Effect of BaTiO3 on the Properties of PVC-Based Composite Thick Films.

Flexible PVC/BT (Polyvinyl chloride/Barium Titanate) composite thick films with (0-30%) volume fractions of BaTiO3 were fabricated via the solution casting method. The effects of BaTiO3 filler on the phase, microstructure and dielectric properties of composite films were investigated. The XRD results revealed that BT particles are embedded in the PVC matrix with no chemical reaction taking place between the two phases. It was observed that the glass transition temperature of PVC had increased with the addition of BT. The frequency dispersion in the dielectric constant versus temperature curves indicated the relaxor nature of the composites. The dielectric constant (εr) measured at 40 °C, increased from 7.6 for pure PVC to 16.1 for 30% of BaTiO3 content in PVC polymer matrix. It is suggested that BaTiO3 ceramic powder enhanced the dielectric properties of PVC and may be used as a flexible dielectric material.

Pharmacological exploration of traditional plants for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically characterized as memory deficits, altered behavior and impaired cognitive functions. The most important risk factor for AD is aging and mounting. Evidences suggested in different studies that traditionally used plants in Asia, China, and Europe significantly affect aging and AD involved neurodegeneration pathways. Research into ethnobotanicals for impaired memory and cognition has been burgeoned in last decades. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for the plant selection were based on reputed herbs recommended for treatment of neurological disorders and their scientific validation to cure neurodegenerative disorders. A range of traditional plants imparts effects via acetylcholinesterase activity, ß-amyloid peptide formation in plaques, neurotrophic factors and through antioxidant activity. On one side preclinical investigations identified promising drug candidates for AD, on the other side, clinical evidences are still pending. Presently, according to WHO, around more than 80% world population relay on natural remedies to cure their health related issues. Plants contain rich source of primary and secondary metabolites for improving health problems. Pharmaceutical industry is facing intriguing challenges like elevated cost and unendurable risk management due to the high burden of neurodegenerative disorders. A significant shift of drug discovery is being witnessed from synthetic moieties to herbal formulation.

Antiplatelet Aggregation, Cardiotonic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Calcium Channel Antagonistic Potentials of Nepeta ruderalis Buch.

The objective of this study was to authenticate the ethnobotanical claims of the Nepeta ruderalis Buch.-Ham. (N. ruderalis) extract in the traditional system of medicine. Crude extract was prepared via a simple maceration process. DPPH free radical scavenging and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema models were used to monitor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses of the N. ruderalis extract. Furthermore, it was tested for antiplatelet aggregation, cardioprotective, and calcium channel antagonistic activities via standard documented protocols. The N. ruderalis extract exhibited 80.82% antioxidant activity (IC50 = 207.51 ± 4.36 µg) while the anti-inflammatory response was significant (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01) at 50 mg/kg (45.58%) and 100 mg/kg (60.90%) doses. Moreover, it was found to inhibit platelet aggregation (IC50 = 1.06 and 0.91 mg/mL) and, in addition, to increase the force of contraction at the concentration of 3.0-10 mg/mL with a decrease in the heart rate on isolated paired atria (EC50 = 11.78 mg/mL). Relaxant activity was observed on the isolated rabbit jejunum (EC50 = 0.96 mg/mL) and trachea (EC50 = 0.89 mg/mL). However, in a cumulative way, an 80-millimolar potassium-induced contraction was evaluated (EC50 = 1.31 mg/mL). The N. ruderalis extract exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet aggregating, cardiotonic, and calcium channel antagonistic activities, therefore proving scientifically its effectiveness in the traditional system of medicine.

Erupt of malaria, dengue and chikungunya in Pakistan: Recent insights about prevalence, diagnosis and treatment.

Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are the most rampant mosquito-borne infections predominantly in Pakistan. They pose a serious threat and cause a havoc for the victims owing to the life threatening signs and symptoms marked with elevated morbidity and mortality rate. It seems hard to discriminate due to common indications, consequently, deserves appropriate diagnosis prior elevated toll of death. Present article encompasses depth insights about their prevalence, diagnosis and clinical manifestation if erupt in the pandemic. However, host-vector-host cycle is the root cause of transmission and diverse mosquito species confer dissimilar infections. Indeed these infections are seasonal but other factors like flood, open irrigation channels, immense agricultural land, rich fauna and water reservoirs can't be overlooked. Dire need was felt to acknowledge and aware the public about local transmission, vector control, entomologic, research resources, diagnosis and advancement in healthcare system to alleviate them absolutely in future.

Review: Therapeutic potential of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Enzymes are biological catalyst involve in different biochemical reactions. But over activation of these biomolecules can cause disease thus different inhibitors and knockout therapies are use in current clinical practice. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs), a group of ubiquitously expressed metalloenzymes, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ureagenesis, tumorigenicity and the growth and virulence of various pathogens. In addition to the established role of CA inhibitors (CAIs) as diuretics and antiglaucoma drugs, it has recently emerged that CAIs could have potential as novel anti-obesity, anticancer and anti-infective drugs. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that CA activation may provide a novel therapy for Alzheimer's disease. This article discusses the biological rationale for the novel uses of inhibitors or activators of CA activity in multiple diseases, and highlights progress in the development of specific modulators of the relevant CA isoforms, some of which are now being evaluated in clinical trials.

Evaluation of different Pakistani medicinal plants for inhibitory potential against Echis carinatus induced Phospholipase A2 toxicity.

Medicinal plants of Pakistan are known for their curative properties against snake bite as rural people have been using natural herbs for such injuries for hundreds to thousands of years. People of rural areas of Pakistan are prone to snakebite, and on the whole death due to snakebite has been increasing worldwide. The objective of this study was to test the neutralizing potential of 17 Pakistani medicinal plant extracts against phospholipase A2 activity in Echis carinatus venom. Plant material was extracted by simple maceration and fractionation of active plant extracts. Venom was collected by manual massage of the venom glands. The PLA2 enzymatic assay was performed to map out the venomous activity of Echis carinatus envenomation. Snake venom released fatty acids at different concentrations (0.1-5 mg/ml) of venom in a dose-dependent manner. Reduction of pH by 01 correlated with 133 µmol of fatty acids released at 5mg/ml of venom. All plants extract inhibited PLA2 activity, however, Curcuma longa, Citrullus colocynthis and Rubia cordifolia inhibited maximum of PLA2 activity (⁓78%) comparable to the standard antidote (p>0.5). Medicinal plants possess secondary metabolites and many active compounds that may have neutralizing or inhibiting properties against the PLA2 activity of Echis venom. Further studies such as compound analysis could provide an alternative against snakebites injuries resulting from Echis carinatus venom.

Lethal toxic Dose (i.p LD50), total protein contents and comparative hemolytic potential of (99mTc labeled & non-labeled) Naja naja karachiensis venom.

Recent recognition about snake bite envenomation on June, 2017 as neglected tropical disease under category-A by World Health Organization advocated again its undeniable importance. Present circumstances reasoned to work on a neglected subspecies of Naja naja, i.e., Naja naja karachiensis (N. n. karachensis) has been documented for frequent deaths in Pakistan. In this study median lethal toxic dose (LD50) was determined intraperitoneally in Swiss albino mice and was found to be 2.0µg/g (2.0mg/kg) equal in potency to Naja pallida (red spitting African cobra). Total protein contents (188±0.011µg / 200µg of dry weight) were high enough (94%) to represent an arsenal of proteins. Furthermore, 99mTc was labeled 99.9% with venom and didn't find to alter hemolytic activity of venom in dose dependent manner at 125µg/ml (p>0.5), 250 µg/ml (p>0.1) and 500 µg/ml (p>0.1) when compared with its crude form. Present work will pave the way for proteomics study in effective production of antidote against specific species of snakes as dare demand of it has been felt since long period of time in Pakistan.