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The peel/rind of Punica granatum is approximately 60% of the total fruit weight which is generally wasted every year, although, it is known to have a variety of medicinal benefits. The present study was conducted to find the antioxidant activity and antidiabetic potentials of P. granatum peels extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. The diabetes was induced in albino rats using alloxan at the concentration of 150 mg kg-1 body weight. After 15 days, the treated groups with glabinclemide and different varieties of methanolic and aqueous extracts showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the blood glucose level as compared to diabetic control while slight differences were seen in body weight. The total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lowdensity lipoprotein, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, serum creatinine and total proteins were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in response to oral dosing of three varieties of P. granatum peel methanolic and aqueous extracts which were comparable to healthy control. Moreover, the aqueous extracts and wild P. grantaum were more effective than methanolic extracts and other species against hyperglycemia and biochemical profiles of treated rats. It was concluded that the extracts of peels of P. granatum possess significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potentials due to presence of phytochemical and have no side effects. Based on the outcome of the study it can be recommended that the peel of P. granatum can be further used for the development of antidiabetic drugs or in folk medicines traditionally to treat the diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic isolates of Clostridium perfringens were identified in lambs and kids population from non-vaccinated dams of selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Samples were obtained from non-vaccinated lambs and kids with the signs of enterotoxaemia. The isolates were initially identified by colony characteristics, Gram staining, biochemical tests and CFU/g. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 43.45% of lambs and 50.59% of the kids. Obtained isolates were further analyzed for toxinotyping with conventional PCR. Sequence analysis of 73 strains from diseased lambs showed 13.10% type A, 9.52% type B and highest 20.83% proportion of Clostridium perfringens type D. Out of 108 strains from kids, 54.62% were type A, 9.25% were type B and 36.11% were type D. Clostridium perfringens type C and E were neither detected in lambs nor in kids. The association of various factors (i.e. area, housing, seasons, colostrum feeding, hygienic condition, body condition and animal sex) with each type of Clostridium perfringens infection were analyzed by Chi-square test of association (χ2). The results indicated that Colostrums feeding, hygienic condition and body condition scores of animals are significantly (P<0.05) associated with Clostridium perfringens type A, B and D in both lambs and kids. Besides that, Season with Clostridium perfringens type A in kids, Area and Season with Clostridium perfringens type D in lambs are also significantly (P<0.05) associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates the incidence of subclinical mastitis (SCM), associated risk factors, involvement and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in the development of SCM in District Faisalabad of Pakistan. For this purpose, a total of 384 goat milk samples were screened for SCM through surf field mastitis test (SFMT) and mastitis-positives cases were further investigated for isolation of S. aureus using standard procedures. Coagulase gene was PCR amplified from the clinical isolates to categorize them into Coagulase positive Staphylococci (CPS) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS). A questionnaire was used to record risk factors associated with occurrence of SCM and results were analyzed using non-probability statistical analysis. Results indicated that an overall 63.28% (243/384) of goats were found positive for SCM, of which 58.85% (143/243) revealed Staphylococcal growth among them 69.93% (100/143) were CPS, while 30.07% (43/143) were found as CNS. Drug susceptibility against penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides and other drugs showed that 50% of CPS and 30% of CNS were found multi-drug resistant-exhibiting resistance against more than two or more than two classes of drugs. None of the CPS while 20 % from CNS isolates were 100% susceptible to all kinds of drugs tested. Finally, age, grazing system, use of beta-lactam antibiotics, parity, and poor hygiene were potential risk factors. Altogether, the study concluded high incidence of SCM and isolation rate of staphylococci that were found resistant against most of the commonly used antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock is a primary source of income for small dairy farmers in developing countries. Dairy animals fed with a fodder containing a balanced nitrogen contents produce high quality milk. Excess use of nitrogen fertilizers in the soil cause excess accumulation of nitrates in fodder, which is the main source of nitrate poisoning in dairy animals. In the present study nitrate contents in fodder crops, viz., Sorghum bicolor (Jowar), Pennisetum glaucum (Bajra), Zea mays (Makai), Avena sativa (Jai), Brassica rapa (Shaljam) and Brassica Campestris (Sarson) were estimated twice a day i.e. early morning and afternoon. The fodder samples were collected from different villages of Okara, Pattoki and Ravi areas of the Province Punjab. Nitrate contents of different parts of the fodder plants were estimated qualitatively through the Diphenylamine Filed Test (DFT) and quantitatively by spectrophotometry. The nitrate levels were highest in Jowar, followed by Jai, Shaljam, Makai, Bajra and Sarson. The concentrations were lower in the afternoon in the leaves and in mature crops as compared to stem parts, immature plants, and in samples collected from plants during morning hours. The nitrate concentration was lower in samples collected from Ravi area, as compared to samples collected from villages of Pattoki and Okara. Blood samples were collected from animals feeding on above fodders; Spectrophotometry analysis of blood samples from these animals showed abnormally high levels of nitrite. In conclusion, nitrate contents were higher (>5000 ppm) in stem parts of common livestock fodder harvested in early morning and therefore, high level of nitrite found in blood of animals fed with the fodder containing high nitrate contents. This high level of nitrates in fodder crops constitutes a threat to the health and productivity of dairy animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) among large ruminants of the five districts (Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan and Swabi) located in the central zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A total of 2400 large ruminants were sampled by convenience sampling approach and tested by comparative cervical intradermal tuberculin test (CCIT) for detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection. Data regarding sociodemographic status, risk factors and farming practices were gathered through a pre-form questionnaire. Results revealed that prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 5.88%. Statistical analysis revealed significant association of age (OR= 3.267; CI = 1.686-6.331) and herd size (OR = 2.600; CI = 1.421-4.760) with CCIT positivity. Similarly, induction of new animals into the herd (OR= 2.661; CI = 1.758-4.028) and sheltering the animals at night (OR= 2.448; CI = 1.568-3.882) also showed association with a positive skin test. The herd owners and animal handlers had poor knowledge regarding signs, symptoms and the zoonotic nature of the infection. Three primary signs (persistent cough, weight loss and fever) were recognized by 4.7% of respondents including herd owners, herders and animal handlers. This study calls for instant measures for disease control among the animals and humans of the study area, and highlight the need for farmer education regarding bovine tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]