Effect of long-term exposure to sublethal concentration of imidacloprid on some biochemical and haematological parameters of Grass carp and Goldfish

During the present research, C. idella and C. auratus fish were exposed to 2-ppm concentration of imidacloprid for 28 and 24 days, respectively, and the effect on biochemical and haematological parameters was investigated. During the study of biochemical parameters, there occurred significant increase [P<0.05] in the serum levels of ALT and creatinine of imidacloprid exposed groups of both species of fish. The level of serum albumin of imidacloprid exposed groups of both fish species was significantly lower as compared to control group [P<0.05]. Serum globulin level in imidacloprid exposed group of C. idella was insignificantly lower as compared to control group, however the serum globulin level of C. auratus was significantly lower than the control group [P < 0.05]. The level of total proteins in serum of imidacloprid exposed groups of both fish species was insignificantly lower as compared to control groups [P> 0.05]. During the study of haematological parameters, TLC of C. idella was insignificantly [P>0.05] higher than control group but the TLC of C. auratus was significantly [P<0.05] higher than control. There was also observed increasing trend in the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes of imidacloprid exposed group of each fish species. The platelets count of imidacloprid exposed group of each fish species was significantly [P<0.05] lower than control group. The haemoglobin concentration of imidacloprid exposed group of C. idella was significantly lower than control group [P<0.05]. In case of C. auratus, the haemoglobin level of imidacloprid exposed group was insignificantly lower than control group [P>0.05]. From the finding of the present research it was concluded that 28 days exposure of C. idella and 24 days exposure of C. auratus to 2 ppm concentration of imidacloprid does not cause mortality however the exposure causes alteration in the normal level of biochemical and haematological parameters

Larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal activities of non-polar solvent extract of Cymbopogon nardus [Linn.] whole plant against a mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus [Say.]

The present research is aimed to investigate the susceptibility of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae [2[nd] and 4[th] instars], pupae and adults during exposure to various concentrations of C. nardus n-hexane extract. Increase in mortality of larvae and pupae was observed with increase in concentration of the extract solution [R[2]>0.90]. LC[50] values of extract for 2[nd] and 4[th] instar larvae were 451.8 and 599.6 ppm, respectively. The LC[90] values of extract for 2[nd] and 4[th] instar larvae were 2519.6 and 3017.7 ppm, respectively. The LC[50] and LC[90] values of extract during pupicidal activity were 1307.7 and 2257.9 ppm, respectively. During CDC bottle bioassay, mosquito adult knockdown was observed after exposure to various concentrations [0.15% to 1.25%] of C. nardus n-hexane extract. The KDT[50] values at highest [1.25 %] and lowest [0.15%] concentrations were 100.9 and 184.2 minutes, respectively. After 24 hours exposure period, the highest extract concentration [1.25%] caused 62.5+/-6.5% mortality. During filter paper impregnation bioassay, the KDT[50] value at highest concentration [0.13 mg/cm[2]] was 94.4 minutes and at lowest concentration [0.017 mg/cm[2]] was 178.9 minutes. KDT[90] values at these concentrations were 176.7 and 290.1 minutes, respectively. After 24 hours of recovery period, the filter papers impregnated with highest extract concentration [0.13mg/cm[2]] caused 60+/-8.2% mortality

In vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Paeonia emodi [Wall] rhizome methanol extract and its phenolic compounds rich fractions

The present study aimed to quantify the total phenolic content in Paeonia emodi rhizome methanol extract and its fractions and then evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of fractions rich in phenolic compounds. Maximum quantity of total phenolic content was observed in butanol [112.08 +/- 5.5 mg GAE/g dw] and chloroform fraction [107.0 +/- 3.5 mg GAE/g dw] followed by methanol extract [94.2 +/- 4.4 mg GAE/g dw], aqueous fraction [92.9 +/- 2.5 mg GAE/g dw], ethyl acetate [62.3 +/- 8.3 mg GAE/g dw] and n-hexane fraction [51.6 +/- 7.2 mg GAE/g dw]. The fractions rich in total phenolic content were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity based on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] scavenging assay. The butanol and chloroform fraction showed significantly [P<0.05] higher radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 6.5 and 7.05 +/- 2.5 ppm respectively. Positive correlation [R square=0.95] was observed between total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity. The fractions rich in phenolic compounds were also evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol intoxicated mice. Five days oral administration of these fractions at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight restored the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels of paracetamol intoxicated mice to normal level. From the results of the present research it was concluded that the butanol and chloroform fractions of P. emodi rhizome methanol extract are rich in phenolic compounds and strong antioxidant and effective in attenuation of hepatotoxicity

In vitro antioxidant activities of four medicinal plants on the basis of DPPH free radical scavenging

The present research investigation was aimed at the evaluation of antioxidant activities of methanolic [70%] extracts of whole plant of Pentanema vestitum and fruits of Pistacia integerrima, Withiana somniferra and Withiana coagulans on scavenging of 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] free radical. The rank of order of free antioxidant activity of the selected plants was; P. integerrima > P. vestitum > W. somniferra > W. coagulans as compared to standard Ascorbic acid. P. integerrima showed significantly higher activity at all concentrations as compared to Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. The percent inhibition caused by P. integerrima at lowest concentration [40 ppm] was 68.16 +/- 0.5 and that of Ascorbic acid was 62.00 +/- 0.5. The IC[50] value of P. integerrima was 5.75ppm as compared to ascorbic acid having 15.09 ppm. The percent inhibition at all concentrations caused by P. vestitum was not significantly different from Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. The IC[50] value of P. vestitum was 13.00ppm and that of Ascorbic acid was 15.09 ppm. The percent inhibitions caused by W. somniferra [IC[50]=46.85 ppm] and W. coagulans [IC[50]=84.40 ppm] were most significantly lower than Ascorbic acid at P<0.05. It is inferred from the current study that the methanolic [70%] extracts of the P. integerrima and P. vestitum could be used in preparation of potent antioxidant drugs