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Somatic chromosomes and Giemsa C-banding patterns of three species of fruit flies belonging to the genus Dacus, viz., D. cucurbitae, D. zonatus and D. diversus are described. There are five pairs of long, euchromatic autosomes and one pair of smaller sex chromosomes which are homomorphic in females (XX) and heteromorphic in males (XY). In all the species the Y chromosome is in the form of a dot while the X chromosome varies in morphology. The autosomes of D. cucurbitae and D. zonatus are characterized by distinct C-bands, however, the C-bands are not very clear in 1). diversus. Y chromosomes in all the species are C-band positive. The X chromosomes of D. cucurbitae and D. diversus are C-band positive but those of D. zonatus show only a small interstitial band.orchards and fields and brought to the laboratory to obtain larvae and pupae of D. zonatus, D. cucurbitae and D. diversus, respectively. Stocks were maintained in the laboratory at 26-28°C. Adults were fed on enzymatic yeast hydrolysate (N.B.C.) and sugar solution. Pieces of pumpkin were provided for oviposition and larvae allowed to grow on the same for 4-5 days. For pupation sand was provided and when pupation was complete, pupae were collected from the sand and transferred to insect rearing cages in petri dishes to maintain the next generation. The cytological techniques used were identical to those reported by Kaul et al. (1978). Observations

In the present study, preventive and protective effects of Ocimum gratissimum in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity are assessed in albino rats. A methanol extract of O. gratissimum leaves is prepared, with a yield of 3.5% (w/w) of the dry weight of leaves. Graded doses of the extract (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight), together with ethanol (5 gm/kg body weight) are administered orally to experimental groups for 30 days. Normal control rats receive distilled water only, while rats in an alcohol control group (AC) receive ethanol only for 30 days. O. gratissimum reduced the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in all experimental groups (E1-E4). Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels fell in all experimental groups (E1-E4), but this reduction was significant only in groups E3 and E4 (P < 0.05), indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation by free radicals generated after ethanol metabolism. Levels of antioxidants also increased. Ascorbic acid and glutathione levels increased in all experimental groups (E1-E4; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). A significant increase in catalase (P < 0.05) was noted only in group E4, although an upward trend was noted in all experimental groups. This study shows that O. gratissimum prevents free radical damage to the liver and thus protects the organ from oxidative stress.

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