Responses of rabbits to concurrent administration of Furosemide and Xylazine-Ketamine

The intramuscular (IM) administrations of 5 mg/kg xylazine, followed 30 min later by IM of 35 mg/kg ketamine alone (XK) or concurrently with IM of 1 mg/kg furosemide (XKF), were assessed in six healthy rabbits (4 bucks and 2 does) using selected anaesthetic indices (time to onset of anaesthesia, time to onset of analgesia, duration of analgesia, duration of recumbency/anaesthesia, and time to standing) as well as changes in heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) immediately following the loss of righting reflex and subsequently at 10 min intervals over a 60 min period of anaesthesia. Time to onset of anaesthesia with XKF group (4.4±1.5 min) was not significantly (P>0.05) different from that with XK group (4.6±0.9 min). Time to onset of analgesia with XKF rabbits (11.6±4.1 min) was similar to that with XK rabbits (11.2±2.0min). Duration of analgesia with XKF group (20.0±1.4min) was significantly s h o r t e r t h a n t h a t w i t h X K g r o u p (29.6±4.0min).The respective duration of recumbency/anaesthesia and time to standing with XKF group (79.6±7.7 min and 26.2±1.5 min) were significantly longer than those with XK group (61.4±7.5 min and 6.6±2.2 min). With XKF group, respective ranges of the mean HR, RR and RT were from 110.4±5.5 to 130.4±10.0 beats/min, 78.4±16.5 to 112.0±6.2 breaths/min and from 39.9±0.2 to 40.1 ± 0.2°C; while respective values with XK group were from 92.4±1.0 to 98.0±2.6 beats/min, 49.6±11.1 to 74.3±7.8 breaths/min and from 39.4±0.6 to 40.0±0.3°C. The mean values of HR and RR with XKF were significantly higher than those with the XK, whereas values of RT with both groups were similar throughout the period of the trials. It was concluded that administration of furosemide concurrently with xylazine-ketamine anaesthesia in healthy rabbits prolonged the duration of anaesthesia though it shortens the duration of analgesia.KEY WORDS: anaesthesia, concurrent, furosemide, ketamine, rabbits, xylazin

Cause and Effect Variations and Trait Selection Index for Indigenous Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Genotypes

Fifteen indigenous sesame genotypes of diverse origin within Nigeria were evaluated for three years to provide insight to their growth and yield performance. Days to 50% flowering, number of capsules per plant, weight of capsule and number of seeds per capsule recorded significant differences in their respective performance across the three year study period. The genotypes performed differently with respect to all the traits except seed weight while genotype x year interaction was not significant for flowering date and seed weight only. Genotypic variance components were high for sesame number of capsules per plant and seed per capsule relative to other variance components. Simple linear correlation and determination coefficients were also high for these traits. Number of capsule per plant and seed per capsule contributed highest direct effect to seed yield of sesame. In improving indigenous sesame seed yield, there is reliability in selecting for number of capsule and seed per capsule as these traits recorded highest selection index using heritability and genetic advance parameters.Key words: Variation, selection index, indigenous sesame, year effect, path analysi

Natural products and synthetic analogs as a source of antitumor drugs

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease and one of the major issues of health concern, especially for the public health system globally. Nature is a source of anticancer drugs with abundant pool of diverse chemicals and pharmacologically active compounds. In recent decade, some natural products and synthetic analogs have been investigated for the cancer treatment. This article presents the utilization of natural products as a source of antitumor drugs.This work was supported by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007

Phytochemicals in prostate cancer: From bioactive molecules to upcoming therapeutic agents

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease, the second deadliest malignancy in men and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. Traditional plants have been applied to handle various diseases and to develop new drugs. Medicinal plants are potential sources of natural bioactive compounds that include alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and steroids. Many of these naturally-occurring bioactive constituents possess promising chemopreventive properties. In this sense, the aim of the present review is to provide a detailed overview of the role of plant-derived phytochemicals in prostate cancers, including the contribution of plant extracts and its corresponding isolated compounds.This work was supported by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007. N. Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “NORTE2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012) and C. F. Rodrigues for the UID/EQU/00511/2019 Project—Laboratory of Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology, and Energy—LEPABE financed by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)

Apium plants: Beyond simple food and phytopharmacological applications

Apium plants belong to the Apiaceae family and are included among plants that have been in use in traditional medicine for thousands of years worldwide, including in the Mediterranean, as well as the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Some highlighted medical benefits include prevention of coronary and vascular diseases. Their phytochemical constituents consist of bergapten, flavonoids, glycosides, furanocoumarins, furocoumarin, limonene, psoralen, xanthotoxin, and selinene. Some of their pharmacological properties include anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, nematocidal, anti-rheumatism, antiasthma, anti-bronchitis, hepatoprotective, appetizer, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, breast milk inducer, anti-jaundice, antihypertensive, anti-dysmenorrhea, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and spermatogenesis induction. The present review summarizes data on ecology, botany, cultivation, habitat, medicinal use, phytochemical composition, preclinical and clinical pharmacological efficacy of Apium plants and provides future direction on how to take full advantage of Apium plants for the optimal benefit to mankind.N. Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal) for the strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “NORTE2020-Northern Regional Operational Program” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012)

Comparison of Two Routes of Administration of Acepromazine-Ketamine Combination in the Rabbit

No Abstrac

Effect of Edible Coatings from Aloe vera gel on Citrus sinensis during Ambient storage

Extension of the shelf life of orange fruits continues to be a challenge in Nigeria. The search for safe, healthy and environmental friendly treatments has led to increased interest in research into edible and biodegradable films and coatings. In this work, the use of Aloe vera gel as a coating to extend the shelf-life of orange fruits was investigated. The oranges were stored at ambient temperature (27+2oC) and at 50-60% relative humidity for five weeks. During ambient storage, uncoated fruits showed 43.11% and 60.63 % increases in total soluble solids and reducing sugar contents respectively. Rapid weight loss and loss of firmness were also observed. The above parameters which are related to post- harvest quality loss were however significantly controlled in the oranges coated with A. vera gel. Percent increase in total soluble solids 56.89% and reducingsugar contents 39.36% were observed. The storability of orange fruits was  extended by five weeks. It was concluded that A. vera gel used as a coating for orange could serve as an alternative to post-harvest chemical treatments

Postharvest quality and safety maintenance of the physical properties of Daucus carota L. fruits by Neem oil and Moringa oil treatment: A new edible coatings

Biodegradable edible coatings from Moringa oil(MO) and Neem oil (NO) was applied to carrot fruits in order to provide environmentally friendly, healthy treatments (with which to better preserve fresh fruit quality) and safety during postharvest storage at ambient temperature of 27± 3oC and relative humidity of 50-60% . Physical properties like weight loss and texture were determined throughout the storage period of 6 weeks. The coatings had a significant effect on the development of quality variables.The overall results showed the superiority of the coatings in extending the shelf-life of carrot fruit as compared to controlin the following order Moringa Oil>Neem Oil>Control.Keywords: Edible Coatings, Moringa Oil, Neem Oil, Carrot, Firmness and Weight Loss

Performance of Edible Coatings from Carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) and Corn Starch(CS) Incorporated with Moringa Oleifera Extract on Citrus Sinensis Stored at Ambient Temperature

Two different coatings were developed from Corn Starch (CSME) and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMCME) and their effects were investigated on the quality and storability of orange fruits. The two experimental coatings were: CSME and CMCME both mixed with 75mg/ml of crude extract of Moringa Oleifera. The following parameters were measured: Weight loss, ascorbic acid content and firmness. Four hundred and eighty (480) orange fruits were stored for seven weeks at ambient temperature. The overall result showed that polysaccharides coating from (CSME) and (CMCME) on orange fruits when compared to untreated in the following order: (CSME) > (CMCME) >Control in extending its shelf life.Keywords: Edible Coatings, Moringa Oleifera, Orange, Corn Starch andCarboxymethylcellulose