ABSTRACT

Studies were carried out to investigate the effects of Cissus quandragularis on rat and tilapia fish. Phytochemicals present in the plant materials were also determined. Results show that aqueous, n-hexane, CC14, ethanol and chloroform extracts of the leaf and stem bark of the plant exhibited piscicidal properties with LI)50values of 0.sOpg!L, 2.10jtg/L, 0.10tgfL, 5.50jtgIL and 1.0OgIL respectively. Tests carried out withaqueous and CC14 extracts on rats revealed that they were lethal with LI)50values of 109.6mg/kg and 151.4mg/kg respectively; but could not cause mortality at concentrations below 100mg/kg. Studies also show that when the effects of the extracts on the biochemical markers was analysed statistically using students t — test at 5% level of sigificance, there were significant differences observed for each of the biochemical markers. Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins and Phenols were also present in the plant material The findings show that the plant is good for fish culture operations since it is easily accessible and environmentally friendly and can also be used for the control of pests.