Diabetes remains a growing global health challenge, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that over 420 million adults currently live with the condition. Projections indicate this number may surge to 578 million by 2030 and further to 700 million by 2045. Now ranked among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, diabetes-related fatalities have seen a marked rise since the turn of the century.

Treatment of diabetes commonly involves insulin injections and a range of pharmaceutical agents such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. However, these medications are not without drawbacks. Reported side effects include liver complications, elevated risk of bladder cancer, water retention, impaired vitamin B12 absorption, and susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections. Cancer, another major global health burden, accounted for approximately 10 million deaths in 2020 alone, underscoring the urgent need for new and more effective therapies.

Amid these challenges, Nigerian-born chemist and biochemist Onu Emmanuel Chukwu is spearheading research that blends traditional plant knowledge with modern medicinal chemistry.

Formerly a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, and currently a research assistant at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Western Kentucky University, Chukwu is investigating how naturally occurring compounds and metal-based chemistry can contribute to the fight against chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer.

One of his notable studies involves the extraction and characterisation of oil from the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus (commonly known as jackfruit), a plant source often overlooked. He successfully extracted oil from the seeds and characterised it. Chukwu discovered that the oil is rich with the bioactive compound lauric acid. Lauric acid has been associated with weight reduction in individuals with type 2 diabetes—a critical factor in managing blood sugar levels.

In another significant study, Chukwu examined the antidiabetic potential of a Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf-supplemented diet using experimental models. His findings revealed that diets incorporating Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf effectively stabilised blood glucose levels in diabetic animal models through resurgent of islets of Langerhans and stimulation of surviving beta cells, which regulate insulin. He identified a key compound, 2-hydroxycarbazole, as playing a role in this therapeutic effect.

These studies demonstrate the promising role of plant-derived substances in developing safer, food-based treatment options with fewer side effects compared to conventional drugs.

Concurrently, Chukwu is currently engaged in the development of novel Platinum(II)-based anticancer drugs. Drawing inspiration from established platinum compounds such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, his research seeks to create improved alternatives with enhanced effectiveness and reduced toxicity.

By integrating indigenous knowledge of natural resources with cutting-edge research in metal-based drug design, Chukwu’s multidisciplinary work offers new hope for advancing the global pharmaceutical landscape and delivering innovative, accessible treatments to patients both in Nigeria and around the world.