Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribo... more Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribolium castaneum is a species of beetle in the family tenebrionidae, the darkling beetle. Conventional insecticides used for controling stored product pests are expensive and are proven to have side effects hence the need to have an alternative biopesticides from plants which are proven to be effective against many insects. Azadrachta indica has been used for the control many insects, literature review show no report of its effects on Tribolium castaneum. This study is aimed at evaluating the bioinsecticidal activity of ethanolic leaves extract of Azadirachta indica against stored Tribolium castaneum. Different concentrations (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) of ethanolic leaves extract of A. indica was applied on the filter paper and were allowed to dry. Control was done by applying water only on the filter paper. For the determination of the percentage mortality, 15 adults of the insects was ta...
Objective: Inflammation is the reaction to injury of the living tissues. Conventional medication ... more Objective: Inflammation is the reaction to injury of the living tissues. Conventional medication of inflammation is expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective as alternative. Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura are plants that grow in Mbeere County of Eastern region of Kenya. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. volkensii and M. obscura plants. Methods: Experimental animals were divided in to four groups; normal group, diseased negative control group, diseased reference group and diseased experimental groups. Inflammation was inducted into the mice using carrageenan. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts of the plants at the concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory activities in rats were compared with diclofenac (15 mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Results: The leaf extracts of C. volkensii reduced p...
The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ... more The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ambient temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory were 33.6±0.21 0C and 35.8±0.13% RH. Different quantities of the two varieties of maize grain flour was infested with 5 adults T. castaneum in the ratio of 3:2. The result showed that at 20 days after infestation, there were significant differences in the number of T. castaneum larvae in the different quantities of the yellow maize. Moreover, the number of T. castaneum pupae in the yellow and while maize grain flour was statistically different from each other at 66 days after infestation. However, the results at 66 days after infestation showed that there were significantly differences in the mean number of T. castaneum adults emerged from the different quantities of yellow and white maize grain flour.
Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research, 2016
Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side ... more Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop botanical pesticides that are effective as alternative. Though S. incanum fruits sap has been used by the local farmers to control aphids, literature show no scientifically investigated report of its effectiveness and the mode of its insecticidal action. This study was therefore designed to evaluate anti-aphids properties of crude fruit sap extract of S. incanum. A total of 180 kales were planted in the Plant Transformation Laboratory of Kenyatta University. They were divided into six groups with 10 plant stands each. Each group was subjected to routine spray with 10, 25, 50 and 75% S. incanum extract. Dimethoate was utilized as reference insecticide while the last group was not sprayed. The number of live and dead aphids was counted for two weeks after every pray in each group with an interval of one day to determine the deterrent and insecticidal activity. The extract at different tested concentrations showed some level of insecticidal and deterrent activities against green peach aphid. Further, phytochemical screening results showed that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum have phytochemicals associated with insecticidal and deterrent activity. The study has established that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum are effective in managing insects' pest.
Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue d... more Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue damage, it is also viewed as a source of discomfort and hence is commonly suppressed with some medication. However, conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective, cheaply available as alternative and complementary to conventional therapeutic drugs. Today herbal remedies are gaining popularity because the efficacy of conventional medicine is on the wane. Through ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edu-lis (Forssk.)Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of ...
Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribo... more Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribolium castaneum is a species of beetle in the family tenebrionidae, the darkling beetle. Conventional insecticides used for controling stored product pests are expensive and are proven to have side effects hence the need to have an alternative biopesticides from plants which are proven to be effective against many insects. Azadrachta indica has been used for the control many insects, literature review show no report of its effects on Tribolium castaneum. This study is aimed at evaluating the bioinsecticidal activity of ethanolic leaves extract of Azadirachta indica against stored Tribolium castaneum. Different concentrations (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) of ethanolic leaves extract of A. indica was applied on the filter paper and were allowed to dry. Control was done by applying water only on the filter paper. For the determination of the percentage mortality, 15 adults of the insects was ta...
Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many peo... more Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many people turn to medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
Pain is defined as unpleasant feeling essential for body’s defense system. It acts as a warning s... more Pain is defined as unpleasant feeling essential for body’s defense system. It acts as a warning signal against disturbances in the body. Conventional antinociceptives are expensive and have many side effects. Continued use of these drugs may lead to tolerance and resistance. Medicinal plants have been used to relieve pain and form a better alternative. Herbal antinociceptives are affordable and have arguably fewer side effects. Caesalpinia volkensii (Harms) has pharmacological activities that include antimicrobial, immune modulatory properties and antimalarial. It is used locally by people in Embu County as analgesics. This study was designed to bioscreen the acetone leaf extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) for antinociceptive effects in mice.. The plant parts were collected from Mbeere north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. The samples were prepared and extraction of the active compounds carried out using acetone. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of five mice each: Normal, negative, reference and experimental group. Pain was induced experimentally using formalin and acetic acid. The experimental groups were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg dose ranges of the plant extract. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with doses of the herbs, diclofenac and the vehicle. Thirty minutes later the animals were injected with 0.01ml of 2.5 % formalin in the sub planter region of the left hind paw and the other set with 0.4ml of 5% acetic acid. The total time spent lifting; biting, licking the paw and writhing were counted and scored. The acetone leaves extracts tested at different dose levels lowered paw licking time in a dose dependant manner, Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the acetone leaves extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) have phytochemicals associated with antinociceptive activities. The study has established that the acetone leaves extract of C.volkensii (Harms) is effective in management of pain.
Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side ... more Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop botanical pesticides that are effective as alternative. Though S. incanum fruits sap has been used by the local farmers to control aphids, literature show no scientifically investigated report of its effectiveness and the mode of its insecticidal action. This study was therefore designed to evaluate anti-aphids properties of crude fruit sap extract of S. incanum. A total of 180 kales were planted in the Plant Transformation Laboratory of Kenyatta University. They were divided into six groups with 10 plant stands each. Each group was subjected to routine spray with 10, 25, 50 and 75% S. incanum extract. Dimethoate was utilized as reference insecticide while the last group was not sprayed. The number of live and dead aphids was counted for two weeks after every pray in each group with an interval of one day to determine the deterrent and insecticidal activity. The extract at different tested concentrations showed some level of insecticidal and deterrent activities against green peach aphid. Further, phytochemical screening results showed that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum have phytochemicals associated with insecticidal and deterrent activity. The study has established that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum are effective in managing insects' pest.
Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many peo... more Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many people turn to medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
Conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effect... more Conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effects, hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective as alternative. Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is the herb that has previously made thousands of people flock to a remote Loliondo village in Northern Tanzania, for its cure said to apply to all diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, ulcers, hypertension, and diabetes. Although C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl is widely used for pain in the traditional system of medicine; review of the literature shows no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. This study was, therefore, designed to bioscreen the DCM: methanolic extract of the leaf and root bark of C. edulis on anti-nociceptive potential. The plant parts were collected from Siakago-Mbeere north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. Pain was induced into the rats experimentally using formalin. Anti-nociceptive activities in rats were compared with diclofenac (15 mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. The leaf extract reduced pain by between 47.04% -47.19% (in the early phase) and 38.96% -89.26% (in the late phase) while the root bark extracts reduced it by between 21.5% -41.89% (in the early phase) and between 21.4% -90.62% (in the later phase). Diclofenac reduced pain by between 27.37% -34.9% (in the early phase) and 88.24% -90.28% (in the late phase). Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the extract had alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, phenolics and terpenoids which have been associated with anti-nociceptive activities. Therefore, the study has established that the DCM: methanolic extracts of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl are effective in the management of pain.
The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ... more The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ambient temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory were 33.6±0.21 0C and 35.8±0.13% RH. Different quantities of the two varieties of maize grain flour was infested with 5 adults T. castaneum in the ratio of 3:2. The result showed that at 20 days after infestation, there were significant differences in the number of T. castaneum larvae in the different quantities of the yellow maize. Moreover, the number of T. castaneum pupae in the yellow and while maize grain flour was statistically different from each other at 66 days after infestation. However, the results at 66 days after infestation showed that there were significantly differences in the mean number of T. castaneum adults emerged from the different quantities of yellow and white maize grain flour.
Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue d... more Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue damage, it is also viewed as a source of discomfort and hence is commonly suppressed with some medication. However, conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective, cheaply available as alternative and complementary to conventional therapeutic drugs. Today herbal remedies are gaining popularity because the effiecy of conventional medicine is on the wane. Though ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl as an alternative and complementally intervention for the treatment of fever. Th experimental groups were treated with leaf and root bark extracts at concentration of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg. Antipyretic activities in rats were compared with aspirin (100mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Th leaf extracts reduced the rectal temperature by between 0.02% - 2.98% while the root bark extracts reduced it by between 0.15% - 2.55%. Aspirin reduced the elevated rectal temperature by between 1.08% - 2.53%. Results indicate that both leaf and root bark extracts of C. edulis have profound antipyretic activities comparable to the conventional antipyretic drug, aspirin
Two leguminous crops Soya beans and Bambara groundnut were infested with Callosobruchus maculatus... more Two leguminous crops Soya beans and Bambara groundnut were infested with Callosobruchus maculatus using different quantities. The experiment was conducted in the Biological Sciences laboratory, University of Maiduguri. Completely Randomized Design with three replicates was used to compare the level of infestation by C. maculatus on Soya beans and Bambara groundnut using different quantities. The results showed that significantly (P=0.05) more eggs where laid on Soya beans than Bambara groundnut. Consequently, the number of adults that emerged from Bambara groundnut significantly (P=0.05) outnumbered those on Soya beans. It is clear from the experiment that Bambara groundnut is more prone to attack by C. maculatus as compared to Soya beans. By the emergence of many adults from Bambara groundnut, it showed that the produce is infested by C. maculatus which results to weight loss and decreased germination potential of the seed.
Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribo... more Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribolium castaneum is a species of beetle in the family tenebrionidae, the darkling beetle. Conventional insecticides used for controling stored product pests are expensive and are proven to have side effects hence the need to have an alternative biopesticides from plants which are proven to be effective against many insects. Azadrachta indica has been used for the control many insects, literature review show no report of its effects on Tribolium castaneum. This study is aimed at evaluating the bioinsecticidal activity of ethanolic leaves extract of Azadirachta indica against stored Tribolium castaneum. Different concentrations (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) of ethanolic leaves extract of A. indica was applied on the filter paper and were allowed to dry. Control was done by applying water only on the filter paper. For the determination of the percentage mortality, 15 adults of the insects was ta...
Objective: Inflammation is the reaction to injury of the living tissues. Conventional medication ... more Objective: Inflammation is the reaction to injury of the living tissues. Conventional medication of inflammation is expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective as alternative. Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura are plants that grow in Mbeere County of Eastern region of Kenya. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. volkensii and M. obscura plants. Methods: Experimental animals were divided in to four groups; normal group, diseased negative control group, diseased reference group and diseased experimental groups. Inflammation was inducted into the mice using carrageenan. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts of the plants at the concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory activities in rats were compared with diclofenac (15 mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Results: The leaf extracts of C. volkensii reduced p...
The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ... more The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ambient temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory were 33.6±0.21 0C and 35.8±0.13% RH. Different quantities of the two varieties of maize grain flour was infested with 5 adults T. castaneum in the ratio of 3:2. The result showed that at 20 days after infestation, there were significant differences in the number of T. castaneum larvae in the different quantities of the yellow maize. Moreover, the number of T. castaneum pupae in the yellow and while maize grain flour was statistically different from each other at 66 days after infestation. However, the results at 66 days after infestation showed that there were significantly differences in the mean number of T. castaneum adults emerged from the different quantities of yellow and white maize grain flour.
Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research, 2016
Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side ... more Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop botanical pesticides that are effective as alternative. Though S. incanum fruits sap has been used by the local farmers to control aphids, literature show no scientifically investigated report of its effectiveness and the mode of its insecticidal action. This study was therefore designed to evaluate anti-aphids properties of crude fruit sap extract of S. incanum. A total of 180 kales were planted in the Plant Transformation Laboratory of Kenyatta University. They were divided into six groups with 10 plant stands each. Each group was subjected to routine spray with 10, 25, 50 and 75% S. incanum extract. Dimethoate was utilized as reference insecticide while the last group was not sprayed. The number of live and dead aphids was counted for two weeks after every pray in each group with an interval of one day to determine the deterrent and insecticidal activity. The extract at different tested concentrations showed some level of insecticidal and deterrent activities against green peach aphid. Further, phytochemical screening results showed that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum have phytochemicals associated with insecticidal and deterrent activity. The study has established that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum are effective in managing insects' pest.
Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue d... more Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue damage, it is also viewed as a source of discomfort and hence is commonly suppressed with some medication. However, conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective, cheaply available as alternative and complementary to conventional therapeutic drugs. Today herbal remedies are gaining popularity because the efficacy of conventional medicine is on the wane. Through ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edu-lis (Forssk.)Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of ...
Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribo... more Article history Received: 22 June 2020 Accepted: 9 July 2020 Published Online: 17 July 2020 Tribolium castaneum is a species of beetle in the family tenebrionidae, the darkling beetle. Conventional insecticides used for controling stored product pests are expensive and are proven to have side effects hence the need to have an alternative biopesticides from plants which are proven to be effective against many insects. Azadrachta indica has been used for the control many insects, literature review show no report of its effects on Tribolium castaneum. This study is aimed at evaluating the bioinsecticidal activity of ethanolic leaves extract of Azadirachta indica against stored Tribolium castaneum. Different concentrations (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) of ethanolic leaves extract of A. indica was applied on the filter paper and were allowed to dry. Control was done by applying water only on the filter paper. For the determination of the percentage mortality, 15 adults of the insects was ta...
Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many peo... more Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many people turn to medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
Pain is defined as unpleasant feeling essential for body’s defense system. It acts as a warning s... more Pain is defined as unpleasant feeling essential for body’s defense system. It acts as a warning signal against disturbances in the body. Conventional antinociceptives are expensive and have many side effects. Continued use of these drugs may lead to tolerance and resistance. Medicinal plants have been used to relieve pain and form a better alternative. Herbal antinociceptives are affordable and have arguably fewer side effects. Caesalpinia volkensii (Harms) has pharmacological activities that include antimicrobial, immune modulatory properties and antimalarial. It is used locally by people in Embu County as analgesics. This study was designed to bioscreen the acetone leaf extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) for antinociceptive effects in mice.. The plant parts were collected from Mbeere north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. The samples were prepared and extraction of the active compounds carried out using acetone. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of five mice each: Normal, negative, reference and experimental group. Pain was induced experimentally using formalin and acetic acid. The experimental groups were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg dose ranges of the plant extract. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with doses of the herbs, diclofenac and the vehicle. Thirty minutes later the animals were injected with 0.01ml of 2.5 % formalin in the sub planter region of the left hind paw and the other set with 0.4ml of 5% acetic acid. The total time spent lifting; biting, licking the paw and writhing were counted and scored. The acetone leaves extracts tested at different dose levels lowered paw licking time in a dose dependant manner, Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the acetone leaves extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) have phytochemicals associated with antinociceptive activities. The study has established that the acetone leaves extract of C.volkensii (Harms) is effective in management of pain.
Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side ... more Conventional insecticides are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop botanical pesticides that are effective as alternative. Though S. incanum fruits sap has been used by the local farmers to control aphids, literature show no scientifically investigated report of its effectiveness and the mode of its insecticidal action. This study was therefore designed to evaluate anti-aphids properties of crude fruit sap extract of S. incanum. A total of 180 kales were planted in the Plant Transformation Laboratory of Kenyatta University. They were divided into six groups with 10 plant stands each. Each group was subjected to routine spray with 10, 25, 50 and 75% S. incanum extract. Dimethoate was utilized as reference insecticide while the last group was not sprayed. The number of live and dead aphids was counted for two weeks after every pray in each group with an interval of one day to determine the deterrent and insecticidal activity. The extract at different tested concentrations showed some level of insecticidal and deterrent activities against green peach aphid. Further, phytochemical screening results showed that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum have phytochemicals associated with insecticidal and deterrent activity. The study has established that the crude fruits sap extract of S. incanum are effective in managing insects' pest.
Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many peo... more Hematological disorders have attained epidemic proportions worldwide today. As a result, many people turn to medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
Conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effect... more Conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effects, hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective as alternative. Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is the herb that has previously made thousands of people flock to a remote Loliondo village in Northern Tanzania, for its cure said to apply to all diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, ulcers, hypertension, and diabetes. Although C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl is widely used for pain in the traditional system of medicine; review of the literature shows no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. This study was, therefore, designed to bioscreen the DCM: methanolic extract of the leaf and root bark of C. edulis on anti-nociceptive potential. The plant parts were collected from Siakago-Mbeere north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. Pain was induced into the rats experimentally using formalin. Anti-nociceptive activities in rats were compared with diclofenac (15 mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. The leaf extract reduced pain by between 47.04% -47.19% (in the early phase) and 38.96% -89.26% (in the late phase) while the root bark extracts reduced it by between 21.5% -41.89% (in the early phase) and between 21.4% -90.62% (in the later phase). Diclofenac reduced pain by between 27.37% -34.9% (in the early phase) and 88.24% -90.28% (in the late phase). Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the extract had alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, phenolics and terpenoids which have been associated with anti-nociceptive activities. Therefore, the study has established that the DCM: methanolic extracts of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl are effective in the management of pain.
The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ... more The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ambient temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory were 33.6±0.21 0C and 35.8±0.13% RH. Different quantities of the two varieties of maize grain flour was infested with 5 adults T. castaneum in the ratio of 3:2. The result showed that at 20 days after infestation, there were significant differences in the number of T. castaneum larvae in the different quantities of the yellow maize. Moreover, the number of T. castaneum pupae in the yellow and while maize grain flour was statistically different from each other at 66 days after infestation. However, the results at 66 days after infestation showed that there were significantly differences in the mean number of T. castaneum adults emerged from the different quantities of yellow and white maize grain flour.
Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue d... more Although pyrexia benefits the nonspecific immune response to invading microorganisms and tissue damage, it is also viewed as a source of discomfort and hence is commonly suppressed with some medication. However, conventional medications are expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse side effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective, cheaply available as alternative and complementary to conventional therapeutic drugs. Today herbal remedies are gaining popularity because the effiecy of conventional medicine is on the wane. Though ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl as an alternative and complementally intervention for the treatment of fever. Th experimental groups were treated with leaf and root bark extracts at concentration of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg. Antipyretic activities in rats were compared with aspirin (100mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Th leaf extracts reduced the rectal temperature by between 0.02% - 2.98% while the root bark extracts reduced it by between 0.15% - 2.55%. Aspirin reduced the elevated rectal temperature by between 1.08% - 2.53%. Results indicate that both leaf and root bark extracts of C. edulis have profound antipyretic activities comparable to the conventional antipyretic drug, aspirin
Two leguminous crops Soya beans and Bambara groundnut were infested with Callosobruchus maculatus... more Two leguminous crops Soya beans and Bambara groundnut were infested with Callosobruchus maculatus using different quantities. The experiment was conducted in the Biological Sciences laboratory, University of Maiduguri. Completely Randomized Design with three replicates was used to compare the level of infestation by C. maculatus on Soya beans and Bambara groundnut using different quantities. The results showed that significantly (P=0.05) more eggs where laid on Soya beans than Bambara groundnut. Consequently, the number of adults that emerged from Bambara groundnut significantly (P=0.05) outnumbered those on Soya beans. It is clear from the experiment that Bambara groundnut is more prone to attack by C. maculatus as compared to Soya beans. By the emergence of many adults from Bambara groundnut, it showed that the produce is infested by C. maculatus which results to weight loss and decreased germination potential of the seed.
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medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing
health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of
foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents
of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these
effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their
clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal
mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally
once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from
unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related
parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the
two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that
the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
disturbances in the body. Conventional antinociceptives are expensive and have many side effects. Continued use
of these drugs may lead to tolerance and resistance. Medicinal plants have been used to relieve pain and form a
better alternative. Herbal antinociceptives are affordable and have arguably fewer side effects. Caesalpinia volkensii
(Harms) has pharmacological activities that include antimicrobial, immune modulatory properties and antimalarial. It is used locally by people in Embu County as analgesics. This study was designed to bioscreen the acetone leaf extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) for antinociceptive effects in mice.. The plant parts were collected from Mbeere
north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. The samples were prepared and extraction of the active compounds carried
out using acetone. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of five mice each: Normal, negative, reference
and experimental group. Pain was induced experimentally using formalin and acetic acid. The experimental groups
were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg dose ranges of the plant extract. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with doses of the herbs, diclofenac and the vehicle. Thirty minutes later the animals were injected with 0.01ml of 2.5 % formalin in the sub planter region of the left hind paw and the other set with 0.4ml of 5% acetic acid. The total time spent lifting; biting, licking the paw and writhing were counted and scored. The acetone leaves extracts tested at different dose levels lowered paw licking time in a dose dependant manner, Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the acetone leaves extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) have phytochemicals associated with antinociceptive activities. The study has established that the acetone leaves extract of C.volkensii (Harms) is effective in management of pain.
Though ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described
effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl as an alternative and complementally intervention for the
treatment of fever. Th experimental groups were treated with leaf and root bark extracts at concentration of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg. Antipyretic activities in rats were compared with aspirin (100mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Th leaf extracts reduced the rectal temperature by between 0.02% - 2.98% while the
root bark extracts reduced it by between 0.15% - 2.55%. Aspirin reduced the elevated rectal temperature by between 1.08% - 2.53%. Results indicate that both leaf and root
bark extracts of C. edulis have profound antipyretic activities comparable to the conventional antipyretic drug, aspirin
medicinal plants for treatment thereby boosting and enhancing health because professional care is not immediately available, is too inconvenient, costly and time consuming. Certain medicinal plants are believed to promote positive health and maintain organic resistance against infection. The use of medicinal plants which are readily available and arguably efficacious would therefore over a better and affordable alternative for boosting and enhancing
health. Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to determine the extent of deleterious effect of
foreign compounds including plant extracts on the blood constituents of an animal. Various chemical constituents
of Vernonia lasiopus are believed to possess therapeutic effects on hematological parameters. However, these
effects have not been subjected to systematic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made regarding their
clinical utility. This study was designed to investigate the hematological effects of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) in normal
mice. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally
once per two days for a period of fourteen days. Hematological parameters and indices were determined from
unclotted blood samples using standard protocols. Presence of various types of phytochemicals was assessed using standard procedures. The leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) induced changes in erythrocytes and related
parameter profiles, total and differential WBC counts, platelets and their related parameters in normal mice at the
two tested dose levels of 50 mg/kgbw and 100 mg/kgbw. Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that
the leaf extract of V. lasiopus (O. Hoffman) have phytochemicals associated with erythropoietin promoting activity, immunostimulatory activities and thrombopoietin stimulation.
disturbances in the body. Conventional antinociceptives are expensive and have many side effects. Continued use
of these drugs may lead to tolerance and resistance. Medicinal plants have been used to relieve pain and form a
better alternative. Herbal antinociceptives are affordable and have arguably fewer side effects. Caesalpinia volkensii
(Harms) has pharmacological activities that include antimicrobial, immune modulatory properties and antimalarial. It is used locally by people in Embu County as analgesics. This study was designed to bioscreen the acetone leaf extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) for antinociceptive effects in mice.. The plant parts were collected from Mbeere
north sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. The samples were prepared and extraction of the active compounds carried
out using acetone. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of five mice each: Normal, negative, reference
and experimental group. Pain was induced experimentally using formalin and acetic acid. The experimental groups
were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg dose ranges of the plant extract. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with doses of the herbs, diclofenac and the vehicle. Thirty minutes later the animals were injected with 0.01ml of 2.5 % formalin in the sub planter region of the left hind paw and the other set with 0.4ml of 5% acetic acid. The total time spent lifting; biting, licking the paw and writhing were counted and scored. The acetone leaves extracts tested at different dose levels lowered paw licking time in a dose dependant manner, Further, the phytochemical screening results showed that the acetone leaves extracts of C. volkensii (Harms) have phytochemicals associated with antinociceptive activities. The study has established that the acetone leaves extract of C.volkensii (Harms) is effective in management of pain.
Though ages Carissa edulis has been used as folklore remedy for various common ailments afflicting people in various parts of the world. However, although C. edulis (Forssk.) Vahl is widely used for pyrexia in the traditional medicine, an extensive search of the literature reveals no scientifically investigated report of its described
effects. Thus, this study was to scientifically evaluate the ethnomedicinal importance of C. edulis (Forssk.)Vahl as an alternative and complementally intervention for the
treatment of fever. Th experimental groups were treated with leaf and root bark extracts at concentration of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg. Antipyretic activities in rats were compared with aspirin (100mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Th leaf extracts reduced the rectal temperature by between 0.02% - 2.98% while the
root bark extracts reduced it by between 0.15% - 2.55%. Aspirin reduced the elevated rectal temperature by between 1.08% - 2.53%. Results indicate that both leaf and root
bark extracts of C. edulis have profound antipyretic activities comparable to the conventional antipyretic drug, aspirin