Efficient Selective Carbon Dioxide Separation via Task-Specific Ionic Liquids Incorporated in ZIF-8.

Owing to the rapid increase in anthropogenic emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which has resulted in a number of global climate challenges, a decrease in CO2 emissions is urgently needed in the current scenario. This study focuses on the development and characterization of composites for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation. The composites consist of two task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs), namely, tetramethylgunidinium imidazole [TMGHIM] and tetramethylgunidinium phenol [TMGHPhO], impregnated in ZIF-8. The performance of CO2 separation, including sorption capacity and selectivity, was evaluated for pristine ZIF-8 and composites of TMGHIM@ZIF-8 and TMGHPhO@ZIF-8. To demonstrate the thermal stability of the material, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed. Additionally, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to showcase the crystal structures and morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET were also utilized to confirm the successful incorporation of TSILs into ZIF-8. The composite synthesized with TMGHIM@ZIF-8 demonstrated superior CO2 sorption performance as compared with TMGHPhO@ZIF-8. This is attributed to its strong attraction toward CO2, resulting in a higher CO2/CH4 selectivity of 110 while pristine MOFs showed 12 that is 9 times higher than that of the pristine ZIF-8. These TSILs@ZIF-8 composites have significant potential in designing sorbent materials for efficient acid gas separation applications.

Investigations of Limeum Indicum Plant for Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer's Disease Dual Therapy: Phytochemical, GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Enzyme Inhibition, Molecular Docking and In-Vivo Studies.

Limeum indicum has been widely utilized in traditional medicine but no experimental work has been done on this herb. The primary objective of this study was to conduct a phytochemical analysis and assess the multifunctional capabilities of aforementioned plant in dual therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The phytochemical screening of ethanol, methanol extract, and their derived fractions of Limeum indicum was conducted using GC-MS, HPLC, UV-analysis and FTIR. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH method. The inhibitory potential of the extracts/fractions against α-, ß-glucosidase acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and monoaminine oxidases (MAO-A & B) was evaluated. Results revealed that acetonitrile fraction has highest inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase (IC50=68.47±0.05 µg/mL), methanol extract against ß-glucosidase (IC50=91.12±0.07 µg/mL), ethyl acetate fraction against AChE (IC50=59.0±0.02 µg/mL), ethanol extract against BChE (28.41±0.01 µg/mL), n-hexane fraction against MAO-A (IC50=150.5±0.31 µg/mL) and methanol extract for MAO-B (IC50=75.95±0.13 µg/mL). The docking analysis of extracts\fractions suggested the best binding scores within the active pocket of the respective enzymes. During the in-vivo investigation, ethanol extract produced hypoglycemic effect (134.52±2.79 and 119.38±1.40 mg/dl) after 21 days treatment at dose level of 250 and 500 mg/Kg. Histopathological findings further supported the in-vivo studies.

Onosma bracteatum Wall Aqueous-Ethanolic Extract Suppresses Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats via Regulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and C-Reactive Protein.

Onosma bracteatum Wall (O. bracteatum) has been used traditionally for the management of arthritis; however, its therapeutic potential warrants further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of the aqueous-ethanolic extract of O. bracteatum leaves (AeOB) in a rat model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Rats were treated with AeOB (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg), indomethacin (10 mg/kg), or a vehicle control from days 8 to 28 post-CFA injection. Arthritic score, paw diameter, and body weight were monitored at regular intervals. X-ray radiographs and histopathological analysis were performed to assess arthritic severity. Inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified by qPCR and icromatography. Phytochemical analysis of AeOB revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, Saponins, and glycosides. AeOB also exhibited antioxidant potential with an IC50 of 73.22 µg/mL in a DPPH assay. AeOB and diclofenac exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities. Rats treated with AeOB at 750 mg/kg and indomethacin showed significantly reduced arthritic symptoms and joint inflammation versus the CFA control. The AeOB treatment downregulated TNF-α and IL-6 and decreased CRP levels compared with arthritic rats. Radiography and histopathology also showed improved prognosis. These findings demonstrate the anti-arthritic potential of AeOB leaves.

A comprehensive review on medicinal plants possessing antioxidant potential.

Many research studies have proposed that about two-thirds of the medicinal plant species of the world possess significant antioxidant potential. Antioxidants are very beneficial as they decrease oxidative stress (OS) in cells and hence play their role in management as well as treatment of numerous diseases like cancers, cardiovascular diseases, as well as many inflammatory illnesses. This review comprises the antioxidant potential of numerous parts of medicinal plants like leaves, stems, roots, seeds, fruits, as well as bark. Synthetic antioxidants named butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as well as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are extensively employed in foods because of their role as food preservatives. Several natural antioxidants have better efficacy as compared to synthetic antioxidants. These medicinal plants include Geranium sanguineum L., Rheum ribes L., Diospyros abyssinica, Sargentodoxa cuneata Rehd. Et Wils, Pistacia lentiscus, Ficus microcarpa L. fil., Polyalthia cerasoides (Roxb.) Bedd, Cunn, Teucrium polium L., Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham., Urtica dioica L., Dracocephalum moldavica L., Momordica Charantia L., Acacia auriculiformis A., Bidens pilosa Linn. The Lamiaceae species, Radiata, Leea indica, Pelargonium endlicherianum, Salvia officinalis L., and Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. The literature study disclosed more side effects of synthetic antioxidants (including food additives) in comparison with natural antioxidants and for prevention of many diseases.

An alternative approach to treat obesity with leptogenic polyherbal formulation obesecure: A randomized clinical trial study.

Obesity is a common disease of developing countries, including Pakistan. Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases which can be life threatening or making the person unable to perform daily routine work. In the current study, clinical trials were designed to evaluate the effects of medical intervention by comparing the effects of placebo control drug "Plasicure" with the herbal medicinal formulation "Obesecure". The test drug formulation was designed on the basis of the screening study for Leptogenic drugs. To evaluate the safety of the test drug, the toxicity index and the safety profile of test formulation was assessed on animal models. The drug was found safe for further clinical study. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials were conducted. The statistical analysis was carried out by the application of Two-Way Repeated Analysis of Variance test. The clinical findings of randomized controlled trial revealed that the test drug was Leptogenic and effective in weight reduction as compared to control drug Plasicure therapy as the p-value deduced was 0.001 in leptin level and 0.000 in case of BMI after the conduction of Two-Way Repeated Analysis of Variance test. Hence it is concluded that obscure therapy is more significant than control drug Plasicure therapy in the management and treatment of obesity.

In vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of selected medicinal plants employed for the management of gastrointestinal disorders.

Five medicinal plants Mentha piperita L., Trachyspermum ammi L., Viola odorata Linn., Matricaria chamomilla L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. were selected for their in vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. In vitro evaluation was performed by using disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations were noted while rat models were selected for in vivo activity against four Helicobacter pylori strains isolated form gastric mucosa. Mentha piperita showed largest zone of inhibition with 9 mm diameter among all other extracts. All the plants showed promising anti-Helicobacter pylori activity against four isolates and a reference strain at concentrations of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml in comparison with Amoxicillin 1 µg/ml but least MIC was exhibited by Mentha piperita followed by in vivo testing where it competed Amoxicillin at 1000 mg/kg by achieving 80% eradication of Helicobacter pylori in mucosa of infected rats justified by histological examination of stomach. It was concluded that medicinal plants possess strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and can be considered a potential source of safe and effective alternative regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

From Simplicity to Complexity in Grafting Dawson-Type Polyoxometalates on Porphyrin, Leading to the Formation of New Organic-Inorganic Hybrids for the Investigation of Third-Order Optical Nonlinearities.

Four new organic-inorganic hybrids, [N(C4H9)4]5H[{HNC2O(CH2O)3P2V3W15O59}C44N4H29O3] (TPPOH-1POM), [N(C4H9)4]10H2[{HNC2O(CH2O)3P2V3W15O59}2C44N4H28O2] (TPPOH-2POM trans), [N(C4H9)4]10H2[{HNC2O(CH2O)3P2V3W15O59}2C44N4H28O2] (TPPOH-2POM cis), and [N(C4H9)4]15H3[{HNC2O(CH2O)3P2W15V3O59}3C44N4H27O] (TPPOH-3POM), have been synthesized by covalently grafting the Dawson-type polyoxometalate (POM) [N(C4H9)4]5[H4P2W15V3O62] onto new porphyrins N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]-4-[10,15,20-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5-yl]benzamide (TPPOH-1Tris), 4,4'-[5,15-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-10,20-diyl]bis[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-2Tris trans), 4,4'-[10,15-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5,20-diyl]bis[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-2Tris cis). and 4,4',4″-[20-(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5,10,15-triyl]tris[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-3Tris), respectively, in N, N-dimethylacetamide under nitrogen. The hybrid compounds were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 2D NOESY, 31P, and 51V), ESI-MS, MALDI-TOF-MS, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. All porphyrins and their corresponding hybrids exhibited remarkable third-order nonlinear-optical responses under laser irradiation, with the intensity of light at focus E0 being 4.2 µJ at wavelength 532 nm, pulse duration τ = 6 ns, and repetition rate 10 Hz. The molecular second hyperpolarizability (γ) values of the hybrids (TPPOH-1POM, TPPOH-2POM trans, TPPOH-2POM cis, TPPOH-3POM) were calculated to be 8.48 × 10-28 esu, 8.94 × 10-28 esu, 10.16 × 10-28 esu, and 8.93 × 10-28 esu, while the molecular second hyperpolarizability (γ) of their corresponding porphyrin precursors (TPPOH-1Tris, TPPOH-2Tris trans, TPPOH-2Tris cis, and TPPOH-3Tris) were 7.19 × 10-28 esu, 8.09 × 10-28 esu, 9.07 × 10-28 esu, and 7.24 × 10-28 esu, respectively. The γ values of the cis forms were found to be superior to those of all other compounds, indicating the significant role of the greater dipole moment and low symmetry of the cis form compared to other compounds. It was also found that the fluorescence intensity was decreased by 81.52%, 90.37%, 93.93%, and 84.62% for the hybrids TPPOH-1POM, TPPOH-2POM trans, TPPOH-2POM cis, and TPPOH-3POM with respect to their corresponding precursors, respectively, which reveals the Dawson-type POM as a strong quencher. This quenching phenomenon not only indicates again unequivocally the formation of hybrid compounds but also may imply a photoinduced electron/energy-transfer process favored from a porphyrin moiety to a Dawson-type POM moiety.

Acute and sub acute toxicity study and randomized clinical trial of polyherbal coded drug candicure in the management of acute vulvo-vaginal candidiasis.

Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis is common gynecological disorder. Clinical trials are designed to evaluate the effect of medical intervention with allopathic and herbal medicine to treat vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. The toxicity index and the safety profile of test drug were assessed on animals' model. Toxicity study of polyherbal formulation was done in order to consider it safe before use. In acute toxicity study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was given to Swiss Albino mice and in sub-acute toxicity study three different doses were given to Wistar rats. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials was conducted. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and informed consent from the patients were to be monitored. In acute toxicity study no morbidity and mortality noticed on single administration of dose 2000mg/kg/day. In sub -acute toxicity study no significant changes were observed in consumption of food and water, body weight, hematological parameters, Liver function test, renal function parameters and lipid profile. The statistical analysis showed C. albican was eradicated in 59 participants (78%) out of 75 participants by the use of Candicure (Test drug) and in 56 participants (74%) out of 75 participants by the use of Fluconazole therapy (Control drug). Chi-square test was applied and p-value was calculated 0.3101 which is greater than 0.05 showed that Candicure therapy and Fluconazole therapy is equally significant in eradication of C. albican. The acute and sub-acute toxicity study of polyherbal formulation on experimental animals is safe at a dose of 2000mg/kg/day. The clinical findings of randomized controlled trial revealed that the effect was almost comparable to control drug in eradicating the micro-organism.

Phytochemical screening and antipyretic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of selected medicinal plants of Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir in albino rats.

Pyrexia occurs due to infection, malignancy and other diseases. Majority of the antipyretic drugs are synthetic in nature which exerts side effects such as gastric ulcer, hepatic necrosis and renal damage. The antipyretic potential of the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Achillea millefolium, Taraxacum officinale, Salix alba and Trigonella foenum were investigated on the yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. Paracetamol was used as a positive control. Rectal temperature of albino rats was verified immediately before the administration of the extracts or vehicle or paracetamol and yet again at 1-hour gap for 6 hours using a digital thermometer. The animals having pyrexia were divided into four groups Group1: Paracetamol was given to positive control. Group 2: Distilled water was given to negative control. Group 3: (250mg/kg) extract of the plant was given to rats (treatment group 1). Group 4: (500mg/kg) extracts of the plant was given to albino rats (Treatment group 2). The extracts were also phytochemically screened for alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and phenols. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of plants with the dose of 500mg/kg showed significant (p<0.0001) decrease in yeast-induced pyrexia, as compared with that of set drug paracetamol (150mg/kg) where the extract dose 250mg/kg was less effective than that of standard drug (p<0.05). Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and phenols. This study showed that hydro-alcoholic extracts of all plants under study at a dose of 500mg/kg have significant antipyretic potential in yeast-induced elevated temperature.

Covalent Synthesis of Two Hybrids Composed of Dawson-Type Polyoxometalate and Porphyrin with Remarkable Third-Order Optical Nonlinearities Reflecting the Effect of Polyoxometalates.

Two new porphyrin-polyoxometalate hybrids, namely, [(C4H9)4N]10H2[{COHNC(CH2O)3P2V3W15O59}2C44N4H28]·CH3CN 1, bearing two covalent-bonded Wells-Dawson-type polyoxometalates (POMs), and [(C4H9)4N)]5H[COHNC(CH2O)3P2V3W15O59{C44H29N4}]·CH3CN 2, bearing one covalent-bonded POM, have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized by means of elemental analysis, powder XRD, FT-IR, 1H (31P, 51V) NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, UV-vis spectra, and cyclic voltammetry measurement. Experimental results demonstrate that while all the compounds show remarkable third-order optical nonlinearities, the hybrids 1 and 2 are superior to their corresponding porphyrin precursors (molecular second hyperpolarizability γ = 8.0 × 10-28 esu for 54-N-N'(1,3-tetrahydroxy-2-(dihydroxymethyl)propan-4-diyl)benz-diamide,10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin that is the precursor for the hybrid 1, γ = 2.6 × 10-28 esu for 54-N-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl)benz-amide,10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin that is the precursor for the hybrid 2), and the hybrid 1 (γ = 12.9 × 10-28 esu) is superior to the hybrid 2 (γ = 12.2 × 10-28 esu) reflecting more POM moieties covalently bonded to the porphyrin moiety exerting more significant influence on the third-order optical nonlinearities. Meanwhile, attachment of POMs on the porphyrin results in significant fluorescence quenching (fluorescence intensity is decreased 97% for the hybrid 1 and 80% for the hybrid 2 with respect to that of their corresponding porphyrin precursors) indicating strong electron transfer from porphyrin moiety to the polyoxometalate moiety. Lower transition energy, small energy difference between singlet and triplet excited states, and faster intersystem crossing (ISC) process of the hybrids are favorable to enhance the NLO responses of hybrids 1 and 2 resulting from the facile electron transfer from the porphyrin moiety to the Dawson POM moiety when the hybrids are subjected to laser irradiation, which is thought to be responsible to the superior of the hybrid 1 to hybrid 2 and the superior of the hybrids to their corresponding porphyrin precursors as well.

Review: Medicinal plants combating against hypertension: A green antihypertensive approach.

Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a medical condition that accounts 9.4 million deaths all over the world every year. It is leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, diffuse atherosclerosis, cognitive impairment and dementia. Clinically, synthetic antihypertensive drugs have been used to treat hypertension. However, the efficacy of these drugs is low and also produces side effects which include dry mouth, dizziness, emotional distress, gastrointestinal disturbance, visual disorders etc. These distressing side effects adversely affect health-related quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to search natural, cheaper and non-toxic compound. Plant are widely use in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of several diseases. About 80% of the world population relies on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. In the last three decades, a lot of research has been done on local medicinal plants for hypotensive and antihypertensive potentials. Plants are the rich source of secondary metabolites which have been found in vivo to have antihypertensive properties. The current study is focused on reviewing the antihypertensive property of medicinal plants and their metabolites. In the current review, we conducted a literature search using Elsevier, Science direct, Springer Link (Springer), Pub Med and Google Scholar. The search included the keywords "plants", "medicinal plants", "plant extracts", cross-referenced with the keywords "hypertension" "antihypertensive activity". The use of plant origin natural compounds as cardio protective and antihypertensive agents is an interesting strategy for discovering bioactive products. Plants are rich in a variety of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and terpenoids. These have been found in vivo to have antihypertensive effects. The present review therefore; stand for a good basis to choose exact molecules belonging to the indicated categories that in the forthcoming future will become useful therapeutic tools.

Antipyretic effects of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. seeds in experimental rabbits.

To investigate the antipyretic activity of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. (HMEMA) seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. (HMECM) seeds in experimental animals. Baker's yeast was used to induce fever in rabbits which were divided into six groups. The animal groups were thereafter administered distilled water (control), paracetamol (reference standard, 150mg/kg), HMEMA (250mg/kg), HMEMA (500mg/kg), HMECM (250mg/kg) and HMECM (500mg/kg) respectively. HMEMA and HMECM were also phytochemically screened for tannins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Results indicate that hydro-methanol extract of M. azedarach Linn. Seeds (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001, p<0.05 respectively) reduced the elevated body temperature in dose dependant manner. Insignificant to no antipyretic effect was produced by hydro-methanol extract of Cucumis melo L. seeds. Phytochemical analysis of the HMEMA showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides While HMECM was positive for flavonoids, phenols and saponins. The result shows that there exists a potential benefit in utilizing Melia azedarach L. seeds in treating fever. This property can be attributed to the presence of phytochemical constituents present in the hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach L. seeds and the exact mechanism need to be evaluated.

Hepatoprotective evaluation of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua (Stems) in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rabbits.

Liver diseases are the most common ailment all over the world mostly caused by viruses, toxic chemicals, excessive intake of alcohol, high doses of paracetamol, carbon tetrachloride, chemotherapeutic agents and peroxides oil, etc. There is a great need to assess the scientific basis for the medicinal plants that are claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. We investigate the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua (Stems) against paracetamol induced liver injury in experimental animals. To observe the level of improvement, biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP and Total bilirubin levels as well as histopathological changes in liver tissues were studied. Silymarin (50mg/kg, p.o.) was used as reference drug. The levels of the biochemical parameters were increased in rabbits which were intoxicate by paracetamol. Capparis decidua extract (750mg/kg, b.w.) treated rabbits showed maximum reduction of biochemical parameters in a significant (p<0.001) manner. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of control and treated groups also confirmed the hepatoprotective activity. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. The results of the present study therefore suggest that the different doses of Capparis decidua possess significant hepatoprotective effect and this effect might be due to the presence of flavonoids and tannins.

Efficacy and safety of Entoban for the treatment of chronic diarrhea.

The current randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of Entoban for treating patients of chronic diarrhea. The study enrolled 150 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, among them 95 were males and 55 were females. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants. Metronidazole tablets (400 mg) were used in a control group for 7-10 days. The test group received Entoban capsule 400mg every 8 hours for five days. Primary outcome of the study was daily bowel frequency evaluation; the secondary outcome was evaluation of clinical symptoms including abdominal pain, distention, stool consistency and sensation of incomplete evacuation. The study is registered at (https://register.clinicaltrials.gov) having registration number NCT02642250. In an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, it has been observed that 39(84.78%) in test group and 37(78.72%) in control group showed complete improvement. Participants in the test group exhibited a marked reduction in symptoms; the symptom score was decreased from 3 (maximum) to 1 (minimum) or 0 (absent) in most of participants. Major difference was observed regarding side effects reported between two treatment groups (p value <0.0001). Entoban possesses considerable therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of chronic diarrhea analogous with the conventional Metronidazole therapy.

In vitro antioxidant and reducing capability of weight loss tablet formulation.

Antioxidants are used as an influential counteractive measure in opposing the generation of reactive oxygen species. The current study was carried out to investigate antioxidant potential and reducing capability of developed weight reducing tablet formulation. When tablets were evaluated at concentrations of 50, 100 and 500µ/ml, antioxidant activity improved in a dose depending way just similar to standard Butylated hydroxyl anisol (BHA). For evaluation of reducing ability the formulation under test evaluated at concentrations of 50, 100 and 500µ/ml and it was observed that formulation contain good reducing capability and possess considerable activity to scavenge super oxide radicals. In-vitro analysis of weight reducing tablets formulation showed considerable antioxidant and reducing capacity that will be supportive in averting the development of a variety of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Clinical study on the efficacy of Amoebex (coded herbal drug) compared with Metronidazole for the treatment of Amoebic dysentery.

Amoebiasisis an infectious disease, which originated with the single-celled parasitic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. The parasitic amoeba infects the liver and intestine and may cause mild diarrhea and serious dysentery with bloody and mucoid stool. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Amoebex (400mg), a herbal formulation for the treatment of amoebiasis infections as compared to that of Metronidazole (400mg). The therapeutic evaluations of these medicines were carried out on 184 clinically diagnosed cases of the amoebiasis infection. Sample sizes of Ameobex for this study included a total of 93 patients and for Metronidazole a total of 91 were registered and treated. Comparison of the data recorded for the participants relating to sign and symptoms variables showed significant differences of efficacy between test and control groups (p<0.0357) and no side effects were at all recorded in test group. According to observation, there was a difference in the overall clinical success of both treatment groups, however, the efficacy of the test treated medication (Amoebex) was superior to that of Metronidazole as (p<0.03), and on the basis of the statistical analysis done by the chi square test, the null hypothesis was rejected. `It is clearly evident that Amoebex possesses therapeutic value for the treatment of amoebiasis associated symptoms but also the eradication rate of amoebiasis is superior by Amoebex as compared to that of Metronidazole (Control drug).

Evaluation of in vitro urease and lipoxygenase inhibition activity of weight reducing tablets.

Enzyme inhibition is a significant part of research in pharmaceutical field in view of the fact that these studies have directed to the innovations of drugs having remarkable performance in diverse physiological conditions. The present study was aimed to assess urease and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of weight reducing tablets. For evaluating the urease activity indophenol method was employed using Thiourea as the model urease inhibitor. The lipoxygenase inhibition was evaluated by measuring the hydroperoxides produced in lipoxygenation reaction using a purified lipoxygenase with lionoleic acid as substrate. When formulation of the weight reducing tablets was compared at various concentrations (50, 100 and 500µg/ml). The antiurease activity and lipoxygenase inhibition activity increased in a dose dependent manner. The formulations under test have an excellent antiurease and lipoxygenase inhibition potential and prospective to be used in the cure of a variety of complications associated with the production of urease and lipoxygenase enzymes.

Phytomedicine-based and Quadruple Therapies in Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Comparative, Randomized Trial.

CONTEXT: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is strongly associated with the development of gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas and gastric carcinoma. Emerging antibiotic resistance and patients' poor compliance with modern therapies have resulted in increasing eradication failure. OBJECTIVES: The current trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of current quadruple and phytomedicine-based therapies for the eradication of H pylori infection and relief of its associated symptoms in Pakistan. DESIGN: The study was a randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Setting • The study was conducted in high-risk areas of Pakistan, including at Shifa-Ul-Mulk Memorial Hospital in Karachi, at Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur, and at Nawaz Salik Hospital in Rawalpindi. PARTICIPANTS: The study enrolled 210 patients who tested positive for H pylori, 118 males and 92 females. INTERVENTION: Participants were divided into 2 groups according to treatment regimens. One group of participants received quadruple therapy-20 mg of omeprazole, 1g of amoxicillin, 500 mg of metronidazole, and 400 mg of bismuth compound-that was prescribed for 7 d, and another group received an alternate, phytomedicine-based, quadruple formulation-500 mg of Pylorex Plus-that was prescribed for 15 d. OUTCOME MEASURES: The eradication rate for H pylori was the primary outcome measure. Eradication was considered to be achieved on the basis of a negative C-urea breath test (UBT) and a negative stool antigen test for H pylori (HpSAg) at 4 wk after the end of treatment. The secondary outcome measure was the improvement in the clinical features as assessed by dyspepsia scores. RESULTS: In an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the study found that H pylori was eradicated in 56 of the 90 participants in the quadruple therapy group who completed the study (62.2%) and in 48 of the 86 participants in the Pylorex Plus group who completed the study (55.8%). Therefore, Pylorex Plus had an eradication rate comparable with quadruple therapy. However, Pylorex Plus had significantly reduced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at the second wk and at 1 mo after treatment, both for participants in whom H pylori was eradicated and for those in whom it was not eradicated. The quadruple therapy group also showed reduced GI symptoms at the second wk and at 1 mo after treatment, but that result occurred only for those participants in whom H pylori was eradicated, and no significant improvement was observed for participants in whom it was not eradicated. CONCLUSIONS: Current quadruple and alternate therapies yielded poor eradication rates (<70%), but the latter produced marked symptomatic improvement, both for participants in whom H pylori was eradicated and for those in whom it was not eradicated, pointing out its potential use with patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) who are both positive and negative for H pylori.

Clinical efficacy of herbal coded formulation ocucure for the improvement of presbyopia: a randomized comparative clinical trial.

A progressively diminishing capacity of eye to visualize for close proximity increasing by age is known as presbyopia which is usually resulted due to loss of elasticity of crystalline lens. A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of coded herbal formulation "ocucure" (Test drug) for the treatment of presbyopia comparing with leutivit (Placebo). One hundred and eleven patients suffering from presbyopia from both groups (Males: 63, mean age: 34±14 and females: 48, mean age: 33±13 year, range: 20-60) were enrolled in the trial and divided in to two groups according to treatment regimens. Ocucure (Test drug) 500mg two tablets and leutivit (Placebo) 250mg tablets twice daily were prescribed for 6-8 weeks. Presbyopia was improved in 17 patients (28.81%) out of 59 patients by the use of ocucure (Test drug), and in 6 patients (11.53%) out of 52 by the use of leutivit (Control drug). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in presbyopic associated clinical features as compared to leutivit. It is concluded that ocucure possesses a therapeutic value for the improvement of presbyopia and its associated symptoms as compared to leutivit.

Synergistic reductive catalytic effects of an organic and inorganic hybrid covalent organic framework for hydrogen fuel production.

Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation in alkaline medium has become widely used in a variety of sectors. However, the possibility for additional performance improvement is hampered by slow kinetics. Because of this restriction, careful control over processes such as water dissociation, hydroxyl desorption and hydrogen recombination is required. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) based on porphyrin and polyoxometalates (POMs) show encouraging electrocatalytic performance, offering a viable route for effective and sustainable hydrogen generation. Their specific architectures lead to increased electrocatalytic activity, which makes them excellent choices for developing water electrolysis as a clean energy conversion method in the alkaline medium. In this regard, TTris@ZnPor and Lindqvist POM were coordinated to create a new eco-friendly and highly active covalent organic framework (TP@VL-COF). In order to describe TP@VL-COF, extensive structural and morphological investigations were carried out through FTIR, 1H NMR, elemental analysis, SEM, fluorescence, UV-visible, PXRD, CV, N2-adsorption isotherm, TGA and DSC analyses. In an alkaline medium, the electrocatalytic capability of 20%C/Pt, TTris@ZnPor, Lindqvist POM and TP@VL-COF was explored and compared for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The TP@VL-COF showed the best catalytic efficiency for HER in an alkaline electrolyte, requiring just a 75 mV overpotential to drive 10 mA cm-2 and outperforming 20%C/Pt, TTris@ZnPor, Lindqvist POM and other reported catalysts. The Tafel slope value also indicates faster kinetics for TP@VL-COF (114 mV dec-1) than for 20%C/Pt (182 mV dec-1) TTris@ZnPor (116 mV dec-1) and Lindqvist POM (125 mV dec-1).