New Issue Published: 8(1)

Methods: In vitro grown seedlings from decontaminated seeds were micropropagated in basal MS medium at 23±2^oC temperature and light intensity of 3000 Lux for 16 hours in culture room. In vitro grown nodal explants were supplemented with BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) and NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) with basal MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium to induce multiple shoots. Indole butyric acid (IBA; 0.1 to 2.0 mg/L) was supplemented to MS medium to develop roots of micropropagated shoots. Internodes and leaves of micropropagated shoots used to induce callus in MS medium enriched with varying concentration of 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4 D; 0 to 2.0mg/L) and kinetin (KIN; 0 to 1.0mg/L). Shoot initiation from callus was tested by adding 2, 4-D (0.1 to 2.0 mg/L) and BAP (1.0 to 1.5 mg/L) in basal MS medium. Conditions were carefully monitored during the experiment. After hardening, the micropropagated plantlets were placed in open filed environment in pots filled with sand and peat moss (3:1).

Result: Surface sterilized seeds of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) showed 100% germination in regulator free medium. Significantly mature shoots (75%) from nodal explant recorded in BAP (2.0 mg/L) and NAA (1.0 mg/L) augmented MS medium. Highest number (90%) of roots per shoot explant were observed in IBA (2.0 mg/L). Leaf explants showed better response to form callus with a combination of 2, 4-D (1.0 mg/L) and KIN (1.0 mg/L) and further rise in 2, 4-D concentration caused a sharp decrease in callus formation. Shoot induction from callus cultures observed in MS medium containing 2, 4-D (2.0 mg/L) and BAP (1.5 mg/L), producing an average of 10 shoots per culture. Plants were effectively transplanted in open environment with survival rate of 85%.

Conclusion: Results indicate the successful establishment of the growth room conditions for in vitro micropropagation of the endangered medicinal plant, Citrullus colocynthis. 

Methods: CPF-248, a drought sensitive variety was used to induce stress tolerance using somaclonal variation approach. Various combinations of callogenesis and regeneration media were used to induce soma clonal variations. The plants, thus achieved, were subjected to drought selection pressure using different concentrations of PEG, the selected plants were referred as in vitro selected putative somaclonal variants 1 & 2 (IPSV1 & IPSV2). These two plants were then subjected to acclimatize under greenhouse conditions by planting them in soil filled plastic pots. The in vitro grown seedlings named as in vitro selected putative somaclonal variants along with parent plants were subjected to drought conditions by withholding watering for 8 days. After 10 days of treatment, data for photosynthetic and biochemical attributes were recorded and subjected to comparison. The activity of antioxidants enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate and carotenoid contents was analyzed using standard protocols.

Results: A significant increase in chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents were recorded in IPSV1 and IPSV2 compared to parent genotype. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT, POD) also increased significantly in somaclonal variants and displayed tolerance under drought condition. Moreover, osmotic adjustment was observed in the form of higher rate of total free amino acid and proline contents in both somaclonal variants.

Conclusion: The finding suggests that sugarcane (CPF-248) somaclones generated through tissue culture approach are found to be drought tolerant with improved photosynthesis and antioxidant response. Further, somaclonal variant IPSVI, exhibited better response than other variant (IPSV2). 

Methods: Therefore, the current project is conducted to evaluate the hepatocurative and hepatoprotective potential of Terminalia arjuna by using albino mice.

Results: The fruit extract (400 mg/Kg) of the plant showed hepatoprotective effects upon pre-treatment for 5, 10 and 15 days and later challenged with acetaminophen (400 mg/Kg) for 3 days. The results showed substantial protective properties as there was comparatively less damage to the liver. Furthermore, the fruit extract of T. arjuna also exhibited hepatocurative effects when animals were given acetaminophen (400 mg/Kg) for 3 days to damage the liver followed by the treatment with the plant extract (400 mg/Kg) for 5, 10 and 15 days. The results also indicated hepatocurative activities, as the elevated serum levels of hepatic enzymes were inclining to normal ranges in a time-dependent manner.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the fruit extract of T. arjuna possesses hepatoprotective plus hepatocurative activities. 

Methods: Dry powdered inflorescence of the test plant was macerated with methanol and partitioned through different organic solvents on the basis of increase in polarities beginning with n-hexane followed by chloroform and ethyl acetate. GC-MS analysis was performed for the identification of bioactive constituents present in ethyl acetate fraction.

Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 15 different phytochemicals. Among these, 1,2-benzedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester (15); 9,12-octadecadienoic_acid-(Z,Z) (13); 8,11-octadecadienoic_acid, methyl ester (12); hexacosanoic acid, methyl-ester (11); hexadecenoic acid,2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (14); n-hexadecanoic acid (10); hexadecenoic-acid, methyl ester (8); 2-propenoic acid,3-[4-(acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-, methyl ester (7); 1,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaen-3-ol,2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-,(all-E)-(9) and undecane (1) were present in moderate to abundant concentrations. Biological activities of the identified compounds were searched in the previous literature.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of the inflorescence of C. quinoa contains a diverse range of potent bioactive constituents with antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, cancer preventive, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. 

Methods: The investigated fungi were confined to two study areas; the first subjected to a relatively high intensity burn and the second subjected to a relatively low intensity burn. In addition to specimens of fungi obtained in the field, small pieces of coarse woody debris were assembled, brought back to the laboratory and placed in plastic chambers for incubation and kept moist. Over the course of two months, fruiting bodies appearing in these incubation chambers were observed and collected. All specimens from both the field and incubation chambers were identified from sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA.

Results: A total of 31 different taxa were identified along with nine taxa reported previously as unknown and uncultured. However, almost all of these records were from the study area subjected to the relatively low intensity burn.

Conclusion: The relatively high intensity burn site was almost completely devoid of wood-decay fungi. 

Methods: Rats were divided into 4 equal groups. G1 was the control group that received no treatment; G2 was treated with intramuscular injection of vitamin D (1,000 IU/kg, 3days/week); G3 was treated with intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium (3.6 mg/kg, 3 days/week) and G4 treated simultaneously with both diclofenac (3.6 mg/kg, 3 days/week) and vitamin D (1,000 IU/kg, 3days/week) intramuscularly for four weeks. Kidneys sections were stained with H&E, Masson’s trichrome and immunohistochemical staining against α –SMA and desmin followed by the morphometric and statistical analysis.

Results: Kidney sections from diclofenac sodium treated group showed degeneration and necrosis, small or atrophic glomeruli with dilated Bowman’s space and some of the renal tubular lining cells appeared vacuolated with small pyknotic nuclei. Renal fibrosis was confirmed by significant increase in collagen fibers, α –SMA and podocytes injury by significant increase of desmin.  However, in diclofenac- vitamin D treated group significantly the expression of α –SMA and desmin were decreased.

Conclusion: The current data suggested that vitamin D might play a protectant role against diclofenac induced kidney injury in rats through the preservation of the histological architecture of renal corpuscles, renal cortical tubules and down regulation of collagen, α – SMA and desmin. 

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 72 patients and 12 control after their consent. Serum was used to determine biochemical parameters using standard protocol. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using “t” student test.

Results: The level of TSH was significantly higher in female and male hypothyroidism patients (p < 0.01) as compared to control and it was inversely related to the level of T3 and T4. Patients with hypothyroidism have increased level of LFTs profile especially cholesterol and Triglycerides levels both in males and females. In hypothyroidism, the level of glomerulus filtrate rate decrease especially sodium level but thyroid hormonal disturbance does not affect serum electrolyte level. The serum phosphorus and calcium levels change significantly in thyroid disorder.

Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is associated with increased TSH level and decreased T3 and T4 levels but does not appear to be associated with abnormalities in lipid profile. The serum phosphorus and calcium levels change significantly in thyroid disorder, Treatments of its primary causes should be given and if it is possible minerals can be added to avoid further bone complications. 

Methods: The study was carried out in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia, from April 2020 to May 2020. Data collected from five hundred and thirty-seven participants participated through an online survey. The process of selection of participants was through volunteer testing and an online review poll that was disseminated to them to complete. No limitations on age or sex were applied to the surveys.

Results: Awareness of TV watching (88.5%), smoking (87.9%), lack of physical activities (78.4%) and family history of CAD (74.7%) as the leading cause of CAD has a notable higher percentage among the studied population whereas the family history of diabetes mellitus (51.6%), having diabetes mellitus (57.7%), family history of hypertension (65.7%) and family history of hyperlipidemia (69.1%) have the lowest percentages. Regarding the gender, the male participants have the poorest awareness degrees about risk factors for the CAD.

Conclusion: The study revealed that the family history of hyperlipidemia, Family history of DM, having DM and family history of hypertension have the poorest degrees of awareness of the risk factors for CAD among the studied population. 

Methods: Various concentrations of N6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were used in the study. The different concentrations of BAP (2.00, 3.00, and 4.00 mg l^-1) and IAA (2.00 and 3.00 mg l^-1) were tested for shoot induction. While varying concentrations of IAA and IBA were analyzed for root proliferation.

Results: The results of the study indicated that the fastest shoot initiation (17.77 days), the highest number of shoots bottle^-1 (3.55), the maximum shoot length (4.72 cm), and the utmost number of leaves bottle^-1 (53.67) were observed on MS media containing 3.00 mg l^-1 BAP, 3.00 mg l^-1 IAA, and 30 g l^-1 sugar, while the highest number of shoots bottle^-1 were produced under MS + 2.00 mg l^-1 BAP + 3.00 mg l^-1 IAA + 30 g l^-1 sugar. Regarding root induction, the maximum number of roots (4.67) and root length (2.60 cm) were observed under half strength MS media supplemented with 30 g l^-1 sugar.

Conclusion: The study suggested that MS media containing 3.00 mg l^-1 BAP and IAA could be used for tissue culturing rose plants. For root induction, half-strength MS media, along with sugar, could be used. The study gives an insight into potential media compositions for the propagation of rose. The suggested media can have promising uses in commercial multiplication of this important plant. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the local markets of Alsug Alkabeer (AB), Alsug Ashabi (AK), and Alsug Alsageer (AS) sites in Wad Madani state, Sudan to detect and assess Salmonella infection in raw and cooked chicken samples.

Results: The results showed that the maximum number of different Salmonella species was recovered from raw and cooked specimens of chicken obtained from AB, AK and AS which were 6.5, 4.4, and 4cfu/g, respectively. In addition, Salmonella spp. in the locally reared chicken is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of farm poultry. On the other hand, the highest Salmonella count was recorded in AS, AK and AB egg samples which were 5.9, 3.5, and 2.3cfu/g, respectively. Interestingly, eggs from local sources of chicken had significantly (p < 0.05) higher numbers of Salmonella spp. compared to those from farm sources. Six species of Salmonella were described, namely: Salmonella typhi, S. cheers, S. arizonae, S. enteritidis, S. pullorum, and S. gallinarum.

Conclusion: High occurrence of Salmonella spp. in this study might be attributed to the low hygienic measures in the poultry retail markets during slaughtering and/or handling processes. Further studies are required and should be conducted within Gezira state to assess food safety.