Xylopia aethiopica

About: Xylopia aethiopica is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 347 publications have been published within this topic receiving 5511 citations.

Effects of Xylopia aethiopica Dried Fruits (Grains of Selim) As Additive on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Prospects in Finisher Broilers

Abstract: The effect of Xylopia aethiopica dried fruits (grains of selim) as additive on performance, carcass characteristics and economic prospects in finisher broilers was investigated. One hundred and ninety five (195) finisher broiler chicks (Arbor acres breed) were randomly allocated to five treatments with each treatment having three replicates in a completely randomized design. Properly blended grains of selim was administered through drinking water on treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 at concentrations of 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0g per litre while chicks on treatment 1 (control) received 0.3g/litre of antibiotics (doxygen). Chicks were fed ad libitum with the same isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet containing 20% crude protein and 2905.95 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy for 28 days. Results showed no significant (P>0.05) differences among treatments in the final body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Carcass characteristics and organ weights were similar (P>0.05) except in neck weight, heart weight and abdominal fat. There were no significant (P>0.05) economic differences in cost of production. Results indicate that grains of selim has growth promoting potentials, gave good carcass indices and generally lower production

Effectiveness of Duration of Storage and Phytochemicals in the Management of Seed-Borne Mycoflora of Stored Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp) Seeds

Abstract: Piper guineense, Monodora myristica and Xylopia aethiopica seeds extracts were evaluated in the laboratory for their effects on the incidence of the seed-borne mycoflora of cowpea (Var. IAR-48) and germination of the treated seeds. The cowpea seeds were stored for 0-3 months in air-tight containers inside dark cupboards in the laboratory. On the last day of each storage period, the seeds were coated with thin films of the different plant extract powders and thereafter, they were plated and incubated at 27 o C for 5 days in Petri dishes containing moistened filter papers. The experiment was a 4 x 5 factorial laid out in completely randomized design (CRD). The fungal organisms isolated from the incubated seeds were Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Aspergillus spp., Colletotrichum sp., and Curvularia sp. All the extracts with the exception of X. aethiopica were significantly (p<0.05) superior to benlatein reducing the incidence of the seed-borne fungi associated with the cowpea seeds, however the germination of the treated seeds was highest in Piper guineense dressed seeds (21.30%). In the overall, the mean incidence of the seed-borne mycoflora of the treated cowpea seeds decreased as storage period increased while germination also decreased with increasing storage period. Hence, these plants extract powders especially Piper guineense could be used in IDM programmes, for seed-dressing of cowpea for increased productivity.

Effects of substrates, different pretreatment protocols and dehydration on the induction of seeds germination of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich.

Abstract: Despite its socio-economic importance, the cultivation of Xylopia aethiopica is not popular owing to the difficulty in seed germination. As a step in its domestication process, investigations were undertaken on germination requirements and desiccation tolerance of seeds. Three substrates (forest top soil, river sand and a mixture of forest top soil and river sand) and 18 pre-germination treatments including a control (untreated seeds), a mechanical scarification, six heat treatments which were done by soaking seeds in hot water (100 °C) for different lengths of time, and ten acid scarifications which were done by soaking seeds in either sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid for different lengths of time were tested for their effect on seed germination. Results showed that mean percentage germination was higher on the mixture of forest top soil and river sand (29.4 ± 2.6%) than on other substrates tested. While untreated seeds and those soaked in hot water irrespective of the duration of treatment failed to germinate, seed dormancy was successfully broken by either mechanical or chemical scarification. Soaking seeds in either concentrated HCl or concentrated H 2 SO 2 for 5 min were the most effective treatments in breaking dormancy, with 80 ± 6.3% and 70 ± 6.3% mean germination recorded respectively. The desiccation tolerance test showed that X. aethiopica seeds are desiccation-tolerant and their storage behaviour is orthodox. This study shows that for propagating X. aethiopica from seeds, it is recommended that fresh or dried seeds be soaked in either concentrated HCl or concentrated H 2 SO 4 for 5 min, and that seeding be done in substrate composed of a mixture of forest top soil and river sand in a 1:1 (v/v) ratio. Keywords : Spice tree, domestication, seed dormancy, scarification, desiccation tolerance.

Synergic effects of some medicinal plants on anti- oxidant status and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats

Abstract: The leaves of Psidium guajava, Anacardium occidentale, Eucalyptus globulus and fruits of Xylopia aethiopica are used in the management of diabetes mellitus. Hence, the phytochemical constituents as well as the acute toxicity of the combined chloroform extracts (A. occidentale + E. globulus and P. guajava + X. aethiopica) and their effects (at graded doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight each) on the concentration of malondialdahyde (MDA), activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentration of vitamin C in diabetic and normal rats were investigated using standard methods. The phytochemical analyses of the four extracts showed the presence of terpenoids and fats and oil in all of them. Each of the combined extract was found to be non-toxic even at a dose as high as 5000 mg/kg body weight. The combined extracts at the tested doses significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-relatedly reduced the concentration of MDA, raised the activities of CAT, GPx and SOD as well as the concentration of vitamin C in the treated rats. The effects of the combined extracts (especially 250 mg/kg body weight of A. occidentale + E. globulus) were better than that of the standard anti-diabetic drug [glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight)]. The data of this investigation imply that the combined chloroform extracts of the leaves of A. occidentale, E. globulus, P. guajava and fruits of X. aethiopica may be preferentially used in the management and/or amelioration of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Key words: Anti-oxidants, diabetes mellitus, lipid peroxidation, Anacardium occidentale, Eucalyptus globulus, Psidium guajava and Xylopia aethiopica.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruits on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats -

Abstract: Objectives: The burden of renal diseases is growing every day, and there is need to speed up research toward realizing the goal of a safe, cheap, and readily available remedy against this scourge. The objective of the study was to investigate the protective effect of aqueous extract of the fruit of Xylopia aethiopica against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced kidney damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six rats divided into 6 groups were used for the investigation. Group I served as control, Groups II, III, and IV were pre-treated for 21 days with aqueous extract of the fruit of X. aethiopica at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively, prior to a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 . Animals in groups V received only the fruit extract at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight while animals in group VI were given only CCl4 . Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the administration of CCl4 . The kidney function tests were performed in addition to histopathological evaluations. Results: Significant increase in the plasma levels of creatinine and urea, and a significant decrease in plasma total protein and albumin following CCl4 administration were detected. CCl4 caused a significant elevation in malondialdehyde and a decrease in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the kidney. These deleterious effects were significantly prevented by pre-treatment with the X. aethiopica extract. Conclusion: These findings suggest that X. aethiopica protection of the kidney against CCl4 -induced damage may be connected with the rich antioxidant potential of the plant.