The rapid emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to Artemisinin derivatives and all the conventional antimalarial drugs necessitates the importance of ethnobotany, resulting in need to study the antiplasmodial potentials and the resultant effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Daniella oliveri (D.oliveri) on the biochemical and haematological parameters of the infected and treated albino mice. A total of 30 mice were randomized to six groups; 1 (positive control), 2 (negative control), 3 (normal control), 4, 5 and 6 (treatment groups) of five mice per group, body weights of mice were measured before and after infection and treatments, the mice were Infected intravenously with 0.2 ml of 1x107 standard inoculum of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infected erythrocytes on the first day (day 0), treatment commence 72 hours later (day 3), continued for 5 days to terminate on day 7. On day 8, the Swiss Albino mice used for antiplasmodial activity were subjected to euthanasia under chloroform, aseptically dissected and blood was collected through cardiac puncture in lithium heparin bottle for biochemical assays and in an ethylene diamine tetra- acetic acid (EDTA) bottles for haematological assays.All mice in the treatment group showed decrease in body weight except for normal control group that showed increase in body weight. Methanolic leaf extract of D.oliveri contains some secondary metabolites that are hepato-protective in nature with no significant effects on the biochemical and hematological parameters of the malaria infected and treated albino mice.

A study was conducted between May and August, 2018 to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths of pigs in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas, Kaduna State. 203 faecal samples were collected, processed and examined under light microscopy. Intestinal helminths recorded were: Ascaris suum (57.1%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (37.0%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (14.8%), Metastrongylus elongates (8.9%), Strongyloides (4.5%), Stepanurus dentatum (2.5%), Trichuris suis(1.5%), Globocephalus urobuslatus (2.0%) and Physocephalus sexalatus (1.5%). The overall prevalence of helminth infection in both LGAs was 71.9%. Pigs in Jema’a LGA had significantly higher prevalence (87.9%) than pigs from Chikun LGA (56.7%). Female pigs had relatively higher (74.4%) infection than male pigs (68.6%). This pattern was also reflected in Chikun LGA where female pigs had a prevalence of 63.9% compared to 46.5% in males, however, the reverse was the case in Jema’a LGA where males had 90.7% prevalence and females 85.7%. In Chikun LGA, the highest prevalence of 58.6% was recorded among pigs aged 25-36 months, followed by pigs aged 5-12 months with prevalence of 57.1%, and the least prevalence of 55.0% was recorded in pigs aged 13-24 months. The prevalence of intestinal helminthosis in pigs tends to decrease with age in Jema’a LGA. The presence of these parasites in pigs examined indicates a potential public health problem in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna state. Enlightenment of pig farmers on the need for periodic veterinary care and restriction of stray pigs through legislation formulation and enforcement are recommended as control measures

Human malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by 5 species of plasmodia. Qualitative, quantitative and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to determine some bioactive components used in accessing the antiplasmodial potentials of methanolic leaf extract of Daniella oliveri in mice. Twenty-five (25) albino mice of body weight between 18-25 g were randomized into 5 groups of five mice per group for acute toxicity test, while for antiplasmodial studies. Thirty (30) mice were randomized to 6 groups of 5 mice per group (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). The mice were Infected intravenously with 0.2 ml of 1x107 standard inoculum of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infected erythrocytes on the first day (day 0).72 hours later (day 3), 0.2 ml of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract were administered orally to mice in groups 4, 5 and 6 respectively as treatment dose once daily for 5 consecutive days. Group 1 (positive control) were treated with 0.2 ml of 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine, group 2 (negative control) were given 0.2 ml of normal saline and group 3 (normal control) received 0.2 ml of normal saline but were not infected with P. berghei. Blood samples were collected from all mice in all groups for the determination of percentage Parasitemia and chemo-suppression through vene-section of the tail. The qualitative Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Reducing sugar, Saponins, Terpernoids, Phenols. The GC-MS analysis revealed 57 chemicals. The highest dose 800mg/kg body weight showed a very good antiplasmodial activities with a significant decrease (P<0.05). Daniella oliveri have displayed to be a potentially “very good’’ human antimalarial medicinal plant.

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropics and subtropics region with Nigeria accounting for the highest proportions in Africa. This is accompanied with emerging resistance to available drugs, posing it a public health concern. This study is aimed at determining the invivo activity of the individual ethanolic leaf extracts of the Azadirachta indica, Senna occidentalis and Momordica balsamina. The leaves of A. indica, S. occidentalis and M. balsamina were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. Ethanolic extraction of leaves of plants was carried out and invivo evaluation of the individual activity of extracts determined using standard procedures. 55 mice were randomly divided into 11 groups lettered A – K; positive group, negative group and 9 extract groups. Results showed that M. balsamina had the highest yield of 7.6%, followed by A. indica with 6.5% and S. occidentalis with 5.7%. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presences of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, phenolics and tannin in all plants. The comparison of the individual study groups showed that Senna occidentalis is more effective at 600mg/kg dosage and prolonged survival of the mice in its group in the study period. This plant possessed significant (P-value <0.05) antiplasmodial activity, thus lowered parasitaemia in infected mice.

Cowpea is one of the most consumed food in Africa. Recombinant DNA technology has been used to insert foreign genes into plants genome via cassettes there by creating a new generation of plants with desired traits. Such plants possess improved seed quality, yield and resistance to pests and pathogens. The aim of this study is to screen for transgene in Cowpeas sold in Nigerian markets using molecular analysis. Five Improved varieties of Cowpea were obtained from IITA while local varieties were purchased from Terminus Market in Jos. All samples were screened for the presence of transgene via DNA extraction and PCR. Results shows the presence of transgene in MKT1, IT89KD and IT99KD, CAMV, NOS and VIP3BA respectively and none was found in local varieties.