Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology

Evaluation of the Toxicity and Anthelminthic Effect of Methanol Extract of Duranta Erecta Fruits

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluation of the Toxicity and Anthelminthic Effect of Methanol Extract of Duranta Erecta Fruits Wosu, Munachimso Ihuoma The chemotherapy of gastrointestinal helminthosis relies mainly on the use of anthelminthics. However, concerns over drug resistance have encouraged the search for new drug leads. This project report focused on evaluating the toxicity and anthelminthic effect produced in vitro and in vivo by the methanol extract of Duranta erecta fruits. From the study, the plant extract was found to contain several chemical components including flavonoids, tannins, polyuronides, saponins, glycosides and terpenes. Acute toxicity evaluation of the plant extract showed that the extract had an LD50 greater than 5000mg/kg BW and therefore was not acutely toxic for oral use. The in vitro assay showed that the plant extract had a poor anthelminthic effect (LC50 Extract= 0.796mg/ml) when compared with Albedazole, a standard anthelminthic (LC50 Albendazole= 0.193µg/ml). Thirty (30) male albino mice randomly distributed into six experimental groups of five animals each were used for the in vivo experiment. Twenty-five mice were infected with the murine nematode Heligmosomoides bakeri and constituted the Infected Groups (A-E) while five mice were uninfected with the parasite and served as Uninfected Control Group (F) for the experiment. Graded ascending doses (250mg/kg BW, 500mg/kg BW and 1000mg/kg BW) of the plant extract and Albendazole (25mg/kg BW) were orally administered to the mice in the infected groups respectively. Corprological and haematological parameters including Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin Concentration (Hb), Total Red Blood Cell Counts (RBC), Total White Blood Cell Counts (WBC) were evaluated and recorded during the study period. The Body Weight (BW) and Red blood cell indices including Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) were also estimated and recorded. Twenty-eight (28) days post infection, the infected mice were humanely sacrificed and the Post Mortem Adult Worm Burdens (WB) were estimated and recorded. The results showed that the plant extract was unable to eliminate faecal egg counts or adult worms in the gastrointestinal tract of infected animals even at the high doses used, reflected by increasing FEC in treated mice throughout the study. This is in contrast to the anthelminthic effect produced by Albendazole which significantly (p<0.05) reduced faecal egg counts and worm burdens by 71% and 92% respectively in treated mice. There was a significant (p<0.05) decline in all erythrocytic parameters (PCV, HB, RBC) in all infected groups, suggestive of anaemia. Treatment with the plant extract, regardless of the dose, was unable to reverse the effect of parasite infection on erythrocytic parameters. However, treatment with Albendazole positively reversed the anemia, restoring the mice to pre-infection values by the end of the experiment. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in White blood cell counts following infection with the parasite. Treatment with the plant extract and Albendazole significantly (p<0.05) reduced the WBC counts to pre-infection values in almost all treatment groups. There were no significant (p<0.05) decreases in the body weights of the mice post infection and post treatment with the plant extracts. This is in contrast to the decrease in body weight observed in mice in the Untreated Control group. As a result of the poor anthelminthic effects recorded in the study, it was therefore recommended that the methanol extract of Duranta erecta fruits be explored for its other useful effects rather than as an anthelminthic.

Antidiabetic Activities of The Methanolic Root Bark Extract Of Afzelia Africana In Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Antidiabetic Activities of The Methanolic Root Bark Extract Of Afzelia Africana In Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice Odo, Rita Ifeoma (Nee Ezeme) The methanolic root bark extract of Afzelia africana was tested for antidiabetic activities in-vivo. The acute toxicity of the extract was tested in mice and the result showed that the extract has low toxicity. Investigation on the phytochemical constituents of the plant extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and saponins.The plant extract was tested for antidiabetic activities in alloxan - induced diabetic mice at doses; 62.5 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg over a period of 6 hours. The extract was found to have antidiabetic activity. Optimum activity was noted at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 6 hours post treatment. The antidiabetic activity of the extract did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from that of glibenclamide. Column and thin layer chromatography revealed the presence of five fractions in the plant extract with fraction 3 found to be the active fraction. The free radical scavenging activity of the active fraction determined by in- vitro DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazine) and FRAP (Fehling’s reducing antioxidant power) Methods revealed that it has an antioxidant activity.

Comparative Studies of the Effects of Celecoxib and Acetaminophen in Fracture Healing in Dogs

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Comparative Studies of the Effects of Celecoxib and Acetaminophen in Fracture Healing in Dogs Uwagie, Ero Edwin Aihanuwa; 2010 Fifteen dogs of similar age (8-12 months) were used for the clinical study. They were randomized into 3 groups (CH1-5, CL1-5 AND AC1-5). Simple transverse femoral fractures were created under anaesthesia using a bone saw. Spatial alignment of the bone was achieved by insertion of an intramedullary pin. Radiographic assessment confirmed that the pins were intact and internal fixation was thorough. Celecoxib (Celebrex® Pfizer Inc, Germany) was supplied in encapsulated powdered form and was suspended in 0.5% dimethylsulphoxide (weight per volume) in sterile deionized water. Each dog in group 1 (CL1-5) was given 5mg/kg Celebrex®, group 2 (CH1-5) 10mg/kg Celebrex® and group3 (AC1-5) 20mg/kg acetaminophen (Divamol®, NDF Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Nigeria) orally three times daily. Drug administration was commenced four hours after the creation of the fracture and was continued daily for the specified number of times for each study groups for two weeks. Sequential radiographs were taken to evaluate fracture healing at week 2, 4, 6, and 8 after surgery. Follow-up radiographs were compared with earlier radiographs to assess the dynamics of fracture healing. Radiographic studies showed that fracture healing was not affected in dogs treated with 5mg/kg (Celebrex®), delayed union was observed in dogs treated with 10mg/kg (Celebrex®) and there was relatively high incidence of non-union in dogs treated with acetaminophen. Celebrex® at a dose of 5mg/kg did not affect fracture callus formation and did not cause a significant increase in the proportion of delayed union fracture. However, it provided adequate analgesia for animals in this study group. Celebrex® at a dose of 10mg/kg reduced the fracture callus formation, significantly increased the proportion of delayed union and it provided the best analgesia in the study groups. Conversely, acetaminophen therapy (20mg/kg three times daily) did not significantly affect callus formation, but increased the proportion of delayed union and non union fractures.