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The study aimed to investigate the association between incidental exposure on social media political contents and political participation. Social networking sites play an important role in political participation. While existing literature extensively explores the impact of social media on political engagement in Pakistan, there is a notable gap in understanding the influence of incidental exposure on social media on political participation. In this Research quantitative research design was used. A survey method was used to collect data from the chosen sample of 300 respondents. The data was collected online through purposive sampling. The findings of the study reveal that people mostly use YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, Incidental exposure on social media leads to political information acquiring and also leads people to participate in political activities. This study underscores their capacity to engage individuals previously disinterested in politics. These platforms emerge as catalysts for political involvement, particularly in the context of Pakistan [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how much celebrity endorsement stimulates skin color racism in the cosmetics industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data were collected from Google Scholar and Web of Science published articles, and researchers had chosen 45 research articles. Some of the research articles used a quantitative research approach while others had used qualitative research approach. And for the current study, content analysis has been used. Findings: The study finds that celebrity endorsement does influence and promote racism, implying that when celebrities promote fairness products, people perceive themselves inferior due to darker skin tone that gives birth to the notion of racism. Brand Image intervenes in the relationship between Celebrity Endorsement and Racism, and also, intervenes in the relationship between Celebrity Endorsement and Purchase Intention. Limitations: This study is only limited to Google Scholar and Web of Science directory. Only forty‐five articles were taken from 2001 to 2021 year. Real examples were taken from all over the world, but especially from the Less Developed countries like Pakistan and India due to the huge population, rising income, and surging cosmetics industry. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to the Technologically Advanced Countries. Implications: It is obvious that firms design advertisement campaigns that can get consumers' attention. For this purpose, they engage celebrities to evoke more interest and awareness as well as perception. The study will help the management of different brands to understand that how they can improve their advertisements in a way that does not promote racism. And the celebrities, signing contracts with brands that promote racism, will keep in mind the negative influence these endorsements have on society while companies will make sure that they are also not promoting racism by making such promotional campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented time in history. Surrounding this pandemic are many enormous uncertainties across the globe. Severe consequences have assessed for the incomes of almost 84% of employers and 68% of self-employed who are working and living in countries that are or have went through a phase of closing workplaces. Similarly, the global rate of unemployment is also expected to be increased in the coming years as 54% of employers worldwide are running their businesses in the hardest-hit sectors. All of these clearly show the uneven impact of the Coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) which will remarkably compound already present inequalities, difficulties, and vulnerabilities. The economic ramifications for 186 countries under the crunch of the COVID-19 pandemic is also considered tremendous for Pakistan. The core aim of this research was to test a new conceptual framework depicting the ramifications of restructuring processes carried out by management for their organizations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic on an Institute's reputation as an employer brand. It also investigates the impact of perceived restructuring on a corporate brand promise made by the university or institute from the viewpoints of other key stakeholders and potential job seekers. The current study had proposed four hypotheses and according to the results of Structural Equation Modeling, the direct hypothesis based upon the relationship between restructuring and employer branding has been rejected. This study shows that restructuring and employer branding has a negative and insignificant effect on each other. The second direct hypothesis of the study that measures the effect of restructuring on corporate branding has been accepted. A corporate brand is a kind of a hub and it considers how an institute treats and deals with all of its stakeholders. It is different from employer brand as the perceptions of employees were the main focus. So, according to the results restructuring did not cause massive damage to the overall outlook of the institute. Furthermore, for the purpose of mediation analysis, the maximum likelihood method by bootstrapping was adopted to test the indirect hypotheses of the study. Crowdsourcing was introduced as a mediator in this study with restructuring, employer, and corporate brand all together in one framework, which is the novel aspect of this study. There are two indirect hypotheses and according to the results both of them did not show any insignificant results. Firstly, the study analyzed mediation among crowdsourcing, restructuring, and employer branding which was fully accepted as the results showed full mediation between these constructs. Secondly, the study analyzed mediation among crowdsourcing, restructuring, and corporate branding which was partially accepted as results showed partial mediation between these constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment, image, and issues related to CPEC become significant when this venture is considered a game-changer for the Pakistani economy. This study analyzes the CPEC coverage in Pakistan's highly circulated English newspaper, Daily Dawn, and The News. The quantitative content analysis technique is employed for this study from April 2015 to December 2019. This study aims to explore how news contents of selected newspapers portray the image of CPEC and the treatment of selected newspapers toward this project. The theoretical foundation of this study work under the Grunig models of Public Relations. The findings of this study reveal that both newspapers portray a positive image of CPEC. The primary focus of the news content of selected newspapers is information regarding the economic and political aspects of this project, while inadequate significance is given to strategic, social, and legal aspects. Moreover, from Grunig's models' perspective, major public relations practices worked under the public information and press agent model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Alvarado score and the RIPASA score for acute appendicitis using histopathology as a gold standard. Study Design: Cross sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Sep 2018. Methodology: A total number of 270 patients were included in the study presenting with pain right iliac fossa to the Accident and Emergency department. Surgeons and Seniors Residents in Surgery on call in the Accident and Emergency Department. Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, scored the patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis with Alvarado Score and RIPASA score simultaneously. After appendectomy of these patients, the removed appendix was sent for histopathology to confirm whether it was normal or inflamed. A 2x2 table was used for calculating sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the RIPASA score and Alvarado Score. The two scoring systems were then compared for diagnostic accuracy. Results: In our study, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA score and Alvarado score for diagnosing acute appendicitis were 92.1%, 62.1%, 95.2%, 48.6%, 88.9% and 72.6%, 68.9%, 95.1%, 23.2%, 72.2% respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA score was more than that of Alvarado score in diagnosing acute appendicitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ah! My! My! I lost my data on the phone. Pooh!-Pooh! There's nothing on my computer. Ugh!-Ugh! With my password, what's wrong? Hey, oh no! Somebody's hack my account. These are the issues that media professionals face in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The objective of the study was to investigate the level of knowledge of the media staff of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, regarding digital and internet security. In this research, a quantitative approach was applied. The survey was carried out in three districts of KP, including Peshawar, Charsadda, and Swat, because the region's journalists were more vulnerable than others to attacks. Data was obtained via a simple random sampling process from 469 journalists. The findings showed that 67% of them did not know about digital security, while 60% did not have an understanding of cyber security tools.70 percent of media workers were unaware of the tools used to secure their automated communication systems, such as email, mobile phones and telephones. A clear association between digital security .109 * with a significant value of 0.002 with the output of journalists is shown by the Correlation test values.Providing information security training for media professionals in Pakistan is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional buildings consume large amounts of energy and are the source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. The shortage of green buildings in Pakistan have been said to be due to shortage of knowledge of the benefits of essential green building materials and the absence of a regulatory framework. The study is qualitative and quantitative and is divided into two parts. This review paper focuses on awareness in the Pakistan's local construction market concerning green buildings through a survey questionnaire. Data collection procedure consists of 60 questionnaires related to green building construction awareness and priorities within Karachi's construction sector. Also, a focus group and personal interviews conducted with at least 5 professionals working in local construction projects are analyzed. The research questions formed from detailed literature review were analyzed and found that energy conservation, environmental/resource conservation and improving indoor environmental quality are major driving factors for green building development. Similarly, there is a lack of knowledge of green construction methods and regulations and lack of support from the government. This has been found as the major barrier in going towards green construction. We recommend policy directions towards this end and elaborate points of concern to the authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive applications of chlorpyrifos (CPF) in agricultural production have resulted in lethal effects on the environment, particularly on aquatic fauna. Thus, present study was aimed to assess the haematological responses, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) activity, acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibition and histopathological alterations in liver and gill tissues of cold‐water fish rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in their native habitat, when exposed to CPF. In total, 240 fingerlings were subjected to various CPF concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 μg/L) for acute and sub‐lethal toxicity tests. Results revealed that increasing CPF concentration and exposure time have resulted in reduced erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit level; however, leucocyte count was increased. Additionally, decrease in AChE activity was also observed with increasing concentration. CPF concentrations at lowest exposure duration induced slight increase of SOD and CAT activity while the high exposure durations (14 and 21 days) exhausted the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Structural damages produced by CPF in liver tissues were hyperaemia, dilated central veins, sinusoids and degenerative changes, while the lesions observed in gill tissue were curling of secondary lamella, cell degeneration, cell necrosis, narrowing of water channels, hyperplasia, oedematous changes, fusion of secondary lamella and sloughing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research addresses the TikTok addictions that are affecting those people who are inspired by TikTok videos and people making those videos. TikTok nowadays creating different kinds of conflicts among both of the genders. I.e. inferiority complex and superiority complex and beauty complex. The philosophy of the study was positivism. It was a deductive approach and the Connivance sampling technique is used in this study. It was quantitative research and data has been collected through surveys. The adapted questionnaire was used to collect data from 190 university students. Statistical analysis through SPSS was performed to check the hypothesis. This research is highly beneficial to create the awareness among people that they are addicted to something very un-useful so their friends and family taking serious note on it and help them to drive them out of TikTok addiction and psychological make them ensure that it is just app use for entertainment and seek and show your talent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Marketing, making a choice highly depends upon the reviews and ratings. A purchase decision can easily get affected by the rating of five stars from several reviewers. A trend regarding fashion goods is increasing in Pakistan. The present research was conducted on bandwagon and its effect on the consumption of fashion goods in Sialkot. The purpose was to know how others' perceptions influence youth in Sialkot, Pakistan. Quantitative research nature was used. While the self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for the collection of data and distributed among sample size of 200 youth in Sialkot Pakistan. Correlation and Regression analyses were carried out in SPSS for testing hypotheses. Results indicate that bandwagon has positive and significant influence on the consumption of fashion goods. Findings will be beneficial to the fashion good companies to help them in making strategies in Sialkot Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals are chemical compounds employed as medicinal drugs. They have severe physic-chemical properties which make them destructive for non-target species. Consequently, their continuous addition in the environment may pose hazardous effects. Among these, diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is extensively used in Pakistan which may lead to its accumulation in both terrestrial and aquatic environment. Present study aims to assess the presence and concentration of pharmaceutically active drug (DCF) in surface water and wastewater of twin cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi and Islamabad). For this purpose, a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was adopted involving solid-phase extraction procedure. Wastewater samples were collected from various sites of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Results of HPLC analysis revealed that DCF was extant with considerably high concentration, not only in wastewater but also in surface water samples. Concentrations as high as 216 μg L−1 was detected in Rawat industrial area and low as 8 μg L−1 was detected in dairy farm wastewater samples collected from Taramri. However, maximum DCF levels in residential wastewater and hospital wastewater were detected to be 105 μg L−1 and 34 μg L−1, respectively. Moreover, the highest detected level (116 μg L−1) was found in surface water of Sawan River. Further, results of ecological risk assessment revealed its possible toxic effects of DCF on various aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the frequency of preterm labour in pregnant patients with and without urinary tract infection in a tertiary care hospital in Punjab. Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Jul 2019 to Jan 2020. Methodology: Three hundred and eighty-five pregnant women were inducted into the study. The midstream urine sample was collected from patients between 24-28 weeks of gestation with complaints of burning micturition and was sent for microscopic examination. Urinary tract infection was diagnosed on the urinalysis report. Patients were followed till delivery. Patients were labelled as preterm who delivered neonates <37 weeks of gestation. Results: In this study, the mean age of the patients was 25.2±3.0. The majority of the patients were para 1-2. The mean body mass index was 25.3±1.9 kg/m2. Urinary tract infection was found in 12 patients (3.2%), and preterm labour occurred in 52 patients (13.5%). The mean birth weight of neonates was 3.0±0.5kg. A comparison of preterm labour in patients with and without urinary tract infections revealed that patients with urinary tract infections were associated with preterm labour (p<0.001). Conclusion: Urinary tract infection during pregnancy significantly impacts pregnancy outcomes, mainly preterm labour and low birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance S tem bark of Alnus nitida (Spach) Endl. (family Betulaceae) is used by local communities in northern areas of Pakistan as a remedy for swelling, injuries and pain. However no pharmacological study of this plant has been reported to confirm these activities. In this study anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of A. nitida stem bark have been evaluated. Methods Powder of the stem bark of A. nitida was extracted with methanol (ANBM) and partitioned in escalating polarity to get the n-hexane (ANBH), chloroform (ANBC), ethyl acetate (ANBE) and the residual soluble aqueous (ANBA) fractions. The methanol extract and derived fractions were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by using in vitro heat induced albumin denaturation assay and various in vivo assays; carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method, Freunds’ complete adjuvant induced arthritis, histamine induced paw edema and xylene induced ear edema in Sprague Dawley rat. The extracts/fractions were also evaluated for analgesic effects by using hot plate analgesic test and acetic acid induced writhing test in rat. The ANBM composition was analyzed by HPLC-DAD and GC-MS analysis. Results Results of heat induced albumin denaturation activity indicated that among the extract/fractions ANBC at concentration range of 100−500 µg/ml remarkably protected the heat induced albumin denaturation. The pretreatment with ANBC significantly reduced the carrageenan induced edema with 90.81±1.6% after 4 h, comparing with 86.63±3.42% reduction produced by the reference drug diclofenac potassium. Histopathological alterations of the gastric and hind paw were decreased with the extract/fractions. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory effects of ANBC were evident in Freunds’ complete adjuvant induced arthritis, histamine induced paw edema and xylene induced ear edema. The latency time in hot plate analgesic assay with ANBC (61.59±0.38%) after 90 min was comparable to standard drug morphine (69.31±2.67%) and aspirin (67.24±2.08%). Similarly ANBC significantly (p<0.01) inhibited the pain sensation in acetic acid induced writhing test in rat. HPLC-DAD analysis of ANBM indicated the presence of gallic acid, catechin and rutin while the GC-MS analysis of ANBM indicated the presence of 30 compounds predominantly of neophytadiene, 3,7,11,15 tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, phytol, vitamin E and linalool. Conclusion The results of this study suggested that the presence of polyphenols, sterols, terpenoids and other constituents might contributed towards the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the crude methanol extract of A. nitida bark and its derived fractions. This study endorsed the folklore use of A. nitida bark for inflammation related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From last decade, Pakistan is facing the severe problems of energy deficiency. Every year Pakistan׳s government is spending more than 14.5 billion US dollars to import crude oil in order to fulfill the energy gap. Energy demand is increasing rapidly but exploration and use of renewable energy is not meeting the needs of requirements. The unavailability of power in Pakistan lasts for 14–20 h per day. In this paper, the potential of biogas is reviewed to meet the energy requirement of Pakistan. One cubic meter of biogas can generate an electrical energy of 2.5 KWh. The annual growth rate of livestock sector is 4% in Pakistan and its dung can produce 35.625 million KWh of electric energy per day. We can overcome the energy crisis by efficiently using biogas as an alternative energy source. The installation cost of biogas plant is not only economical but also beneficial in reducing respiratory and eye infections. PCRET has installed 4109 biogas plants across the country which saves average of Rs. 37.925 million per month in terms of kerosene oil, wood, liquefied petroleum gas and bio fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study Medicinal plants are regional treasures for the treatment of many ailments. The present research investigated and documented knowledge of indigenous commonly used medicinal plants, including traditional names, preparations and uses, in the Lakki Marwat District of Pakistan. The information gathered was statistically analyzed using the ICF method to establish baseline data for more comprehensive investigations of bioactive compounds of indigenous medicinal plants. Materials and Methods Direct interviews of 78 informants were conducted during 2013–2014 to identify the preparations and uses of indigenous medicinal plants. Data were analyzed using various quantitative tools, such as use value, factor informant consensus and fidelity level. Results A total of 62 species of flowering plants belonging to 34 families and 57 genera were reportedly used as ethnomedicines in the study area. Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Poaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae were the main plant families that comprised ethnobotanically important plant species. Traditional healers most frequently used aerial parts of plants. The following medicinal species were the most important in the present study with the highest use values (UV): Plantago ovata Forsk.(F. Plantaginaceae), Lawsonia inermis L.(F. Lythraceae), Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand.(F. Apocynaceae), Peganum harmala L.(F. Zygophyllaceae), Fagonia indica Burm.f. (F. Zygophyllaceae), Carthamus oxyacantha M.Bieb. (F. Asteraceae), Datura metel L. (F. Solanaceae) and Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. (F. Brassicaceae). Respiratory, otic, gastrointestinal and neurological ailments were the main categories that were classified as per factor informant consensus (Fic). The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal and andrological/gynecological problems. The highest fidelity level (Fl=100%) was achieved by Plantago ovata Forsk. (F. Plantaginaceae) to cure cardiovascular disorders. Conclusion The results of present study reveal that this enormous wealth of medicinal plants played an important role in the health care of the villagers in the study area. In addition, species with high use values (UV) might provide valuable leads for further pharmacological investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is a horrific disease relentlessly affecting human population round the globe. Genus Datura encompasses numerous species with reported medicinal uses. However, its potential as a source of natural anticancer agents is yet to be determined. Datura stramonium (DS) and Datura inoxia (DI) are the two species chosen for this study., Methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) as well as antioxidant activity were assessed through colorimetric method. Polyphenolic quantification was done by RP-HPLC. Following extract standardization ethyl acetate leaf extracts of both species (DSL-EA and DIL-EA) were chosen for anticancer studies. In vitro cytotoxicity using various models including cancer cell lines was monitored. Following toxicity studies, benzene (0.2 ml) was used to induce leukemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Extracts were orally administered to preventive (100 and 200 mg/kg) and treatment (200 mg/kg only) groups. The antileukemic potential of extracts was assessed through haematological, biochemical, endogenous antioxidants and histological parameters., Results: Significant TPC and TFC were estimated in DSL-EA and DIL-EA. RP-HPLC quantified (μg/mg extract) rutin (0.89 ± 0.03), gallic acid (0.35 ± 0.07), catechin (0.24 ± 0.02) and apigenin (0.29 ± 0.09) in DSL-EA while rutin (0.036 ± 0.004) and caffeic acid (0.27 ± 0.03) in DIL-EA. Both extracts exhibited significant brine shrimp cytotoxicity (LC 50  < 12.5 μg/ml). DIL-EA exhibited greater cytotoxicity against PC-3, MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC 50  < 3 μg/ml in each case) as well as higher protein kinase inhibitory action (MIC: 25 μg/disc) compared to DSL-EA. Leukemia induced in rats was affirmed by elevated serum levels of WBCs (7.78 ± 0.012 (× 10 3 ) /μl), bilirubin (7.56 ± 0.97 mg/dl), Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) (133.75 ± 2.61 nM/min/mg protein), decreased RBCs (4.33 ± 0.065 (× 10 6 )/μl), platelets (344 ± 3.19 (× 10 3 )/μl), total proteins (2.14 ± 0.11 g/dl), Glutathione S-transferases (GST) (81.01 ± 0.44 nM/min/ml), endogenous antioxidant enzymes levels and abnormal liver and kidney functionality in disease control rats. Both species revealed almost identical and significant (p < 0.05) alleviative effects in benzene induced leukemia., Conclusion: Comprehensive screening divulged the tremendous potential of selected species as potent source of natural anticancer agents in a variety of cancers particularly leukemia. Present study might provide useful finger prints in cancer research and mechanistic studies are prerequisite in logical hunt of this goal.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Oil extracted from Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana stem traditionally used for wound healing, body aches and dermatitis. In this study we have evaluated oil for its phytoconstituents, antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing activities., Methods: Phytochemical characterization of oil was determined by standard qualitative procedures, gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The in vitro antioxidant aptitude was determined by scavenging of DPPH radical, hydroxyl ion, nitric oxide, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assay and iron chelation power assay. The antimicrobial potential of oil was investigated by disc diffusion method against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates and fungal strains. Wound healing was performed in vivo with determination of wound contraction rates, histopathology, hemostatic potential and hydroxyproline estimation., Results: GC-MS analysis indicated that oil was constituted mainly of 2, 6-dimethyl-8-oxoocta-2, 6-dienoic acid, methyl ester (18.2%), syringol (17.8%), catechol (12.4%), guaiacol (5.2%), p-cresol (5.4%) and phenol, 2-propyl- (3.7%). FT-IR analysis revealed several important functional groups in its chemical composition especially phenolic O-H compound stretching. Scavenging of DPPH radical, hydroxyl ion, nitric oxide, inhibition of β-carotene oxidation and iron chelation power assays indicated strong antioxidant activities of oil. Further it efficiently inhibited growth of multidrug resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, S. lugdenesis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Coagulase -ve staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between (32-256) (μg/mL) of oil. The oil also strongly inhibited the growth of various fungal isolates with low level of minimum inhibitory concentrations (64-256) μg/mL. Remarkable rate for wound closure and epithelization, hemostatic potential and marked increase (p < 0.05) in hydroxyproline content was observed for oil during wound healing in rat., Conclusion: The results suggested that oil can be used as a potential source of wound healing therapeutics., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.), known as "Shakarqandi" in Pakistan, is an imperative root vegetable with large size, traditionally used as aphrodisiac, antiprostatic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardiotonic, and anticancer agent. Present study was conducted to gauge aphrodisiac potential of Ipomoea batatas ethyl acetate (IPT-EA, IPA-EA) and methanol (IPT-M, IPA-M) extracts from tuber and aerial part, respectively, via behavioral and biochemical tests and their possible protective role in BPA-induced gonadotoxicity at the dose 300 mg/kg in male Sprague Dawley rats. Phytochemical analysis was done qualitatively and quantitatively through total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC-DAD) fingerprinting while antioxidant profiling used multimode in vitro assays. To calculate sexual excitement mount latency, intromission latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory latency, and postejaculatory interval were examined while for biochemical ratification semen characteristics, levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol were measured. Gonadoprotective ability was assessed through comet assay and histomorphological examination of testes. Qualitative analysis ensured the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanin, saponins, coumarins, terpenoids, and betacyanin. Quantitatively maximal TPC (304.32±7.20  μ g GAE/mg dry extract) and TFC (214.77±4.09  μ g QE/mg DE) were estimated in IPA-EA extract. IPT-EA yielded maximum rutin (7.3±0.12) and myricetin (2.7±0.14  μ g/mg DE) while IPA-EA and IPA-M yielded maximum caffeic acid (4.05±0.22 and 1.92±0.17  μ g/mg DE, respectively) in HPLC-DAD analysis. Extracts enhanced sexual excitement, improved semen quality, levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, and estradiol, and successfully attenuated toxic effects of BPA. Levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, and GSH) were restored and NO abundance was minimized. Significant stimulation in sexual behavior, amelioration of toxicity symptoms, elevated spermatic production, raised viability, vitalized levels of gonadal hormones, maintained endogenous enzymes, genoprotection, and reformed testicular histology endorsed I. batatas as a better aphrodisiac alternative and gonadoprotective agent.

Background: Honey has been shown to have beneficial effects on the glucose and lipid profiles in patients at high risk of heart diseases. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of natural honey on blood glucose and lipid profile in healthy individuals., Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in the Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, spanning 4 weeks, that is, from 15th Feb-15th March 2009. A total of 70 healthy young boarders of the same college were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups of 35 each using random number table. Seventy gram (70 g) of honey was given to each individual in the experimental group daily for a period of 4 weeks while control group was kept on the same diet as that of experimental group except honey. The fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured before and after the experiment., Results: The fasting glucose levels in both groups were raised. However, the increase in the experimental group was significantly less than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in the control group increased while those in the experiment group decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while HDL levels were decreased in the former and increased in the latter group (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Natural honey consumption significantly limits the rise in blood glucose along with a significant decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and increase HDL in young healthy adults.