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Background: Poor posture and bad working environment ergonomics are the common causes of advancement in cervical pain. Acute neck pain is abrupt, intense pain and it typically subsides within days or weeks. Chronic neck pain felt most of the time and last for more than 3 months. Objective: To determine the frequency of posture related neck pain among medical students and to explore the association between neck pain and posture adopted while using laptop and mobile phone. Methodology: The study was carried out in medical colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March to August 2021.A total of 106 medical students were included in the study. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information about demographic characteristics, pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale NPRS) and postural adaptation (Modified student laptop use and neck pain risk questionnaire) while using laptop and mobile phone. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 106 participants were selected in the study out of which 86(80.1%) were females and 18(18.9%) were males. The overall mean age was (21.83±1.96) years. The frequency of posture related neck pain was 51(48.1%). The most adopted posture during use of laptop and mobile phone was neck flexion and p-value was 0.00. Conclusion: The frequency of posture related neck pain was high among medical students. The major risk factor was poor posture and prolonged use of laptop and mobile phone.

Duabanga grandiflora (DC.) Walp. is an ethnomedicinally significant plant used to treat various illnesses, but there is little scientific evidence to support its use. This study explored the pharmacological activities of methanol extract of D. grandiflora stem barks (MEDG) through in vivo approaches in Swiss albino mice and a computer-aided molecular approach. The forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM), and hole board test (HBT) were used to determine anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity in experimental mice. In addition, anti-diarrheal studies were performed using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enter pooling, and the charcoal-induced gastrointestinal motility test. MEDG showed substantial depletions in the immobility times in both FST and TST after treatment with the MEDG extract, whereas moderate anxiolytic activity was manifested at a higher dose (400 mg/kg) compared with the control. Correspondingly, MEDG extract revealed a significant reduction in wet feces and decreased the small intestinal transit of charcoal meal in castor oil-induced diarrhea and charcoal-induced gastrointestinal motility test. In the computer-aided molecular approaches, vanillin displayed a promising binding score for both anxiolytic and anti-diarrheal activities, while duabanganal C showed a promising score for the anti-depressant activity. The present experimental findings along with a computer-aided model conclude that MEDG could be a possible Phyto therapeutic agent with potential anti-depressant, anxiolytic and anti-diarrheal activity.

Abstract Background Albizia richardiana belongs Fabaceae family which different parts like fruits, flowers, barks, and roots are used medicinally. The study reports the in vitro anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of A. richardiana stem and its different fractions. Method The methanolic extract of A. richardiana stem (MEAR) extracted with n-hexane (HXFAR), carbon tetrachloride (CTFAR), chloroform (CFAR), and aqueous (AQFAR) and subjected for DPPH scavenging activity and total phenol content (TPC). The cytotoxic activity evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay, while the disk diffusion method used for the antimicrobial study. The anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activities of the extracts evaluated by the hypotonic solution induced hemolysis, heat-induced hemolysis and human blood clot lysis, respectively. Results All the extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in the DPPH scavenging assay and maximum total phenol content observed by HXFAR. Secondly, the extract showed a moderate LC50 value in brine shrimp lethality bioassay, where the CTFAR extract exhibited potential antimicrobial activities against sixteen different microorganisms. In anti-inflammatory, all the extract exhibited a significant (P

Abstract Background Zingiber zerumbet rhizome and its bioactive metabolites have previously been reported to exhibit innumerable pharmacological properties particularly anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, the 80% ethanol extract, essential oil and zerumbone of Z. zerumbet rhizomes were explored for their in vitro immunosuppressive properties on chemotaxis, CD11b/CD18 expression, phagocytosis and chemiluminescence of isolated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Methods The extract was analyzed quantitatively by performing a validated reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Zerumbone was isolated by chromatographic technique while the essential oil was acquired through hydro-distillation of the rhizomes and further analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS. Chemotaxis assay was assessed by using a 24-well cell migration assay kit, while CD18 integrin expression and phagocytic engulfment were measured using flow cytometry. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated by applying lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assays. Results Zerumbone was found to be the most abundant compound in the extract (242.73 mg/g) and the oil (58.44%). Among the samples tested, the oil revealed the highest inhibition on cell migration with an IC50 value of 3.24 μg/mL. The extract, oil and zerumbone showed moderate inhibition of CD18 integrin expression in a dose-dependent trend. Z. zerumbet extract showed the highest inhibitory effect on phagocytic engulfment with percentage of phagocytizing cells of 55.43% for PMN. Zerumbone exhibited strong inhibitory activity on oxidative burst of zymosan- and PMA-stimulated neutrophils. Zerumbone remarkably inhibited extracellular ROS production in PMNs with an IC50 value of 17.36 μM which was comparable to that of aspirin. Conclusion The strong inhibition on the phagocytosis of neutrophils by Z. zerumbet extract and its essential oil might be due the presence of its chemical components particularly zerumbone which was capable of impeding phagocytosis at different stages.

Objective: To find the frequency and association of depression and suicidal ideation in young adults. Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in different areas of Pakistan, including Lahore and Karachi with the main population participating from the Islamabad and Rawalpindi region from May 2016 to August 2016. Materials and Methods: Printed and online versions of the questionnaire were filled by conveniently available young adults in different cities of Pakistan between the ages of 15-25 years. Questionnaires were designed in three parts: Part 1 comprised demographics. Part 2 was the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire which is used for depression screening, while Part 3 was the SBQ-R® used to identify individuals having suicide ideation and those at risk of carrying out a suicide attempt. Results: A high proportion of individuals were in the range of mild-moderate depression, 87 (43.7%), while a high proportion of individuals, 139 (69.8%), possessed a suicide score range of 3-6, which corresponds to a very low suicide attempt risk. The highest suicide score was between 16-18 and was possessed by only 2 (1%) individuals, while the highest depression score, which was any value above 54, was possessed by 45 (22.6%) individuals. Also, with increasing suicide score, the frequency seemed to decrease; 32 (16.1%) for a score range of 7-9, 15 (7.5%) for 10-12 score range and 11 (5.5%) for a score range of 13-15. However, the correlation coefficient between the two had a value of +0.5, so there was a marked positive correlation. Conclusion: The frequency of depression in young adults was considerably high since many of the participants were exposed to mild, moderate as well as severe depression. Also, there was a positive correlation between depression and suicide scores which predicted that depression can be a cause of suicide ideation and attempts. As the depression levels increased, the frequency of suicide tendencies was also salient. How to cite this: Anwar P, Salman R, Zahra M, Tufail R, Sohail RS, Arshad L. Frequency of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts in Young Adults of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Life and Science. 2022; 3(4): 168-173. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.233

Phyllanthus species (family; Euphorbiaceae) have been intensively studied for their immunomodulating effects due to their wide-ranging uses to treat immune-related diseases in indigenous medicine, which are primarily lack of scientific basis. The focuses of this review are on the significance of Phyllanthus species and their bioactive metabolites particularly corilagin (1), geraniin (2), gallic acid (3), phyllanthin (4), hypophyllanthin (5), ellagic acid (6), phyltetralin (7), niranthin (8), catechin (9), quercetin (10), astragalin (11), and chebulagic acid (12) in the modulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems through various mechanisms and their possible therapeutic benefits for treatment of immune-related diseases. We have compiled all significant findings published in the literature, and the data were analyzed critically to provide perspectives and directions for future research for the plants as a prospective source of novel immunomodulating agents. Various Phyllanthus species particularly Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus emblica, Phyllanthus niruri, and Phyllanthus urinaria have been documented to possess significant immunomodulatory effects. However, the possible challenges encountered by the application of extracts of various Phyllanthus species and their bioactive constituents as immunomodulators need to be addressed. Most reports on the biological and pharmacological studies of the plants were based on crude extracts. The extracts were not chemically characterized, and the contributions of their chemical constituents to the bioactivities were not identified. The underlying mechanisms involved in the immunomodulatory effects of the Phyllanthus species were not indepthly studied due to limitations in terms of design, conduct, and interpretation. Extensive experimental and preclinical studies on the immunomodulating potential of Phyllanthus species should be carried out to provide sufficient data to prove that their traditional uses are inherently effective and safe and will allow clinical trials to be pursued for their further development as therapeutic agents to treat immune-related disorders.

The use of anti-inflammatory natural products to treat inflammatory disorders for cancer prevention and therapy is an appealing area of interest in the last decades. Annona muricata L. is one of the many plant extracts that have been explored owing to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Different parts of A. muricata especially the leaves have been used for various ethnomedicinal purposes by traditional healers to treat several diseases including cancer, inflammation, diabetes, liver diseases, and abscesses. Some of these experience-based claims on the use of the plant have been transformed into evidence-based information by scientific investigations. The leaves of the plant have been extensively investigated for its diverse pharmacological aspects and found eminent for anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, most studies were not on the bioactive isolates which were responsible for the activities but were based on crude extracts of the plant. In this comprehensive review, all significant findings from previous investigations till date on the leaves of A. muricata, specifically on their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities have been compiled. The toxicology of the plant which has been shown to be due to the presence of neurotoxic annaceous acetogenins and benzyltetrahydro-isoquinoline alkaloids has also been updated to provide recent information on its safety aspects. The present knowledge of the plant has been critically assessed, aimed at providing direction toward improving its prospect as a source of potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. The analysis will provide a new path for ensuring research on this plant to discover new agents to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer. Further in vitro and in vivo studies should be carried out to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-inflammatory responses in relation to anticancer activity and more detail toxicity study to ensure they are safe for human consumption. Sufficient preclinical data and safety data generated will allow clinical trials to be pursued on this plant and its bioactive compounds.