Olea africana is used by some indigenous communities in Kenya to control gastrointestinal worms in animals. Plant-based anthelmintics are gaining popularity globally in the control of gastrointestinal worms in animals. The egg hatch inhibition assay was used to assess the in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of O. africana against the eggs of mixed gastrointestinal helminths in dogs. Probit regression was used to calculate the concentration of extracts that inhibited egg hatching by 50% (IC50). Albendazole was used as a control. Standard techniques were used to quantify the phytochemicals in the extracts. The aqueous extract had an IC50 of 1.85 mg/mL (1.64–2.10), and the ethanol extract had an IC50 of 0.25 mg/mL (0.23–0.26). Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that aqueous and ethanol extracts of O. africana contained alkaloids (19.40 and 61.60%), saponins (24.00 and 6.00%), phenols (0.95 and 1.28 mg/g gallic acid equivalents (GAE)), flavonoids (8.71 and 12.26 mg/g catechin equivalents (CE)), and tannins (67.30 and 76.30 mg/g of tannic acid equivalent (TAE)), respectively. O. africana has dose-dependent anthelmintic effects against mixed gastrointestinal worms in dogs. These findings support the traditional use of Olea africana as a treatment option for gastrointestinal worms in dogs.
The current study investigated the toxicity of the ethanol extract of _Olea africana_ in mice and brine shrimp _(Artemia salina)_. Brine shrimp cytotoxicity and acute toxicity of the extract in mice were observed over 24 hours. Subacute toxicity of the extract was studied in mice for 28 days using animal weight, organ-to-body weight ratio, and hematological, biochemical and histological parameters as indicators. Data analysis was done using Probit regression and Two Way ANOVA _(p<0.05)_. The lethal concentration of the extract responsible for 50% mortality in brine shrimp (LC50) was 2257.84 µg/mL (702.97-7367.95), while the lethal dose of the extract responsible for 50% mortality in mice (LD50) was 4297.30 mg/kg. There were no significant differences in the mean weight or organ-to-body weight ratio of the control and treatment group mice. Some hematological and biochemical parameters in extract-treated mice were significantly different from control group mice. Adverse histopathological changes including fibrosis around the hepatic artery, degeneration of hepatocytes, congestion, and mild fibrosis around the portal vein and artery were observed in the livers of extract-treated mice. Perivascular infiltration, fibrosis, mild glomerular degeneration, mild tubular degeneration, cell infiltration, and hemorrhage were observed in the kidneys of extract-treated mice. Given these findings, prolonged administration of _Olea africana_ is associated with significant toxic concern. As a result, caution should be exercised when using the extract.
Campylobacter species are widely distributed pathogens; however, data on its epidemiology in puppies remain scanty, especially in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Nairobi Metropolitan Region to determine molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Campylobacter species infection in puppies. A total of 260 rectal swabs were collected from puppies from breeding kennels, shelters, and the University of Nairobi Veterinary Teaching and Referral Hospital. The samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for identification of Campylobacter species. Data on potential risk factors associated with puppy exposure were collected using a semistructured questionnaire. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression analyses were performed with kennels as random effects. Campylobacter species were detected in 64 of the 260 sampled puppies yielding an overall prevalence of 24.6%. Multivariable results showed that puppies from shelters, puppies from kennels that are washed daily, puppies with a recent history of vomiting, and those treated with antibiotics in the past month were significantly associated with the presence of Campylobacter species. Being a kenneled puppy and having had concurrent bacterial infections were identified as protective factors. This study provides molecular evidence of puppy exposure to Campylobacter species which could have impact on puppy health and highlights the need to develop awareness and management strategies to potentially reduce the risk of transmitting this pathogen among puppies, to humans, and other animals.
Moringa oleifera Lam. is one of the most used plants in traditional medicine because of its high antioxidant properties. The antioxidant value, nonetheless, depends on locality where the plant is grown as well as specific parts on the plant. In this study, a phytochemical and antioxidant activity comparison of M. oleifera leaves, seeds and barks were carried out. Fresh leaves, seeds and barks were collected from 2 to 3 years old M. oleifera trees of Bukavu city of South Kivu province in DRC and Masii village of Machackos County in Kenya. A total of 300g of each dried sample powder was mixed with 700 mL of distilled water. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids and tannins were performed following standard methods while the antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results indicate that only alkaloids were absent in leaves from Kenya and DRC while phenols, flavonoids and tannins were absent in barks. Glycoside in seeds from DRC had the highest concentration (6.17%) followed by alkaloids in seeds from Kenya (5.56%). There was low concentration of terpenoids and flavonoids in all samples compared to other compounds. The highest extract yield was found in leaves from DR Congo (22.5%) and seeds from Kenya (20%). At the highest concentration (10 µg/mL), leaves from Kenya (88.29±1.12 µg/mL) and DRC (80.17±3.59 µg/mL) had the highest percentage inhibition of reactive oxygen-free radicals but lower than the reference standard (92.63±2.76 µg/mL). Leaves from Kenya (23.59 μg/mL) and DRC (28.67 μg/mL) had the highest IC50 compared to mean values of seeds and barks from the two countries. M. oleifera leaves, especially from Kenya, are recommended as a satisfactory antioxidant but can be substituted with seeds and/or barks in order to alleviate the use of leaves which are overused these days.
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