Anti-proliferative or Cytopathic Potential of Thapsia garganica, Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon and Vinca rosea Extracts Against Human Embryonic Kidney Carcinoma Cell Line

ABSTRACT Objective: Developing anti-cancer drugs from natural products is receiving increasing interest worldwide due to limitations and side effects of anti-cancer drugs. The purpose of this study was to explore the anti-proliferative or cytopathic potential of natural compounds derived from plant sources as alternatives of synthetic compounds on human embryonic kidney carcinoma (HEK) cell line. Methods: In this study, aqueous and methanolic extracts were obtained from various plants, viz, Thapsia garganica, Citrus sinesis, Citrus limon and Vinca rosea. Extracts were serially diluted into 96-well microtitre plates and were screened for anti-proliferative potential against the HEK cell line via the neutral red dye uptake assay. Results: The findings revealed that methanolic extracts of T. garganica leaf and V. rosea leaf were the most effective as anti-proliferative or cytotoxic against the HEK cell line, with IC50 at 32-fold dilution of the extract. Conclusion: The extracts of T. garganic and V, rosea have been used as anti-proliferative drugs but after trial in experimental animals for being not toxic.

Synergistic potential of propolis and vitamin e against sub-acute toxicity of AlCl(3) in albino mice: in vivo study.

Current study evaluated the synergistic potential of propolis and vitamin E against sub-acute toxicity of aluminum chloride on different biochemical parameters and liver histology. Swiss albino mice (n=42) were randomly divided into seven groups. Group I received 0.2 ml of 0.9 % saline solution, Group II received Propolis (50 mg/kg b.w.), Group III received vitamin E (150 mg/kg b.w.), Group IV received AlCl(3) 50 mg/kg b.w., Group V received AlCl(3) + Propolis, Group VI received AlCl(3) + vitamin E and Group VII received AlCl(3) + propolis + vitamin E. Blood and tissue samples were collected after 7 and 21 days. The body weight of the animals significantly increased in all groups except Group IV. The concentration of serum high density lipoprotein significantly decreased in Group IV and increased in Group V, VI and VII. The level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein significantly increased in AlCl(3) treated group and increased in Group V, VI and VII. Tissue sections were processed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Group II showed cellular necrosis. Group V, VI showed decreased number of vacuolization, sinusoidal spacing and macrophage cell infiltration. Group VI showed less degenerative changes in the third week. Vitamin E and propolis in combination with Al provides more protection against AlCl(3) induced toxicity.

HPLC Analysis to Determine the Half-life and Bioavailability of the Termiticides Bifenthrin and Fipronil in Soil.

The aim of this study was to test the bioavailability and degradation in soil of the termiticides bifenthrin and fipronil, which are used to treat subterranean termites (Heterotermes indicola, Wasmann). Soil collected from different areas of Lahore was categorized as sandy clay loam (SCL) or sandy loam (SL). Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine the bioavailability ratio of bifenthrin and fipronil in each type of soil after different periods of time. LT50 values were determined posttreatment at different time intervals. Regarding soil type, both termiticides were more effective in SL soil, compared with SCL soil posttreatment. There were significant differences in termite mortality in treated compared with untreated control samples (P < 0.005). To test the degradation rate of soil termiticides, both qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out by HPLC, and the effect of time on termiticide recovery rate determined. Calculated half-life values for bifenthrin (maximum, 1,002 and 1,262 d in SCL soil and SL soil, respectively) indicated that it persisted in both soil types at all concentrations. The maximum calculated half-life values of fipronil were 270 and 555 d in SCL and SL soil, respectively. At lower concentrations and over longer periods of time, fipronil completely degraded in SL soil, while a negligible amount was detected in SCL soil. Termiticide concentration decreased over time, as did the termiticide recovery rate. Overall, bifenthrin was more persistent than fipronil under all treatment conditions tested.

Fabrication and in vivo evaluation of hydroxyapatite/carbon nanotube electrospun fibers for biomedical/dental application.

The aim was to synthesize bioactive electrospun fibers for biomedical and dental application with improved biocompatibility. In situ precipitation of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) was performed with various concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% wt/wt) of functionalized multi-walled-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using microwave irradiation technique. The obtained composites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA/DSC), and the cylindrical discs were made for mechanical testing. The failure behavior was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). CNT and HA/CNT were silanized with γ-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTS) and mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (10% wt./vol.) and electrospun to fabricate fibers. The biocompatibility of both fibers was accessed by their effects on angiogenesis in a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The electrospun fibers were analyzed by SEM. FTIR confirmed the structural behavior of pre and post-silanized HA/CNT. XRD showed the phase purity and crystallinity before and after heat treatment. Mechanical properties showed that 3% loaded HA/CNT has higher compressive strength (100.5±5.9MPa) compared to others and the failure behavior exhibited dispersion of CNT in HA matrix. The HA/CNT electrospun fibers showed significantly more blood vessels formation compared to CNT fibers. These HA/CNT electrospun fibers showed promising results in terms of biocompatibility and with improved mechanical properties of CNT reinforced composites, they can be used in load bearing clinical applications.

Cockroaches (Blattodea: Blattidae): A Reservoir of Pathogenic Microbes in Human-Dwelling Localities in Lahore.

This study focuses on isolation of pathogenic bacteria from external and internal surfaces of cockroaches collected from houses and hospitals in Lahore. In total, 240 adult cockroaches were collected from houses and hospitals by hand or using sticky traps and food-bait traps. Cockroach species were identified, and microbial screening was done for external surfaces and gut tracts of cockroaches. Jaccard's index of similarity, Bray-Curtis' index of dissimilarity, and Shannon-Wiener's diversity index were used to measure the bacterial community diversity (all species of bacteria) in each habitat. Relative abundance and frequency were measured for each bacterial species on external and internal surfaces of cockroaches. Among human habitations, two major species of cockroaches were isolated, i.e., Periplaneta americana (P. americana) and Blattella germanica (B. germanica). Out of 240 cockroaches collected, 167 were P. americana and 73 were B. germanica. In total, 11 bacterial species were isolated, but no different bacterial load in each habitat was observed. The most common diagnostic bacterium isolated from the external surface of cockroaches was found to be Escherichia coli (10.31%). In contrast, the most common isolate from the internal gut tract of cockroaches was found to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with relative frequency of 19.96%. Jaccard's index of similarity of bacterial species found on cockroaches was highest (0.3125) in houses, whereas Bray-Curtis' index of dissimilarity was highest for hospitals (0.2174). The highest Shannon-Wiener's diversity index value was found in bacteria on cockroaches collected from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (2.610632). No Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Streptococcus pneumonia were found in the digestive tract of any cockroach.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia with a novel translocation t(16;17)(q12;p13): a case report.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) is characterised by the t(15;17)(q22;q21), that results in the fusion of the promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) gene at 15q22 with the retinoic acid α-receptor (RARA) gene at 17q21. The current case report describes a 13-year-old male with APML, who was negative for PML/RARA fusion signal but reported to have an atypical translocation t(16;17). To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report of APML responsive to ATRA with such a translocation.

Exposures to 222Rn from consumption of underground municipal water supplies in Pakistan.

This paper presents the results of radon ((222)Rn) concentration measurements in municipal supply drinking water in metropolitan Lahore city of Pakistan and evaluation of consequent radiological effects. In this respect, water samples were collected in all nine municipal towns of Lahore city and analysed employing a high-resolution gamma spectrometric system. Radon concentration varied from 2.0 +/- 0.3 to 7.9 +/- 2.1 Bq l(-1). Mean value of annual effective dose for an individual consumer was assessed to be 16.5 +/- 12.8 microSv y(-1). (222)Rn mean concentration measured in this study is comparable with the reported values for drinking water determined worldwide and found to be less than the limit of 100 Bq l(-1) recommended by the World Health Organisation for public water supplies. The results of this study may be helpful in establishing background levels of radon in drinking water that could be used not only to distinguish additional contributions when a contamination event occurs but also to implement water quality standards by the concerned authorities to maintain radioactive contamination free drinking water supplies for the population.