SURVEY AND POPULATION STUDIES OF INSECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ORNAMENTAL PLANTS BY USING SWEEPING NETS AND PITFALL TRAPS AT RIYADH METROPOLIS, SAUDI ARABIA
Ali
EL-GHARBAWY
Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
author
text
article
2010
eng
A survey along with some studies on the population densities and relative abundance of insects associated with ornamental plants were conducted using sweeping nets and pitfall traps in Riyadh metropolis, Saudi Arabia, for a full year from December, 2006 to November, 2007. A total number of 2411 individuals, included thirty three species belonging to thirty genera, fifteen families and five orders, i.e. Coleoptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera, were collected by the two methods. The largest numbers were observed during May, June and April. Also the largest number of species was belonging to the order Coleoptera (16 species), followed by the hymenopterans (7 species). Other orders were represented by varying number of species. The coleopterans were found to be the most abundant and dominant, constituting the majority of the catch (961 specimens, representing 39.9% of the total catch), followed by hymenopteran individuals (939 specimens, constituting 38.9% of the total catch). Insects of other orders were less abundant and were represented by small numbers of individuals, with the hemipterans constituting the minority of catch (4 specimens of two species). Fifteen species belonging to fourteen genera, ten families and five orders were obtained throughout the year by using sweeping nets. While nineteen species belonging seventeen genera, six families and three orders were collected by pitfall trap.
Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science
Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Science (Boys)
1110-2535
21
v.
Issue 1-C
no.
2010
1
12
https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/article_7354_2e01221dff8ca74cae18bb77a59d6213.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.21608/absb.2010.7354
EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDATIVE, ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTILIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF BITTER MEL ON SEEDS (CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS) ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT ON FEMALE RATS
A.
ABDULLAH
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo, Al-Azhar University
author
S.
BAKRY
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University; Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
author
A.
ABD EL-BAKY
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
author
A.
MANSOUR
Toxicology and Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
author
text
article
2010
eng
Background: Diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia are well-known risk factors for several illnesses including atherosclerosis, heart and vascular diseases and stroke. Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75–80% of the world population, mainly in the developing countries, for primary health care because of better cultural acceptability, better compatibility with the human body and lesser side effects. Herbal extracts are introduced to the mankind since many centuries, several herbal extracts in different oral formulas have been recommended for diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia treatment all over the world. Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of the extract of Bitter melon (Citrullus colocynthis) in young adult Sprague Dawley female rats for eight weeks. Materials and Methods: Forty female young adult Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into two sections. Section I (Normal animals) was S.C. injection with a vehicle (0.9% NaCl) and divided into two groups (10 rats / group), one of these served as control group and the second group was received extract of Bitter melon (Citrullus colocynthis) seed 50 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks and served as normal treated group. Group II was S.C. injection with Alloxan (diabetic rats) and divided into two group (10 rats each), one of these served as diabetic control group while the second group was received extract of Citrullus colocynthis (C-colocynthis) seed (50mg/kg/day) orally for 8 weeks and served as diabetic treated group. After 8-weeks experiment was terminated and animals were sacrificed, heart blood was drawn and sera were separated for assessment of blood glucose, lipid profile, and lipid peroxidation value (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as total and direct bilirubin. Results: Both normal and diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, lipid peroxidation value (MDA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) as well as total and direct bilirubin. While, levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total lipid were significantly increased in both normoglycemic and hyperglycaemic rats except ALT, AST and ALP in hyperglycaemic rats had no changes. Conclusions: The present study shed more of the light on the effect of Bitter melon (Citrullus colocynthis) extract and proves that this extract has antioxidant, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties in the rats and may be used for treating diabetes mellitus.
Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science
Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Science (Boys)
1110-2535
21
v.
Issue 1-C
no.
2010
13
26
https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/article_7351_e8903de3b80c358fa8d8828c1ebe6e5b.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.21608/absb.2010.7351
CONTRIBUTION TO THE SEA CUCUMBER FAUNA (ECHINODERMATA: HOLOTHUROIDEA) AT THE VICINITY OF BAB EL-MANDAB, RED SEA, YEMEN
AHMED
HELLAL
Marine Biology and Fish Science Section, Zoology Department,Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
author
text
article
2010
eng
The present work is dealing with the sea cucumber (holothuroids) fauna at the vicinity of Bab El-Mandab area, at the entrance of the Red Sea, Yemen. Holothuroid fauna were collected from five sites, these are: Bab El-Mandab, El-Khokha, El-Makha harbor, Gulf of Aden and mangrove area. A total of 28 species belonging to 3 orders, 4 families and 9 genera were reported. Bab El-Mandab area had the highest species diversity; it comprised 22 species represented 78.6 % of the total recorded species. Followed by El-Khokha and El-Makha areas; they included 15 (53.6 %) and 11 (39.3 %) species respectively. On the other hand, mangrove area contained the lowest number of species, being 3 species (10.7 %). Genus Holothuria comprised the largest number of species and included 13 species (46.4 %), however, there were five genera each one was represented by only one species. The results of the present work and previous studies indicated that there are 12 species considered to be new record for such area. Among 28 holothuroids species recorded in the study sites, there are 5 species (17.9%) considered to be endemic to the Red Sea. Habitat distribution revealed that sandy habitat had the largest number of species, 22 species (78.6 %), followed by coral habitat (dead and live corals), 18 species (64.3 %), sea-grass bed 15 species (53.6 %) and the rocky habitat (46.4 %). Notes on the status of species, species diversity and density, habitat and geographical distribution are giving.
Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science
Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Science (Boys)
1110-2535
21
v.
Issue 1-C
no.
2010
27
66
https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/article_7352_59b1cf4fe5fc4f3cacc9af9e50cdb843.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.21608/absb.2010.7352
HAEMOGRAM CHANGES IN THE DESERT LOCUST SCHISTOCERCA GREGARIA (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) BY DIFFERENT EXTRACTS FROM THE WILD PLANT FAGONIA BRUGUIERI (ZYGOPLYLLACEAE).
M.
TANANI
Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University Madenit Nasr, Cairo, Egypt.
author
text
article
2010
eng
The total (THC) and differential (DHC) haemolymph counts as well as the morphological and intracellular disorders in haemocytes of nymphs and adults of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria were investigated after treatment of penultimate instar nymphs with F.bruguieri extracts. With no exception, THC in haemolymph of the early-aged nymphs increased, irrespective of the extract or concentration level. Reversely, THC in the haemolymph of nymphs at mid- and late-ages was remarkably dropped, regardless to the extract or concentration level. Concerning the adults both the methanolic and petroleum ether extracts exhibited an increasing effect on THC while the n-butanolic extract exerted a serious prohibitory effect.
Three types only of haemocytes were identified in last instar nymphs and newly emerged adults of the present insect species: plasmatocytes, granulocytes and coagulocytes. As a response to the methanolic extract, plasmatocyte counts significantly decreased in the early- and mid-aged nymphs, but remarkably increased in the late-aged ones. Also, plasmatocyte counts in haemolymph of adults were pronouncedly regressed. After treatment with petroleum ether extract, plasmatocyte counts were unexceptionally reduced in nymphs and adults. In addition, a drastic prohibiting action of n-butanolic extract was exerted on plasmatocyte counts in all nymphs, except late-aged ones, and in adults. After treatment with methanolic extract, increasing granulocyte counts were observed in haemolymph of the early- and late-aged nymphs , while mid-aged nymphs had slightly decreased counts or no change. After treatment with petroleum ether extract, considerable increments in the granulocyte counts were observed, irrespective of the stage, age, or concentration level. Reversely, granulocyte counts decreased as a response to the effect of n-butanolic extract in nymphs and adults. Varied effects of the F. bruguieri extracts were distinctively recorded in coagulocyte counts, depending on the nymphal age. In addition, remarkably increased counts were determined in haemolymph of adults.
Haemocytes of nymphs and adults of S.gregaria were morphologically affected by the methanolic and n-butanolic F. bruguieri extracts because some small darkened granulocytes and lysed granulocytes appeared. Also, lysed coagulocytes, with ruptured cell membrane and extruding cytoplasmic contents, were observed.In addition, cytoplasm of some haemocytes appeared with various vacuoles as well as a number of vacuoles appeared in the nuclei of some granulocytes .
Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science
Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Science (Boys)
1110-2535
21
v.
Issue 1-C
no.
2010
67
95
https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/article_7355_c65475a7380deae98d673272cffac952.pdf
dx.doi.org/10.21608/absb.2010.7355