K. O. Soetan

Assessment of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of an Aqueous Crude Extract of Vernonia amygdalina.

Abstract The anthelmintic efficacy of an aqueous crude extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina. Del. (Compositae) was studied in 16 Nigerian puppies. They were divided into four groups of four puppies per group. The group A animals were uninfected and hence were untreated, whereas those in groups B, C, and D were naturally infected with helminths. Group B animals were untreated whereas group C animals were treated with a proprietary anthelmintic (Mebendazole). Group D animals were treated with aqueous crude extracts of V. amygdalina. using the oral route. Two weeks after treatment, blood and fecal samples were collected to evaluate the hematologic values and fecal egg counts, respectively. Before the onset of this study, fecal egg counts showed that ascarids (Toxocara canis.) and hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum.) were present in the experimental animals. The results of this study showed that the aqueous crude extracts of V. amygdalina. after its administration into local dogs produced significant changes (p < 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb concentration, and TWBC. The fecal egg counts also showed remarkable and significant reduction in the levels of the identified helminths. The effects of the plant extracts were broad spectrum in action. Because the aqueous crude extract of V. amygdalina. significantly reduced the fecal egg count of the helminths, it could be a potential source of a new lead anthelmintic agent.

The role of nutraceuticals, functional foods and value added food products in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases

The interest in phytochemicals found in plant foods as bioactive components of the diet has expanded in the last few years. This is because they have been linked with the prevention or reduced progression of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and degenerative diseases. Oxidative stress, which could bring about oxidative damage to DNA, protein and lipids has been found to be a major factor in the aetiology of these diseases. Epidemiological evidence shows that observed health benefits of these plant foods on humans, especially fruits and vegetables, are due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals which today, play an important role in pharmaceutical applications. Research shows that these compounds modulate the risk of chronic disease development by inhibiting reactions mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Consequently, strong recommendations for their ingestion through the diet have become increasingly popular to improve man’s health. This article presents a review of the role of nutraceuticals, functional foods and value added food products in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. We also summarized the biotechnological approaches for enhancing the level of these bioactive compounds in plants, with a view to improve their nutraceutical value and phytotherapy efficiency. n n Key words: Antioxidants, degenerative diseases, dietary reference intakes, disease prevention, nutraceuticals.

The dynamic and ubiquitous nature of biotechnology

The beneficial and multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology is highlighted. Contrary to the general belief that the impact of biotechnology is mainly limited to agricultural science in the area of animal, plant breeding, and tissue culture and the medical sciences in the area of gene therapy, production of bioactive products for the quick diagnosis and treatment of diseases, this paper discusses the use of biotechnology in other areas of human endeavours like computer science, physics, mathematics, law/legal studies, forensics, environmental sciences and toxicology, tourism, sociology and psychology, international relations, botany, technology and economics just to mention a few. In Nigeria and other developing countries where the application of biotechnology to our everyday living is still in the early stage, this paper aims to emphasize the fact that biotechnology can be beneficial to all fields of life. This will further encourage multidisciplinary approaches and research collaborations in biotechnology for the rapid development of our nation.

Assessment of the effects of different concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on erythrocytic indices of Nigerian White Fulani cattle and West African Dwarf goat

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of varying concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on blood samples from White Fulani breed of cattle and West African Dwarf goat from Nigeria. Sample sizes of 20 animals were used for both species. Different concentrations of EDTA (2, 4, 8 and 16xa0mg/ml) were used. The packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration of blood samples collected from White Fulani breed of cattle and West African Dwarf goat into bottles containing 16xa0mg/ml of EDTA were significantly lower (Pu2009<u20090.05) than those samples collected from the same animals into bottle containing 2xa0mg/ml (control). Similarly, the PCV, RBC and Hb values of the West African Dwarf goats in bottles containing 8xa0mg/ml of EDTA were significantly lower than those of the samples in the control (2xa0mg/ml). This study has shown that high concentration of EDTA as an anticoagulant can lead to a false erythrocytic index especially the PCV. In collecting blood samples for evaluation of haematological parameters, therefore, the blood volume/anticoagulant ratio must be strictly adhered to prevent error in the evaluated parameters in cattle and goats. Taken together, there is tendency for haemolytic anaemia to occur in blood sampled at higher concentration of anticoagulants in West African Dwarf goat than in White Fulani breed of cattle.