In-vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Crude n-hexane and Ethanolic Extracts of Moringa oleifera (LAM.) Seeds on Plasmodium berghei

Studies were carried out to determine the antiplasmodial activity of crude n-hexane and ethanolic seed extracts of Moringa oleifera using cold extraction method. Twenty-four albino mice (Mus musculus) induced intraperitoneally with chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei strain were divided into 4 groups and treated at three concentrations viz: 50, 100 and 200 ml/kg. Positive control was set up with chloroquine diphosphate while negative control was set up with olive oil. The mice models were treated for 72 h. For the ethanolic extract, a parasite inhibition rate of 61% was observed at concentration 50 ml/kg, 65% at concentration 100 ml/kg and 100% at concentration 200 ml/kg in day 3 after treatment. In n-hexane extract of the seeds of M. oleifera, plasmodial inhibition rate of 61% was observed at concentration 50 ml/kg, 70% at concentration 100 ml/kg and 97% at concentration 200 ml/kg after treatment for 72 h. A 100% inhibition rate was observed for mice treated with 25 mg/kg of standard chloroquine diphosphate after day 3 of treatment while parasitaemia increased from 48 on day 0 to 86 after day 3 for mice treated with olive oil. Overall, crude ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed showed higher parasite inhibition activity than the crude n-hexane extrac

Isolation, characterization and extracellular enzyme detection of microbial isolates from deteriorated apple (malus domestica) fruits

Studies were carried out on deteriorated apples obtained from the Just Rite supermarket, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, to isolate microorganisms associated with post-harvest deterioration of apple (Malus domestica) fruits. The bacterial species were identified using microscopy, morphology and various biochemical tests while macroscopy and morphology was used to identify the fungi isolated. The ability of the isolate to elaborate extracellular amylase and protease were tested for. Results revealed Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus as the fungal species while the bacterial species isolated were Bacillus spp and Micrococcus spp. All the isolates except Aspergillus niger produced amylase in substantial amount. Micrococcus spp, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus produced protease. The results of this investigation if combined with further studies can be used in identifying organisms which could be used as a biological method in the control of apple pathogens. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved

Toxicity of Sublethal Concentrations of Glyphosate and Paraquat Herbicide in the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The effects of exposing juveniles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to two commonly used herbicides were studied over 8 weeks. Some fish biochemical parameters were evaluated over the period of the experiment. Fractionated concentrations of glyphosate (0.0265, 0.053 and 0.106 mg L-l) and paraquat (0.0035, 0.007 and 0.014 mg L-l) were administered to fish juveniles for eight weeks. These concentrations represent fractions of the 96 h LC50 which was determined in an earlier study. Antioxidant enzymes were analysed in the liver of the fish every fortnight. Comparing with the control, significant increases (p<0.05) in enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were observed. These parameters were however not all concentration and time dependent. The result revealed that the two herbicides caused changes in fish antioxidant enzymes, as such could be useful in forestalling the ecotoxic effects of similar chemicals in the environmental xenobiotics. © 2018 Friends Science Publisher

In vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Crude Ethanolic and N-hexane Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaves

This study was carried out to determine the antiplasmodial activity of leaves of Moringa oleifera. Cold extraction method was carried out on grinded leaves to prepare the crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts. Mice models (Mus musculus) were passaged with chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei, which are similar in morphology, physiology and life cycle to P. falciparum that infect humans. Stock solutions of 5 mg/mL 5% DMSO were prepared and the extracts were administered at different treatment concentrations, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight over 4 days. Positive and negative control groups, Chloroquine diphosphate (25 mg/kg) and 5% DMSO, respectively were set up. Crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleifera showed anti-plasmodial activity at the three different concentrations used. Both crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleifera leaves showed a significant inhibition of parasitaemia (p < 0.05) ranging from 74.7 to 95.6% for ethanolic extract and 59.3 to 87.9% for n-hexane extract. EC50 value of crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts were 32 mg/kg and 42 mg/kg body weight, respectively. M. oleifera showed potential for possible future use as an alternative to some conventional drugs. © 2016 Friends Science Publisher

The Taxa Structure and Composition of Zooplankton Communities of Bonny Estuary: A Bio-indication of Anthropogenic Activities

This study was aimed at ascertaining the zooplankton taxa structure and composition as a way of assessing the environmental quality of the Bonny estuary. The plankton net of 55 μm meshsize was towed vertically, preserved in welllabeled 250 ml polyethylene bottles, and fixed with 10% formalin. In all, 2,928 zooplankton specimens were collected: Calanoid copepods were the most abundant constituting 55.3% of all collections, followed by Cyclopoida (10.2%), Harpacticoida (5.8%), Copepod larvae (17.0%); Annelida/Polychaeta larvae (1.9%); Chaetognatha (2.3%); Appendicularia (2.2%); Pisces larvae (2.6%); Tunicate larvae (0.6%); Cnidaria (0.1%); Ctenophora (0.1%); Echinodermata larvae (0.9%); Mollusca larvae (1.2%); Copepoda /Cladocera (0.03%); and Malacostraca (0.1%). A total of 119 species was collected, and Margalef’s diversity index ranged from 1.54 to 7.58. There was relatively higher abundance and diversity of zooplankton in the offshore sampling stations than in the near-shore sampling stations, probably due to impacts of natural, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. Mitigation measures to significantly check these anthropogenic activities among inhabitants of near-shore areas are recommended

HEPATOTOXICITY OF LEAD ACETATE AND MERCURY CHLORIDE ON THE LIVER OF AFRICAN CATFISH

This study assayed the potential hepatotoxicity of lead and mercury, administered as lead acetate and mercury chloride respectively in Clarias gariepinus. One hundred and twenty juveniles of the catfish per toxicant were used for the experiment. The test media which was prepared using tap water as solvent was renewed once every 24 hours at the same concentration in a static renewal bioassay. Three concentrations 24 mg/l, 12 mg/l, 6 mg/l of lead acetate and 2.5 mg/l, 1.25 mg/l, 0.625 mg/l mercury chloride, and a control, 0 mg/l were used for the definitive test. Ten fishes were distributed in each fish tank, for each test concentration (including the control) in replicates. The subacute test was conducted for fifteen days. Six fishes were sacrificed from each treatment group and the control every fifth day. The liver of fishes were removed and prepared for histopathological observation. The results showed several histopathological damages ranging from vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes, to variably-sized cytoplasmic vacuoles of the hepatocytes. This suggests that lead and mercury are toxic to Clarias gariepinus

In vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Crude Ethanolic and N-hexane Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaves

This study was carried out to determine the antiplasmodial activity of leaves of Moringa oleifera. Cold extraction method was carried out on grindedleaves to prepare the crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts. Mice models (Mus musculus) were passaged with chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei,which are similar in morphology, physiology and life cycle to P. falciparumthat infect humans. Stock solutions of 5mg/mL5% DMSO were prepared and the extracts wereadministered atdifferent treatment concentrations, 50mg/kg, 100mg/kgand 200mg/kg body weight over 4days. Positive and negative control groups, Chloroquine diphosphate (25mg/kg) and 5% DMSO,respectively were set up. Crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleiferashowed anti-plasmodial activity at the three different concentrations used. Both crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleiferaleaves showed a significant inhibition of parasitaemia (p < 0.05) ranging from 74.7 to 95.6% for ethanolic extract and 59.3 to 87.9% for n-hexane extract. EC50value of crude ethanolic and n-hexane extractswere 32mg/kg and 42mg/kg body weight,respectively. M.oleifera showed potential for possible future use as an alternative to some conventional drugs.© 2016 Friends Science Publisher

In vitro studies on the sensitivity pattern of Plasmodium falciparum to anti-malarial drugs and local herbal extracts

Background: The resistance of human malaria parasites to anti-malarial compounds has become considerable concern, particularly in view of the shortage of novel classes of anti-malarial drugs. One way to prevent resistance is by using new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents. Results: Sensitivity of 100 Plasmodium falciparum isolates to chloroquine, quinine, amodiaquine, mefloquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, artemisinin, Momordica charantia (‘Ejirin’) Diospyros monbuttensis (‘Egun eja’) and Morinda lucida (‘Oruwo’) was determined using the in vitro microtest (Mark III) technique to determine the IC50 of the drugs. All the isolates tested were sensitive to quinine, mefloquine and artesunate. Fifty-one percent of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine, 13% to amodiaquine and 5% to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine. Highest resistance to chloroquine (68.9%) was recorded among isolates from Yewa zone while highest resistance to amodiaquine (30%) was observed in Ijebu zone. Highest resistance to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine was recorded in Yewa and Egba zones, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between the responses to artemisinin and mefloquine (P<0.05), artemisinin and quinine (P<0.05) and quinine and mefloquine (P<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between the responses to chloroquine and mefloquine (P>0.05). Highest anti-plasmodial activity was obtained with the ethanolic extract of D. monbuttensis (IC50 = 3.2nM) while the lowest was obtained from M. lucida (IC50 =25nM). Conclusions: Natural products isolated from plants used in traditional medicine, which have potent anti-plasmodial action in vitro, represent potential sources of new anti-malarial drugs

Significance of African Diets in Biotherapeutic Modulation of the Gut Microbiome

Diet plays an essential role in human development and growth, contributing to health and well-being. The socio-economic values, cultural perspectives, and dietary formulation in sub-Saharan Africa can influence gut health and disease prevention. The vast microbial ecosystems in the human gut frequently interrelate to maintain a healthy, well-coordinated cellular and humoral immune signalling to prevent metabolic dysfunction, pathogen dominance, and induction of systemic diseases. The diverse indigenous diets could differentially act as biotherapeutics to modulate microbial abundance and population characteristics. Such modulation could prevent stunted growth, malnutrition, induction of bowel diseases, attenuated immune responses, and mortality, particularly among infants. Understanding the associations between specific indigenous African diets and the predictability of the dynamics of gut bacteria genera promises potential biotherapeutics towards improving the prevention, control, and treatment of microbiome-associated diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The dietary influence of many African diets (especially grain-base such as millet, maize, brown rice, sorghum, soya, and tapioca) promotes gut lining integrity, immune tolerance towards the microbiota, and its associated immune and inflammatory responses. A fibre-rich diet is a promising biotherapeutic candidate that could effectively modulate inflammatory mediators’ expression associated with immune cell migration, lymphoid tissue maturation, and signalling pathways. It could also modulate the stimulation of cytokines and chemokines involved in ensuring balance for long-term microbiome programming. The interplay between host and gut microbial digestion is complex; microbes using and competing for dietary and endogenous proteins are often attributable to variances in the comparative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae taxa. Many auto-inducers could initiate the process of quorum sensing and mammalian epinephrine host cell signalling system. It could also downregulate inflammatory signals with microbiota tumour taxa that could trigger colorectal cancer initiation, metabolic type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The exploitation of essential biotherapeutic molecules derived from fibre-rich indigenous diet promises food substances for the downregulation of inflammatory signalling that could be harmful to gut microbiota ecological balance and improved immune response modulation

Utilization of nanochitosan in the sterilization of ponds and water treatment for aquaculture

Water pollution constitutes the leading cause of infant mortality, neonatal deformities, and shrinkage of man’s average life expectancy. Pollutants come from point and nonpoint sources; and water pollution arises from the discharge of wastewater containing undesirable impurities used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. More so, high nutrient and wastewater runoffs from fish production systems contribute to the fouling and eutrophication of recipient water bodies. Hence, aquaculture which is inextricably linked to the natural environment is challenged by the dearth of appropriate water quantity and quality, militating against fish, and fishery production. Nanochitosans as polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. They are naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans. The unique attributes of chitin confer a wide range of biotechnological applications on the polymer, observed in flocculation as a wastewater treatment and purification route initiated by chitosan. This chapter highlights nanochitosan properties of aquaculture relevance; and elucidates the purification potentials of nanochitosan, compared to inorganic coagulants and organic polymeric flocculants. Effects of chitosan on contaminants and microorganisms, as well as applications in fish pathogens detection, fish disease diagnosis, and control are discussed