Toxic Effect of Powdered Castor Oil Seed (Ricinus Communis L.) on Roof Rat

The powder of castor oil seed of (Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae) was used in a Laboratory experiment for its toxicity. The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.) on roof rat. Forty five roof rat were caught and divided into three (3) groups, there were five (5) roof rat in a cage which represent a group, replicated three (3) times were used in the study. The castor oil seed was turned to powdery form using pestle and mortal to grind the seeds. Three feed formulations were used; A baited formulation of powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.5; Another baited powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.1; The third group were given a commercial rat feed only which serve as control. These feeds were administered to each group of the roof rat and their behaviors were properly monitored over a period of five (5) days. The histology of the kidney, liver, spleen, which was initially preserved in formalin were later analysed. The results showed that a powdered castor oil seed baited with fried fish can serve as rodenticide and all test groups show histological features of lethal tissue damage in all the organs examined while control group shows normal tissue. Key words: Toxic effect, Castor oil seed, Roof rat, kidney, liver, spleen, feed

Effect of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.) on some internal organs of albino rat

According to estimates, the contribution of cocoa, which is the Nigeria’s highest foreign exchange earner among all agricultural commodities, has dropped from 308,000 tonnes in the 70’s to an average of 215,000 tonnes in recent years. This, according to reports, resulted from climate failure, among other factors. In the light of this, this study examined awareness and effects of climate change on cocoa production in Ondo State, the Nigeria’s leading cocoa producing state. Specifically, the study decribed socio-­‐economic characteristics of cocoa farmers in the study area, investigated the awareness and perceived effects of climate change on cocoa production by the farmers and identified the adaptation strategies practised by the farmers. Primary data obtained through a combination of purposive and random sampling techniques of 120 farming households from the six Local Government Areas noted for cocoa production in the state were used for the study. Descriptive statistics involving frequency distribution tables, mean, mode and percentages were used for the analysis. The results revealed that 80.8% of the respondents were aware of climate change. The general effects of climate change experienced by the farmers were excessive rainfall (23.3%), less rainfall (12.5%), irregular rainfall pattern (59.2%), delayed onset of rainfall (5.0%), high temperature (37.5%), drought (5.0%) and variation in sunshine hours (28.3%). The visible effects of climate failure on the farmer cocoa production were pest attack (35.8%), disease attack (44.2%), late ripening of cocoa pod (20.8%), reduced weight of cocoa bean (53.3%) and contaminated cocoa bean (45.0%). This is unfavourable to farmers and the Nigerian economy in general. Therefore, this study calls for dissemination of timely information on sound adaptation strategies to effects of climate change by agricultural development agencies and provision of training by relevant stakeholders to improve the technical knowledge and skills of the farmers on measures to mitigate effects of climate change on cocoa production.A study was carried out at the Toxicology laboratory of the Department of Crop and Environmental protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, to determine the effects of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.Euphorbiaceae) on kidney, liver, spleen of albino rats. The rats were in five groups, which were replicated three (3) times. The castor oil seed was turned to powdery form using pestle and mortal. Four feed formulations were used; powdered castor oil seed and commercial rat feed mixed in ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10 and ordinary commercial rat feed, which serves as the control.These formulations were given to four separate groups of rats for a period of three days. The behaviour of the rats was monitored over the three day period. The histology of the kidney, liver and spleen which was initially preserved in formalin was later analysed. Compared with the control the hemorrhagic and necrotic tissues in rats administered with ratio 1:10 and ratio 1:5 showed mild disruption. In ratio 1:2 fed group, hemorrhagic and necrotic tissues showed complete disruption while group fed with 1:1 were extensively disrupted. The results also relayed changes in the body weight and the spleen weight where significant highest, spleen weight were recorded for the rats fed with commercial feed (control) than the rats fed with the treated feeds. The rats fed with ratio 1:1 (treated feed) had the least spleen weight compared to the animals fed with treated feed of ratio 1:2 and 1:5 respectively. No significant difference was observed in the kidney fresh weight for all the treatments. Also, there is significant highest liver weight in rats fed with control feed when compared with rat fed with treated feed, followed least concentration ( 1:10 ) of the treated feed. The observation revealed that a powdered castor oil seed to commercial rat feed can be effectively used as rodenticide and it is clearly seen that the function of a powdered castor oil seed affected the internal organ tested

Chemical analysis of Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceace) seed kernel extract and its in-vitro toxicity in two Podagrica Species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Since synthetic pesticides are associated with many toxicological problems against untargeted subjects, pesticides from botanical sources become a better option. This study obtained R. communis seed kernel extract (RCSKE) through acidified aqueous extraction. The extract was screened using Infra red (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Cass Chromatography (GC) for bioactive agents. In-vitro effects of RCSKE, chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYPER-M) on superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Carboxylesterase (CE) activities in Podagrica sjosdteti and Podagrica uniforma were determined spectrophotometrically. The IR and UV of RCSKE majorly depict the presence of aromatic ring, ethylenic bond, carbonyl bond, hydroxyl and carboxylic groups. The HPLC and GC majorly show the presence of ricinoleic acid, ricinine and ricin. The RCSKE, CYPER-M and CPF increased CAT activity in P. sjosdteti, but reduced it in P. uniforma. The RCSKE and CYPER-M significantly reduced SOD, and elevated AChE activities in P. sjosdteti. The IC50 values of RCSKE, CYPER-M and CPF against CE activity in P. sjosdteti were IC50 = 2.66 µg/ml, IC50 = 2.37µg/ml and IC50 = 2.65 µg/ml), respectively, while that of RCSKE against P. uniforma was IC50 = 2.49 µg/ml. This study suggests that the extract of Ricinus communis seed kernel contains bioactive substances, capable to inhibit the antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase enzymes in Podagrica species flea beetles, comparable to commercial pesticides, Cypermethrin and Chlorpyrifos. Key words: Ricinus communis, Chemical screening, Podagrica sjosdteti, Podagrica uniforma, antioxidant enzymes, hydrolytic enzymes DOI: 10.7176/ALST/75-05 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Regulation of secretory transport by protein kinase D–mediated phosphorylation of the ceramide transfer protein

Protein kinase D (PKD) has been identified as a crucial regulator of secretory transport at the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Recruitment and activation of PKD at the TGN is mediated by the lipid diacylglycerol, a pool of which is generated by sphingomyelin synthase from ceramide and phosphatidylcholine. The nonvesicular transfer of ceramide from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex is mediated by the lipid transfer protein CERT (ceramide transport). In this study, we identify CERT as a novel in vivo PKD substrate. Phosphorylation on serine 132 by PKD decreases the affinity of CERT toward its lipid target phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate at Golgi membranes and reduces ceramide transfer activity, identifying PKD as a regulator of lipid homeostasis. We also show that CERT, in turn, is critical for PKD activation and PKD-dependent protein cargo transport to the plasma membrane. Thus, the interdependence of PKD and CERT is key to the maintenance of Golgi membrane integrity and secretory transport

A WXW Motif Is Required for the Anticancer Activity of the TAT-RasGAP317-326 Peptide.

TAT-RasGAP317-326, a cell-permeable 10-amino acid-long peptide derived from the N2 fragment of p120 Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP), sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis induced by various anticancer therapies. This RasGAP-derived peptide, by targeting the deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC1) tumor suppressor, also hampers cell migration and invasion by promoting cell adherence and by inhibiting cell movement. Here, we systematically investigated the role of each amino acid within the RasGAP317-326 sequence for the anticancer activities of TAT-RasGAP317-326. We report here that the first three amino acids of this sequence, tryptophan, methionine, and tryptophan (WMW), are necessary and sufficient to sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis and to reduce cell migration. The WMW motif was found to be critical for the binding of fragment N2 to DLC1. These results define the interaction mode between the active anticancer sequence of RasGAP and DLC1. This knowledge will facilitate the design of small molecules bearing the tumor-sensitizing and antimetastatic activities of TAT-RasGAP317-326

Control of wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in post harvest honey comb

An experiment was carried out in the laboratory to control the infestation of larger wax moth, Galleria mellonella, after honey extraction. Different quantities of salt in water and hermetic storage were used as methods of controlling the larvae. A treatment containing Aluminium phosphide tablet was incorporated as a chemical method of control and the treated honeycomb samples were stored for two month. Of all the treatments used, the hermetic storage and Aluminium phosphide had the best result in that the comb retained their freshness post two months storage. The number of emerged moth in opened untreated control (61.00) was higher than other treatments but significantly higher than the number of emerged moth observed in salt- treated comb in opened containers. Wax and slum gum weight were not significantly affected by the treatments. Hermetic storage is therefore recommended as a better method of controlling wax moth in honeycomb after the extraction of honey than Aluminium phosphide, due to the possibility of residue of Aluminium phosphide in the treated honeycomb. Key words: Honeycomb, Galleria mellonella, salt, hermetic storage, Aluminium phosphide, bee wax, wax moth contro

Caffeine Inhibits EGF-Stimulated Trophoblast Cell Motility through the Inhibition of mTORC2 and Akt.

Impaired trophoblast invasion is associated with pregnancy disorders such as early pregnancy loss and preeclampsia. There is evidence to suggest that the consumption of caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of pregnancy loss; however, little is known about the direct effect of caffeine on normal trophoblast biology. Our objectives were to examine the effect of caffeine on trophoblast migration and motility after stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and to investigate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in this process. Primary first-trimester extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and the EVT-derived cell line SGHPL-4 were used to study the effect of caffeine on EGF-stimulated cellular motility using time-lapse microscopy. SGHPL-4 cells were further used to study the effect of caffeine and cAMP on EGF-stimulated invasion of fibrin gels. The influence of caffeine and cAMP on EGF-stimulated intracellular signaling pathways leading to the activation of Akt were investigated by Western blot analysis. Caffeine inhibits both EGF-stimulated primary EVT and SGHPL-4 cell motility. EGF stimulation activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Akt and caffeine inhibit this activation. Although cAMP inhibits both motility and invasion, it does not inhibit the activation of Akt, indicating that the effects of caffeine seen in this study are independent of cAMP. Further investigation indicated a role for mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) as a target for the inhibitory effect of caffeine. In conclusion, we demonstrate that caffeine inhibits EGF-stimulated trophoblast invasion and motility in vitro and so could adversely influence trophoblast biology in vivo

Quantitative phosphoproteomics of cytotoxic T cells to reveal Protein Kinase D 2 regulated networks

The focus of the present study was to characterize the phosphoproteome of cytotoxic T cells and to explore the role of the serine threonine kinase PKD2 (Protein Kinase D2) in the phosphorylation networks of this key lymphocyte population. We used Stable Isotope Labeling of Amino acids in Culture (SILAC) combined with phosphopeptide enrichment and quantitative mass-spectrometry to determine the impact of PKD2 loss on the cytotoxic T cells phosphoproteome. We identified 15,871 phosphorylations on 3505 proteins in cytotoxic T cells. 450 phosphosites on 281 proteins were down-regulated and 300 phosphosites on 196 proteins were up-regulated in PKD2 null cytotoxic T cells. These data give valuable new insights about the protein phosphorylation networks operational in effector T cells and reveal that PKD2 regulates directly and indirectly about 5% of the cytotoxic T-cell phosphoproteome. PKD2 candidate substrates identified in this study include proteins involved in two distinct biological functions: regulation of protein sorting and intracellular vesicle trafficking, and control of chromatin structure, transcription, and translation. In other cell types, PKD substrates include class II histone deacetylases such as HDAC7 and actin regulatory proteins such as Slingshot. The current data show these are not PKD substrates in primary T cells revealing that the functional role of PKD isoforms is different in different cell lineages