Hematological and kidney-functional analysis of acetic acid-induced inflammatory rats administered flavonoid-rich fraction of Ficus sur

Background and aims: Unregulated inflammation causes dysfunctional immune system and could consequently lead to blood disorders due to impaired hematopoietic process, and also destruction of important organs as a result of autoimmunity. In this study, flavonoid-rich fraction of Ficus sur (FRFFS) is investigated for its effects on hematological parameters and renal metabolites in inflammation-induced rats. Materials and methods: Inflammation was induced in Wistar rats of average weight of 112.60 ± 0.75 g by successive oral administration of 6% at (20 ml/kg), 3% at (15 ml/kg) and 6% at (10 ml/kg) acetic acid for one week. Experimental animals were orally administered various doses of FRFFS; 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg for two weeks. Blood and kidney samples were collected for hematological parameters and kidney functional assays respectively, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: FRFFS significantly (p < 0.05) increased pack cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells and platelets, and significantly decreased white blood cells, most especially at 120 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg doses. Similarly, it significantly increased kidney urea and creatinine concentrations. Conclusion: Sequel to these findings, it is inferred that FRFFS could be a potential natural therapy for hematological and renal disorders.

Evaluation of the Sub Acute Toxicity of the Stem Bark of Andira inermis

The aqueous methanolic Andira inermis stem bark extract was screened in evaluation of its potential for its toxic effect in a 28 days study using the oral route only. The sub acute study was carried out in Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each; control group (a) received distilled water while the aqueous methanolic Andira inermis stem bark extract treatment groups (b), (c), and (d), received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively, for a period of 28 days, with their intake of feeds, water and signs of abnormality observed. At the end of the sub acute study, the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and blood collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and haematological evaluation. And the visceral organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, heart and spleen) excised for weighing and patho-morphological examination. The aqueous methanolic Andira inermis stem bark extract was found to; reduce the intake of water weekly, drop intake of feeds; significantly increased the red blood cell count (RBC), the haemoglobin concentration (HB), as well as the pack cell volume (PCV). The renal indices, showed the electrolytes sodium and chloride of the treatment groups (b, c and d) to be significantly different from the control. Urea was noticed to have reduce significantly and creatinine insignificantly. The organs weights across the Andira inermis treatment groups were noticed to be insignificantly (P › 0.05) different from the control for all the organs sampled (Lungs, Liver, Heart and Spleen) except for the kidney (organ weight which was noticed to have increased significantly). The patho-morphologies of the organs showed the heart to be normal, the kidney was normal in the control and the other treatment groups 100 mg 400 mg and 200 mg but a rat (an outlier) in one of the 200 mg group was noticed with tubular necrosis; the liver indicated a non concentration-dependent hepatitis while the lungs and the spleen presented an infective process. It was concluded that, the aqueous methanolic extract of Andira inermis is a safe medicinal plant with the capacity to; raise red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (HB) as well as the pack cell volume (PCV); proffers a nephro- protective property; shrunken spleen; have a hepato-protective property and as well was non toxic to the heart and lungs. These findings warrants further pharmacognostic efficacy experimental research to harness the array of benefits of Andira inermis as discovered in this study.

Clinicopathological effects of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds in Escherichia coli infected Psittaculakrameri.

The clinicopathological effects of E. coli infected Psittaculakrameri (ring necked parrots) supplemented with N. sativa seeds in feed were evaluated. Faecal samples from “psittacine” species parrots were collected and E. coli was isolated for cultural, morphological, biochemical and in-vitro studies. A total of 27 parrots were selected and divided into 03 groups (A= control, B= no treatment and C= treatment+ infection) having 09 parrots in each and were fed with N. Sativa seeds @100mg/kg from 3rd day. The parrots of group B and C were challenged with 0.1ml pathogenic E. coli @106CFU/ml/bird subcutaneously on day 9th. Clinical signs, mortality and morbidity rates were observed during the trial. For haematology, histopathology and CRP in sera, three birds were slaughtered weekly from each group. Significant decreased in feed consumption, haematological values like red blood cells, haemoglobin and pack cell volume while significant increase in clinical signs, morbidity, mortality, liver, heart, kidneys weights and white blood cell were recorded in group B. C-Reactive protein values was significantly decreased in group C as compared to group B while degenerative changes were seen in liver, heart and kidneys of group B.

Anthelmintic Effects and Toxicity Analysis of Herbal Dewormer against the Infection of Haemonchus contortus and Fasciola hepatica in Goat

Helminths have been a serious trouble for the farmers due to their adverse effects on small ruminant production. Hemonchus contortus (H. contortus) and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) are highly pathogenic and pose serious threat in co-existence. Because of increasing threat of anthelmintic resistance, alternative methods are being investigated and the herbal remedies stand the most prominent due to their efficacy and availability. Anthelmintic activity of the herbal mixture was evaluated in goats. Adult goats were selected at Livestock Production and Research Centre (LPRI) Bahadarnagar, Okara and were examined for helminth eggs in their feces. Twenty-four goats having almost similar egg per gram (EPG) of feces values of H. contortus and F. hepatica were selected and allocated to four groups of equal size. Herbal mixture was administered at dose rate of 1400, 1200 and 1000 mg/kg to each member of groups G1, G2 and G3, respectively on day 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the trials, while group G4 served as negative control receiving no medicine/herbal mixture. Trials continued for 30 days and data about EPG, fecal egg count reduction, complete blood count and serum biochemistry were collected before administration of herbal mixture at day 15 and day 30 of trial while animals were weighed before initiation of trial (day 0) and at the end of trial (day 30). All treatments showed a significant reduction in fecal egg count as compared to control group. Maximum fecal egg count reduction was observed in animals of group G1, which is 91.35% for H. contortus and 82.35% for F. hepatica. There was a slight increase in weight gain ratio of the treated animals in respective decreasing order with G1 having highest weight gain. An increase in erythrocyte count, pack cell volume and hemoglobin concentration was recorded while non-significant effect was observed on serum parameters. The results of this trial suggested that herbal dewormer is effective and can be an option for integrated management strategies for nematodes and trematodes control in the goats

Antiplasmodial Activity of Ketotifen-Artemether-Lumefantrine on Plasmodium Berghei Infected Mice

Introduction: The development of new antimalarial drugs is time-consuming and costly, thus repurposing of drugs with initial indications for possible antimalarial indication is imperative. This study assessed the antiplasmodial effect of ketotifen (KT) in combination with artemether/lumefantrine (A/L) in Plasmodium bergei infected mice. Materials and Methods: Adult mice (25-30g) were parasitized with Plasmodium berghei, grouped and treated per oral (p.o) with KT (0.1mg/kg), A/L (2.3/13.7mg/kg) and KT/A/L daily in curative, suppressive and prophylactic studies. The negative control (NC) and the positive control (PC) were treated daily p.o with normal saline (0.2mL) and chloroquine (CQ) (10mg/kg) for 4 days respectively. After treatment, blood samples were collected and assessed for percentage parasitemia level, hematological and lipid parameters. Results: The curative, suppressive and prophylactic studies showed significant decreases in percentage parasitemia levels at KT (0.1mg/kg) (p<0.01), A/L (2.3/13.7 mg/kg) (p<0.001) and KT/A/L (p<0.0001) when compared to negative control. Significant increases in mean survival times occurred at KT (0.1 mg/kg) (p<0.01), A/L (2.3/13.7mg/kg) (p<0.001) and A/L/T (p<0.0001) when compared to negative control. Significant increases in pack cell volume, red blood cells, hemoglobin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with significant decreases in total cholesterol, white blood cells, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels at KT (28.6 mg/kg) (p<0.05), A/L (2.3/13.7mg/kg) (p<0.01) and KT/A/L (p<0.001) when compared to negative control. Conclusion: KT may be repurposed in combination with A/L for malaria treatment.

Toxicity of aquaeous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles

A static bioassay experiment was set up to investigate effects of acute (96-hrLC50) concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on behaviourial and haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles. Evaluation of toxicity of leaf extracts at concentrations of: 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100mg/l was done at various time intervals on the fish. A total of 180 catfish juveniles with average initial weight of 8.37±1.36g and total length of 12.10±2.45cm were used. The fish were distributed among the treatments on complete randomized design. Each treatment had three replicates. The results showed that aqueous leaf extracts were toxic to experimental fish. There was an observed erratic movement, colour change from black to ash-brown and dark coloured belly of treated fish. There were slight changes in water quality parameters, with no significant effect (p>0.05) on the tolerance level of fish on G. latifolium leaf extracts. Mean values of 96-hrLC50 were 90.14mg/l and 2.78mg/l for the upper and lower limits while the threshold value was 0.26mg/l. Phyto-chemical analysis of the leaves showed constituents of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthrocyanide, alkaloids and glycosides. Effects of aqueous extracts on haematological indices revealed increasing values of pack cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular heamoglobin and mean corpuscular heamoglobin concentration counts with extract concentration. Thus, G. latifolium could be used as feed additive for improved fish production at concentration below 70%. Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, leaf extracts, behaviour, haematology, Clarias gariepinus

Nutritional, biochemical and organoleptic properties of high protein-fibre functional foods developed from plantain, defatted soybean, rice-bran and oat-bran flour

Purpose This study was aimed to develop and evaluate nutritional efficacy and bio-efficacy of food products from plantain, soycake, rice-bran and oat-bran flour. Design/methodology/approach The flour samples were blended as follows: plantain 70% and soycake 30% (PS); plantain 65%, soycake 30% and rice bran 5% (PSR); plantain 65%, soycake 30% and oat bran 5% (PSO); and plantain 60%, soycake 30%, rice bran 5% and oat bran 5% (PSRO). Antioxidant and nutritional properties of the blended foods and controls (100% plantain and Cerolina) were determined. Findings Protein (16.2–19.4 g/100g) and biological values (98.5–99.3%) of the food samples were significantly (p = 0.03) higher than 100% plantain (5 g/100g, 31.6%) and Cerolina (17.9 g/100g, 98.3%). Pack cell volume (36.2–42%), serum protein (7.3–9.3 mg/dL), urea/creatinine (1.1–2.8) and aspartate-aminotransferase/alanine-aminotransferase ratio (0.9–1) of the foods were significantly (p = 0.03, 0.01, 0.02 and <0.01, respectively) higher than 100% plantain (28%, 1.6 mg/dL, 4.6 and 0.8) and Cerolina (46%, 4.9 mg/dL, 3 and 0.73). In vivo antioxidant activity of the food samples decreased from PSRO to PSO, PSR and PS, respectively and were higher than control samples. Nutritional performance of formulated foods in rats was similar to that of Cerolina, but higher than in 100% plantain. Cerolina and 100% plantain were rated higher in overall acceptability than formulated foods; however, PSO was most preferred followed by PSRO for the formulated foods. Originality/value The study established that PSRO was rated best in terms of nutrition, growth performance and antioxidant activities. Hence, this food may be suitable as functional food to prevent malnutrition and oxidative stress.

IMPACT OF PREVENTIVE PRACTICES ON ANAEMIA DUE TO MALARIA AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING OUT-PATIENT CLINIC IN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study focused on the impact of preventive practices on anaemia due to malaria among children. The study considered Out-Patients children who came to laboratory for malaria diagnostic test. Blood sample was examined using Giemsa stain for parasite detection and speciation. Informed consent was obtained and structured questionnaire were administered. Pack Cell Volume was used to screened for anaemia. A total of 310 children were sampled. Malaria anaemia in relation to types of net used, children that were anaemic with malaria used damage insecticide nets recorded highest and least among those using untreated insecticide net with 57.1% and 38.0% respectively (p˃0.05). Malaria anaemia based on insecticide application, those used cover cloth (50.0%) against mosquito vector and are anaemic with malaria recorded highest while those applied house spray (25.0%) had the least. Malaria anaemia with regard to sleeping habit of the child at night, high proportion were seen in children that were anaemic with malaria sleeping outdoor (56.5%) while those sleeping indoor (36.9%) recorded least (p˃0.05). Subjects that were anaemic with malaria and previously used Sulphonamides (51.4%) had highest prevalence (p˃0.05). Children that were anaemic with malaria and period of last treatment of four months (58.2%) recorded highest while period of last treatment of one month (24.1%) had the least (p˃0.05). Therefore, insecticide application using house spray, stayed indoor at night using mosquito nets had an impact on reducing the risk of anaemia due to malaria.

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of the Leaf Latex of Aloe Weloensis (Aloaceae)

Background: Nature has gifted a variety of plants having potential effect against plasmodium parasites. The present study was aimed to determine in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis.Methods: In vitro antimalarial activity of the leaf latex of A. weloensis was determined against 3D7 strain of P. falciparum. Antimalarial activity of the three doses the latex was evaluated in 4 day-suppressive and curative models against P. berghei infected mice. Antioxidant activity of the leaf latex of A. weloensis was assessed in 2,2- diphenyl 1- picrylhydrazine assay model. Results: Antioxidant activity of the latex was concentration dependent; the strongest inhibition was measured at 400 μg/mL (73.54%). The leaf latex of A. weloensis was demonstrated inhibitory activity against 3D7 malarial strain (IC50 = 9.14 μg/ml). Suppressive and curative effect of the latex was found to be dose dependent. Parasitemia reduction was significant (200 mg/kg, p<0.01, 400 and ,600 mg/kg, p<0.001) in 4-day suppressive test compared to vehicle control. Parasitemia level of the mice treated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses of the latex significantly (p<0.001) reduced with suppression of 36%, 58% and 64% respectively in curative test. Administration of the leaf latex of A. weloensis significantly (p<0.01) improved mean survival time, pack cell volume, rectal temperature and body weight of P. berghei infected mice. Conclusion: The finding showed that the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis endowed prominent antimalarial and antioxidant activities. The result can serve as a step towards the development of safe and effective herbal therapy against plasmodium parasites.

SELECTED WELFARE PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS ON DIFFERENT FEED QUANTITY AND TIME

This study was conducted to determine welfare of broiler chickens fed ad libitum and restricted feed during early (08.00hour) and late (16:00hour) of the day. One hundred and eighty (21d old) broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 treatments in a 2x2 factorial arrangement comprising of ad libitum and restricted feeding (75% of ad libitum) quantity at 8 and 16 hours feeding time in three replicates. Data were collected on leg problem, dust bathing, body temperature, mortality and haematology. Result revealed that neither feed quantity nor time had significant (P>0.05) effect on leg problem, dust bathing and mortality of broiler chickens. Broiler chickens under ad lib feed quantity and 16:00hours feeding time had (P<0.05) highest body temperature (40.93oC) while those under ad libitum morning (08:00hours) recorded the least (40.75°C). Pack Cell Volume had similar (P>0.05) increase from 26.75% at the beginning (21d) to 31.25 (%) at 56d with broiler chickens under restricted feeding and fed at 16:00hours feeding time. Basophil count reduced from a range of 0.5-2% (P<0.05) to 1% (P>0.05) with restricted feeding. Also eosinophil reduced from 2-4% (P<0.05) range to 0-2.5% (P>0.05) with restricted feeding while birds under ad lib increased from 0-1% (P<0.05) at 21d to 2.75% (P>0.05) at 56d. Better welfare (good body temperature) of broiler chicken could be achieved with early feeding time irrespective of quantity. However, restricted feeding could be explored in broiler production where reduced basophil, eosinophil and stress are vital for enhanced welfare and performance.