Evaluation of therapeutic potential and anti-hyperchlostrolemic effects of prunes in albino rats: An experimental study.

Hyperlipidemia is a global epidemic that causes various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Prunes include fiber and numerous phenolic compounds that decrease cholesterol by decreasing LDL oxidation and supporting heart health. This study examined the therapeutic effects of Prunus domestica prunes on plasma fatty acids in albino rats after ingesting prune pulp. After chemical examination, prunes were proximately examined for nutritional content. Prunus domestica pulp was given to hyperlipidemic rats for two months in a clinical trial. 12 albino rates and divide into 3 groups. First group was controlled, others experimental. The study's 15th, 30th and 60th days evaluated lipid profile. The following study was analyzed using 2 way anova. Prunes have enough fiber, minerals and polyphenols to affect hyperlipidemic rats. GIII rats lower LDL, weight, and HDL more than GI and GII.

Pregnancy outcomes in in vitro fertilization in 17-alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

Since the first case of 17-alpha-hydroxylase-deficiency (17-OHD) was described in 1966, a number of cases have been reported with a clinical picture of hypertension, hypokalemia, and hypogonadism. Infertility is a major concern for some of these individuals. This mini-review aims to detail the components of this disorder that affect fertility and focus on the recent acceleration in the success of achieving live births, as well as highlight the unsuccessful attempts. The data supporting successful live births remains limited, but existing evidence suggests that in vitro fertilization can be used in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy and steroid suppression to achieve live birth in patients with infertility from 17-OHD.

UHPLC-QTOF-MS Metabolic Profiling of Marchantia polymorpha and Evaluation of Its Hepatoprotective Activity Using Paracetamol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

Marchantia species were traditionally used to treat liver failure. Marchantia polymorpha chloroform extract showed a marked hepatoprotective activity in a dose-dependent manner in paracetamol-induced extensive liver damage in mice. At a dose of 500 mg/kg (MP-500), it resulted in a reduction in aspartate transaminase by 49.44%, alanine transaminase by 44.11%, and alkaline phosphatase by 24.4% with significant elevation in total proteins by 58.69% with respect to the diseased group. It showed significant reductions in total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, total lipids, and to high density lipoprotein ratio (CH/HDL) by 53.42, 30.14, 35.02, 45.79, 34.74, 41.45, and 49.52%, respectively, together with a 37.69% increase in HDL with respect to the diseased group. It also showed an elevation of superoxide dismutase by 28.09% and in glutathione peroxidase by 81.83% in addition to the reduction of lipid peroxidation by 17.95% as compared to the paracetamol only treated group. This was further supported by histopathological examination that showed normal liver architecture and a normal sinusoidal gap. Metabolic profiling by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) led to the tentative identification of 28 compounds belonging to phenols, quinolones, phenylpropanoid, acylaminosugars, terpenoids, lipids, and fatty acids to which the activity was attributed. Four compounds were detected in the negative ionization mode which are neoacrimarine J, marchantin A, chitobiose, and phellodensin F, while the rest were detected in the positive mode. Thus, it can be concluded that this plant could serve as a valuable choice for the treatment of hepatotoxicity that further consolidated its traditional use.

UHPLC-MS and GC-MS phytochemical profiling, amelioration of pain and inflammation with chloroform extract of Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. via modulation of inflammatory biomarkers.

People of Pakistan have undisturbed customs for the employment of medicinal plants for healthcare requisites. Chloroform extract of F. hygrometrica (CE FH) was examined for its ability to reduce inflammation and to produce analgesia. Carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema model for inflammatory activity, hot-plate and tail-flick methods to assess analgesic activity were executed. Phytochemical analysis was done by UHPLC-MS and GC-mass spectrometer. The results demonstrated that in carrageenan-induced paw edema, maximum reduction in inflammation was observed at 5th hour at the dose 100 mg/kg; while at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg, maximum response was observed at 5th and 6th hours. Analgesic activity results indicated that maximum analgesia was observed up to 120 min at 100 mg/kg, while up to 90 min in case of 250 and 500 mg/kg doses. The formalin-induced rat paw edema showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity after 5 days treatment. After, testing period of 10 days, the biochemical parameters such as CBC, CRP, serum enzymes like CAT, SOD, GSH and inflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 were estimated. The administration of formalin resulted in an increase in the level of leucocytes, total WBC, CRP, serum enzymes and in the diameters of paw thickness, while pre-treatment with CE FH at dose levels of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited a diminution in the levels of SOD, GSH, CAT, total RBC and HB. Acute inflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL -6 and IL-4 were reduced, and IL-10 was upregulated in the treated group as compared to the control. Many phytoconstituents, i.e., chitobiose, chlorovulone III, γ-tocotrienol, emmotin, cassine, hexacosanedioic acid, neophytadiene, fumaric acid, neophytadiene, hexadecanoic acid, phytol and stigmasterol were detected during UHPLC-MS and GC-MS analysis seems to be responsible for the said activity in correlation with the already reported data about these compounds. The results concluded that CE FH possess noteworthy anti-inflammatory and central analgesic action at different doses (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg).

Investigating the gender differences in indoor thermal comfort perception for summer and winter seasons and comparison of comfort temperature prediction methods.

Formulation of indoor thermal comfort guidelines is challenging task considering the fact that these guidelines are supposed to address both, the expectations of the building occupants' regarding indoor thermal comfort, and optimize building energy use, under aggravating conditions of outdoor climate and availability and price volatility of energy. Therefore, a field survey was conducted to assess indoor thermal comfort in two female and three male dormitory buildings. Afterwards, a comparative analysis of three comfort temperature prediction models (linear, cubic and logistic) was conducted. In total, 971 survey forms were collected during the two seasons (summer and winter). Two-third of the data was used to develop the models, while remaining one-third was used to test the accuracies. Although thermal sensation votes of both genders were statistically different, no statistical difference in indoor comfort temperature between the two genders was observed. Comfort temperatures were calculated as 26.4 °C and 27.8 °C during summer and 22.7 °C and 22.4 °C during winters for female and male occupants respectively, using liner regression method. Following the Griffth's method mean operative comfort temperatures were calculated as 26.8 ± 1.5 °C and 27.6 ± 1.7 °C during summer and 22.7 ± 2.3 °C and 22.3 ± 2.0 °C during winter for female and male occupants respectively. Percentage accuracies of three prediction methods under study showed better performance of logistic regression.

Impact of Ionic Liquid Additives and Inorganic Fullerene-Like Tungsten Disulfide on Friction and Wear under Aqueous Environments.

Aqueous lubricants are gaining attention due to significant advantages such as being environmentally friendly, tunable, and thermally stable. The oil and gas industry can use such additives to utilize in water-based fluids for applications where small sliding velocities and large lateral forces require enhanced lubrication. This investigation aims to compare the effects of two different additives: (i) inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS2) and (ii) an alkanolamine ionic liquid denoted as AA-IL. Both additives were paired with three different base fluids, deionized water (DIW), aqueous NaCl, and aqueous CaCl2, to measure the impact on fluids commonly utilized in the field. The addition of IF-WS2 to all three solutions resulted in a 30-60% decrease in the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear. Surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the formation of a tribofilm (tungsten oxide layer) is primarily responsible for tribological improvements. The AA-IL did not show evidence of any chemical interaction. Instead, a physically bonded film of the AA-IL on the steel surface enabled the improved COF (40-50% reduction) and wear response. Both additives are effective in very small amounts and provide excellent wear and friction reduction properties.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of a Pakistani polyherbal formulation.

BACKGROUND: Herbology is the prevailing system among the nationally-accepted alternative or complementary systems of medicine. The system is due to its general and patient-oriented methodology, is widely used in the general population exposing them to the risk of the side effects of the herbal medicines. METHOD: The aim of study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the polyherbal formulation Hab-e-Kabad Noshadri tablets. In the acute arm of the study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to Swiss Albino mice which were observed for physical symptoms and behavioral changes for 72 h. In sub-acute toxicity study repeated doses of the polyherbal preparation was administered to Wistar rats of both genders, separately. The animals received three doses of polyherbal product (50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day) for a period of 28 days. On 28th day of experiment, blood sampling of animals was done for hematological and biochemical analysis i.e. liver and renal function parameters, lipid profile and then sacrificed for histopathological examination of liver and kidney. RESULT: There was no morbidity and mortality noticed with single dose administration in acute toxicity study in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study, morphological changes with some damage in liver and kidney tissues of male and female animals were recorded at dose of 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that prolonged use at higher dose i.e. 200 mg/kg/day of this polyherbal formulation should be avoided and practitioners should cautiously prescribe this formulation in patients with hepatic and renal impairment.