Parkia biglobosa aqueous extract ameliorates risk markers of cardiometabolic diseases in spironolactone treated and high-salt fed Sprague-Dawley male rat

Background: The numbers of people with salt-sensitive hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are increasing due to high-salt diet (HSD) consumption globally. Parkia biglobosa (PB), an African locust bean tree, has been reported to have several cardiovascular protective properties but its ameliorative effects on CMD are scarcely reported. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effects of PB stem bark aqueous extract on some risk markers of CMD in weanling male rats subjected to HSD and Spironolactone (Sp) treatment.Twenty-five weanling male rats (95-105 g) were divided into 5 groups: Group 1 (Control); Group 2 (untreated HSD) fed on normal chow and HSD (8% NaCl); Group 3 (HSD+Sp); Group 4 (HSD+PB); Group 5 (HSD+Sp+PB) fed on HSD (8% NaCl) and received either 80 mg/kg of Sp or 400 mg/kg of PB and both as treatment, respectively. After 6 weeks of treatment, blood samples and heart were collected from each animal for biochemical analysis.Results: Administration of both PB and Sp or only PB, significantly decreased the plasma or cardiac adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, C-reactive protein, lipids (except high density lipoprotein), uric acid, sodium, and potassium concentrations. Contrarily, the plasma as well as cardiac nitric oxide and endothelial nitric oxide synthase increased significantly by the same treatment.Conclusion: Parkia biglobosa or its administration with Spironolactone ameliorates associated-risk markers of cardiometabolic disease which are triggered by high salt diet.

Effects of Different Seeds Pretreatments on the Germination of Five Local Trees: Four From The Fabaceae Family and One From the Bombacacea

The problem of the effectiveness of the established pre-treatments of seeds of local tree species is posed more and more often, with acuity. It appears necessary that studies are led to explore new methods of pre-treatment, or to update the old instructions applied, for a better success and at lower cost, of the production of seedlings. The present study concerned five species: Acacia nilotica, Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa, Piliostigma reticulatum and Tamarindus indica. The methodology involved subjecting the seeds to three different pretreatments: (i) seeds treated with sulfuric acid (T0), (ii) seeds soaked in hot water for 24 hours (T1), (iii) seeds soaked in hot water for 48 hours (T2). For Acacia nilotica seeds, the different pretreatments did not result in statistically different germination rates. The germination rates are 77%, 65% and 62% (respectively for soaking in hot water for 48 hours, sulfuric acid and soaking in hot water for 24 hours). The different pretreatments also do not result in different germination rates for Tamarindus indica. Indeed, the germination rates after 30 days for this species are good but statistically identical (85% for the pretreatment with sulfuric acid and hot water for 24 hours). For Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa and Piliostigma reticulatum, the sulfuric acid pretreatment gave the best germination rate (49%, 54% and 41% respectively). The results of this study may have practical consequences in terms of management of the different species studied. They show that immersing in boiling water and left for 24 hours and 48 hours yields fairly satisfactory germination rates for Acacia nilotica and Tamarindus indica seeds. These inexpensive techniques, accessible to all, can be considered as means to easily produce seedlings of these species.

Effect of Parkia biglobosa seed on lipid profile of dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Parkia biglobosa seed on dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats. Locust bean seeds were purchased from an open market in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. It was processed and ground into powder which was subsequently used in formulating feed for experimental animals. Fifteen female pregnant rats were divided in three groups of five each. Animals in group A were exposed to standard animal feed only. This served as the control group. Those in group B were exposed to animal feed mixed with locust beans + 0.3 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone, while those in group C were exposed to animal feed mixed with locust beans. At the end of eight days treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood sample was collected into EDTA bottles and centrifuged. Plasma was separated and used for the determination of glucose and lipid profile. Exposure of animals to dexamethasone was observed to significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentration of plasma glucose concentration when compared with the control as well as animals treated with P. biglobosa only. Animals treated with dexamethasone along with P. biglobosa were observed to have higher concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) when compared with those in animals in the control group as well as those treated with P. biglobosa only. Observations from this study revealed that dexamethasone adversely perturbed and unhinged plasma glucose and lipid profile in female pregnant rats while P. biglobosa-formulated diet was observed to be a potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.

Resource Partitioning in the Sunbird Species Found in Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Plateau State

Competition occurs when individuals or different species are vying for the same resource which is in limited supply. Two complete competitors cannot coexist indefinitely, therefore competitors must differ to some degree in their resource use. The research was carried to investigate how resources are partitioned among the species of sunbirds found in Federal College of Forestry, Jos. Opportunistic sightings along a 200m transect was used for observation. Sunbirds were observed using binoculars between 6:30 – 8am and by 4:30 – 6pm. Six transects were purposively selected in the study area. Sightings along a 200m transect was used to observe; species of sunbird, sex of individual sunbird species, species of flowering plant visited by the sunbird species, activity or behaviour performed by the sunbird (probing, insect hunting, roosting, perching etc.) and duration of activity. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and post hoc test was used to analyse the data obtained. Results showed that forty-three (43) plant species were utilised by the four (4) sunbird species found in the study site with Corymbia torelliana and Hamelia patens having the highest number of visit. These four sunbird species observed were; Scarlet-chested sunbird, Variable sunbird, Green-headed sunbird and the Copper sunbird. Mean number of plants visited shows that Green-headed sunbird visited more plants than the other three species (28.89) which was highly significant (p=0.001). Copper sunbird spent the highest foraging time (67.71) which showed no variation with the other species (p=0.516). Females of the sunbird species visit more plants species and spent more time foraging as compared to the males although there was no variation (p= 0.984 and p= 0.906 respectively). The activities of the males (perching, hovering, probing, feeding) was higher than that of females and had a high level of significance (p=0.001). Callistemon citrinus, Corymbia torelliana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Hamelia patens, Parkia biglobosa and Ziziphus mucronata were utilised by all the sunbird species. Scarlet-chested sunbirds spent more time probing which aids pollination of plants in the study site and hence ecologically important to the plants found in the study site.

Pharmacognostic and antidysentery screening of mixed ethanol leaf extract of Parkia biglobosa and Acanthus montanus (50:50)

Introduction: Parkia biglobosa belong to the family mimosaceae and Acanthus montanus belong to the family acanthaceae. The plants both have a multipurpose use as herbal medicine. Aim: This work investigate the pharmacognostic standard and anti-dysentery activity of the mixed ethanol extract of both plants on E. histolytical induced dysentery. Method: The phytochemical, chemo microscopy and proximate analysis were carried out using the standard procedures. The mixed extract of ratio 50:50 was administered to different groups of rats at different doses. Loperamide was administered as standard drug. The change in faecal consistency was observed and recorded. Result: The phytochemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins, glycosides and carbohydrates. Chemomicroscopy of both plants showed the presence of starch, calcium oxalate, lignin, cellulose. While the extractive value analysis gave 25.0% and 32.7% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Acanthus montanus) and 23.0% and 30.0% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Parkiabiglobosa). The absence of death at 5000mg/kg of the extract shows that the lethal dose of the ethanol extract of the plant mixture is higher than 5000mg/kg which may be an indication of safety of the mixture. The anti-dysentery activity of the mixture of both plants with different concentration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract showed a significant change in the faecal consistency of the rats. The effect obtained on the administration of 500mg/kg body weight of the extract mixture is more comparable to the standard (loperamide). Conclusion: The synergistic use of the extract contains the secondary metabolites glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, which may be responsible for their anti-dysentery synergistic activity. Mixed extracts from both leaves of P. biglobosa and A. montanus can be recommended as an anti-dysentery agent.

Etude biophysique et socio-économique du fruitier forestier Detarium senegalense J. F. Gmel. en Basse-Casamance (Thiobon, Bignona, Sénégal)

Au Sénégal, la Basse-Casamance est une zone où la recherche a du terrain à explorer en raison de la situation de conflit qui y prévaut depuis de nombreuses années. C'est l'une des principales zones de production des fruits de Detarium senegalense, qui sont très importants pour la consommation humaine et pour le gain derevenus. L’objectif de cette étude est d’établir les caractéristiques biophysiques et socio-économiques deDetarium senegalense dans le peuplement ligneux du terroir villageois de Thiobon en Basse-Casamance. Pour y parvenir, des enquêtes ont d’abord été menées auprès de la population, puis 64 relevés de végétation ont été effectués sur des placettes de 2500 m². Les résultats ont montré que la flore est constituée de 85 espèces relevant de 73 genres appartenant à 26 familles botaniques. Les familles des Fabaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae et Apocynaceae sont les plus diversifiées. Les espèces les plus fréquentes sont Detarium senegalense (93,75%), Parkia biglobosa (75%), Cassia sieberiana (68,75%), Dialium guineense (64,06%), Anacardium occidentale et Piliostigma reticulatum (54,69%), Terminalia macroptera et Uvaria chamae (50%). La densité réelle est de 342 individus.ha-1, la surface terrière est de 18,07 m².ha-1 avec un taux de recouvrement de 81,49% et un taux de régénération de 81,47% pour le peuplement. Les résultats des enquêtes ont révélé que les principaux usages faits de Detarium senegalense sont l’autoconsommation, la vente des fruits et la pharmacopée. 71% de la population affirment que la tendance de la population de Detarium senegalense est progressive et 56% pensent que sa production augmente au cours des années. Les formes de régénération de l’espèce sont le semis naturel et le rejet de souche. Les fruits de Detarium senegalense sont vendus par comptage et par panier à des prix variant de 5 francs CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) le fruit à 12000 francs CFA le panier. Cette étude permettra d’établir la situation actuelle des ressources forestières de la zone, mais également d’en améliorer la gestion en proposant des pistes d’amélioration des méthodes de gestion existantes. In Senegal, Basse-Casamance is an area where research has to explore because of the conflict situation that has prevailed there for many years. It is one of the main production areas for Detarium senegalense fruits, which are very important for human consumption and for income generation. The objective of this study was to establish the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of Detarium senegalense in the woody stand of the village of Thiobon in Lower Casamance. To achieve this, surveys were first conducted among the population and then 64 vegetation surveys were carried out on 2500 m² plots. The results showed that the flora consists of 85 species from 73 genera belonging to 26 botanical families. The families Fabaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae and Apocynaceae are the most diversified. The most frequent species are Detarium senegalense (93.75%), Parkia biglobosa (75%), Cassia sieberiana (68.75%), Dialium guineense (64.06%), Anacardium occidentale and Piliostigma reticulatum (54.69%), Terminalia macroptera and Uvaria chamae (50%). The actual density is 342 individuals.ha-1, the basal area is 18.07 m².ha-1 with a cover rate of 81.49% and a regeneration rate of 81.47% for the stand. The results of the surveys revealed that the main uses of Detarium senegalense are self-consumption, sale of fruits and pharmacopoeia. 71% of the population affirm that the population trend of Detarium senegalense is progressive and 56% think that its production increases during the years. The forms of regeneration of the species are natural seedling and stump rejection. The fruits of Detarium senegalense are sold by counter and by basket at prices ranging from 5 CFA francs (Communauté Financière Africaine) per fruit to 12,000 CFA francs per basket. This study will establish the current situation of forest resources in the area, but also improve management by proposing ways to improve existing management methods.