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The global population of the world is on an exponential increase, expected to surpass 9 billion by the year 2050. This places a huge demand on food securities and the need to address the challenges facing food security. Sensor-based techniques [e.g., Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy] have enhanced the understanding and diagnosis of several disease conditions, including cancers and are increasingly being applied to answer research questions in other areas including agriculture. Methods employed are relatively non-destructive, rendering samples reusable to be analyzed by more conventional approaches as well as allow the fingerprinting of biological samples based on the vibrational modes of the molecules within the sample. Spectra are derived consisting of wavenumber-absorbance intensities within a typical biological experiment and a complex dataset is quickly generated. Biological samples ranging from biofluids to cytology to tissue sections derived from human or sentinel organism sources including plants can easily be observed using this technique. Using a reference range of a designated normal state, anything lying outside this is judged as potentially atypical. Discriminating chemical entities can be identified using computational approaches, which allow one to minimize within-category confounding factors. Technologies involving sensor-based approaches provide a sensitive, cost effective technique for biological and agricultural research. Sensor-based techniques allow the characterization of biological material based on its biochemical-cell fingerprint and could enhance the study of plant species in agricultural research.

The haematopoietic potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract in Plasmodium berghi-berghi infected mice treated with Hippocratea africana root bark extract was investigated. Thirty (21) adult mice weighing 27-33g were divided into seven (7) groups with three (3) animals in each group. Group 1 served as normal control while Groups 2-7 were parasitized with Plasmodium berghi-berghi and Group 2 was the test control (parasitized and untreated) group. Group 3 was administered 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days. Group 4 and 5 received daily, 200mg/kg bw and 300mg/kg bw of extracts of Hippocratea africana and Jatropha tanjorensis respectively for 4 days. Group 6 received 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days followed with 300mg/kg bw of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract for 4 days. Group 7 was treated with 200mg/kg bw of Hippocratea africana root extract for 4 days followed by 300mg/kg bw of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract for 4 days. Significant anti-plasmodial activity was observed with artemether-lumefantrine and Hippocratea africana root bark extract administration. Plasmodium berghi-berghi infection induced alterations in haematological indices such as decreased RBC count, platelet count, haemoglobin concentration and heamatocrit and increased WBC count. Administration of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract showed improved haematological indices particularly in the red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentration. Jatropha tanjorensis has haematopoietic activity in Plasmodium berghi-berghi infected mice treated Hippocratea africana root bark extract.

The effect of Vitamin E on some cardiac parameters following concomitant administration of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and ciprofloxacin in male Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty-five male Wistar rats weighing between 190 – 220 g, used for the study were randomly divided into seven groups of five animals each. Group I served as the control. Group II - VII were administered; 8 mg/kg body weight (bw) of AL; 7.14 mg/kg bw of Ciprofloxacin; 8 mg/kg bw of AL + 7.14 mg/kg bw of Ciprofloxacin; 8 mg/kg bw of AL + 8.57 IU of Vitamin E; 7.14 mg/kg bw of Ciprofloxacin + 8.57 IU of Vitamin E; and 8 mg/kg bw of AL + 7.14 mg/kg bw of Ciprofloxacin + 8.57 IU of Vitamin E respectively. All the drugs were administered at their therapeutic regimen. Some cardiac parameters investigated include lipid profile, Troponin I, Troponin T, Creatine kinase, Lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. The result showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in all the parameters of cardiac function when treatment groups were compared with control. The observed increase in cardiac indices were however significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated in Groups V, VII and VII which were co-administered with Vitamin E compared with Groups II, III and IV which received the test drugs independently. The weights of the heart tissues showed the same trend with the parameters of cardiac function assessed and upon administration of vitamin E. The results obtained suggest the antioxidative role of vitamin E in alleviating the negative effects induced by artemether-lumefantrine and ciprofloxacin combination treatment, which may be from the impact of free radicals that may have been generated by the combined drugs.