Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against Leishmaniasis: a public healh concern / Potencial terapeútico de plantas medicinales contra la Leishmaniasis: un problema de salud pública

Leishmaniasis is an important disease affecting global public health which is spread by sand fly having different species. Various chemical drugs are used to treat and control Leishmaniasis including pentavalent antimonials, antimicrobial and antibiotics. Due to emergence of drug resistance, these therapeutic options are losing effectiveness in attaining success. Furthermore, these drugs are expensive and have toxic effects on liver and kidneys. There has been an emerging interest and excellent response by using plant based drugs and extracts to control Leishmaniasis. Different medicinal plants including Glycyrrhiza glabra, Allium sativum, Peganum harmala and Nigella sativa have shown excellent anti-leishmanial activity. Therefore, medicinal plants can help in effective drug development against Leishmaniasis diseases in both animals and humans which will be safer and health protective.

La Leishmaniasis es una enfermedad importante que afecta la salud pública mundial y que es transmitida por las moscas de la arena, que tienen diferentes especies. Se utilizan varios medicamentos químicos para tratar y controlar la Leishmaniasis, incluidos los antimoniales pentavalentes, antimicrobianos y antibióticos. Debido a la aparición de resistencia a los medicamentos, estas opciones terapéuticas están perdiendo eficacia para lograr el éxito. Además, estos medicamentos son costosos y tienen efectos tóxicos en hígado y riñones. Ha habido un interés emergente y una excelente respuesta mediante el uso de extractos y medicamentos a base de plantas para controlar la Leishmaniasis. Diferentes plantas medicinales como Glycyrrhiza glabra, Allium sativum, Peganum harmalay Nigella sativahan mostrado una excelente actividad anti-leishmanial. Por lo tanto, las plantas medicinales pueden ayudar en el desarrollo de fármacos eficaces contra las enfermedades de la leishmaniasis tanto en animales como en seres humanos, lo que será más seguro y proteja la salud.

Potential of botanical driven essential oils against Haemonchus contortus in small ruminants / Potencial de aceites esenciales botánicos contra Haemonchus contortus en pequeños rumiantes

The livestock sector is continuously facing problems in controlling parasitic diseases especially Haemonchosis due to emergence of anthelminthic resistance and failure in vaccination control programmes. Therefore, to increase milk and meat production and emerging demand of meat free from drug residues development of new alternative approaches are appealing for prevention and control of Haemonchosis in small ruminants. Among alternatives, plants driven essentials oils have shown promising results in control of Haemonchus contortus infection at various concentrations by different assays including egg hatch assay, larval development assay, larval exsheathment assay and adult motility assay. Essential oils are complex mixtures of various impulsive or volatile compounds which have potential to control Haemonchosis. The current study reviews the therapeutic effects of essential oils of plants against Haemonchus contortus and to be used them against Haemonchus contortus for future perspectives.

El sector ganadero enfrenta continuamente problemas para controlar las enfermedades parasitarias, especialmente la hemoncosis, debido a la aparición de resistencia antihelmíntica y al fracaso en los programas de control de vacunación. Por lo tanto, para aumentar la producción de leche y carne, y la demanda emergente de carne libre de residuos de medicamentos, el desarrollo de nuevos enfoques alternativos es atractivo para la prevención y el control de la hemoncosis en pequeños rumiantes. Entre las alternativas, los aceites esenciales producidos por las plantas han mostrado resultados prometedores en el control de la infección por Haemonchus contortus a diversas concentraciones mediante diferentes ensayos, incluido el análisis de eclosión de huevos, el desarrollo de larvas, el análisis de vaciado de larvas y el ensayo de motilidad en adultos. Los aceites esenciales son mezclas complejas de varios compuestos impulsivos o volátiles que tienen potencial para controlar la hemonchosis. Este estudio revisa los efectos terapéuticos de los aceites esenciales de las plantas contra Haemonchus contortus y evalúa sus perspectivas futuras como agentes para combatir las enfermedades causadas por este parásito.

Acaricidal and insecticidal effects of essential oils against ectoparasites of veterinary importance / Efectos acaricidas e insecticidas de los aceites esenciales contra los ectoparásitos de importancia veterinaria

Ectoparasitism in animals has become an issue of great concern that needs to be resolved to prevent huge economic losses occurring to livestock industry all over the world. Synthetic adrugs have been playing a major role in controlling ectoparasites, but their frequent and irrational use has resulted in drug resistance to routinely used chemicals and their residual effects on food and environment. Therefore, this approach of using chemical acaricides and insecticides is losing its popularity and effectiveness in controlling ectoparasites. So, the development of alternative approaches in ectoparasite management is currently required. Among alternative protocols, plants and their essential oils have played remarkable role in controlling different ectoparasites (ticks, flies, mites, lice) of veterinary importance. Essential oils have been proved to be cheaper, more effective and safer therapeautic agents against different ectoparasites of livestock importance.

En los animales el ectoparasitismo se ha convertido en un tema de gran preocupación que debe resolverse para evitar que se produzcan grandes pérdidas económicas para la industria ganadera en todo el mundo. Los aditivos sintéticos han desempeñado un papel importante en el control de los ectoparásitos, pero su uso frecuente e irracional ha dado como resultado la resistencia a los fármacos utilizados habitualmente y efectos residuales sobre los alimentos y el medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, el enfoque basado en el uso de acaricidas e insecticidas químicos está perdiendo popularidad y efectividad en el control de los ectoparásitos. Por lo tanto, actualmente se requiere el desarrollo de enfoques alternativos en el manejo de ectoparásitos. Entre los protocolos alternativos, las plantas y sus aceites esenciales han jugado un papel notable en el control de diferentes ectoparásitos (garrapatas, moscas, ácaros, piojos) de importancia veterinaria. Se ha demostrado que los aceites esenciales son agentes terapéuticos más baratos, más efectivos y más seguros contra diferentes ectoparásitos de importancia ganadera.

Cypermethrin-induced Repeated-dose Immuno-toxicity in Oryctolagus Cuniculus: An Investigation into Pathology of Spleen and Blood

Background: Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide widely used in agriculture and medicines. Its toxicity effects on spleen and blood in male and female rabbits is studied in this research. Methods: Age- and weight-matched does/females (n=24) and bucks/males (n=24) of Japanese White rabbits were subjected to intraperitoneal cypermethrin administration @50, 100 and 150 mg.kg-1 b.wt. in groups B, C and D, respectively.  The experimental rabbit does and bucks were tested for hematology alterations after each of 5 CY-treatments, at days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.  One rabbit doe and one rabbit buck were sacrificed fortnightly (days 15, 29, 43, 57 and 71) to obtain spleen for histological studies. Results: CY-treated rabbit bucks developed anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basocytopenia mostly in dose and time dependent manner.  In contrast, rabbit does show transient but significant leukocytosis, neutropenia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basophilia only in high dose group.  Moreover, spleen histology revealed congestion, depletion of white pulp with increased red pulp and hemosiderin deposition in CY treated rabbit bucks, but not rabbit does. Conclusions: This study concludes that immuno-toxicity by cypermethrin insecticide is not similar in male and female subjects.

Marker Assisted Molecular Investigation of Kappa-Casein Gene in Bos Indicus Sindhi Genetic Group Using HINFI Restriction Enzyme

Background: Present research aimed to determine molecular genotype of kappa-casein gene in female Red Sindhi cattle. This gene has great influence on the technologically advanced milk properties. Methods: Blood specimens (n=50) from females of this cattle breed at a well-managed farm in Sindh-Pakistan were collected and commercial kit was employed for DNA extraction. Genotype determination of κ-casein gene and alleles was done through PCR-RFLP technique by using primer; PCR products were digested upon HINFI restriction enzyme. The digested fragments were analyzed by electrophoresis on agarose gel using ethidium bromide to increase visibility. The bands were examined under ultra violet-light to study polymorphic locus on DNA fragments. Results: Digestion upon HINFI restriction enzyme of 350bp fragment indicated three patterns. The 1st (homozygote genotype BB), 2nd (homozygote genotype AA) and 3rd (heterozygote genotype AB) patterns yielded major fragment(s) of 1) 266bp, 2) 134bp and 132bp and 3) 134bp, 132bp and 266bp, respectively. Each of the three patterns yielded one minor fragment of 84bp. The genotype frequency for homozygote AA and the allelic frequency of allele A were higher than the same for homozygote genotype BB and the allelic frequency of allele B, respectively. Conclusions: An accurate profile of genetic make-up and alternate forms of κ-casein genes in Sindhi cattle is likely to help researchers, policy makers, immunologists, dietitians, neonatologists, community physicians and managerial as well as production level officials to exploit it to full potential.