Medicinal plants are the primary raw materials used in the production of medicinal products all over the world. As a result, more study on plants with therapeutic potential is required. The tropical tree Ziziphus spina belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. Biological reports and traditional applications including management of diabetes and treatment of malaria, digestive issues, typhoid, liver complaints, weakness, skin infections, urinary disorders, obesity, diarrhoea, and sleeplessness have all been treated with different parts of Z. spina all over the globe. The plant is identified as a rich source of diverse chemical compounds. This study is a comprehensive yet detailed review of Z. spina based on major findings from around the world regarding ethnopharmacology, biological evaluation, and chemical composition. Scopus, Web of Science, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Springer Link, and Google Scholar were searched to find published articles. From the 186 research articles reviewed, we revealed the leaf extract to be significant against free radicals, microbes, parasites, inflammation-related cases, obesity, and cancer. Chemically, polyphenols/flavonoids were the most reported compounds with a composition of 66 compounds out of the total 193 compounds reported from different parts of the plant. However, the safety and efficacy of Z. spina have not been wholly assessed in humans, and further well-designed clinical trials are needed to corroborate preclinical findings. The mechanism of action of the leaf extract should be examined. The standard dose and safety of the leaf should be established.

Coronaviruses are infectious respiratory tract illnesses, but they can also affect the digestive tract and infect both humans and animals. The new coronavirus results in complicated health problems all over the world. The most urgent concern of all researchers around the world has been the treatment of the virus. The following study aimed to use quantitative ethnobotany to help scientist in addressing the deadly virus. Expert sampling method was adopted with the aid of an in-depth interview guide. Thirty-nine respondents were interviewed. Eighty-one medicinal plant species from 35 families were documented. Males 25 (64.1%) constitute the greater percentage of the total respondents. Majority of the respondents had formal education. Eighty-one medicinal plant species from 35 families were documented. Leaves are the most utilized 25.8 followed by seed 17.7 and fruits 12.1%, respectively. Relative frequency of citation ranged from 0.5 to 0.9, whereas the FL value ranged from 0.4 to 0.85, revealing how effective the documented plant species are in the management of COVID-19 in the region. A greater amount of research into documented medicinal plants is warranted because of the high likelihood that they contain many active ingredients.

The field experiment was conducted in the dry season between December 2012 to April 2013 at Bakori, Bakori local government, Katsina (11033’N, 7036’E). The experiment consisted of 8 treatments levels which include 4 different formulations each; viz: ParaeForce(R) at 150ml / 20L and 200ml / 20L,AminoForce(R) at 100mL / 15L and 125mL / 15L applied a day before sowing and 4 weeks after sowing and a weedy control. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The objective was to evaluate resistant weeds to herbicides (ParaeForce(R) and AminoForce(R)) and their effects on the growth and yield of maize. Result shows that 17 weed species from 11 families were encountered which include Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Doctylocterium aegyptium and Eleusine indica that shows signifcant (≥ 0.05) resistance to ParaeForce(R) + AminoForce(R) at 150mL / 20L followed by 100mL / 15L had 91.70, 87.12 and 49.15% weed control efficiencies at 4,8 and 16WAS. Sequential application of ParaeForce(R) + AminoForce(R) at 200ml/20L followed by 125mL/15L recorded significantly (≥0.05) high maize yield of (6.7kg) in all the three blocks and effective weed control with 86.28, 77.58 and 33.55% weed control efficiencies at 4, 8 and 16WAS. This study recommended the application of ParaeForce(R) and AminoForce(R) at 200mL/20L followed by 125mL/15L as an alternative way of reducing weed resistance to ParaeForce(R) + AminoForce(R) formulation and to improved performance of maize yield in the experimental site.

Acacia is a member of the Fabaceae family, but classifying its species has proven challenging due to their extensive distribution. A study was conducted to assess the morphological differences in the leaves, thorns and inflorescence of various Acacia species located in the Sudano-Sahel region for accurate taxonomic identification. Eleven Acacia species were classified based on qualitative and quantitative morpho-stomatal traits. Generally, most species had alternate, bipinnate compound leaves with oblong pinnules. However, A. senegal showed obovate pinnules, A. auriculiformis had simple curved (sickle-like) leaves and A. gourmanensis featured bilobed simple leaves. Leaf textures varied from smooth (glabrous) to hairy (pubescent) and all species exhibited entire leaf margins. Inflorescence and leaf lengths were generally less than 0.9 cm, except for A. auriculiformis and A. gourmanensis, which had 13.25 cm and 1.29 cm, respectively. Leaf width and leaf area were highest in A. auriculiformis, with 1.00 cm and 2.73 cm², respectively, whereas the remaining investigated species had values lower than 1.00 cm. All flower pedicel length results were less than 0.10 cm. A. auriculiformis and A. gourmaensis had 0.07cm, while A. nilotica and A. senegal had the lowest recorded values at 0.01 cm. There was no significant variation in the trichomes and stomatal type of foliar micro-morphological features; they only differ in terms of size, which can be attributed to their adaptation. Future study on the vascular bundle and the chemical composition of the documented species is paramount.

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