EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Hibiscus sabdariffa ON SOME HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN LEVODOPA-INDUCED ANEMIA

Agbai E.O¹. and Nwanegwo C.O².

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The effect of oral administration of methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on body weight, red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of albino wistar rats were studied. Sixteen albino rats were grouped randomly into four groups (n = 4). Control group: (Group A) was given distilled water and normal rat chow. Experimental Group B received 0.4 ml of levodopa only. Experimental Group C received 0.4 ml of levodopa plus 300 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Experimental Group D received 0.4 ml of levodopa plus 600 mg/kg of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. At the end of 4 weeks of study, results showed a decrease in body weight of group C and D. The level of PCV was significantly reduced in Group B, C and D that received levodopa compared to PCV levels before administration. Group C and D showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels when compared to group B in a dose-dependent manner. However, there was no significant increase (P > 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels between group C and D respectively when compared with group A (Control). The study suggests that Hibiscus sabdariffa increases some hematological parameters in levodopa-induced anemic rats and might be beneficial in the treatment of anemia.

TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SNIPER 1000EC ON GROWTH OF Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abubakar, M.I.¹ and Abdulsalami, S.A.²

¹Department of Biology, College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, Crescent University, Sapon, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: a.midiog@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Indiscriminate use of Sniper 1000EC has become a serious problem among local fishermen in the Northern parts of Niger state. Juveniles of Clarias gariepinus (19.47 ± 1.05; mean standard length, 20.00 ± 0.45cm) were subjected to 5 sublethal treatment levels of 0.00, 0.27, 0.31, 0.41 and 0.55mg/l. There was no significant difference between water quality parameters of the exposed and control groups. A 56 days exposure to sublethal concentrations of the toxicant led to a significant decrease (p<0.05) in specific and relative growth rate in the exposed fish species in comparison with their controls. Change in weight and length decreases with increasing in sublethal concentrations of sniper 1000EC. It is concluded that depressive growth rate in the exposed fish species were consequences of exposure to the toxicant (sniper 1000EC). It is recommended that the use of Sniper 1000EC by local fishermen be banned to save the aquatic environment from destruction.

EFFECT OF Cucurbita Pepo ON PROTHROMBIN TIME AND PLATELET COUNT IN HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIC ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Agbai E.O¹ and Nwanegwo C.O¹

¹Department of Human Physiology,

Madonna University Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology

College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of methanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo seed and shell on prothrombin time and platelet count in heparin-induce thrombocytopenia in twenty albino wistar rats and in four control rats. After administration of extract of Cucurbita pepo seed, results showed a statistically significant difference in PT of Group A (38.25 ± 4.97 s) compared to CONT (34.0 ± 7.29 s), Group B (32.75 ± 4.55 s), and Group C (36.50 ± 3.01 s) at P < 0.05. There was statistically significant difference in PC between Group A (31.25 ± 5.10 x 10⁹/L) compared to CONT (159.0 ± 4.21 x 10⁹/L), group B (141.75 ± 4.13 x 10⁹/L) and Group C (154.75 ± 3.43 x 10⁹/L) at P < 0.05. The result of extract of Cucurbita pepo shell showed a statistically significant difference in PT of CONT (34.0 ± 7.29 s) compared to Group A (38.25 ± 4.97 s) compared to Group B (32.75 ± 4.55 s), Group C (39.00 ± 4.08 s) and Group D (46.50 ± 5.07) at P < 0.05. There was also statistically significant increase in Group D (46.50 ± 5.07) at P < 0.05 compared to Group B and C respectively.   Results showed statistically significant difference in platelet count (PC) between CONT (159.0 ± 4.21 x 10⁹/L) compared with Group B, C and D respectively at P > 0.05, (31.25 ± 5.10 x 10⁹/L, 66.50 ± 8.59 x 10⁹/L and 75.75 ± 13.55 x 10⁹/L). These results suggest that methanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo seed shortens the PT after prolonged by heparin and increased PC after heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, whereas the extract of cucurbita pepo seed did not have any positive effect on PT and PC.

BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias (BURCHELL, 1822) FINGERLING FED Musca domestica LARVA

Akinyemi, A.A.

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: adeoluakinyemi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria, with the present economic depression, cost of fish diets is increasing daily not just because of inflation but because most of the feedstuff used in preparing fish diets face serious competition from man as food. Live food organisms are important for the growth of fish during culture especially at their early stages of development (fry and fingerling stages). Bacteria on the other hand, are responsible for many fish diseases especially those associated with environmental stresses such as poor handling. This study therefore examined the bacteria associated with Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias fingerlings fed with Musca domestica larva. Eighty fingerlings of C. gariepinus of an average weight of 2.3gm were obtained from a hatchery in Abeokuta Ogun State. Droppings of poultry (100%) were collected in jute bag from University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, poultry farm for maggot production. The harvested larva were then fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings. The microbiological analysis was then carried out on the fingerlings fortnightly. The results revealed the presence of micro-organisms in the fish species examined. 41 samples (76%) were affected with bacteria while 13 samples (24%) had no growth. The species of bacteria present in the fish were Enterobacteria species, Escherichia coli and Proteus species. These microorganisms are either of pathogenic, food poisoning, food spoilage or of epidemiological importance.

PREVALENCE OF HUMAN GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES IN

BIU, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

*Biu, A.A., Kofur, I. and Mohammed .A.

Department Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology,

University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Coprological study of gastrointestinal helminths of Biu Local Government residents was conducted between 2001 and 2002 using sedimentation, formol-ether concentration and floatation techniques. Of the 100 stool samples examined, 20(20.0%) harboured various species of gastrointestinal helminths. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent 10(50%) followed respectively by Schistosoma mansoni 6(30%); Hymenolepis nana 3(15%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(5%). The prevalence of the gastrointestinal helminths however, varied according to the age of the people examined with those aged between 7-24 years being most commonly infected 13(24.5%) compared to >24- 36, and >36- 50 ages with 5(15.1%) and 2(14.2%) respectively (p<0.05%). Similarly, females had a higher prevalence of 8(20.5%) compared to their male counterparts with 12(19.6%) (p>0.05).

VIRUS FREE PLANTLETS PRODUCTION OF SWEET POTATO (Ipomea batata (L.) Lam) THROUGH TISSUE CULTIVATION AND MERISTEM CULTURE

¹Benisheikh, A.A.G, ²Zainab .M. Aliyu, ³Zainab Tamus, ⁴Abdullahi Audu and ⁵Mala Modu

¹North East Zonal Biotechnology Centre, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

²Deparment of Biological Science

Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

³Department of Basic Studies

Mohmet Lawal College of Agriculture Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

⁴Department of Agricultural Technology

Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Virus  free  sweet  potato  plantlet  production   were  investigated through meristem culture of sweet potato plantlets meristem was isolated  from  field  grown  runner  tip  explants  and  cultured  on modified Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing auxin (2,4- D) and  cytokinins  (KN,  BA,  BAP)  was  used  to cultivate  meristem culture and tissue culture of sweet potato (Ipomea batata (L.) Lam) in vitro. Concentration of sucrose was at 3% w/v level. The pH media was adjusted to 5.7 before the addition of agar 8% w/v, meristems with 2-3 leaves primordial were dissected out aseptically and inoculated to the media (various levels of hormones  and in different combinations),  then incubated at 27 + 20C under light intensity of 2000-3000 lux in the culture room. Treatments include 2,4-D and BA at levels of 1mg/L and 0.25 mg/L, respectively  with GA3, (0.1 mg/L) produced better plantlet, but higher levels of 2,4-D with KN (2.5 mg/L) induced the meristems to form callus. After having DAS- ELISA test the in vitro grown plantlets were being used for massive micro propagation. Visual evaluation of the morphological trails of the meristem culture derived plants showed normal and free from various diseases. Gross yield was obtained in meristem derived plants over their source plants.