by those suffering from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (16, 28.57%). Poor semen parameters were observed in 16 out of the 23 patients of the study population who are in the habit of drinking alcohol and/or smoking. Thirteen (13) of the patients responded to be either having Gonorrhoea or have treated it and 9 (69.23%) of them were abnormospermic. Analysis of the mtDNA revealed a high frequency of nucleotide changes in the infertile males in the genes: 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, ND2, ND3, ND4, ND5, CO1, CO3, CYTB, and ATPase6. Significant nucleotide changes were observed in the genes: [12S rRNA (nt 750, 1438), 16S rRNA (nt 2706), ATPase6 (nt 8701, 8860), CYTB (nt 14766, 15301, 15326), CO1 (nt 7028), CO3 (nt 9540), ND2 (nt 4769), ND3 (nt 10398), ND4 (nt 10873, 11719), ND5 (nt 12705)] of the infertile males as well as the controls. No mutations were however observed among the patients and controls in the following genes: [TRNL-1(nt 3243), ATPase6 (nt 8821), ND4 (nt 11994)] contrary to what has been reported in other studies. The gene ATPase6 (nt 9055) had only one sample exhibiting the G9055A mutation out of the valid 22 samples. Conclusion: The major cause of infertility among men who are referred to the Urology and the Obstetrics and Gynaecology units of the KBTH is oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with a percentage of 28.57. Infertility due to oligospermia and asthenozoospermia were 5.36% and 1.79% respectively in the study population. A relatively high percentage of (23.21%) of the infertile population were people observed to be suffering from Gonorrhoea or have treated it. The association between mtDNA mutation and male infertility could not be established due to smaller number of controls for an inferential statistical analysis. However it was revealed that the same form of mutations among the infertile population were also observed in the few number of controls used in the study. The type of mutation observed in all the 11 genes analysed in this study was transitional mutation.Item Anti-Breast Cancer Properties of Some Medicinal Plants in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Narh, H. A.; Dzudzor, B.; University of Ghana College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology.Cancer remains a killer disease worldwide and research into various anticancer agents must continue unabated to assuage the devastating effects of the disease. Medicinal plants have been utilised since antiquity to cure various ailments and plant species continue to serve as sources of prototypes for drug discovery. The study sought to screen Ghanaian traditional medicinal plants for their antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and determine the mechanism of induction of cytotoxicity. A total of 40 fractions comprising 14 fractions of ethyl acetate, 14 fractions of dichloromethane and 12 fractions of petroleum ether from 16 plant species were examined for their cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using the MTT assay. Aqueous and 50% hydroethanolic extracts of M. oleifera were also examined analogously to evaluate their antioxidant activities. The results showed a dose dependent activity of the fractions on the breast cancer cell line with varying IC50 values. F. exasperata, P. pinnata, H. indicum, P. macrocarpus, A. melegueta, M. charantia, A. conyzoides, S. rotundifolius and A. cordifolia. were species that demonstrated the strongest cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell line with IC50 values ranging from 3.8 μg/mL to 33.7 μg/mL with selectivity indices for most of the bioactive fractions > 2. The selectivity indices for the most bioactive fractions ranged from 1.5 to 10.5. O. gratissimum, F. aestuans, and A. zygia demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 values of ranging from 41.9 μg/mL to 51.2 μg/mL. Aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of M. oleifera showed no significant antiproliferative activities towards the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The antioxidant activities of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were 3.0 mg/mL and 3.1 mg/mL respectively indicating a good free radical scavenging property. The total phenolic content of the extracts were 177 mgGAE/g of extract and 168 mgGAE/g of extract for the aqueous and 50% University of Ghana hydroethanolic extracts, respectively. The selectivity indices of some of the bioactive fractions identified them as excellent candidates for further research and possible utilisation as drug leads. Some of the results also give empirical evidence as to the anecdotal use of the plants in folk medicine. Examination of the petroleum ether fraction of Aframomum melegueta demonstrated that apoptosis is induced as a mechanism of cytotoxicity.