Abstract: In the current study, disease survey was initiated to determine the relative occurrence, distribution and status of major hot pepper diseases in Jima and Ilu Aba Bor zones. Prevalence, incidence and severity of major hot pepper diseases were assessed and quantified. The survey was conducted in six districts of Jima and Ilu Aba Bor zones, covering 18 Kebeles and 54 fields. Kebeles were randomly selected from each district based on their representativeness of hot pepper production. The disease assessment was made along the two diagonals (in an “X” pattern) of the field from five points using 1 m × 1 m (1 m2) quadrates. The assessment was done for disease prevalence, incidence and severity. Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora capsica), Damping off, Bacterial leaf blight and viral diseases were the Major Hot pepper seedling diseases in both Jima and Ilu Aba Bora Zones. The prevalence of Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora capsica) was the highest hot pepper plant disease recorded in Jima and Ilu Aba Bora areas, with a prevalence of 100% and a high level of incidence and severity. The main diseases that infected peppers after transplanting in the inspected area were Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora capsici), Blossom end rot (Alternaria spp.), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and Bacterial leaf blight in Jima and Ilu Aba Bora Zones. The importance of each disease was determined by calculating the prevalence, incidence and severity values. The current study shows that hot pepper production is currently limited by several diseases and indicates the need of research on designing management strategies and options for the major diseases.Abstract: In the current study, disease survey was initiated to determine the relative occurrence, distribution and status of major hot pepper diseases in Jima and Ilu Aba Bor zones. Prevalence, incidence and severity of major hot pepper diseases were assessed and quantified. The survey was conducted in six districts of Jima and Ilu Aba Bor zones, covering 1...Show More
Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly have become a major health problem in Africa. Glutamate neurotoxicity has been implicated in numerous diseases such as Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia. Plants with antioxidant properties protect the brain against glutamate neurotoxicity. The aim of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Sclerocarya birrea (S. birrea) against monosodium glutamate-induced memory loss. To evaluate the pharmacological effects of S. birrea against monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced memory loss in white Mus musculus Swiss mice. S. birrea decoctate was tested on the central nervous system of animals with MSG-induced cognitive deficits. Different doses (410; 205 and 102.5 mg/kg) of S. birrea decoctate were administered orally to the animals one hour before MSG administration (4 mg/kg p.o.) for 15 consecutive days of treatment. The pharmacological effects of S. birrea were evaluated for 3 days by behavioral tests consisting of T-maze and open-arena object recognition. After the behavioral tests, all animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation and the brains were harvested for assessment of oxidative stress parameters. S. birrea decoctate reversed MSG-induced behavioral impairment by significantly increasing memory capacities in MSG-treated mice, significantly inhibited the reduction in locomotor and exploratory capacities of MSG-treated animals in T-maze and open arena behavioral tests. MSG-induced decreases in catalase activity (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reversed by S. birrea decoctate at doses of 102.5 and 205 mg/kg. So the S. birrea root bark decoctate possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that facilitate memorization and correct MSG-induced cognitive deficits in white mice. All the results obtained in this work justify the use of S. birrea decoctate in traditional medicine.Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly have become a major health problem in Africa. Glutamate neurotoxicity has been implicated in numerous diseases such as Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia. Plants with antioxidant properties protect the brain against glutamate neurotoxicity. The aim of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Sclerocar...Show More