Increasing demand for eco-friendly botanical piscicides and pesticides as replacements for harmful synthetic chemicals has led to investigation of new sources of plant materials. Stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, which has been used as a popular folk medicine since ancient time, was examined for its piscicidal activity. This study aims to determine toxicity of ethanol extract of T. arjuna bark on fresh water stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), along with evaluation of changes in hematological parameters of the fishes exposed to a lethal concentration. The percent mortality of fishes varied significantly in response to concentrations of the extract and exposure times (between exposure time F = 36.57, p < 0.001; between concentrations F = 39.93, p < 0.001). The lethal concentrations (LC50) of ethanol extract were found to be 12.7, 8.94, 5.63 and 4.71 mg/l for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. During acute toxicity test, blood samples of treatment fishes showed significant decreases in the red blood cells count, hematocrit content, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and plasma protein level when compared to those of the control group, while there were significant increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cells count and plasma glucose concentration. These results suggest that T. arjuna bark extract could be considered as a potent piscicide due to its toxic effect on fish, particularly fish hematology.

Toxicological and hematological effect of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on a freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

Fish farmers have a tendency of employing high stocking density (HSD) as a means of increasing productivity. However, HSD is a chronic stressor that is likely to lower profitability of fish farming if not implemented properly. HSD induces stress which in turn elevates sequentially the levels of plasma cortisol and glucose. The resultant glucose is distributed to various tissues by glucose transporter protein (GLUTs) to restore normalcy. GLUT 1, transmembrane protein found in erythrocytes, is responsible for import and export of glucose in red blood cells. However, knowledge on how chronic stress impact glucose and GLUT 1 protein in fish subjected to HSD is still unclear. In this study, effect of HSD on the expression of GLUT 1 in Nile tilapia was investigated in an attempt to elucidate the role of GLUT 1 in glucose metabolism during chronic stress. Fish were reared for 4 weeks at 1.5 and 4.5 kg/m3 for low stocking density (LSD) and HSD, respectively. Four physiological parameters were determined from the blood samples obtained from fish at the end of experiment. At p < 0.05, there were significant differences between fish reared at HSD and LSD in plasma cortisol level (72.1 ± 5.9 ng/ml and 37.5 ± 4.6 ng/ml); blood glucose level (136.00 ± 1.3 mg/dL and 70.2 ± 1.0 mg/dL); erythrocytes count (7.2 ± 0.5 × 106 mm−3 and 2.1 ± 0.4 × 106 mm−3); and plasma GLUT 1 level (1.40 ± 0.17 rbi and 0.81 ± 0.07 rbi), respectively. HSD induced elevation of plasma cortisol level, blood glucose level, erythrocytes count and GLUT 1 level. These elevated physiological factors and particularly GLUT 1 can be used as a cellular stress biomarker in fish farming and aquaculture.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs40071-014-0069-3.pdf

Effect of stocking density on the expression of glucose transporter protein 1 and other physiological factors in the Lake Victoria Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The present investigation was carried out in Ajara tahsil of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra for the exploration of medicinal plants used to cure various diseases by the local people. The information was collected from local people and health healers on the basis of personal interviews, during the survey period. 158 plant species, distributed into 68 families, have been documented for their healing properties from the study area. Out of them, 44 species belonging to 32 families are very commonly used by the local people to treat various ailments like cough, cold, fever, asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, toothache, jaundice, rheumatism, inflammation, urinary infection, piles, wounds, etc. As well, it is also seen that many local people of Ajara tahsil, still depend, traditionally on these medicinal plants for the primary health care.

Survey on ethno-medicinal plants of ajara tahsil, district kolhapur, maharashtra- (india)

Background/Objectives: Cestrum nocturnum L. a night Blooming jasmine belongs to Solanaceae family widely circulated all over tropical as well as subtropical areas of the World. It is mainly popular for ornamental fragrant flowering and hedge plant but also sometimes for traditional medicinal purpose. Due to strongest smelling characteristics of the plants, it is used in many industries for making Perfumes, essential Oils, Soaps, Candles, Body Oils, etc. The existence of natural plants of economic importance are threatened due to rapid urban development, including industrialization, residential development, educational, commercial etc., reduce the land for cultivation. Hence plant tissue culture protocol may be adapted for production and utilization of economically popular plants, including C. nocturnum involving limited space and short period of time. Methods: Shoot tip explants of naturally grown C. nocturnum were excised sterilized and endued on ‘Murashige and Skoog’ (MS) medium enriched changed concentration of BA, NAA, as well as GA3 singly or in combination. Excised micro shoots were examined for root development on 0.5 MS using IBA, NAA as well as IAA separately. Findings: The highest amount of multiple bud were observed in low concentration of BA (01.50 milligram × l-1), resulted no. of shoot 4.40 as well as 4.20/explant, no. of leaves 15.40 as well as 4.20/explant as well as size of different shoot 5.360 as well as 4.860 cm. The concentration of IBA and IAA were found to be best for root formation in micro shoots (13.20, 6.80 roots/micro shoots) as well as root size (8.39, 5.73 cm) individually. Application: There are many opportunity of plant tissue culture which offer marvelous chances in plant propagation, plant development as well as creation of plants with necessary agronomical features. Finally often hardening plantlets were gradually adjusted to natural condition and acclimatized with 90% success. This established protocol could help plant cell biotechnology, horticulture, medical and industrial sector of the country.

In vitro shoot micro propagation of medicinal applications and ornamental value of Cestrum nocturnum L.

Piscicidal activity of methanolic extract of Cestrum nocturnum leaves against predatory fish Channa punctatus and their behavioural changes were investigated. C. nocturnum leaves extract shows the remarkable piscicidal activity. It shows there was significant negative correlation between LC50 values and exposure periods when observed till 72 hr. During the toxicity experiment the fish shows the behavioral changes such as suffocation, rapid movement, and spiraling and convulsion period to death. Piscicidal activities show their dependence with concentration and time. This piscicidal activity may be due to their adverse effect on respiratory as well as energy production of fish. During bioassay experiments, a phenomenon of recovery was observed in stupefied fishes when fishes were shifted to untreated water after showing a partial symptom of death at LC100 dose. This indicates the tolerance and detoxifying capacity of fish to toxic principal. This nature of the fish stupefying property of C. nocturnum extracts could be advantageous in aquaculture for fish catching and releasing into new isolated site.

Cestrum nocturnum (l) a prospective piscicide for control of predatory fish channa punctatus (bloch.).

Haematological changes in the fresh water fish, Cyprinus carpio exposed to sub-lethal concentration of piscicidal compounds from Cestrum species (Fam: Solanaceae).

L. B. Dama

Papers

Haematological changes in the fresh water fish, Cyprinus carpio exposed to sub-lethal concentration of piscicidal compounds from Cestrum species (Fam: Solanaceae).