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The role of small ruminant production in achieving sustainable and resilient food systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is yet to be fully explored or incorporated into current agroecological practices and policies. This review examines the principles and practices of agroecology, focusing on circular food systems and the sociopolitical aspects of their implementation for small ruminant production in LMICs. It discusses Gliessman's five levels of agroecological transition and eight principles for integrating small ruminant production into agroecology: input reduction, animal health, soil health, biodiversity, recycling, synergy, economic diversification, and co-creation of knowledge. The review highlights that, while there are differing interpretations in the scientific literature, there is a growing consensus that agroecological practices applied to small ruminant production have the potential to improve integration and self-sufficiency in farming systems, improve animal health, reduce reliance on external inputs, and promote circularity and biodiversity. This reinforces the view that agroecological approaches to small ruminant production can foster a sustainable and interconnected system that strengthens the relationships between animals, plants, and the environment and enhances circularity. To achieve successful implementation and widespread adoption of these approaches, it is crucial to facilitate greater collaboration and cocreation of knowledge among small ruminant farmers and stakeholders in the small ruminant livestock industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercially available conventional drugs have been used to adulterate herbal products. Considering the rapid growth of herbal products' market, it is essential to screen herbal products for the presence of conventional drugs. Simple analytical methods are needed for the rapid screening of conventional drugs that are likely to be adulterated in herbal products. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods for screening twelve conventional drugs in herbal products have been developed and applied. The analytes were extracted from herbal products using acetonitrile:methanol:acetic acid:water (4:4:1:1, v/v). Solvent mixture of dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (75:15:10, v/v) separated well trimethoprim, sildenafil, paracetamol, and sulfamethoxazole while pyrimethamine, metronidazole, and sulfadoxine were well separated by dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (77.5:12.5:10, v/v). In addition, acetyl salicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, quinine, and lumefantrine were well separated by ethyl acetate:methanol:30% ammonia (75:22.5:2.5, v/v). Chromatographic separations were found to be highly reproducible, and more than 10 samples can be analysed in one run. The method was applied in the screening of 229 herbal products. Consequently, 24.0% of the samples contained one adulterant, while 21.4% contained at least two adulterants. All conventional drugs detected in herbal products were not mentioned on the labels and therefore the consumers are kept unaware of their side effects and health problems. Further studies for confirming and quantitatively determining the adulterants in a wide range of products as well as a systematic toxicological analysis of the adulterants in herbal products are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of medicinal plants to control reproduction in aquaculture have recently received considerable attention because they are biodegradable, safe, effective and locally available. However, information on their effects on gonadal characteristics and histological features in fish is currently limited. The present study evaluated the gonadal characteristics and histological changes of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus gonads fed on Aspilia plant, Aspilia mossambicensis and Neem tree, Azadirachta indica. Juvenile fish were fed diets supplemented with four doses (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g/kg diet) of A. mossambicensis or A. indica leaf powders at 3% of their body weight daily for 90 days to examine absolute fecundity (AF), relative fecundity, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histology of gonads. The antifertility phytocompounds in the two plants were quantified by using standard methods. Results indicated that, all doses of A. indica and A. mossambicensis used reduced significantly AF and GSI values (p < 0.05). Dose‐dependent histological alterations of gonads were noticed in both plants starting from doses of 2.0 g/kg in males and 4.0 g/kg in females. The highest percentages of total flavonoids (23.7%) and alkaloids (14.2%) were obtained from A. indica ethanol extract (p < 0.05). Taken together, dietary supplementation with A. mossambicensis and A. indica leaf powders alter gonadal characteristics of O. niloticus and histology triggered by alkaloids and flavonoids. Farmers interested in using the two plants to control prolific breeding should limit the dose inclusion to 2 g/kg to avoid severe effects on fish testis and ovaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]