African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of quinapyramine (Trypacide®) drug-resistant Trypansoma evansi

Intisar E. El Rayah¹* and Khitma H. El Malik²

¹Trypanosomosis Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI), P.O.BOX 1304, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.

²Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, P.O Box 32, Khartoum North, Sudan.

Accepted 30 March, 2016

Abstract

Molecular karyotyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to characterize Trypanosoma evansi isolates. Ten T. evansi isolates from camels were collected in Eastern and Western Sudan. Isolates from Eastern Sudan which were kept under continuous prophylactic treatment with quinapyramine (Trypacide®), were found to bear a single pattern and belonged to one karyotype group. From Western Sudan where trypanosomosis management was done by individual treatment of proven parasitaemic cases, isolates with diverse karyotype patterns were obtained. This study concluded that the occurrence of karyotype homogeneity amongst T. evansi isolates from field situations where anti-trypanosomal compounds have been used may infer the existence of drug-resistance.

Key words: Trypanosoma evansi, drug resistance, Trypacide®, karyotyping, Sudan.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-002, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Antibacterial assessment of whole stem bark of Vitex doniana against some enterobactriaceae

KILANI A. M

Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 17 March, 2016

Abstract

The effects of methanolic extracts of the stem bark of Vitex doniana against some Entrobacteriaceae was investigated. Clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysentariae and Escherichia coli were treated with extracts of the stem bark of V. doniana for antimicrobial activity using in vitro agar diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration. The stem bark extracts were able to inhibit the growth pattern of the tested microorganisms. In all cases Shigella dysentariae showed the highest sensitivity. The results suggest that V. doniana may be valuable in the management of dysentery and gastroenteritis infections.

Key words: Vitex doniana, antimicrobial susceptibility, traditional medicine.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-002, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Pharmacognostic investigation of the leaves of Gisekia pharnacioides

K. Y. Musa^*, A. U. Katsayal, A. Ahmed, Z. Mohammed and U. H. Danmalam

Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 March, 2016

Abstract

Pharacognostic investigation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves of Gisekia pharnacioides Linn was carried out to determine its macro- and microscopical characters and also some of its physical constants. Externally, the leaves possess a symmetrical base, an entire margin, obtuse apex and a pilose surface. Internally, its shows the presences of an anisocytic stomata, unicellular, uniseriated-covering trichomes with swollen base and an acute apex, prism and clustered crystals of calcium oxalate and fiber elements. The chemo-microscopy revealed the presences of lignin, mucilage, proteins, starch grains, fats and oils. Phytochemical studies of the powdered leaves revealed the presences of tannins, alkaloids, resins, cardiac glycosides, flavoniods and some carbohydrates. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.

Key words: Gisekia pharnacieoides, pharmacognostic standardization, leaf morphology.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Ziziphus mauritiana root extract in rodents

Dahiru, D.¹*, Sini J. M¹ and John-Africa L.²

¹Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 2076, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

²National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 April, 2015

Abstract

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the root extract of Ziziphus mauritiana revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and volatile oil. Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of the extract was found to be 447.21 ± 20 mg/kg (bw) in mice. The Antidiarrhoeal effect of the methanolic extract as evaluated exhibited a concentration dependent inhibition of the spontaneous pendular movement of the isolated rabbit jejunum and inhibited acetylcholine induced contraction of rat ileum. A dose dependent decrease of gastrointestinal transit was observed with extracts (25 and 50 mg/kg) which also protected mice against castor oil induced dirrhoea and castor oil induced fluid accumulation, respectively. The presence of some of the phytochemicals in the root extract may be responsible for the observed effects, and also the basis for its use in traditional medicine as antidiarrhoeal drug.

Key words: Ziziphus mauritiana, antidiarrhoeal activity, castor oil, rodents.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Micromorphological, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory investigations of stem bark of Daniellia oliveri

I. A. Jegede ¹*, F. C. Nwinyi ², I. Muazzam ¹, D. D. Akumka², A. A. Njan², and M. Shok³

¹Department of Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, NIGERIA.

²Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), PMB 21 Garki, Abuja, NIGERIA.

³Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, NIGERIA.

Accepted 14 November, 2015

Abstract

Anatomical and powdered samples of stem bark of Daniellia oliveri were investigated for its micromorphological profile, while the aqueous extract was investigated for its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and rats, respectively. The micromorphological study indicated the presence of characteristic bundles of phloem tissues, separated by medullary rays, abundant grains of starch in isodiametric parenchyma cells, prisms of calcium oxalate crystals, cork cells and cortex parenchyma. The extract showed a significant anti-nociceptive activity at the tested doses (50, 100, 200 mg/kg i.p.). The extract at the same doses showed a non-dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity. The effect was significant at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. These findings contribute to the preparation of a monograph for proper identification of the plant and also corroborate some of the traditional uses.

Key words: Acute toxicity, anti-inflammation, anti-nociceptive, chemomicroscopy, Daniellia oliveri, micromorphology, phytochemical screening.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical substitution of fungal xylanases for prebleaching of hardwood kraft pulp

J. Angayarkanni¹, M. Palaniswamy²*, B.V. Pradeep² and K. Swaminathan¹

¹Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore - 641 046, India.

²Department of Microbiology, Karpagam Arts and Science College, Coimbatore - 641 021, India.

Accepted 15 November, 2015

Abstract

Xylanase enzymes of three fungi, Aspergillus indicus, A. flavus and A. niveus, were purified and characterized. The enzymes are used in the pretreatment of Hardwood kraft pulp prior to conventional alkali extraction and conventional chlorine extraction sequence (EDED process) normally used for bleaching of pulp. In the enzyme pretreated pulp when subjected to alkali extraction process the kappa number was reduced to a maximum of 5.0, 6.2 and 6.8 from 18.60 and the brightness was increased to a maximum of 43.12, 42.20 and 45.19 ISO units, respectively, from 19.83 by xylanases of A. indicus, A. flavus and A. niveus. Whereas, in the enzyme pretreated pulp, when subjected to EDED process, the maximum reduction in kappa number of 6.7, 7.2 and 7.1 and a maximum increase in brightness of 41.28, 41.06 and 41.07 ISO units, respectively, were observed in case of A. indicus, A. flavus and A. niveus.

Key words: Biobleaching, brightness, fungal xylanase, kappa number, kraft pulp, pretreatment.