Research articles (Dept of Biological Sciences)

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Hepatoprotective potentials of water extract of Bauhinia purpurea bark against alcohol induced toxicity

Chaturvedi, P.; Pipedi-Tshekiso, M.; Moseki, B.; Kwape, P.E. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE, NaN, 2011)

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Bark of Bauhinia purpurea tree was collected and both the water and methanol extracts were prepared. Both extracts were tested for free radical scavenging activities and phenol content. Water extract was then tested for its protective potentials against alcohol induced toxicity. For this experiment, twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups, alcohol control group, normal control and two experimental groups. The rats in alcohol control group received alcohol (5 g/kg), rats in normal control were given water. Rats in two experimental groups were administered two doses of methanol extract (50 and 100 mg/kg respectively) plus alcohol (5 g/kg) for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were killed after ether anesthesia. Liver and blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements. Parameters measured were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbic acid. Results showed that both methanol and water extracts scavenged free radicals equivalent to gallic acid scavenging and were found rich in total phenol content. Results of in vivo experiments showed that the water extract inhibited lipid peroxidation, protected the experimental animals from hepatic toxicity and maintained the levels of antioxidants in dose dependent manner.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1018

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Chaturvedi_SRE_2011.pdf (207.7Kb)

Effect of Momordica charantia on lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats

Chaturvedi, P.; George, S.; Milinganyo, M.; Tripathi, Y.B. (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1573, NaN, 2004)

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In this study, the methanol extract of Momordica charantia fruit extract was administered to diabetic rats to assess the long term effect of the extract on the lipid profile and the oral glucose tolerance test. Treatment for 30 days showed a significant decrease in triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and a significant increase in high density lipoprotein level. A significant effect on oral glucose tolerance was also noted. Chronic administration showed an improvement in the oral glucose tolerance curve. The effect was more pronounced when the test was done in rats fed the extract on the day of the test compared with tests done in rats which were not fed the extract on the same day.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1017

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Chaturvedi_PR_2004.pdf (258.2Kb)

Residual effects of prolonged UV-B exposure on photosynthetic gene expression

Mpoloka, S.W. (Academic Journals, www.academicjournals.org, August 18, 2010)

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Residual long-term effects of increased UV-B radiation were investigated in an indigenous plant species, Dimorphotheca sinuata, by analysing photosynthetic gene expression. Reductions were observed in the amount of the rbcL and psbA mRNA expressed in progeny of plants that were previously subjected to enhanced UV-B levels. However, observed reductions did not attain statistical significance. This could explain the reduction in net biomass and physiological and biochemical parameters observed by other researchers as a result of UV-B exposure. Results from this study with plants grown in the absence of UV-B point to changes in the regulation of photosynthetic genes and such mutations due to raised UV-B levels could cause permanent changes in plant populations.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1011

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Mpoloka SRE 2010.pdf (122.9Kb)

Determination of allele frequencies in nine short tandem repeat loci of five human sub-populations in Botswana

Mpoloka, S.W.; Kgotlele, T.; Wally, A. (Academic Journals, www.academicjournals.org, April 17, 2008)

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Allele frequencies for nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci from the AmpFlSTR® Profiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit were determined in five subpopulations across Botswana and tested for suitability for use in individual identification. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 150 unrelated individuals. Targeted regions of DNA (vWA, FGA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D18S51, D21S11 and the sex determining locus Amelogenin) were amplified using multiplexed PCR. The alleles showed a high degree of polymorphism, with heterozygosity above 67%, indicating that there is no significant inbreeding within the subpopulations. Matching probability was below 0.2 hence power of discrimination was high, indicating that the alleles from the five subpopulations can be used in human identifications. The present study is the first reported attempt at determining allele frequencies of subpopulations in Botswana and could possibly be used in developing a national DNA database.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1010

Files in this item: 1

mpoloka ajb paper.pdf (292.5Kb)

Carriage of micro-organisms by domestic cockroaches and implications on food safety

Mpuchane, S.; Allotey, J.; Matsheka, I.; Simpanya, M.; Coetzee, S.; Jordaan, A.; Mrema, N.; Gashe, B.A. (ICIPE - African Insect Science for Food and Health, http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=JTI, NaN, 2006)

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Domestic cockroaches Blattella germanica were trapped from various homes in Gaborone, Botswana using ‘Dyroach’ traps. Isolations of bacteria, yeasts and moulds were done on external body parts and on the faecal pellets using various selective media. Body parts of cockroaches were also fixed with OsO4 vapour for 24 h, sputter coated with gold under special conditions and examined in a Phillips (1) XL30 ESEM in low vacuum mode. Awide spectrum of bacteria including common food spoilage and pathogenic organisms, such as Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Erwinia spp. Salmonella sp., Shigella sp. and Serratia spp. were isolated. Yeasts commonly associated with food spoilage, such as Pichia sp., Candida sp. and Torulopsis spp. were found on many cockroaches. In addition, various groups of moulds, some associated with food spoilage and others known to produce mycotoxins, such as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus parasiticus were isolated. Antimicrobial sensitivities of bacterial isolates revealed resistance patterns to various agents. Since cockroaches are prevalent in homes, particularly in food preparation areas and since their body parts and faecal pellets have been found in food storage areas, concern about their impact on food quality and safety is raised and possible control measures including education of communities on proper sanitation are suggested.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1005

Files in this item: 1

Matsheka_IJTIS_2006.pdf (193.3Kb)

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