The introduction of indigenous or exotic weeds to the habitats outside their native range and their successful colonization is defined as biological invasion which ultimately poses threat to economy, environment and biodiversity. In the present study, the invasive plant species with special reference to the invasive plants in Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India and the possible threat to the local biodiversity by their invasion has been investigated. The study focused the rapid spread of invasive weeds, Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) P. Beauv., Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Ipomoea staphylina Roem. & Schult., Lantana camara L., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Sesamum alatum Thonn. In view of the biodiversity threat by these invasive weeds, possible utilization of weedbiomass through vermicomposting is addressed.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) a pharmacological tool was used to induce liver damage in Wistar albino rats. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) and methanol extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn. family Lythraceae (known to possess hepatoprotective compounds) was used to reverse the liver damage caused due to CCl4 (induced toxicity). Hydroalcholic extract of stem bark and leaf of Lawsonia inermis Linn. was evaluated, for its restorative efficacy against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity which was assessed in terms of biochemical and histopathological parameters. CCl4 produce the altitude levels of serum marker enzymes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in blood serum. Due to the toxicity of CCl4 cause turbine hepatic cell architecture, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and sinusoidal dilatation along with reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) appeared in liver tissue. SOD is the primary step in the defense mechanism involved in the antioxidant system against the oxidative stress. It diminishes by converting the superoxide radical in to peroxide and molecular oxygen. CAT or GPx reactions, also exert a similar effect thereby reducing the level of cellular damage. By oral administration of methanol extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn. plant extracts, i.e., stem bark extract (250 mg/kg b.wt.) and leaf extract (250 mg/kg b. wt.) the levels of these parameters was restored to near controlled (untreated) levels. Thus, the present study revealed that the extracts of stem bark and leaf of Lawsonia inermis Linn. offered protection against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4.

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Total plate count, thermophiles, coliforms, staphylococci, streptococci and moulds of dressed carcasses brought from the local slaughterhouse and at different stages in the preparation of pre-cooked dehydrated mutton mince were studied. The sources of contamination and necessary precautions to be adopted are discussed.

R. Thangamani et al. (2020) / Effect of pre-composting on seed viability and subsequent vermicomposting of an invasive alien weed, Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) P. Beauv.