Prof. Olawale Razaq Ajuwon photograph
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Prof. Olawale Razaq Ajuwon

Professor | Lecturer

Faculty of Life Sciences · Department of Biochemistry

Specialization Redox Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Molecular Toxicology, and Phytomedicine

Office: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

Phone: 08054127724

Email: olawale.ajuwon@fuoye.edu.ng

Biography

Professor Olawale Razaq Ajuwon is a distinguished Nigerian academic and researcher in the field of Biochemistry, with specialization in Redox Biochemistry, Phytomedicine, Environmental Toxicology, and Molecular Toxicology. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. After an undergraduate and postgraduate training in Biochemistry, Professor Ajuwon obtained a Doctor Technologiae (D.Tech.) degree in Biomedical Sciences from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa, in 2013. His academic career has been distinguished by several competitive scholarships and fellowships, including the CPUT Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships, NRF Free-Standing Postdoctoral Fellowship, Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the Swiss Government Excellence Research Scholarship at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. He was also a recipient of the Young Investigator Award at the 2016 Oxygen Club of California World Congress. Professor Ajuwon has extensive teaching and mentoring experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has supervised more than 150 undergraduate projects, and numerous M.Sc. research dissertations. He currently has six Ph.D. students under his supervision. His research focuses on oxidative stress, inflammation, and redox signalling in non-communicable diseases (specifically hypertension, diabetes, and cancer), and the role of natural products and functional foods in their management. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has participated in competitive research projects, including a TETFund Institution-Based Research Grant. Professor Ajuwon has held several academic leadership positions, including Departmental Postgraduate Programme Coordinator and Acting Head of the Department of Biochemistry. He has also served on numerous Faculty and University committees and investigative panels. His contributions to university administration have earned commendations from the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of his Faculty. He continues to contribute to academic development through research, postgraduate mentorship, external examination, academic assessment, and professional service.

Research Interests

The principal research interests in my laboratory are in redox biochemistry, environmental and molecular toxicology, phytomedicine and cancer biology. Our research seeks to understand the role of oxidative and reductive stress, inflammation, and redox signalling in pathophysiology of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cancer, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia among others. Our research also explores the pharmacological potentials of medicinal plants and bioactive phytochemicals, as well as their mechanisms of action. In our research, we integrate biochemical, molecular, toxicological, and in silico approaches to investigate therapeutic strategies for management of diabetes, cancer, organ toxicity, and other oxidative stress-related disorders.

Qualifications

Selected Publications

  1. Nrf-2/HO-1 modulatory effects of Ocimum gratissimum flavonoid-rich leaf extract in the livers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Salami SA, Okesola MA, Patrick DP, Omojemite TO, Omolare BO, Ajuwon OR, Alsanie WF, Alamri AS, Alhomrani M, Alshammary AF, Asdaq SMB and Ojo A.O
    Nutrire, 51, 41 (2026)
  2. Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) supplementation on hepatic caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression in Wistar rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Ajuwon OR, Jimoh AM, Olawale MT, Adesuyi IP, Fasugba IT, Agboinghale PE, Okesola MA, Ojelabi AO, Olatunde A, Jeje TO, Bello TO, Oyinloye BE and Abass KS
    Food Science and Nutrition, 14, e71564 (2026)
  3. Crude extract and phenol-rich fractions from Vernonia amygdalina leaves ameliorates streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in rats by mitigating hepatic injury, dyslipidemia, and production of oxido-inflammatory markers
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Oladejo DR, Adeoye AO, Falode JA, Ajiboye BO, Osunsanmi FO and Oyinloye BE
    Journal of Xenobiotics, 16, 53 (2026)
  4. Modulation of KIM-1/TGF-β1 signaling pathway by Ocimum gratissimum leaf flavonoid-rich extracts in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Ajuwon OR, Jeje TO, Ijiyemi OD, Ogunmilade AF, Okesola MA, Hosseinzadeh H, Oyinloye BE, Ogedenbgbe OO and Kowalski R
    Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, 39(1), 34-40 (2026)
  5. Reno‑protective effect of polyphenolic‑rich extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves in streptozotocin‑induced type 1 diabetic rats.
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Adeoye AO, Oladejo DR, Falode JA and Ajiboye BO
    Comparative Clinical Pathology, 35, 58 (2026)
  6. In Silico Exploration of Antimalarial Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Heliotropium indicum
    Authors: Faleye BC, Bamisaye FA, Fatoki TH and Ajuwon OR
    Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences, 41, 83-91 (2026)
  7. Protective effects of flavonoid-rich extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves on streptozotocin-induced testicular damage in rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Famusiwa CD, Falode JA, Akojuru DO, Owolabi BT, Adejumo AA, Oyinloye BE, Ajuwon OR, Ogedengbe OO and Ojo OA
    Phytomedicine Plus, 100808 (2025)
  8. Ameliorative effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf flavonoid extract on the PSA/CEA/AKT/MMP‑9 signaling pathway in benign prostatic hyperplasia‑induced rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Famusiwa CD, Ognenemine EE, Agboola DI, Akinlolu OS, Fatoki TH, Agbolade AO, Ojelabi AO, Ajuwon OR, Oyinloye BE, Iriti M, Okesola MA, and Ojo OA
    Comparative Clinical Pathology, 34, 889-900 (2025)
  9. Neuroprotective effects of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil on enzymatic mechanisms underlying scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in albino rat brain
    Authors: Ojelabi AO, Onodugo CA, Babalola AO, Otenaike OE, Brai BIC, Ajiboye BO, Ajuwon OR and Bamisaye FA
    Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Research, 1 (Issue 1), 466-474 (2025)
  10. Effect of different high-fat diets on lipid profile in Albino rats
    Authors: Nwokoro PC and Ajuwon OR
    Covenant Journal of Physical and Life Sciences, 13(1) (2025)
  11. Fundamentals of reductive stress
    Authors: Falode JA, Olofinlade TB, Ajiboye BO, Ajuwon OR, Falode TF and Iriti M
    Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 38(6), 4567-4582 (2024)
  12. Alkaloid-rich extract of Lannea egregia leaf protect against cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Folorunso IM, Akinfemiwa KI, Oyinloye BE, Lawal OE, Ojo OA, Ezema, M, Ajuwon, OR and Ardekani EA. (2024)
    Phytomedicine Plus, 100513 (2024)
  13. Molecular docking, MMGBSA, and ADMET studies of phytoconstituents of Ocimum gratissimum on multiple breast cancer targets
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Fatoki TH, Akinnusi PA, Ajuwon OR, Oyinloye BE, Jeje TO, Owolabi OV, Ogedengbe OO and Genovese C
    Natural Products Research, 1-9 (2024)
  14. Flavonoid-rich extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf attenuate cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced rats
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Famusiwa CD, Ajaesowuonu JF, Chibueze OP, Adejumo AA, Onikanni SA, Ajeigbe KO, Ajuwon OR, and Oyinloye, B. E
    Comparative Clinical Pathology, 33, 927-941 (2024)
  15. Fermented rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) ameliorates sodium fluoride-induced cardiorenal toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation via modulation of NF-κB/IκB/IκKB signaling pathway in Wistar rats
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Adeleke AA, Ajiboye BO, Lawal AO, Folorunso I, Brai B, Bamisaye FA, Falode JA, Odoh I, Adegbite KI and Adegoke OB
    Cardiovascular Toxicology, 24, 240-247 (2024)
  16. Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response and drug efflux transporters upregulation as possible mechanisms of resistance in photodynamic therapy of cancers
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Nsole-Biteghe FA, Ndong JD, Davids LM, Ajiboye BO, Brai B, Bamisaye FA, Falode JA, Odoh IM, Adegbite KI, Adegoke BO, Ntwasa M, Lebelo SL and Ademola Ayeleso AO
    Oncotargets and Therapy, 17, 605-627 (2024)
  17. Ethnobotanical Survey and Antioxidant Potentials of Selected Medicinal Plants in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Efon Alaaye, Ikole, and Oye Local Government Areas in the Southwest of Ekiti State, Nigeria
    Authors: Bamisaye, FA, Ajuwon, O.R, Ajiboye, BO, Oluwajobi, OA, and Adejumo, AA
    FUOYE Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 8(3), 10-28 (2023)
  18. In vivo antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Prosopis africana fruit extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats
    Authors: Bamisaye FA, Ayodele OA, Ajuwon OR, Oluwajobi AO and Ajiboye, BO
    Nutrire, 48(1), 29 (2023)
  19. Free and bound phenols from Cymbopogon citratus mitigated hepatocellular injury in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic male rats via decrease in oxidative stress, inflammation, and other risk markers
    Authors: Falode JA, Olofinlade TB, Fayeun GS, Adeoye AO, Bamisaye FA, Ajuwon OR and Obafemi TO
    Pharmacological Research-Modern Chinese Medicine, 100234 (2023)
  20. In silico assessment of Hibiscus sabdariffa as a possible therapeutic agent for breast cancer management
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Akinnusi PA, Fatoki TH, Adigun DK, Adewole ZO, Efekemo EO, Ayotunde BT, Julius BP, Falode, JA, Ajuwon OR and Oyinloye, BE
    Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, 41, 101330 (2023)
  21. Phytochemical composition, HPLC-DAD fingerprinting, antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting potentials of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extracts
    Authors: Falode JA, Ajigbayi OP, Dada EO, Olofinlade TB, Ajayi PD, Adeoye AO, Bamisaye FA, Ajuwon OR, and Obafemi TO
    FUOYE Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 7(3), 85-104 (2022)
  22. Hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant potentials of ethanolic stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Authors: Bamisaye FA, Ajuwon OR, Ibrahim RB, Sulyman AO, Jubril AO
    Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences 37, 137-145 (2022)
  23. Effect of flavonoid-rich extract from Dalbergiella welwitschii leaf on redox, cholinergic, monoaminergic, and purinergic dysfunction in oxidative testicular injury: Ex vivo and in silico studies
    Authors: Ajiboye BO, Oyinloye BE, Ojo OA, Lawal OE, Jokomba YA, Balogun BA, Adeoye AO and Ajuwon OR
    Bioinformatics and Biology Insights, 16, 1-17 (2022)
  24. Red palm oil ameliorates oxidative challenge and inflammatory responses associated with lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic injury by modulating NF-kB and Nrf2/GCL/HO-1 signaling
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Marnewick JL, Oguntibeju OO and Davids LM
    Antioxidants, 11(8), 1629 (2022)
  25. The potential of South African Herbal Tisanes, Rooibos and Honeybush in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Ayeleso AO and Adefolaju GA
    Molecules, 12, 3207 (2018)
  26. Hepatic, Renal and Endogenous Antioxidant Status Modulatory Effects of Chronic Co-supplementation of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and Red Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis) in male Wistar rats
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Oguntibeju OO and Marnewick JL
    African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 13(3): 1-15 (2016)
  27. Rooibos and its major flavonoids: Potential against oxidative stress-induced conditions
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Marnewick JL and David LM
    In: Basic Principles and Clinical Significance of Oxidative Stress. Gowder, S (Ed). ISBN 978-953-51-4223-2. Intech Europe, Rijeka, Croatia. Pp 171 – 218 (2015)
  28. The combination of red palm oil and rooibos shows anti-inflammatory effects in rats
    Authors: Katengua-Thamahane E, Marnewick JL, Ajuwon OR, Chegou NN, Szucs G, Ferdinandy P, Csont T, Csonka C and Van Rooyen J
    Journal of Inflammation, 11: 41 (2014)
  29. Amelioration of lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by aqueous rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract via inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Oguntibeju OO and Marnewick JL
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14: 392 (2014)
  30. Protective effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and/or red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) supplementation of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats
    Authors: Ajuwon OR, Katengua-Thamahane E, Van Rooyen J, Oguntibeju OO and Marnewick JL
    Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013: 984273 (2013)

Awards

Grants

Total Grant: NAIRA 1,728,600.00

Membership of Professional Bodies

Paper Presentation - Local

Paper Presentation - International

Postgraduate Ph.D Supervision

Postgraduate M.Sc Supervision

Undergraduate Project Supervision

Course Teaching

Professional Skill

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites100%
Statistical Analysis with Different Softwares80%

Photo Gallery / Picture Evidence

Picture evidence