Antibacterial and haematological activity of Moringa oleifera aqueous seed extract in Wistar albino rats

The phytochemical, antibacterial and haematologic activity of aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) were evaluated. Phytochemicals such as tannins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac  glycosides, anthraquinones and flavonoids in low, moderate and high concentrations were present in the seeds. The extract exhibited significant In vitro antibacterial and In vivo haematologic effects. Bacterial isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were inhibited. The  minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract for all the sensitive isolates is 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml as minimum bactericidal  concentration of the extract on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. The extract administered per os at 100-400 mg / kg body weight significantly (P<0.05) increased, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil and monocytes counts at second and third week of administration except for lymphocyte that significantly (P<0.05) decreased throughout the period of administration when compared to the rats in control group. The study supports the folkloric application of Moringa oleifera seed extract in the management of various forms of bacterial infection, anaemia and immuno – modulation in north eastern Nigeria.Keywords: Antibacterial effect, Haematology, Moringa olifera, Phytochemical analysis, Wistar albino rats

Prevalence of ovine babesiosis in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Examination of two hundred Giemsa stained thin capillary blood films of sheep, in this study revealed a prevalence of 15 (7.5%) for Babesia ovis, of which the breeds of Yankasa, Ouda, and Koraji had infection rates of 6 (40%), 4 (26.7%), and 5 (33.3%) (p>0.05). Female and male sheep had infection rates of 8 (53.3%) and 7 (46.7%) respectively (p>0.05); while young and adult sheep had infection rates of 5 (33.3%) and 10 (66.7%) respectively (

Effects of natural anaplasmosis on the haematology of Nigerian goats

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Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Sesamum radiatum (Schum and Thonn.)

Sesamum radiatum (Schum and Thonn.) is a leafy vegetable belonging to the family Pedialiaceae, it is used traditionally in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea, dysentery and fungal infections.This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and the antimicrobial activity of Sesamum radiatum (Schum and Thonn.). The pulverized plant material was subjected to cold marceration using distilled water and methanol for the aqueous and methanolic extracts, respectively. The plant extracts were further subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures and in vitro antibacterial sensitivity tests using the disc diffusion method. Zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined. Flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and cardenolides were found in both the aqueous and methanolic extracts. The results of the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that the aqueous extract inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at the highest concentration of 600 mg/ml with a zone of inhibition of 8.00±0.00 mm while the remaining microorganisms were resistant at all the concentrations. The methanolic extract inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhi at concentrations of 200 mg/ml, 400 mg/ml and 600 mg/ml and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 400 mg/ml and 600 mg/ml. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Sesamum radiatum showed antifungal activities which may justify its folkloric use and the methanolic extract inhibited the growth of S. typhi which also justifies its use traditionally, in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea.Keywords: Antimicrobial, Phytochemical constituents, Sesamum radiatum, MIC, MB