In-vitro Antibacterial Activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus Dc (Stem Bark) Extracts against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Antibacterial secreening of ethanolic, aqueous and chloroform extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus was carried out against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The result shows that all the extract exhibited antibacterial activity against the test organisms with the exception of the lowest concentration of aqueous and chloroform extract. Ethanolic extracts at concentration of 300ug/ml showed greater activity against E. coli (16mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (15mm) than the remaining extracts. Activity was greater against E.coli in response to all fractions (16mm, 15mm, and 12mm respectively at the highest concentrations than the Staphylococcus aureus (14mm, 11mm, and 9mm). Results showed that, antibacterial activity of the extracts was dose - dependant. Augmentin and gentamicine were the antibiotics used as the positive control discs against the test organisms. These antibiotics showed greater activity than the crude extracts respectively. The bioactive compounds detected in the extracts were alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and saponins. As there is growing interest in obtaining sample of plant materials with a view to explore the possibilities for medicinal products and in addition the current global upsurge of bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs, the plant may be used as promising candidate for drug development.Keywords: Antibacterial, Extracts, Concentration, Bioactivity, Inhibition. Anogeissus leiocarpu

A Survey of Major Ethno Medicinal Plants of Kano North, Nigeria, Their Knowledge and Uses by Traditional Healers

An ethno botanical survey of major ethnomedicinal plants was carried out in the study area (Kano north senatorial district, Nigeria), their knowledge and uses by the local healers was determined. Data was obtained through the use of interviewer administered questionnaires, distributed at random to the traditional healers as the target respondents. Research shows that various plant species from 25 families were reported to be used in the treatment of various human ailments. Majority of these plants (73.2%) were wild, and 40% were harvested mainly for their leaves. Most of the plants were trees (44%). About 45.2% have been reported to be used in dry form. Concoction was the major method of preparation of the medicinal plants (46%). The most reported threat to the availability of medicinal plants was deforestation (43.6%). Many additives like edible oil, honey, butter, porridge, garlic were used in almost 58% of the remedy preparations. In addition, more than one medicinal plant species were used more frequently than the use of single species for medicinal preparations.Keywords: Ethnobotany, Senatorial zone, Knowledge, Use

Effect of different media on the in vitro growth of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) explants

The effect of media composition on the growth of cactus explants was investigated. Two media designated A and B were used in this study. Medium A contained basal Murashige Skoog salt (MS salt)and vitamins supplemented with 5% sucrose and 1% BAP (benzyl amino purines) and media B containing vitamins and MS salt supplemented with 3% sucrose, 1.25 mg/l BAP, and 0.25 mg/l IAA (indole acetic acid). These media were used to culture cactus explants over a period of 30 days, with aview to determine the effect of difference in the supplements on days to shoot emergence, shoot height, percentage survival and percentage oxidation (secretion of phenolic compounds) of the explants in. Analysis of the results indicated that there was no significant difference between the two media used in terms of the shoot height and days to shoot emergence

Sensitivity of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing enterobacteriacea to Acalypha maccafeana extracts

Powdered leaves of Acalypha maccafeana (L.) “Red Acalypha” was extracted with ethanol and fractionated with Petroleum ether, Chloroform and n-butanol using maceration technique. The extract and fractions were tested for antimicrobial activity against confirmed extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing enterobacteriaceae isolates of Escherichia coli, Citrobacter species, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella species, Proteus species and Salmonella species using disc diffusion method and microbroth dilution technique. The extract and fractions were further subjected to screening for phytochemical constituents. Sensitivity test results showed that ethanol extract, petroleum ether and residue fractions of red Acalypha were active against the isolates tested. The results of phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, steroids and tannins in both extract and fractions with flavonoids only present in ethanol extract and residue fractions of the plant. Keywords: Sensitivity, β-lactamase, Enterobacteriaceae, Acalypha maccafean

A survey of sorghum downy mildew in sorghum in the Sudano-Sahelian Savanna zones of Nigeria

An extensive survey was conducted across the 13 states constituting the Sudan and Sahel savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria to determine the occurrence and distribution of sorghum downy mildew in sorghum during the 2008 growing season. The survey was conducted at two different stages of the crop development; seedling and dough stage. The first survey was in early July while the second was carried out in late September. Three farmers’ fields were critically investigated at every stop on a road system. During the first survey, a total of 97 farmers’ fields in 36 locations were investigated while 110 sorghum fields in 37 locations were visited in the second survey. Average incidence (%) of the disease was obtained from a sample of 100 plants selected using simple random sampling technique from each of the three farms visited per stop. Results of the survey (16.20 and 9.64% and 3.28 and 1.16% during the first and second visits in the Sudan and Sahel savanna AEZs respectively) indicated that the disease was present only at the seedling stage and virtually absent at flowering stage .In the areas where it was noticed at the juvenile stage the incidence was more prevalent in the Sudan than in the sahel savanna regions. The results also revealed that there was a relationship between soil type (which was mostly sandy loam) and disease incidence. Disease incidence was relatively higher on sandy loam soil than other soil types. The prevalence was generally low, but efforts should be made towards controlling the spread of the disease further. Farmers should be advised to use improved cultural practices like early sowing, seed dressing with the sole aim of reducing the disease. Keywords: sorghum downy mildew, incidence, distribution, Sudan and Sahel savanna agroecological zone

Screening of Sorghum Genotypes fFor Resistance to Loose Smut in Nigeri

One hundred and four sorghum genotypes were screened under field conditions for loose smut disease using the hypodermic stem injection artificial inoculation technique. The experiment was laid out on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. The results of the trial indicated that only twenty nine genotypes (27.9 %) showed loose smut symptom at varying degrees of incidence and with varying severity. Both disease incidence and severity were significantly different (P<0.01) among sorghum genotypes. More than 70 % (73 genotypes) were found to be immune (I) and 5.76 % (six) genotypes were highly resistant (HR) which included, SSV2008030, SSV2008031, SSV2008034, SSV2008066, SSV20080075, and SSV2008088 and nineteen (18.27%) were very susceptible (VS) genotypes. There was no moderately susceptible genotype obtained from the experiment. The results have shown that there are some promising sorghum genotypes that are resistant to the disease and could therefore be introduced to farmers and sorghum breeders for further breeding as well as multi-locational trials.Keywords; field screening, hypodermic injection, loose smut, sorghum varieties, Sudan savann

Effect of different types and levels of Organic Manures on Yield and Yield Components of Garlic (Allium sativum L) at Kadawa, Kano, Nigeria

Effects of different types and levels of organic manures on the yield and yield components of garlic (ex- Kofa var) was investigated. Two experiments were conducted under irrigation at the Institute for Agriculture Research (I.A.R) Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 (Nov- Mar) dry seasons. The treatments consisted of five levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 tons/ha) of three types of organic manures (poultry droppings (P.D), farm yard manure (FYM)and cow dung (CD) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Yield parameters studied included cured bulb weight , average bulb diameter, average number of cloves/bulb, average weight of cloves and cured bulb yield (kg/ha). The results showed Significant (P=0.5) effect of all organic manures with highest yield values obtained from poultry droppings, then cow dung and farmyard manure respectively. Increasing levels of all applied manures from 0- 10 tons/ha significantly increased all yield parameters assessed. Thus for optimum yield of garlic at Kadawa, the use of 7.5-10 tons/ha of poultry dropping could be recommended.Keywords: Poultry droppings (PD), Farm yard manure (FYM), Cow dung (CD), Kadawa, Sudan Savanna, Garlic, Irrigation, yield and yield components

Comparative biocompatibility studies of Kirschner wire, allogeneic and canine xenogeneic cadaveric bone tissue implants in rat model

Pre-clinical safety or biocompatibility studies of newer biomaterials intended for clinical use are paramount in medical implant technology. The in vivo safety of rat (allogeneic) and dog (xenogeneic) cadaveric bone implants (CBI) in the present study were assessed through histological and haematological profiles. A total of 12 male Albino rats (average weight 120 g) divided into three groups (A, B & C) of four rats each was used. Rat (allogeneic) and dog (xenogeneic) cadaveric bone implants were surgically placed between the lateral and cranial vastus muscles (on the thigh) of the rats in groups B and C, respectively, while Kirschner wire/inert implants were used for group A and served as control. The rats were monitored for 30 days, and peripheral blood profiles, as well as tissue sections at intervals of 14 and 28 days, were harvested, studied and compared. Results showed that the overall performance of all groups of rats was good. There was marked cellular infiltration of myocytes in rats of groups B and C, and cartilage-like (hyaline) cells in group C at 14 and 28-days post-implantation, respectively. No significant alteration existed in the haemogram of all groups of rats except for the increased lymphocytes count observed in group B pre-implantation. In conclusion, canine CBI used in this study possess fairly excellent biocompatibility and osteoinductive potentials in the rat’s model. Therefore, having confirmed their relative in vivo safety and biocompatibility, further clinical trials involving the use of cadaveric bone tissues as good biomaterial for fabricating bone fixatives should be performed in higher animal models

Clinical and radiographic evaluations of healing femoral fractures managed with conventional and novel allo-cadaveric bone plates in dogs

Femoral diaphyseal fractures are usually amenable to reduction with the use of orthodox fixation implants, which in most cases are expensive and cause intense stress to the patient, hence the need for safer, new biomaterials. This study assessed the use of allo-cadaveric bone plates (CBP-A) and conventional bone plates in managing femoral fractures in dogs. A total of four 8-12 kg Nigerian indigenous dogs were randomly divided into two groups, with each consisting of a male and female dog. Sterilized osteotome wire was employed to surgically create transverse mid-shaft femoral fractures in all the dogs. The fractures in Group I dogs were managed using Vitallium-alloy bone plates and served as control, while Group II fractures were reduced and fixed using CBP-A. Clinical and radiographic assessments for three months were carried out to compare the fracture healing between the groups. Results showed an early stabilization of vital parameters with a premature attempt to use the operated limb on days 4 and 5 post-reduction in groups I and II, respectively. The radiographs revealed good fracture reduction and fixation in all the dogs with the gradual disappearance of the fracture line, as well as progressive bone remodelling as the fracture healing advanced through the sixth week. At 12 weeks, there was distinct medullary and cortical continuity in all the dogs. Therefore, the novel CBP-A used in this study has effectively provided the needed fixation stability with minimal external immobilization for the repair of dog femoral fractures; hence, it should be recommended for use