Four-aminopyridine (4-AP) is a potassium channel blocker often used in the management of some neurological disorders, and is often accompanied with seizures as one of its side effect. This study comparatively assessed the effects of two anticonvulsants (MgSO4 and Diazepam) on seizures induced by 4-AP in CD1 mice, with a view to possibly recommend the combined administration of 4-AP with any of these anticonvulsants to ameliorate convulsions (one of 4-AP’s side effects). Twenty one (21) CD1 mice weighing 20 – 25g were used for this study. They were assigned into 3 groups (n = 7) as follows; control seizure (13.3mg kg-1 of 4-AP), seizure + diazepam (2mg kg-1), and seizure + MgSO4 (4.5mg kg-1) groups. Induction of seizures was done 30 minutes after the intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of the anticonvulsants (MgSO4 and diazepam, respectively), after which parameters such as; the onset of trembling, wild running, jerking, tonic clonic seizures and time of death, were evaluated using standard methods. The results obtained showed that MgSO4 and Diazepam delayed the onset of seizures by significantly (p<0.001) increasing the onset of trembling, wild running, jerking, tonic clonic seizures and significantly (p<0.001) delayed time of death compared with control. MgSO4 significantly (p<0.001) increased the onset of trembling, wild running, jerking, tonic clonic seizures and delayed the time of death compared to diazepam. Both anticonvulsants delayed the onset of the events that bring about seizures induced by 4-AP, but none could completely reverse seizures; therefore the combined administration of 4-AP and either of these anticonvulsants may not offer any therapeutic benefit following seizures induced by 4-AP.

Gnetum africanum, a common soup vegetable in Nigeria is also been used in the treatment of enlarged spleen, sore throats, deduction of pains of child-birth, antidotes to some forms of poison and snake bite. This study is to ascertain phytochemicals and minerals present in the leaves of Gnetum africanum in addition to in vitro antioxidant activities using standard procedures. The result of the phytochemicals present revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids while the minerals present in mg/100g includes: calcium (423.20), magnesium (112.81), phosphate (83.44), zinc (2.53), sodium (37.82), potassium (86.10), copper (1.00), Iron (11.67) and chromium (0.52). In vitro antioxidant activities using reducing power activity and DPPH radical scavenging assays showed that as concentration of Gnetum africanum increases from 0.2mg/ml to 1.0mg/ml, reducing power ability and radical scavenging activity also increases. In conclusion, the presence of bioactive agents such as flavonoids as well as radical scavenging ability of Gnetum africanum gives credence to its usage in herbal medicine for treatment of various ailments.

The Black Bengal does of Indian sub-continent generally show a noted seasonal variation during in reproductive activity. India has a good quality of Black Bengal goat populations, which has significant role in the lives of the local goat rearers. The objective of the present study is to realize the influence of seasonal variation on the serum progesterone of Black Bengal does (Capra aegagrus hircus) in two different agro-climatic regions in India. The highest assessment of temperature (42.6 ± 1.5 ºC) has been reported during the month of April or May in the season of pre monsoon in Purulia. However, the lowest assessment of temperature (8.6 ± 0.9 ºC) has been reported during the month of December or January in the season of post monsoon again in Purulia. Progesterone hormone has been analyzed in the serum samples collected once a week. It has been observed that, from January to April for both of the regions of Purulia and Nadia and the month May has the lowest serum progesterone level in Purulia (0.32 ± 0.06 ng/ml) and the serum progesterone hormone concentration stayed approximately the same from January to March in Purulia as similar to Nadia. However, the serum progesterone reached to its peak level in November in both the region Purulia (4.52 ± 0.28ng/ml) and Nadia (5.55 ± 0.18 ng/ml) respectively. It can also be presume that the early months of the post monsoon season may be taken as an alternate breeding seasons for the Black Bengal breeds.