School of Biosecurity, Biotechnolgy and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS) Collection
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 304
-
ItemIn vivo antivenom potential of methanolic extracts of phytolacca dodecandra and vernonia amygdalina(Makerere University, 2026)The venom from various snake species contains complex bioactive molecules that cause many severe local and systemic effects, potentially leading to death and this poses a significant public health concern. Current antivenoms, though effective, are often costly and inaccessible in high-risk areas. Traditional medicinal plants such as Phytolacca dodecandra and Vernonia amygdalina have been used for centuries in sub-Saharan Africa to treat snakebites, but their antivenom potential has not been thoroughly investigated. This study is aimed at evaluating the antivenom properties of methanolic extracts from these plants and identifying their phytochemical constituents. Experimental studies involved the use of 20 Wister Albino rats that were divided into 5 groups of 4 each ie the normal control, the negative control, Vernonia amygdalina treatment, Phytolacca dodecandra treatment and the combination group. The effect of the methanolic extracts as antivenoms on the animals was measured using time taken to die and the observed clinical signs in every group such as paralysis, irritability, gasping and polyuria. The methanolic extracts from the plants showed good antivenom properties that were dose dependant and showed better results when used at high dosage of 400mg/kg for individual plant extracts. The plant extracts also showed synergism portrayed by the combination of these plant extracts showing better antivenom properties even at lower dosages. There was antivenom potential demonstrated by the methanolic plant extracts in the animal models as they were able to prolong the time taken to die for the animals administered with the venom and the extracts. The plants also contained phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, phenols, tannins and flavonoids that contribute to their antivenom properties.
-
ItemAnalysis of the quality of spring water from protected springs in Nakulabye and Kasubi Divisions in Kampala City, Uganda(Makerere University, 2024)Spring water is a major source of domestic water in Kampala sub urban areas (Haruna ,etl 2005). though spring water is visually acceptable for domestic use ,the presence of poorly designed pit latrines,poor waste management and insufficient spring protection lead to pathogenic bacteria contamination of spring water.Especially during the wet season. And as such, the purpose of the study was to assess the water quality of the protected springs in the areas of Nakulabyeand kasubi in kawempedivision. 14 springs were identified and were all suitable for the study .a total of 28 water samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis of the selected water quality parameters. Of the 28 samples, 14 samples were collected during the dry season and 14 samples during the wet season .from the 14 protected springs, the physical chemical parameters tested included the turbidity, true color and PH, while the total coliform and the faecal coliform were the bacteriological parameters which were analyzed. The results showed that in both the dry and wet season, all the physical chemical parameters complied with the Uganda national standards for portable, untreated water, while the bacteriological parameters failed to meet the national standard in both seasons for all the study springs. The relationship between PH and TDS was also observed among the protected springs and there was a significant effect of season on the microbiological characteristics ofthe water from the study springs with total coliform and faecal colirform almost doubling during the wet season. Finally the water from the soring should either be boiled or disinfected before human consumption. since there is presence of faecal matter.
-
ItemAnalysis of the quality of spring water from protected springs in Nakulabye and Kasubi Divisions in Kampala City, Uganda(Makerere University, 2024)Spring water is a major source of domestic water in Kampala sub urban areas (Haruna ,etl 2005).though spring water is visually acceptable for domestic use ,the presence of poorly designed pit latrines,poor waste management and insufficient spring protection lead to pathogenic bacteria contamination of spring water.Especially during the wet season. And as such, the purpose of the study was to assess the water quality of the protected springs in the areas of Nakulabyeand kasubi in kawempedivision. 14 springs were identified and were all suitable for the study .a total of 28 water samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis of the selected water quality parameters. Of the 28 samples, 14 samples were collected during the dry season and 14 samples during the wet season .from the 14 protected springs, the physical chemical parameters tested included the turbidity, true color and PH, while the total coliform and the faecal coliform were the bacteriological parameters which were analyzed. The results showed that in both the dry and wet season, all the physical chemical parameters complied with the Uganda national standards for portable, untreatedwater, while the bacteriological parameters failed to meet the national standard in both seasons for all the study springs.The relationship between PH and TDS was also observed among the protected springs and there was a significant effect of season on the microbiological characteristics ofthe waterfrom the study springs with total coliform and faecalcolirform almost doubling during the wetseason. Finally the water from the soring should either be boiled or disinfectedbefore human consumption .since there is presence of faecal matter.
-
ItemEffect of pawpaw juice extract on the microscopic parameters of buck epididymal semen(Makerere University, 2023)Antioxidants are key to sperm viability due to their protective effects against formation the formation of free oxygen radicals and cell damage of spermatozoa during preservation. In order to improve the life span of refrigerated buck semen, this study was carried out to determine the effect of pawpaw juice extract on spermatozoa viability of semen since it is rich in antioxidants. Pooled semen from three indigenous (Mubende) bucks, abuck per week diluted with Tris-egg yolk-based extender and supplemented with pawpaw fruit juice extract at different concentrations of 0, 2, 5 and 7/100ml respectively. Following dilution, the semen samples were assessed subjectively after invitro storage at 5°C for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours as regard sperm motility, abnormality and integrity using a phase-contrast microscope. The results showed highest level of sperm abnormalities in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract 7/100ml in all time intervals and lowest levels of sperm abnormalities in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 5/100ml at 0hours but higher than the control. This indicated a protective measure in pawpaw juice extract at 5/100ml. The results also showed highest levels of sperm motility in control compared to other samples with time. However better progressive motility was recorded in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 2/100ml compared to all pawpaw juice extract extenders. It is also important to note a sharp decrease in progressive motility in extended semen supplemented with 5/100ml with time when compared with the rest of the samples. The results showed almost a similar level of acrosome integrity in all categories of the semen extenders with time. Highest levels of acrosome integrity were observed in the control sample at 0 hours and the least levels of acrosome integrity was observed in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 7/100ml. The findings revealed that the antioxidants in pawpaw fruit have less protective ability to maintain sperm viability during storage of sperms at low temperatures.
-
ItemIn silico identification of candidate B-cell epitopes and Chimeric proteins derived from OmpA, OmpK35, OmpK36, and Pal proteins for control of Klebsiella pneumoniae( 2024)Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium that causes nosocomial infection in healthcare settings. Despite the high morbidity and mortality rate associated with these bacterial infections, no effective vaccine is available to counter the pathogen. The application of bioinformatics tools has influenced the development of vaccines by focusing on isolated epitopes capable of eliciting highly targeted immune responses. In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to identify immune-dominant epitopes from four key Klebsiella pneumoniae proteins: Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), Outer membrane protein K35 (OmpK35), Outer membrane protein K36 (OmpK36) and Peptidoglycan associated protein (Pal). Twenty-one chimeric proteins were designed by combining these epitopes with flexible and rigid linkers of varying lengths. The chimeras were then thoroughly evaluated for physicochemical properties, antigenicity, and allergenicity. Among the designed chimeras, >Chimera6 was the most promising candidate, exhibiting superior stability, high antigenicity, excellent solubility, and non-allergenic characteristics. These findings suggest that >Chimera6 has the potential to induce a robust and targeted immune response against Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. The study findings represent a significant steptowards the rational design of an effective Klebsiella pneumoniae vaccine andopens avenues for further research and validation. By combining computational approaches with experimental validation, the development of a successful vaccine that can combat the menace of Klebsiella pneumoniae and contribute to global health security will be possible.