Effects of aqueous extracts of Mucuna sloanei (Fabaceae) seed on haematological parameters of albino rats (Rattus novergicus)

Mucuna sloanei is a legume used as a soup thickener by communities in some parts of Africa countries. The effect of aqueous seed extract of M. sloanei on the haematological profile of normal albino rats was investigated for 28 days using standard methods. The results show no overall dose dependent significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum levels of the white blood cell count, red blood cell count and its indices (haemoglobin content, pack cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) of the rats throughout the duration of the experiment when compared with the control. However, a dose independent significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the white blood cell level was observed in week 3, while the decrease observed in the remaining week was not significant. The effects of the interaction between the doses and duration of treatment were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in all the haematological parameters tested. These findings suggest that consumption of the crude seed extracts of M. sloanei may not constitute any adverse effect on the haematological indices of the consumers. However, the significant reduction in white blood cell levels observed in week 3 could compromise the body’s immunity and may predispose consumers to opportunistic and supra-infections in the long run.Keywords: Mucuna sloanei seed, aqueous extract, haematological parameters, albino rats

Aspects of the ecology of spittlebugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in Nsukka, south east, Nigeria

Species type and pattern of distribution of spittlebugs was studied from 6th March to 15th December 2009 within the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus. Three spittlebug species namely, Deois flavopicta, Aphrophora saratogensis and Philaenus spumarius were identified within the University campus. Whereas A. saratogensis was most abundant inSeptember, D. flavopicta occurred most in October while P. spumarius was most abundant in November. The population of nymphs was found to increase with increasing rainfall and declined as the dry season began. A total of thirty-two (32) host plant species consisting of grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees were identified as habitats for the three spittlebug species. Whereas D. flavopicta and A. saratogensis inhabied only grasses andherbs, P. spumarius inhabited a mixture of trees and shrubs. Although no obvious effectof the activities of D. flavopicta and A. saratogensis was noticed on host plants, there was flaking, deflowering and fruiting, as well as drying up effects on Ricinus communis during heavy invasion by larvae of P. spumarius

Organ transplantation and its physiological implications – A review

Organ transplantation is the mechanism of transferring an organ (heart, lung, etc.) from one body to another or from one donor site on the  patient’s own body for the purpose of replacing the recipient’s damaged or absent organ. The different types of transplantation considering the relationship between the donor and the recipient species are autotransplantation, xenotransplantation, iso-transplantation and allotransplantation. Allotransplantation is further divided into split and damino-transplant. Donors for organ transplantation are classified into living and deceased donors. Living donors remain alive and donate renewable or regenerative organs. Deceased or cadaveric donors are thosethat are cardiac dead or brain dead. Some of the organs that can be transplanted include intestine, eyes, thymus, heart, kidney, liver, and lung, out of which the last four are done worldwide. The transplantation of organs, mainly of allotransplantation and xenotransplantation types is accompanied by graft rejection. Other implications of organ transplantation include: immune system inefficiency, transplant rejection, chimerism andxenozoonosis. Graft rejection can be solved using immunosuppressive mechanism aided by immunosuppressant drugs. Immusuppression is also limited by some side effects and immune system inefficiency. Some of the strategies for overcoming rejection include the interruption of the  complement cascade, use of transgeneic organs and induction of  nonresponsive haematopoietic-chimerism.Keywords: Organ transplantation, Transgeneic organs, Allotransplantation, Autotransplantation, Xenotransplantation, Isotransplantation, Allografts, Haematopoietic-chimeris

Effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on haematological characteristics of Rattus novergicus

The effect of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on the haematological profile of normal male albino rats was investigated for 28 days using standard methods. The rats were divided into five groups comprising of the control group, I; which received equal volume of distilled water and four treatment groups, II, III, IV and V that were administered orally, 100mg.kg-1, 200mg.kg-1, 400mg.kg-1 and 800mg.kg-1 body weight respectively. The serum levels of total white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin content (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean cell volume (MCV) were determined weekly using blood collected from the rats through the ocular puncture method. The mean serum levels of WBC, Hb, PCV, RBC, MCH, MCHC and MCV ranged from 4498.00 ± 1.16 to 20666.67 ± 1763.83; 4.99 ± 0.01 to 17.90 ± 0.61; 14.99 ± 0.01 to 53.67 ± 1.86; 323.33 ±12.02 to 700.00 ± 110.15; 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.37 ± 0.00; 33.27 ± 0.08 to 33.36 ± 0.04 and 0.10 ± 0.04 to 3.76 ± 2.93, respectively. Whereas there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the MCHC level, an overall dose and duration independent significant increase (p>0.05) was observed in the remaining  haematological parameters of the rats treated with the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces. The ability of the extract to increase Hb, PCV, RBC and its indices suggests possible usefulness of the extract in treating anaemia.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces, Aqueous extract, Haematological parameters, Albino rat