The widespread use of Artabotrys aurantiacus in traditional medicine for the quest for well-being aroused attention for its potential risk to human and animal health. This study points out the acute and sub-chronic toxicological profile of Artabotrys aurantiacus leaves aqueous extract. The extract was prepared following the traditional healer’s method and orally administered to Wistar rats at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg or 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day for 45 days for acute and sub-chronic tests, respectively. In acute toxicity, no behavioral disorder was observed in treated animals as compared to the control. The lethal dose of 50 was estimated to be higher than 5000 mg/kg and the extract was noted as slightly toxic. Similarly, no significant change in body weight nor biochemical parameters were observed after 45 days of repeated dosing of the extract. Histological study revealed that all tested doses induced no damage to the liver and kidney as compared to control. These findings indicate that the use of Artabotrys aurantiacus leaves aqueous extract at tested doses is not associated with any toxic effect.

Recent studies concerned with various medicinal plant ingredients which have antimicrobial activities have directed special attention toward the pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Fungal diseases severity increases in immunosuppressed persons, which impacts the public health. The purpose of this research was to study in vitro antifungal effects of some nontraditional medicinal plants in Saudi Arabia (Tamarix aphylla, Zygophyllum album and Suaeda palaestina) against some pathogenic fungi through extraction of the active ingredients of each plant (phenolics, flavonoids, etc.). The present research was conducted to evaluate antifungal activity of T. aphylla and Z. album leaf extracts against Mucormycosis “black fungus” pathogenic fungi. Leaves of Tamarix aphylla and Zygophyllum album were obtained, rinsed, dried, ground, and extracted using methanol (70%) and distilled water solvents. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of plant extracts was carried out for antifungal activity assays. he results were aqueous extraction at 500 ppm mean measured at about 10±0.40 mm, while aqueous extraction at 1000 ppm measured about 14 ±0.70 mm; on the other hand, methanollic extraction at 500 ppm was about 16 ±0.80 mm, and methanollic extraction at 1000 ppm detected about 23 ±0.99 mm of of Tamarix aphylla extraction. The inhibitory effect of Zygophyllum album in aqueous extraction at 500 ppm mean measured about 8±0.22 mm, while aqueous extraction at 1000 ppm measured about 18 ±0.60 mm; on the other hand methanollic extraction at 500 ppm was about 10±0.41 mm, and methanollic extraction at 1000 ppm detected about 20±0.56 mm. Obtained results indicated that Tamarix aphylla and Zygophyllum album had nearly similar inhibitory effects, with slightly more patent effect of methanollic extraction at 1000 ppm Zygophyllum album.

An experiment was conducted separately in pot and petridish to study the effects of aqueous extracts of few ornamental plants viz. Parrot tree (Butea monosperma), Indian Medlar (Mimusops elengi), Bougainvillea (Bougainvellia glabra), Powder puff (Calliandra surinamensis), Garland flower (Hedychium coronarium), Chinese honey-suckle (Quisqualis densiflora) on the germination and growth of two summer vegetables namely Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and Yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata). Increased germination as well as root length and shoot length of both vegetables were found with the aqueous extract of Powder puff (Calliandra surinamensis) in compared with the control treatment. Aqueous extract of Indian Medlar found to decrease the germination and growth of two vegetables. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) test revealed the presence of five distinct compounds in the aqueous extract of powder puff at Hexane : Ethyl acetate (2:1 v/v).

The African Root and Tuber Scale (ARTS) Stictococcus vayssierei R. is a formidable enemy to cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production, responsible for production losses ranging from 60 to 100% in plantations if strong measures are not taken to control its spread. To improve the production of this commodity, a study was carried out to reduce the number of root scale insects, and their effects on cassava production in the field. The present study test the insecticidal activity of aqueous and organic extracts of Thevetia peruviana seeds against Stictococcus vayssierei. The cassava varieties TMS 92/0057 (improved) and Miboutou (local) as well as five treatments (T0= control, T1= aqueous extract, T2= methanol extract, T3= acetone extract and T4= BASTION-SUPER chemical insecticide) were used in a split-plot design with four replicates. Growth parameters, number of live and dead root scale insects per plant and yield were evaluated. The results show that the highest number of live root scale insects per plant is observed on Miboutou variety (125 ARTS/P) in control plots than on the 92/0057 variety in plots treated with aqueous extract (84.13 ARTS/P). The lowest yield of fresh tubers is observed in control plots of the Miboutou variety (11.50 t ha-1). Highest yields are observed in 92/0057 variety in plots treated with acetone extract (15.20 t ha-1) and the Miboutou variety in plots treated with synthetic insecticide (15.05 t ha-1). Thevetia peruviana seeds, through their repressive effect against cassava root scale, would indicate an insecticide potential.

Many farmers are challenged in the infestations of various parasites in chicken production. Thus, they use chemically produced drugs for its management. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different anthelmintic herbal plants against gastrointestinal parasites on improved native chicken. Twenty-four chickens were used in in vivo and sixty adult roundworms in the in vitro study divided into four treatments replicated thrice. Results showed that species of parasites identified were Ascaridia galli and Capillaria spp. In terms of Fecal Egg Count Reduction (FECR), Treatment 2 (Ipil-ipil) recorded the highest percentage of 84.30 higher than the control treatment with 81. 30%, Treatment 4 (Betel Nut) with 70.25% and Treatment 3 (Papaya) with 56.82%. On the other hand, significant result on the motility assay of adult roundworms was detected. Ipil-ipil aqueous extract (Treatment 2) is highly effective in killing adult worms with a motility score of 0.94 comparable to the control treatment (Commercial dewormer) with 1.00. The other treatments are not effective. Lastly, birds in all treatments showed an increased in their body weights that ranges from 121 g – 235.50 g after 28 days of administering the dewormers. It is therefore concluded that Ipil-ipil aqueous extract is the most effective in reducing EPG of parasites and highly effective in killing adult roundworms as compared with other treatments. In terms of gain in weights, as the EPG decreases, weight gain of the birds increases.