# A Node For African Thought

Research and Innovation

To achieve and maintain the University’s vision and mission, the research and innovation division contributes mainly by promoting the research related goal of the institution which is: to drive growth in UNIZULU research and Innovation

Dr Nokulunga Hlengwa

Faculty: Science, Agriculture and Engineering

Department: Biochemistry and Microbiology

Discipline: Biochemistry

 

Highest Qualification

PhD Biochemistry

Contact details

Email: HlengwaN@unizulu.ac.za 

Phone: +27 35 902 6780

Campus: KwaDlangezwa

Research Interest Areas

Assessing potential herb-drug interactions between herbal medicines that are commercially available and conventional drugs. Divulging mechanism of interactions induced by the herbal medicines which may possibly alter the absorption, distribution metabolism and elimination of the conventional pharmaceutical drug. This is achieved by using various in vitro and in vivo models.

Active Research Projects

Elucidating the mechanisms of action and clinical implications of herb-drugs interactions: focusing on anti-diabetic and lipid lowering drugs and ethinylestradiol based oral contraceptive

Exploring high-resolution satellite imagery capability for mapping of water quality in the micro-water bodies in areas within urban and peri-urban areas of the Tshwane and eThekwini Metropolitan areas

Research Niche Area(s) of current projects

Herb-drug interactions

Awards & Honors

Novartis development grant award in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council, Medicines for Malaria Venture and the Department of Science and Technology 2018-2019.

Teaching Interest Areas

Biomolecules and Enzymology (Second Year Students),
Recombinant DNA Technology (Third Year),
Techniques in Molecular Biology (Honor’s level)

Impactful Research Publications

(Author(s); Year; Title; journal / publisher)

Hlengwa N, Muller CJ, Basson AK, Bowles S, Louw J, Awortwe C. Herbal supplements interactions with oral oestrogen‐based contraceptive metabolism and transport. Phytotherapy Research. 2020 Feb 3.

Viraragavan A, Hlengwa N, de Beer D, Riedel S, Miller N, Bowles S, Walczak B, Muller C, Joubert E. Model development for predicting in vitro bio-capacity of green rooibos extract based on composition for application as screening tool in quality control. Food & Function. 2020;11(4):3084-94.

Shabalala, S.C., Johnson, R., Basson, A.K., Ziqubu, K., Hlengwa, N., Mthembu, S.X., Mabhida, S.E., Mazibuko-Mbeje, S.E., Hanser, S., Cirilli, I. and Tiano, L., 2022. Detrimental Effects of Lipid Peroxidation in Type 2 Diabetes: Exploring the Neutralizing Influence of Antioxidants. Antioxidants, 11(10), p.2071.

Mthiyane, F.T., Dludla, P.V., Ziqubu, K., Mthembu, S.X., Muvhulawa, N., Hlengwa, N., Nkambule, B.B. and Mazibuko-Mbeje, S.E., 2022. A Review on the Antidiabetic Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts: Focusing on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Main Therapeutic Targets. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13.

N., Hlengwa, Masilela C., Mtambo T. R., Sithole S., Naidoo S., Machaba K. E., Shabalala S. C., Ntamo Y., Dludla P. V., and Milase R. N. 2023. "In Vitro Hepatic Models to Assess Herb–Drug Interactions: Approaches and Challenges" Pharmaceuticals 16, no. 3: 409. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16030409

A Node for African Thought

KwaDlangezwa Campus

1 Main Road, Vulindlela,

Kwadlangezwa, 3886

 

Richards Bay Campus

Coner Guldengracht & Cent Cir Road,

Richards Bay, 3900

Quick links

Research Outputs

Research Ethics

Policies and Processes

Training and Development

DHET Accredited Journals

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Contacts

Director: 035 902 6779

Research Office Secretary: 035 902 6273

NRF & Postgraduate Funding: 035 902 6909

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