Evaluation of the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of oil from castor seeds (Ricinus communis Linn)

The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of castor (Ricinus communis) seeds extracted using soxhlet extractor in 98% nhexane was assessed using in-vitro assay. Twenty microorganisms made up of fourteen bacteria and six fungi were used in the bioassay. Comparatively, bacteria were found to be more susceptible than fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was found to range between 6.25 mg/ml and 12.50 mg/ml for bacteria while that of fungi ranged from 12.50 mg/ml to 25.00 mg/ml. Comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of the extract and commercial antibiotics showed that the latter were more potent against the test organisms with the exceptions of erythromycin, ampiclox and rifampin group for Gram positive organisms and, septrin and ceporex group for Gram negative organisms respectively. The quantitative phytochemical screening showed that tannin, phenol, alkaloid, phytate, oxalate, saponin, cyanogenic glycoside and flavonoid were present in a decreasing order. The spectrophotometric data of the extract using ultraviolet radiation, infrared and HNMR as well as carbon 13 NMR showed the presence of various compounds such as cineole, 2-octanol, terpenene-4-ol, limonene, sabinene, pinene, terpinene, and methyl groups in the oil

Haematological and histopathological effects of oil from castor seeds (Ricinus communis Linn.) on albino-rats

The effects of soxhlet extraction of oil from castor seeds (Ricinus communis Linn) using n-hexane as solvent on hematological and histopathological properties of albino rats was investigated using standard method. The haematological analysis of the animals’ blood showed that the extract caused a reduction in the packed cell volume (PCV) from 49.3 to 46.7%. Histopathological analysis of the organs of the animals showed that the extract caused dilation of the sinusoid with less prominent nucleus of the liver, homogeneity of the muscle fibres of the heart with inflammatory cell infiltration, infiltration of kidney cells with increased hyaline casts, while the small intestine showed acute erosion of superficial and middle parts of the intestinal villi. Since the oil has deleterious effects on the organs of the animals used and also reduced the PCV, it is conceivable that when the oil is consumed by humans, it will have the same effect. Therefore, it is advocated that the oil should not be consumed until further work is done on it

Antiviral Effect of Phyllanthus amarus Leaf Extract against Newcastle Disease Virus in Broilers

Background and Objective: Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral disease of economic importance in poultry industry worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate the antiviral potential of nhexane leaf extract from Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus). Methodology: A hundred and twenty day old broiler chickens were purchased and raised for the experiment. At four weeks, the birds were randomly assigned into 12 groups of 10 birds each. Chickens in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were vaccinated while those in 5, 6, 7, and 8 were left unvaccinated. Groups 9 and 10 served as the positive controls while 11 and 12 as the negative controls. All groups except the negative control were infected. To study the prophylactic effect of the extract, chickens in groups 1 and 5 received 250 mg/l while those in groups 2 and 6 received 500 mg/l of leaf extract for fourteen days before experimental infection. The chickens in groups 3 and 7 received 250 mg/l while those in groups 4 and 8 received 500 mg/l of leaf extract for fourteen days after infection with ND virus to assess the therapeutic effect of the extract. Clinical signs, bodyweight changes and mortality rates were documented. Antibody titers against the virus were determined and postmortem examination was conducted. Results: Results revealed reduction in mortality rates following administration of the n-hexane extract after the challenge. Prophylactic administration of the extract was more effective in reducing the mortality rates of birds due to the virus infection compared to the therapeutic administration. Similarly, antibody titers decreased in a dosage dependent pattern in the prophylactic group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the n-hexane leaf extract from P. amarus has significant antiviral potentials against ND virus in broiler chickens and that prophylactic administration at 500 mg/l might be a safer approach in utilization of the leaf extract against Newcastle disease

Haematological and Gross Pathological Changes in Broilers Experimentally Challenged with Velogenic Strain of Newcastle Disease Virus

Newcastle disease (ND) is a severe and fatal disease of poultry caused by Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). The disease is of economic and public health importance and has been a threat to the growth of poultry industry. A hundred and twenty day-old broiler chickens were procured from a commercial breeder farm. Glucose, vitamin, antibiotics were administered accordingly. Birds were tested for antibodies to NDV and vaccines were administered accordingly. Feed and water were also provided ad-libitum. Birds were randomly distributed into groups. Experimental birds were challenged at five weeks of age. Blood samples were collected for haematology assay periodically after challenging with NDV. The erythrocyte response in the chickens had varying patterns; there were significant reduction in values of Total Erythrocyte Count, Packed Cell Volume, Hemoglobin count in infected chickens. Monocytes were reduced significantly in the infected birds to 7±0.6% as compared to uninfected birds which had 10±0.9%. There were no significant changes in the Eosinophil and basophil absolute values in both infected and uninfected birds during the course of the study. This study showed that haematological values of broiler chicken significantly differ (p=< 0.05) from uninfected and infected birds with virulent NDV. Generally, there were no significant differences in the profile of the vaccinated birds. Hence the need for vaccination and research towards anti-NDV therapeutic discoveries cannot be overemphasized

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF METHANOLIC LEAVE EXTRACTS OF V. ALBUM ON PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LABORATORY ANIMALS

Abstract. Hepatoprotective assay was carried out on laboratory animals in which paracetamol (oral dose,2 g/kg /body weight) was used to induce hepatotoxicity. The animals were orogastrically fed with the Viscum album (growing on cocoa and cola host trees) methanolic leave extracts. The activities of serum enzyme biomarkers showed no significant difference (P&lt; 0.05) for V. album growing on cocoa (1000-5000mg/kg) but there were corresponding significant increase in the serum enzymes (P&lt; 0.05) for V. album growing on cola at 4000 and 5000 mg/kg doses. Similarly, the photomicrograms of the animals&apos; vital organs (liver, stomach, small intestine and kidneys) studied revealed that V. album extract growing on cocoa was more hepatoprotective efficacious than that growing on cola tree on all the biochemical parameters that were screened for when compared with sylimarin (a standard heptoprotective drug)

Comparative antibacterial studies of mistletoes growing on two diffrent host plants in Akure North, Nigeria

The antibacterial activity of 60 % methanolic leaves extracts of mistletoes (Viscum album) growing on cocoa and cola trees were tested on Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi in vitro. Both the gram-positive and gramnegative organisms showed variable sensitivity to the extracts treatments. The results obtained indicated that extracts from both host plants had some antibacteria activities against the microorganisms when compared with standard antimicrobial agents (ciprofloxacin and sterptomycin) used as positive controls at P < 0.05 significant level. In general,extracts from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plant showed more antimicrobial tendency than those from cola (Kola nitida) plant

In vitro anti-HIV activity of some Indian medicinal plant extracts

Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) persists to be a significant public health issue worldwide. The current strategy for the treatment of HIV infection, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), has reduced deaths from AIDS related disease, but it can be an expensive regime for the underdeveloped and developing countries where the supply of drugs is scarce and often not well tolerated, especially in persons undergoing long term treatment. The present therapy also has limitations of development of multidrug resistance, thus there is a need for the discovery of novel anti-HIV compounds from plants as a potential alternative in combating HIV disease. Methods Ten Indian medicinal plants were tested for entry and replication inhibition against laboratory adapted strains HIV-1IIIB, HIV-1Ada5 and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in TZM-bl cell lines and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in PM1 cell lines. The plant extracts were further evaluated for toxicity in HEC-1A epithelial cell lines by transwell epithelial model. Results The methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera, Rosa centifolia and aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 3.6–118 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 4.8–156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extract of Strychnos potatorum, aqueous extract of Ficus infectoria and hydroalcoholic extract of Annona squamosa inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 4.24–125 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 18–156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, (IC801-9 μg/ml) further significantly inhibited HIV-1 primary isolates in PM1cells. Methanolic extracts of Tridax procumbens, Mallotus philippinensis, Annona reticulate, aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis and hydroalcoholic extract of Albizzia lebbeck did not exhibit anti-HIV activity in all the tested strains. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia also demonstrated to be non-toxic to HEC-1A epithelial cells and maintained epithelial integrity (at 500 μg/ml) when tested in transwell dual-chamber. Conclusion These active methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, could be further subjected to chemical analysis to investigate the active moiety responsible for the anti-HIV activity. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia was found to be well tolerated maintaining the epithelial integrity of HEC-1A cells in vitro and thus has potential for investigating it further as candidate microbicide

Effects of Natural and Inoculation Fermentation on the Antinutrient Composition of African Walnut Enriched with Carrot

The effects of fermentation on the antinutrient composition of African walnut enriched with carrot and without carrot were carried out in this study. The submerged natural fermentation of non- enriched and carrot enriched (walnut 70%; carrot 30%)&nbsp; African walnut was carried out and lasted for 5 days during which microorganisms were isolated and identified. Species of Lactobacillus and Bacillus that are most commonly used as probiotics in foods, drugs, and dietary supplements, which was isolated during the natural fermentation of African walnut, were then used singly and in consortium during inoculation fermentation. During the fermentation processes, the anti nutritional analysis was carried out on the fermented samples on a daily basis. Result revealed that the bacteria B. subtilis strain b17a and L. lactis SFL8 were the most predominant bacteria during the natural fermentation. Raw African walnut and carrot have tannin, saponins, Phytate and oxalate of&nbsp; 2.47± 0.10, 1.46 ± 0.10, 14.41 ± 0.10 , 3.29 ± .10&nbsp; and 2.28 ± .08,&nbsp; 2.10 ± .10,11.50± .05, 0.37± .03 respectively. Raw walnut generally had a higher anti-nutrient composition than carrot except in saponins. Fermentation led to the reduction in antinutrient composition in the fermented sample. Natural fermented African walnut (NFW) and natural fermented African walnut enriched with carrot (NFWC) resulted in the highest reduction in antinutrient composition. NFW and NFWC had a reduction in tannin, saponins, Phytate and oxalate from (2.47±0.008b, 1.46±0.010a, 14.41±0.026d, 3.29±0.05c) to (0.98 ± 0.05a, 0.61±0.05a, 4.35±0.03a, 0.27±0.05a) and (0.91±0.005a, 0.45±0.005a, 3.61±0.03a, 0.17±0.005a) respectively. Inoculation fermentation in which a monoculture of L. lactis or B. subtillis was used as starter culture resulted in the least reduction in the antinutrient content. Carrot enrichment of fermented African walnut had a reducing effect on the antinutrient composition of African walnut as the fermentation enriched with carrot all had a reduced tannin, Phytate and oxalate composition compared to those that were not enriched. Hence, fermentation and enrichment with carrot can be employed in improving the nutritional quality of African walnut thereby helping in effectively utilising their potential as human food

The Influence of Benomyl on Penicillin Production and Rhizosphere Organisms

Aims: To evaluate the antimicrobial effects of benomyl (a systemic fungicide) on penicillin production and rhizosphere organisms of cowpea plant. Study Design: 3 factor factorial experiment. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, 2006. Methodology: Complementary plate and pot experiments were designed to achieve these objectives. Bioassay methods such as the agar cup plate and the agar plug techniques were used to examine the metabolic fitness of Penicillium italicum and Penicillium oxalicum for penicillin production when cultured in agar medium with varying concentrations of benomyl. The pot experiment was also carried out to determine the effect of 0.8g of benomyl on the microbial load of 1.5kg of rhizosphere soil of cowpea. Results: Biological assay predominantly shows that benomyl at different concentration has the ability to impair the metabolic and mitotic activity of Penicillium species mentioned above. This development resulted in the inhibition of penicillin and other allied metabolites. It was discovered that there was a reduction in the microbial load of rhizosphere soil containing benomyl and the fungicide was incriminated to be responsible for it. Conclusion: Certain species of bacteria and fungi that predominated in the rhizosphere soil sample without benomyl were either few or absent in the sample with benomyl