155 results on '"Muhammad Ajmal Shah"'
Search Results
2. Peel waste of citrus fruits: A valuable and renewable source of polyphenols for the treatment of diabesity
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Savaira Tariq, Syed Muhammad Abuzar, Kainat Ilyas, Irtaza Qadees, Ifat Alsharif, Khairul Anam, Reem T. Almutairi, Khalid A. Al-Regaiey, Ahmad O. Babalghith, Uzma Saleem, Abd. Malik, Mohannad A. Almikhlaf, Yasmene F. Alanazi, Mody Albalawi, and Ana Sanches Silva
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Diabesity ,Obesity ,Diabetes ,Polyphenols ,Citrus fruits ,Molecular targets ,Biotechnology ,TP248.13-248.65 - Abstract
Diabesity is the concurrence of both diabetes and obesity, and it has become a modern epidemic. It is linked by numerous common pathophysiological mechanisms which can be targeted to combat its harms. The available treatments for diabesity include the medications that are also causing several adverse side effects. The increasing healthcare costs, both direct and indirect, for diabesity management continue to rise, underscoring the urgency to find efficient and cost-effective treatment methods. These circumstances have prompted a shift in research towards exploring natural dietary alternatives for treatment. Among these dietary substitutes, citrus fruits rich in polyphenols have caught the attention of researchers. This review narrates the major interconnection of diabesity and brings out the various mechanisms in which citrus polyphenols can be used for its management. Citrus polyphenols fight against diabesity by targeting adipokines, reactive oxygen species, leptin deficiency, metabolic endotoxemia, peroxisomes proliferator activating receptors, insulin signaling, starch hydrolyzing enzymes, and human islet amyloid polypeptide. The studies on the role of citrus polyphenols in the treatment of diabesity have shown clearly that addressing various physiological systems which can interact with citrus polyphenols can help to manage diabesity and related health concerns.
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- 2024
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3. Natural molecules as promising players against diabetic peripheral neuropathy: an emerging nutraceutical approach
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Rabia Akram, Haseeb Anwar, Muhammad Shahid Javed, Ali Imran, Azhar Rasul, Shoaib Ahmad Malik, Mobina Manzoor, Fakhar Islam, Ikram Ullah Khan, Faiqa Sajid, Tehreem Iman, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Tao Sun, Ghulam Hussain, and Mohd Asif Shah
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Diabetes ,peripheral neuropathy ,aldose reductase ,regeneration ,natural molecules ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 ,Food processing and manufacture ,TP368-456 - Abstract
ABSTRACTDiabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most prevalent complications of diabetes mellitus. It is the most common type of neuropathy characterized by decreased sensory functions in the lower extremities and substantial neuropathic pain. Based on clinical characterization, it is classified into symmetric and asymmetric neuropathy. The pathological changes and neuronal function impairment during diabetes are associated with various pathways, including polyol pathway activation, advanced glycation end-products formation, oxidative stress, protein kinase C activation, poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and hexosamine pathways. Demyelination, axonal atrophy, nerve fibre loss, reduced regeneration, and loss of neurovascular interactions are hallmarks. Although some symptomatic and supportive therapies, such as tricyclic agents, antiarrhythmics, opioid analgesics, incretin, aldose reductase, and protein kinase C inhibitors, are in practice, the outcome is not promising. To fill this gap, natural product-based therapy can prove prodigious as an effective alternative. This review aims to comprehend the available literature on the role of various biological molecules in ameliorating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. These molecules play a key role in reducing oxidative-nitrosative stress, aldose reductase activity, and neuronal apoptosis. They control glucose and HbA1c% levels and improve nerve conduction velocity, axonal regeneration, and antioxidant species (catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde). They are known for their attenuating thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate these molecules at the pre-clinical and clinical levels for efficacy. Hence, natural molecules may act as promising players against diabetic peripheral neuropathy and are a ray of hope for suffering individuals.
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- 2023
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4. Effect of PENN-DIABEX, a novel polyherbal formulation, in high fat diet streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
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Mudassir Hassan, Azhar Rasul, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Farhat Jabeen, and Ayesha Sadiqa
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Diabetes ,STZ ,Histopathology ,In vivo ,PENN-DIABEX ,PHF ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide, presents a significant health challenge characterized by impaired glucose regulation and potential complications. This study examines the antidiabetic effects of a polyherbal formulation (PENN-DIABEX) prepared from five different medicinal plant extracts. The objective is to ascertain its efficacy in managing streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. To accomplish this, six distinct groups of rats were involved five with induced diabetes and one serving as a normal control. Among the diabetic groups, one received no treatment, functioning as the diabetic control group. The remaining three groups were administered PHF in three different doses while the 6th group was given metformin. On the last day of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken in collecting tubes to analyze blood biochemical parameters. Additionally, tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and pancreas were preserved in formalin solution for subsequent histopathological activity. The results of the study revealed that treatment with PHF in diabetic rats led to a significant (P
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- 2023
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5. Neuroprotective evaluation of Marsilea quadrifolia L. and Salvinia molesta D.S Mitchel in aluminium chloride induced Alzheimer disease
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Sadia MUSHTAQ, Uzma HANIF, Muhammad Ajmal SHAH, Nazish MAZHAR, Zunera CHAUHDARY, Muhammad QASIM, Muhamamd MUNEEB, Maham CHAUDHARY, and Marium DAR
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anti-Alzheimer activity ,Marsilea quadrifolia ,neurodegenerative disorders ,neurofibrillary tangles ,neuroinflammation ,Salvinia molesta ,Forestry ,SD1-669.5 ,Agriculture (General) ,S1-972 - Abstract
Phenolic compounds are very effective for the cure of various neurological and pathological diseases. Current study was conducted to estimate the Phenolic compounds through HPLC and to perform the anti-Alzheimer activity from two aquatic Leptosporangiate ferns; Marsilea quadrifolia L. and Salvinia molesta D. Crushed leaves were subjected to Microwave Assisted Extraction to prepare plant leave ethanolic extract of plants under study. Aluminum chloride induced Alzheimer’s disease model in rats by estimating behavioural and biochemical parameters were measured for ethanolic extract of both plants. Different behavioural tests were performed for neuromuscular coordination estimation and hole board test for exploratory behaviour were performed. The levels of AChE inhibitory activity and antioxidant enzymes were estimated on brain homogenates and Histopathological analysis were also performed. Phenolic compounds of leaf extracts were noted for HPLC chromatograms of standard compounds with Gallic acid (33.76 ± 0.08) higher in M. quadrifolia L. and Salicylic acid (12.45 ± 0.07) higher in S. molesta D. S Mitchel. Histopathological analysis showed that M. quadrifolia and S. molesta reversed the neurofibrillary tangles, degenerative changes, neuronal loss and neuroinflammation in the brain architecture. Both ferns at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000mg/kg significantly improved the Aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity by modulating cognitive disabilities and motor dysfunctions, and normalized the biochemical alteration of acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, both plants M. quadrifolia and S. molesta improved behavioural and biochemical parameters and therefore will be effective in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders via countless underlying mechanistic pathways.
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- 2023
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6. Sarcococca saligna Hydroalcoholic Extract Ameliorates Arthritis in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rats via Modulation of Inflammatory Biomarkers and Suppression of Oxidative Stress Markers
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Maryam Farrukh, Uzma Saleem, Bashir Ahmad, Zunera Chauhdary, Ifat Alsharif, Maria Manan, Muhammad Qasim, Reem Hasaballah Alhasani, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
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Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Published
- 2022
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7. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: A versatile approach to enhance the oral delivery of BCS class III drug via hydrophobic ion pairing.
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Muhammad Asad, Akhtar Rasul, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Imran Nazir
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Biopharmaceutical classification systems (BCS) class III drugs belongs to a group of drugs with high solubility in gastrointestinal (GI) fluids and low membrane permeability result in significantly low bioavailability. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) considered a suitable candidate to enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs by improving their membrane permeability, however, incorporating hydrophilic drugs in to these carriers remained a great challenge. The aim of this study was to develop hydrophobic ion pairs (HIPs) of a model BCS class-III drug tobramycin (TOB) in order to incorporate into SEDDS and improve its bioavailability. HIPs of TOB were formulated using anionic surfactants sodium docusate (DOC) and sodium dodecanoate (DOD). The efficiency of HIPs was estimated by measuring the concentration of formed complexes in water, zeta potential determination and log P value evaluation. Solubility studies of HIPs of TOB with DOC were accomplished to screen the suitable excipients for SEDDS development. Consequently, HIPs of TOB with DOC were loaded into SEDDS and assessed the log DSEDDS/release medium and dissociation of these complexes at different intestinal pH over time. Moreover, cytotoxic potential of HIPs of TOB and HIPs loaded SEDDS formulations was evaluated. HIPs of TOB with DOC exhibited the maximum precipitation efficiency at a stoichiometric ratio of 1:5. Log P of HIPs of TOB improved up to 1500-fold compared to free TOB. Zeta potential of TOB was shifted from positive to negative during hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP). HIPs of TOB with DOC was loaded at a concentration of 1% (w/v) into SEDDS formulations. Log DSEDDS/release medium of loaded complexes in to oily droplets was above 2 and dissociated up to 20% at various pH within 4 h. Finding of this study suggested that improvement of the lipophilic character of BCS class-III drugs followed by incorporation into oily droplets can be deliberated as a promising tool to enhance the permeation across biological membranes.
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- 2023
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8. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol and standardized cannabinoid extracts from Cannabis sativa
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Wiwit Suttithumsatid, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Shabana Bibi, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
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α-Glucosidase ,Cannabidiol ,Cannabinoid ,Cannabis ,Diabetes mellitus ,Tetrahydrocannabinol ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 ,Food processing and manufacture ,TP368-456 - Abstract
Two major cannabinoids of cannabis, namely cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been reportedly used as alternative medicine for diabetes treatment in both pre-clinical and clinical research. However, their mechanisms of action still remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of THC, CBD and the standardized cannabinoid extracts. Based on in silico studies, THC generated hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals interactions, while CBD exhibited only Van der Waals interactions with functional residues of target α-glucosidase protein, with good binding energies of −7.5 and −6.9 kcal/mol, respectively. In addition, both of them showed excellent pharmacokinetic profiles with minor toxicity in terms of tumorigenic and reproductive effects. In addition, the enzyme based in vitro assay on α-glucosidase revealed that THC and CBD exhibited good inhibitory activity, with the IC50 values of 3.0 ± 0.37 and 5.5 ± 0.28 μg/ml, respectively. These were better than the standard drug, acarbose (IC50 of 488.6 ± 10.23 μg/ml). Furthermore, two standardized cannabinoid extracts, SCE-I (C. sativa leaf extract) and SCE-II (C. sativa inflorescence extract) exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than THC and CBD, with the IC50 values of 1.2 ± 0.62 and 0.16 ± 0.01 μg/ml, respectively. The present study provides the first evidence that the standardized cannabinoid extracts containing THC and CBD have greater potential than CBD and THC in application as an α-glucosidase inhibitor.
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- 2022
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9. Comparative Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Lawsone Methyl Ether and Lawsone in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
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Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Mustafa Kamal, Mohammad Shamsul Ola, Mehboob Ali, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
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diabetes mellitus ,hyperglycemic ,hyperlipidemia ,lawsone ,lawsone methyl ether ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Our previous study uncovered potent inhibitory effects of two naphthoquinones from Impatiens balsamina, namely lawsone methyl ether (2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, LME) and lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), against α-glucosidase. This gave us the insight to compare the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of LME and lawsone in high-fat/high-fructose-diet- and nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. LME and lawsone at the doses of 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg, respectively, produced a substantial and dose-dependent reduction in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, and food/water intake while boosting the insulin levels and body weights of diabetic rats. Additionally, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats were significantly normalized by LME and lawsone, without affecting the normal rats. LME at a dose of 45 mg/kg exhibited the most potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, which were significantly comparable to glibenclamide but higher than those of lawsone. Furthermore, the toxicity evaluation indicated that both naphthoquinones were entirely safe for use in rodent models at doses ≤ 50 mg/kg. Therefore, the remarkable antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potentials of LME make it a promising option for future drug development.
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- 2023
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10. Anti-Parkinson’s evaluation of Brassica juncea leaf extract and underlying mechanism of its phytochemicals
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Uzma Saleem, Shabana Bibi, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Bashir Ahmad, Ammara Saleem, Zunera Chauhdary, Fareeha Anwar, Nimra Javaid, Sundas Hira, Muhammad Furqan Akhtar, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Muhammad Saad Khan, Haji Muhammad, Muhammad Qasim, Mohammad Alqarni, Majed A. Algarni, Renald Blundell, Celia Vargas-De-La-Cruz, Oscar Herrera-Calderon, and Reem Hasaballah Alhasani
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antioxidant ,molecular docking ,neuronal dysfunction ,oxidative stress ,haloperidol ,dopamine ,Biochemistry ,QD415-436 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with progressive neuronal damage and dysfunction. Oxidative stress helps to regulate neurodegenerative and neuronal dysfunction. Natural compounds could attenuate oxidative stress in a variety of neurological disorders. B. juncea is a rich source of antioxidants. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of B. juncea leaves for the treatment of PD by applying behavioral, in vivo and in silico studies. For in vivo studies rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). Group-I served as normal control (vehicle control). Group-II was disease control (haloperidol 1 mg/kg). Group-III was kept as a standard group (L-Dopa 100 mg/kg + carbidopa 25 mg/kg). Groups (IV–VI) were the treatment groups, receiving extract at 200-, 400- and 600 mg/kg doses respectively, for 21 days orally. Results: In vivo study results showed that the extract was found to improve muscles strength, motor coordination, and balance in PD. These behavioral outcomes were consistent with the recovery of endogenous antioxidant defence in biochemical analysis which was further corroborated with histopathological ameliorations. Dopamine levels increased and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) levels decreased dose-dependently in the brain during the study. Herein, we performed molecular docking analysis of the proposed extracted phytochemicals has explained that four putative phytochemicals (sinapic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) have presented very good results in terms of protein-ligand binding interactions as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion & toxicity (ADMET) profile estimations. Conclusion: The undertaken study concluded the anti-Parkinson activity of B. juncea and further suggests developments on its isolated compounds in PD therapeutics.
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- 2021
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11. Citrus By-Products: Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds for Food Applications
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Mariana A. Andrade, Cássia H. Barbosa, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Nazir Ahmad, Fernanda Vilarinho, Khaoula Khwaldia, Ana Sanches Silva, and Fernando Ramos
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active food packaging ,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities ,citrus by-products ,essential oils ,phenolic compounds ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 - Abstract
Citrus production produces about 15 million tons of by-products/waste worldwide every year. Due to their high content of bioactive compounds, several extraction techniques can be applied to obtain extracts rich in valuable compounds and further application into food applications. Distillation and solvent extraction continues to be the most used and applied extraction techniques, followed by newer techniques such as microwave-assisted extraction and pulsed electric field extraction. Although the composition of these extracts and essential oils directly depends on the edaphoclimatic conditions to which the fruit/plant was exposed, the main active compounds are D-limonene, carotenoids, and carbohydrates. Pectin, one of the most abundant carbohydrates present in Citrus peels, can be used as a biodegradable polymer to develop new food packaging, and the extracted bioactive compounds can be easily added directly or indirectly to foods to increase their shelf-life. One of the applications is their incorporation in active food packaging for microbiological and/or oxidation inhibition, prolonging foods’ shelf-life and, consequently, contributing to reducing food spoilage. This review highlights some of the most used and effective extraction techniques and the application of the obtained essential oils and extracts directly or indirectly (through active packaging) to foods.
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- 2022
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12. Uncovering the Anticancer Potential of Polydatin: A Mechanistic Insight
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Ayesha Hamid, Hafiza Ishmal Faheem, Azhar Rasul, Tourki A. S. Baokbah, Muhammad Haris, Rimsha Yousaf, Uzma Saleem, Shabnoor Iqbal, Maria Silvana Alves, Zahid Khan, Ghulam Hussain, Ifat Alsharfi, Haroon Khan, and Philippe Jeandet
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phenol compounds ,polydatin ,3-O-β-d-resveratrol-glucopyranoside ,breast cancer ,cervical cancer ,lung cancer ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Polydatin or 3-O-β-d-resveratrol-glucopyranoside (PD), a stilbenoid component of Polygonum cuspicadum (Polygonaceae), has a variety of biological roles. In traditional Chinese medicine, P. cuspicadum extracts are used for the treatment of infections, inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders. Polydatin possesses a broad range of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunostimulatory effects. Currently, a major proportion of the population is victimized with cervical lung cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. PD has been recognized as a potent anticancer agent. PD could effectively inhibit the migration and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, as well as the expression of the PI3K protein. The malignancy of lung cancer cells was reduced after PD treatments via targeting caspase 3, arresting cancer cells at the S phase and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulation of the NF-κB pathway. This ceases cell cycle, inhibits VEGF, and counteracts ROS in breast cancer. It also prevents cervical cancer by regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, and the C-Myc gene. The objective of this review is thus to unveil the polydatin anticancer potential for the treatment of various tumors, as well as to examine the mechanisms of action of this compound.
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- 2022
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13. Factors Behind the Higher COVID-19 Risk in Diabetes: A Critical Review
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Amany Magdy Beshbishy, Victor B. Oti, Diaa E. Hussein, Ibrahim F. Rehan, Oluyomi S. Adeyemi, Nallely Rivero-Perez, Adrian Zaragoza-Bastida, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Khaled Abouelezz, Helal F. Hetta, Natália Cruz-Martins, and Gaber El-Saber Batiha
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diabetes ,COVID-19 ,SARS-CoV-2 ,comorbidities ,mortality ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are public health issues worldwide, and their comorbidities trigger the progress to severe disease and even death in such patients. Globally, DM has affected an estimated 9.3% adults, and as of April 18, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 141,727,940 COVID-19 confirmed cases. The virus is spread via droplets, aerosols, and direct touch with others. Numerous predictive factors have been linked to COVID-19 severity, including impaired immune response and increased inflammatory response, among others. Angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 have also been identified as playing a boosting role in both susceptibility and severity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Specifically, in DM patients, both their control and management during this pandemic is herculean as the restriction periods have markedly hampered the maintenance of means to control glycemia, hypertension, and neuroendocrine and kidney diseases. In addition, as a result of the underlyin cardio-metabolic and immunological disorders, DM patients are at a higher risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19 despite other comorbidities, such as hypertension, also potentially boosting the development of higher COVID-19 severity. However, even in non-DM patients, SARS-CoV-2 may also cause transient hyperglycemia through induction of insulin resistance and/or pancreatic β-cell injury. Therefore, a strict glucose monitoring of DM patients with COVID-19 is mandatory to prevent life-threatening complications.
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- 2021
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14. Dairy-Derived and Egg White Proteins in Enhancing Immune System Against COVID-19
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Gaber El-Saber Batiha, Mohammed Alqarni, Dina A. B. Awad, Abdelazeem M. Algammal, Richard Nyamota, Mir I. I. Wahed, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Mohammad N. Amin, Babatunde O. Adetuyi, Helal F. Hetta, Natália Cruz-Martins, Niranjan Koirala, Arabinda Ghosh, Javier Echeverría, Jorge Pamplona Pagnossa, and Jean-Marc Sabatier
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SARS-CoV-2 ,coronavirus disease 2019 ,immunomodulation ,nutritional therapy ,nutrients ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global health challenge, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggers a plethora of respiratory disturbances and even multiple organs failure that can be fatal. Nutritional intervention is one of the key components toward to a proper management of COVID-19 patients, especially in those requiring medication, and should thus be considered the first-line treatment. Immuno-modulation and -stimulation are currently being explored in COVID-19 management and are gaining interest by food and pharmaceutical industries. Various dietary combinations, bioactive components, nutrients and fortified foods have been reported to modulate inflammation during disease progression. Dietary combinations of dairy-derived products and eggs are gaining an increasing attention given the huge immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties attributed to some of their chemical constituents. Eggs are complex dietary components containing many essential nutrients and bioactive compounds as well as a high-quality proteins. Similarly, yogurts can replenish beneficial bacteria and contains macronutrients capable of stimulating immunity by enhancing cell immunity, reducing oxidative stress, neutralizing inflammation and regulating the intestinal barriers and gut microbiome. Thus, this review highlights the impact of nutritional intervention on COVID-19 management, focusing on the immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects of immune-enhancing nutrients.
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- 2021
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15. Targeting Microbial Biofouling by Controlling Biofilm Formation and Dispersal Using Rhamnolipids on RO Membrane
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Zahidullah, Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Shamas Tabraiz, Farhana Maqbool, Fazal Adnan, Ihsan Ullah, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Waqar Azeem Jadoon, Tariq Mehmood, Sadia Qayyum, and Ziaur Rahman
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membrane biofouling ,biofilm control ,dispersal ,rhamnolipids ,biomass ,EPS ,Chemical technology ,TP1-1185 ,Chemical engineering ,TP155-156 - Abstract
Finding new biological ways to control biofouling of the membrane in reverse osmosis (RO) is an important substitute for synthetic chemicals in the water industry. Here, the study was focused on the antimicrobial, biofilm formation, and biofilm dispersal potential of rhamnolipids (RLs) (biosurfactants). The MTT assay was also carried out to evaluate the effect of RLs on biofilm viability. Biofilm was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by crystal violet assay, light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy (bacterial biomass (µm2), surface coverage (%)), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). It was exhibited that RLs can reduce bacterial growth. The higher concentrations (≥100 mg/L) markedly reduced bacterial growth and biofilm formation, while RLs exhibited substantial dispersal effects (89.10% reduction) on preformed biofilms. Further, RLs exhibited 79.24% biomass reduction while polysaccharide was reduced to 60.55 µg/mL (p < 0.05) and protein to 4.67 µg/mL (p < 0.05). Light microscopy revealed biofilm reduction, which was confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. Microscopic images were processed with BioImageL software. It was revealed that biomass surface coverage was reduced to 1.1% at 1000 mg/L of RLs and that 43,245 µm2 of biomass was present for control, while biomass was reduced to 493 µm2 at 1000 mg/L of RLs. Thus, these data suggest that RLs have antimicrobial, biofilm control, and dispersal potential against membrane biofouling.
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- 2022
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16. Pharmacological Screening of Viola odorata L. for Memory-Enhancing Effect via Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers
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Uzma Saleem, Sundas Hira, Fareeha Anwar, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Samia Bashir, Roua S. Baty, Reem H. Badr, Renald Blundell, Gaber El-Saber Batiha, and Bashir Ahmad
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Viola odorata ,memory-enhancing activity ,oxidative stress ,lipopolysaccharide ,cyclooxygenase-2 ,tumor necrosis factor–alpha ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 - Abstract
Purpose: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The present study aimed to characterize and then investigate the memory-enhancing potential of Viola odorata methanolic extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–treated mice.Methods:V. odorata characterization was done by using the GCMS technique. Neuroinflammation was induced by the intracerebroventricular administration of LPS at a dose of 12 µg. Animals were divided randomly into six groups (n = 10). Group I was normal control, which was given vehicle. Group II was disease control, which received LPS (12 µg) via the intracerebroventricular route. Group III was standard, which was administered with donepezil (3 µg) orally for 21 days. Groups IV–VI were the treatment groups, which were administered with the extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg dose levels orally respectively for 21 days. Groups III–VI received LPS (12 µg) on the first day along with their treatments. During the treatment, the animals were assessed for memory retention by employing different behavioral paradigms namely elevated plus maze, passive avoidance, foot shock and open field. Various mediators [endogenous antioxidants, neurotransmitters, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] involved in the pathogenesis of AD were quantified by using the UV spectrophotometric method.Results: Extract-treated groups showed a remarkable improvement in cognitive impairment in all behavioral paradigms. Oxidative stress biomarkers, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione were raised dose-dependently in the treatment groups with a dose-dependent decrease in the malonaldehyde and AChE levels in the brains of the treated animals. The treatment groups showed decreased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, that is, tumor necrosis factor–alpha, nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated β-cells, and cyclo-oxygenase, which supports the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment.Conclusion: Based on behavioral, oxidative stress biomarker, and neuroinflammatory data, it is concluded that V. odorata possesses memory-enhancing activity and may prove a beneficial role in the management of AD.
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- 2021
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17. Anti-urolithiatic activity of Salvia hispanica L. seeds in ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis rat’s model
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UZMA SALEEM, NAZIR AHMAD, MUHAMMAD AJMAL SHAH, FAREEHA ANWAR, and BASHIR AHMAD
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Urolithiasis ,Salvia hispanica ,calcium oxalate ,calcium phosphate ,ethylene glycol ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Urolithiasis is a disorder of kidneys in which stones formation occur due to the excessive deposition of minerals in the urinary tract. It affects 12% of the population worldwide. Salvia hispanica seeds are rich source of quercetin which has preventive role in renal stone formation. The study objective was to explore scientifically the anti-urolithiatic effect of Salvia hispanica seed’s methanol extract using in vitro and in vivo urolithiasis models. For in-vitro study nucleation, growth and aggregation assays were performed. In vivo study was performed on rats and they were divided into six groups (n=6). Group-I was given vehicle only. Group-II was disease control, treated with 0.75% EG in drinking water which triggered urolithiasis. Groups-III received cystone (750 mg/kg, orally). Groups IV–VI were treated with extract at 100, 300 and 700 mg/kg doses orally once daily. Groups III-VI additionally received 0.75% EG in drinking water. In vitro study revealed concentration dependent increase in percentage inhibition of crystal’s nucleation, growth and aggregation. In vivo study revealed anti-urolithiatic activity by lowering oxalate, calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium levels in the urine and the serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, total proteins and total albumin. Salvia hispanica seeds are good alterative of allopathic anti-urolithiatic drugs to treat urolithiasis.
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- 2020
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18. Combating Biofilm by Targeting Its Formation and Dispersal Using Gallic Acid against Single and Multispecies Bacteria Causing Dental Plaque
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Aqel Albutti, Muhammad Shoaib Gul, Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Farhana Maqbool, Fazal Adnan, Ihsan Ullah, Ziaur Rahman, Sadia Qayyum, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Muhammad Salman
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biofilm control ,dispersal effects ,potential effect ,gallic acid ,biomass ,EPS ,Medicine - Abstract
Exploring biological agents to control biofilm is a vital alternative in combating pathogenic bacteria that cause dental plaque. This study was focused on antimicrobial, biofilm formation and biofilm dispersal efficacy of Gallic acid (GA) against bacteria, including Proteus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp., Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus and multispecies bacteria. Biofilm was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by crystal violet assay, florescence microscopy (bacterial biomass (µm2), surface coverage (%)) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). It was exhibited that GA (1–200 mg/L) can reduce bacterial growth. However, higher concentrations (100–200 mg/L) markedly reduced (86%) bacterial growth and biofilm formation (85.5%), while GA did not exhibit any substantial dispersal effects on pre-formed biofilm. Further, GA (20–200 mg/L) exhibited 93.43% biomass reduction and 88.6% (p < 0.05) EPS (polysaccharide) reduction. Microscopic images were processed with BioImageL software. It was revealed that biomass surface coverage was reduced to 2% at 200 mg/L of GA and that 13,612 (µm2) biomass was present for control, while it was reduced to 894 (µm2) at 200 mg/L of GA. Thus, this data suggest that GA have antimicrobial and biofilm control potential against single and multispecies bacteria causing dental plaque.
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- 2021
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19. α-Glucosidase inhibitory effect of rhinacanthins-rich extract from Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf and synergistic effect in combination with acarbose
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Ruqaiya Khalil, Zaheer Ul-Haq, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
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α-Glucosidase ,Diabetes mellitus ,Rhinacanthus nasutus ,Rhinacanthins-rich extract ,Rhinacanthin-C ,Molecular docking ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Rhinacanthins-rich extract (RRE) from Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf and its marker compounds namely rhinacanthin-C, rhinacanthin-D and rhinacanthin-N were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. RRE (IC50 value of 25.0 µg/mL) exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity almost equivalent to that of rhinacanthin-C (IC50 value of 22.6 µg/mL) but stronger than that of rhinacanthin-D (IC50 value of 71.5 µg/mL) and the standard drug, acarbose (IC50 value of 395.4 µg/mL), while rhinacanthin-N was inactive. Kinetic studies revealed that both RRE and rhinacanthin-C exhibited noncompetitive α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, while combinations of either RRE or rhinacanthin-C with acarbose at low concentrations (¼IC50, ½IC50 and IC50) showed a synergistic inhibitory effect. In silico studies identified the binding mode of rhinacanthin-C highlighting the formation of both polar and apolar contacts of ligand with α-glucosidase. The present study provides the first evidence that RRE containing rhinacanthin-C as the major compound, could find application as an α-glucosidase inhibitor.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of rhinacanthins-rich extract from Rhinacanthus nasutus leaves in nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced diabetic rats
- Author
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Wantana Reanmongkol, Nisaudah Radenahmad, Ruqaiya Khalil, Zaheer Ul-Haq, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
- Subjects
Diabetes ,Dyslipidemia ,Rhinacanthus nasutus ,Rhinacanthins-rich extract ,Rhinacanthin-C ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 - Abstract
Rhinacanthus nasutus has traditionally been used in the treatment of various disorders including diabetes mellitus. Rhinacanthins-rich extract (RRE) is a semipurified R. nasutus leaf extract that contains 60% w/w of rhinacanthin-C (RC) obtained by a green extraction process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activity of RRE (15 mg/kg equivalent to RC content) in comparison to its marker compound RC (15 mg/kg) and the standard drug glibenclamide (Glb) (600 μg/kg) in nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 28 days. In addition, the in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicity analysis of RC was also performed. RRE, RC and Glb significantly reduced the FBG, HbA1c and food/water intake while increasing the insulin level and body weight in diabetic rats without affecting the normal rats. The serum lipid, liver and kidney biomarkers were markedly normalized by RRE, RC and Glb in diabetic rats without affecting the normal rats. Moreover, the histopathology of the pancreas revealed that RRE, RC and Glb evidently restored the islets of Langerhans in diabetic rats. The overall results indicated that RRE has equivalent antidiabetic potential to that of RC. Moreover, the in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicity analysis predicts that RC is orally non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic with a decent bioavailability. The undertaken study suggests that RRE could be used as an effective natural remedy in the treatment of diabetes.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Kaempferol as a Dietary Anti-Inflammatory Agent: Current Therapeutic Standing
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Waqas Alam, Haroon Khan, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Omar Cauli, and Luciano Saso
- Subjects
flavonoids ,kaempferol ,inflammation ,therapeutic utility ,Organic chemistry ,QD241-441 - Abstract
Inflammation is a physiological response to different pathological, cellular or vascular damages due to physical, chemical or mechanical trauma. It is characterized by pain, redness, heat and swelling. Current natural drugs are carefully chosen as a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of inflammatory diseases. Different phytochemical constituents are present in natural products. These phytochemicals have high efficacy both in vivo and in vitro. Among them, flavonoids occur in many foods, vegetables and herbal medicines and are considered as the most active constituent, having the ability to attenuate inflammation. Kaempferol is a polyphenol that is richly found in fruits, vegetables and herbal medicines. It is also found in plant-derived beverages. Kaempferol is used in the management of various ailments but there is no available review article that can summarize all the natural sources and biological activities specifically focusing on the anti-inflammatory effect of kaempferol. Therefore, this article is aimed at providing a brief updated review of the literature regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of kaempferol and its possible molecular mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the review provides the available updated literature regarding the natural sources, chemistry, biosynthesis, oral absorption, metabolism, bioavailability and therapeutic effect of kaempferol.
- Published
- 2020
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22. Factors Associated with Increased Morbidity and Mortality of Obese and Overweight COVID-19 Patients
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Amany Magdy Beshbishy, Helal F. Hetta, Diaa E. Hussein, Abdullah A. Saati, Christian C. Uba, Nallely Rivero-Perez, Adrian Zaragoza-Bastida, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Tapan Behl, and Gaber El-Saber Batiha
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obesity ,COVID-19 ,coronaviruses ,influenza ,thrombosis ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Overweight and obesity are defined as an unnecessary accumulation of fat, which poses a risk to health. It is a well-identified risk factor for increased mortality due to heightened rates of heart disease, certain cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, and bacterial, protozoan and viral infections. The increasing prevalence of obesity is of concern, as conventional pathogenesis may indeed be increased in obese hosts rather than healthy hosts, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a new disease and we do not have the luxury of cumulative data. Obesity activates the development of gene induced hypoxia and adipogenesis in obese animals. Several factors can influence obesity, for example, stress can increase the body weight by allowing people to consume high amounts of food with a higher propensity to consume palatable food. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of immune-mediated and some inflammatory-mediated diseases, including atherosclerosis and psoriasis, leading to a dampened immune response to infectious agents, leading to weaker post-infection impacts. Moreover, the obese host creates a special microenvironment for disease pathogenesis, marked by persistent low-grade inflammation. Therefore, it is advisable to sustain healthy eating habits by increasing the consumption of various plant-based and low-fat foods to protect our bodies and decrease the risk of infectious diseases, especially COVID-19.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Production of high molecular-ordered stilbene oligomers for the study of their biological activity: total synthesis, bio-catalyzed synthesis and production by plant systems
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Philippe Jeandet, Md. Sahab Uddin, Christophe Clément, Aziz Aziz, Cédric Jacquard, Haroon Khan, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Essaid Ait Barka, Mattheos Koffas, Seyed Mohammad Nabavi, Eduardo Sobarzo-Sánchez, and Jean-Hugues Renault
- Subjects
Organic Chemistry ,Drug Discovery ,Biochemistry - Abstract
Extraordinary progress has been made over the past decade in the chemical synthesis of many stilbene oligomers (>2) as well as in biotechnological methods for the production of these compounds.
- Published
- 2023
24. Rosemary species: a review of phytochemicals, bioactivities and industrial applications
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Muthu Thiruvengadam, Ayesha Malik, Muhammad Usman Khan, Ejaz Aziz, Gokhan Zengin, Mars Khayrullin, Abdur Rauf, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Riffat Batool, Tasmeena Shahzad, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Maria Babaeva, Wasim Akhtar, Shabnoor Iqbal, Nalok Dutta, Maksim Rebezov, and Andrey Goncharov
- Subjects
Preservative ,food.ingredient ,Rosmarinic acid ,Food additive ,Carnosic acid ,Plant Science ,Carnosol ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,food ,chemistry ,Ursolic acid ,Phytochemical ,Polyphenol ,Food science - Abstract
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) originated in the Mediterranean region, but, due to its adaptive nature, can be readily grown across the world. It contains many bioactive phytochemical moieties, especially polyphenols. Rosemary is used as a flavoring agent, spice condiment, and preservative. Recent studies have shown that rosemary natural extracts have bioactive properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary can withstand dry spells, warm conditions and thrive across many soil textures. Carnosic acid is now a well-known compound that is the main component of rosemary. The key components that were extracted from rosemary consisted of cirsimaritin, diosmin, and genkwanin. Rosmarinic acid in the form of carnosol and carnosic acid possesses significant antioxidant properties. Oil analysis revealed the presence of six monodominant and six intermediate chemotypes. Monoterpenes were dominant in rosemary oil composition across all seasons. Bioclimatic factors, including the temperature of the habitat, were found to be a biogenetic factors leading to differentiation in populations. The phenolic contents are reported to vary depending upon processing and agronomical properties. The major active ingredients are lipophilic compounds (carnosic acid and carnosol). Rosemary extracts are also reported to have volatile compounds that confer a unique flavor, color and aroma. Oleanolic acid is endowed with antiviral, antioxidative, and antiproliferative properties vis-a-vis protection against oxidative apoptosis. Ursolic acid helps to prevent cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of rosemary species cultivation, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and applications in the food industry. Rosemary was reported to enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes. Although the current demand in the food industry is to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic food additives, rosemary oil and extracts can help to meet that demand. This review provides a comprehensive overview of rosemary species cultivation, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and applications in the food industry.
- Published
- 2022
25. The curative and mechanistic acumen of curcuminoids formulations against haloperidol induced Parkinson’s disease animal model
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Uzma Saleem, Sundas Khalid, Zunera Chauhdary, Fareeha Anwar, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Ifat Alsharif, Ahmad O. Babalghith, Rana O. Khayat, Aishah E. Albalawi, Tourki A. S. Baokbah, Maryam Farrukh, Celia Vargas-De-La-Cruz, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
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Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,Neurology (clinical) ,Biochemistry - Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is slowly developing neurodegenerative disorder associated with gradual decline in cerebration and laboriousness to perform routine piece of work. PD imposed a social burden on society through higher medical cost and by loss of social productivity in current era. The available treatment options are expensive and associated with serious adverse effect after long term use. Therefore, there is a critical clinical need to develop alternative pharmacotherapies from natural sources to prevent and cure the pathological hall marks of PD with minimal cost. Our study aimed to scrutinize the antiparkinsonian potential of curcuminoids-rich extract and its binary and ternary inclusion complexes. In healthy rats, 1 mg/kg haloperidol daily intraperitoneally, for 3 weeks was used to provoke Parkinsonism like symptoms except control group. Curcuminoids rich extract, binary and ternary inclusion complexes formulations 15-30 mg/kg, L-dopa and carbidopa (100 + 25 mg/kg) were orally administered on each day for 3 weeks. Biochemical, histopathological and RT-qPCR analyses were conducted after neurobehavioral observations. Findings of current study indicated that all curcuminoids formulations markedly mitigated the behavioral abnormalities, recovered the level of antioxidant enzymes, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and neurotransmitters. Histological analysis revealed that curcuminoids supplements stabilized the neuronal loss, pigmentation and Lewy bodies' formation. The mRNA expressions of neuro-inflammatory and specific PD pathological biomarkers were downregulated by treatment with curcuminoids formulations. Therefore, it is suggested that these curcuminoids rich extract, binary and ternary supplements should be considered as promising therapeutic agents in development of modern anti-Parkinson's disease medications.
- Published
- 2022
26. Sarcococca saligna ameliorated D-galactose induced neurodegeneration through repression of neurodegenerative and oxidative stress biomarkers
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Uzma Saleem, Zunera Chauhdary, Sumera Islam, Aimen Zafar, Rana O. Khayat, Norah A. Althobaiti, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Mohammed Alqarni, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Subjects
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,Neurology (clinical) ,Biochemistry - Abstract
Sarcococca saligna is a valuable source of bioactive secondary metabolites exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The study was intended to explore the therapeutic pursuits of S. saligna in amelioration of cognitive and motor dysfunctions induced by D-galactose and linked mechanistic pathways. Alzheimer's disease model was prepared by administration of D-galactose subcutaneous injection100 mg/kg and it was treated with rivastigmine (100 mg/kg, orally) and plant extract for 42 days. Cognitive and motor functions were evaluated by behavioral tasks and oxidative stress biomarkers. Level of acetylcholinesterase, reduced level of glutathione, protein and nitrite level, and brain neurotransmitters were analyzed in brain homogenate. The level of apoptosis regulator Bcl-2, Caspases 3 and heat shock protein HSP-70 in brain homogenates were analyzed by ELISA and colorimetric method, respectively. AChE, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-1α and β secretase expressions were analyzed by RT-PCR. S. saligna dose dependently suppressed the neurodegenerative effects of D-galactose induced behavioral and biochemical impairments through modulation of antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. S. saligna markedly (P 0.05) ameliorated the level of brain neurotransmitters, Bcl-2, HSP-70 and Caspases-3 level. S. saligna at 500-1000 mg/kg considerably recovered the mRNA expression of neurodegenerative and neuro-inflammatory biomarkers, also evident from histopathological analysis. These findings suggest that S. saligna could be applicable in cure of Alzheimer's disease.
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- 2022
27. A Review on Phyto-pharmacology of Oxalis corniculata
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Ilknur Ucak, Zeliha Selamoglu, Muhammad Asrar, Bushra Nageen, Şevki Adem, Azhar Rasul, Iqra Sarfraz, Farhat Jabeen, and Ghulam Hussain
- Subjects
Flavonoids ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Oxalidaceae ,Plants, Medicinal ,Oxalis ,biology ,Traditional medicine ,Plant Extracts ,Oxalis corniculata ,Phytochemicals ,Organic Chemistry ,Flavonoid ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Antioxidants ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Computer Science Applications ,Subject matter ,chemistry ,Chemical constituents ,Drug Discovery ,Plant species ,Medicinal herbs - Abstract
Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) is a small decumbent and delicate appearing medicinal herb flourishing in warm temperate and tropical domains such as Pakistan and India. Main bioactive chemical constituents of Oxalis plant include several alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, and phlobatannins, along with steroids. Due to its polyphenolic, glycosides and flavonoid profile, it is proved to be protective in numerous ailments and exhibit various biological activities such as anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective. Moreover, bioactive phytochemicals from this plant possess significant wound healing potential. Our current effort intends to emphasize on the immense significance of this plant species, which have not been the subject matter of clinical trials and effective pharmacological studies, even though its favored usage has been stated. This review proposes that Oxalis corniculata possess a potential for the cure of various diseases. However, further researches on isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds along with pre-clinical trials are compulsory to figure out its pharmacological applications.
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- 2022
28. Saponins in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer
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Zunera Chauhdary, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Malik Hassan Mehmood, Uzma Saleem, Azhar Rasul, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Ajmal Khan, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Shabnoor Iqbal, and Shabana Bibi
- Abstract
The natural glycosides with triterpenoid or spirostaneaglycones are the saponins, which are associated with a wide range of therapeutic activities, inclusive of gastrointestinal anticancer activities. To promote research and development of novel cytotoxic agents against GIT cancer, this chapter focused on the anticancer potentia l of the naturally occurring triterpenoid and steroidal saponins. The in vitro assays and in vivo studies authenticated the anticancer potential of these compounds through anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and anti-multidrug resistance activities. The protein targets and signaling cascades behind the anticancer effect of these compounds in GIT cancer are also discussed in this chapter. 
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- 2023
29. Plant Peptides in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Shabnoor Iqbal, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Azhar Rasul, Ajmal Khan, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Shahid Rasool, and Muhammad Naeem Amir
- Abstract
Cancer becomes uncontrolled with conventional therapeutic medications and is, therefore, able to tolerate drug activity, which contributes to increasing the adverse effects during medication therapy. The usage of anti-cancer peptides is a recent clinical technique against cancer cells. The physicochemical characteristics, amino acid composition and the addition to the anti-cancer peptides sequence of chemical groups impact their conformation, net load and secondary structure orientation, which affect the targeted specimen and peptide cell interaction, stability and effectiveness of penetrating peptides. Anti-cancer peptides are formed by replacing cationic amino acid residues with neutral or anionic amino acid residues or by introducing a chemical group, both naturally occurring and modified peptides. Updated peptides improve the potency of cancer treatment. This efficacy has recently allowed anti-cancer peptides to shape medicines and vaccines that were sequentially tested in many phases of clinical testing. The creation of anti-cancer peptides continues to concentrate on the production of clinically adjusted anti-cancer peptides with a view to decreasing the occurrence of new cancer cases and the mortality rate. The current analysis could help promote the creation of anti-cancer peptides and, in the immediate future, improve successful anti cancer peptide therapy. Anti-cancer plant peptides are part of several species of plant inborn immune response systems and are attractive candidates for the care of animals and humans against infections. Anti-cancer plant peptides also display anti-cancer activities and can inactivate a wide variety of cancer cells. Cancer appears to be a worldwide source of elevated morbidity and mortality. There is a dire need to produce novel methods to treat gastric cancer. Anti-cancer plant peptides like cyclotides, thionines, and defensins which have anti-cancer activities, are appealing alternatives. We have summarized the anti-cancer effect of anti-cancer plant peptides with a focus on their mode of activity, efficacy, and selectivity. 
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- 2023
30. Alkaloids in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer
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Ammara Riaz, Azhar Rasul, Rabia Batool, Lubna Kanwal, Ghulam Hussain, Iqra Sarfraz, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Faiza Rao, Ilknur Ucak, Sevki Adem, and Marwa A.A. Fayed
- Abstract
Alkaloids, nitrogen-containing compounds, are found in living organisms ranging from microbes to seed-producing plants all over the world. About more than 20,000 alkaloids have been discovered, mostly occurring in higher plants of the families Ranunculaceae, Papaveraceae, Leguminosae, Loganiaceae and Menispermaceae. These compounds are able to inhibit cancer proliferation, especially gastrointestinal cancer, which constitutes the highest incidence rate all over the world. The most diversified group of phytochemicals, alkaloids offer a mighty series of chemical scaffolds and moieties which can be harnessed to ameliorate the devastating consequences underlying cancer. Gastrointestinal (GIT) cancers constitute the malignancies of esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal and anal tumors, which possess aberrant metabolic signals giving rise to uncontrolled cell proliferation. These cancers are the most frequent of all cancers and account for the high mortality rates worldwide. Conventional therapeutic options carry the risks like being non-economical as well as they possess severe side effects. Natural products offer a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties which can overcome these risk factors by providing cheaper products and are reliable regarding their bio-safety profiles. Alkaloids can be investigated in detail to investigate their pharmacological potential against GIT cancers. Several alkaloids are known to modulate the cell signaling pathways by inducing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1, S and G2/M phases in addition to being the apoptosis inducers. In addition to that, they are also known to target various metabolic pathways, such as p53, β-catenin, MAPK and PIM3. The chapter intends to investigate the biological as well as pharmacological profiles of various alkaloids with special reference to GIT cancers in order to update scientists and researchers about the pharmaceutical potential of these compounds. 
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- 2023
31. Plant Essential Oils in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Shahid Rasool, Muhammad Ibrahim, Mulazim Hussain, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Adnan Amin
- Abstract
Gastrointestinal malignancies are well-known terms in the pathogenesis of the alimentary canal. They have been prevalent in different organs of the gastrointestinal tract system. Gastric tumor is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in the world. The epidemiology of cancer has changed within the last few decades. A significant deal with such carcinomas is done using essential plant constituents like alkaloids, volatile oils, and glycosides. They involve various mechanisms for eliminating these carcinomas. Many plant essential oils, such as thymol, lemon oil, limonene, carvacrol, and lavender oils, have been investigated for their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties been shown to modulate numerous immunological and cellular functions. Many types of research have proven that a large number of volatile oils and aromatic compounds present in various plants have important anti-cancer activities. They showed the anti-cancer effect on cell lines and cancer cells in animals. The use of various plant volatile oils may alter or affect the pathogenesis of several types of gastrointestinal cancer like liver cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc. In this chapter, the anti-cancer activity of plant essential oil components against GIT cancers has been discussed, with a focus on their possible mechanism of action. 
- Published
- 2023
32. Phytonutrients as a Therapeutic Modality: An Overview
- Author
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Marwa A.A. Fayed, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Shahid Shah, Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Azhar Rasul, and Shabnoor Iqbal
- Abstract
Phytonutrients in plants play a great role in their protection against certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi resulting from certain detoxification processes within the plant. There are many recommendations to increase the intake of high amounts of fresh colored vegetables and fruits, besides whole grains (cereals) and beans, which contain phytoconstituents to lower the risk of certain cancers, diabetes and hypertension, in addition to certain heart diseases. The effect of phytonutrients differs according to their chemical class and amount. They may act as antioxidants which prevent the effect of carcinogens on the healthy body. The sources constituents and mechanisms of the phytonutrients are summarized in this chapter. 
- Published
- 2023
33. Differential neuroprotective effect of curcuminoid formulations in aluminum chloride–induced Alzheimer’s disease
- Author
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Anam Shabbir, Kanwal Rehman, Muhammad Sajid Hamid Akash, Moazzama Akbar, Zunera Chaudhary, Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Subjects
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Environmental Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Pollution - Published
- 2022
34. Biocatalysts in Biohydrogen Production
- Author
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Junaid Ahmad, Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Lakhveer Singh, Farhana Maqbool, Ihsan Ullah, Fazal Adnan, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Published
- 2023
35. Inhibitory Effects of Lawsone Methyl Ether and Lawsone and Their Synergistic Interactions with Acarbose Against Α-Glucosidase: In Silico and in Vitro Studies
- Author
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Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant, Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Shabana Bibi
- Published
- 2023
36. Hepatitis C: Exploration of Diseases, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies
- Author
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Laiba Masood, Nayyer Islam, Muhammad Irfan, Ameer Fawad Zahoor, Haroon Khalid Syed, Muhammad Shahid Shah, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Muhammad Ali Syed, and Sana Hanif
- Published
- 2023
37. Pneumocystis Carnii Pneumonia Infections: Disease, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
- Author
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Nayyer Islam, Muhammad Irfan, Ameer Fawad Zahoor, Haroon Khalid Syed, Shahid Shah, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Muhammad Ali Syed, and Syed Atif Raza
- Published
- 2023
38. Sarcococca saligna extract attenuates formaldehyde-induced arthritis in Wistar rats via modulation of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory biomarkers
- Author
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Maryam Farrukh, Uzma Saleem, Muhammad Qasim, Maria Manan, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,Plant Extracts ,Formaldehyde ,Immunology ,Anti-Inflammatory Agents ,Animals ,Cytokines ,Buxaceae ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Rats, Wistar ,Arthritis, Experimental ,Biomarkers ,Rats - Abstract
Sarcococca saligna plant is commonly used as traditional therapy for arthritis especially in Asian countries. The current study is designed to explore the anti-arthritic potential of S. saligna aqueous methanolic extract (SSME). Preliminary proximate study and HPLC analysis were performed to investigate the phytochemical characterization and quality control. The safety of the SSME was evaluated by performing an acute oral toxicity study (OECD guidelines 425). The anti-arthritic potential of SSME was explored by in vivo formaldehyde-induced arthritis model. The antiarthritic effect of the SSME was determined through paw diameter, arthritic index, body weight, biochemical and haematological parameters. Radiographic and histopathological studies were also carried out to evaluate the results. qRT-PCR was performed to determine the upregulation and downregulation of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats while ELISA was done to determine the concentration of HSP-70, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum. Results of acute oral toxicity showed no abnormality and mortality. There was no noticeable change in haematological and biochemical parameters. Histopathological examination exhibited the normal structure of vital organs. So, SSME might be safe at a 2000 mg/kg dose, proposing that LD
- Published
- 2022
39. 2-Methoxy-6-Acetyl-7-Methyljuglone: A Bioactive Phytochemical with Potential Pharmacological Activities
- Author
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Mi-Jeong Ahn, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Romman, Shahfiq Ur Rehman, Wasim Sajjad, Muhammad Saad Ahmad, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Abdul Nasir, Muhammad Tufail Ahmed Khan, Tahir Ali, Adnan Haider, Raishma Noor, Asma Saleem Qazi, and Fawad Ali Shah
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,MAPK/ERK pathway ,Cancer Research ,Chemistry ,medicine.drug_class ,Drug discovery ,Necroptosis ,Phytochemicals ,Apoptosis ,Hydrogen Peroxide ,Antimicrobial ,Anti-inflammatory ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Phytochemical ,medicine ,Humans ,Molecular Medicine ,Pharmaceutical sciences ,Juglone ,Naphthoquinones ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
Natural products have been the focus of biomedical and pharmaceutical research to develop new therapies in recent years. 2-methoxy-6-acetyl-7-methyljuglone (2-methoxystypandrone, MAM) a natural bioactive juglone derivative, is known to have various levels of pharmacotherapeutic efficacies as an anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-HIV activities. MAM fights cancer progression by inducing apoptosis, necroptosis and deregulating signaling pathways through H2O2-induced JNK/iNOS/NO and MAPK, ERK1/2 pathways, JNK activation, and the RIP1/RIP3 complex. In this review, we summarize the pharmacological importance of MAM in the field of drug discovery. Furthermore, this review not only emphasizes the medicinal properties of MAM, but also discusses its potential efficacy in future medicinal products.
- Published
- 2022
40. Punica granatum peel extracts mediated the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their detailed in vivo biological activities
- Author
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Sami Bawazeer, Abdur Rauf, Taufiq Nawaz, Anees Ahmed Khalil, Muhammad Sameem Javed, Naveed Muhammad, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Subjects
Chemistry ,Fuel Technology ,punica granatum l ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,General Chemical Engineering ,Environmental Chemistry ,muscle relaxant and sedative ,analgesic ,QD1-999 ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,aunps - Abstract
Requirements for developing new methodologies to biosynthesize nanoparticles are increasing day by day. The typical chemical synthesis of nanoparticles has raised concerns regarding environmental safety and adverse impact on human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop green synthesized nanoparticles that are considered to be safe, ecofriendly, and cost-effective as compared to chemical approaches. Hence, in this study, we synthesized and characterized pomegranate peel extract-based gold nanoparticles (PP-AuNPs) through UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, and AFM microscopy. Furthermore, the biological activities like analgesic, muscle relaxant, and sedative properties of synthesized PP-AuNPs were also determined. The change of color to dark ruby indicates the formation of AuNPs. The surface plasma resonance (SPR) peak in the absorption spectra was shown at 525 nm by using (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. A single distinctive peak implied the shape of nanoparticles to be spherical. AFM images revealed that the biosynthesized nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Furthermore, the images confirm the uniform distribution of PP-AuNPs with particle sizes ranging from 4 to 16 nm. Different classes of phytochemicals were preliminarily identified in extracts. The analgesic effect of extracts (70.04%) and PP-AuNPs (81.98%) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) percent reduction in writhing at a dose of 100 and 15 mg·kg−1, respectively. A mild muscle relaxant effect was noted against both the tested samples while a significant sedative effect was observed for both samples; however, PP-AuNPs weres more sedative compared to the extract. Pomegranate peel extracts and synthesized PP-AuNPs were found to possess significant analgesic, muscle relaxant, and sedative properties.
- Published
- 2021
41. Osthole: A Multifunctional Natural Compound with Potential Anticancer, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities
- Author
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Azhar Rasul, Saba Zafar, Ghulam Hussain, Muhammad Kashif Zahoor, Ammara Riaz, Satyajit D. Sarker, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Iqra Sarfraz, Zeliha Selamoglu, and Nusrat Shafiq
- Subjects
RM ,medicine.drug_class ,Anti-Inflammatory Agents ,Antineoplastic Agents ,Pharmacology ,Cnidium ,01 natural sciences ,Neuroprotection ,Antioxidants ,Anti-inflammatory ,Cnidium monnieri ,Coumarins ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Biological Products ,biology ,010405 organic chemistry ,Drug discovery ,Kinase ,Chemistry ,Biological activity ,General Medicine ,Cell cycle ,biology.organism_classification ,0104 chemical sciences ,010404 medicinal & biomolecular chemistry ,Signal transduction - Abstract
Nature has always proved to be a significant reservoir of bioactive scaffolds that have been used for the discovery of drugs since times. Medicinal plants continue to be a solid niche for biologically active and therapeutically effective chemical entities, opening up new avenues for the successful treatment of several human diseases. The contribution of plant-derived compounds to drug discovery, either in their original or in the semi-synthetic derivative form, extends far back in time. This review aims to focus on the sources, biological, and pharmacological profile of a pharmacologically active plant-derived coumarin, osthole, which is an important component of numerous remedial plants such as Cnidium monnieri. Several studies have revealed that osthole possess pharmacological properties such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, neuroprotective, and antiplatelet. Osthole has been reported to regulate various signaling pathways, which in turn modulate several apoptosis-related proteins, cell cycle regulators, protein kinases, transcriptional factors, cytokines, and growth receptors affiliated with inflammation, proliferation and several other ailments. Osthole is known to halt proliferation and metastasis of cancerous cells by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. The data in this review paper supports the pharmacological potential of osthole but further experimentation, biosafety profiling and synergistic effects of this compound need to be focused by the researchers to understand the full spectrum of pharmacological potential of this therapeutically potent compound.
- Published
- 2021
42. Neuroprotective Effects of Ellagic Acid in Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Therapeutic Potential
- Author
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Renald Blundell, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Nazir Ahmed, Bijo Mathew, Sahab Uddin, Uzma Saleem, Zunera Chauhdary, Azhar Rasul, Nimra Javaid, Haroon Khan, and Tapan Behl
- Subjects
Cell signaling ,Programmed cell death ,Antioxidant ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Pharmacology ,01 natural sciences ,Neuroprotection ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Ellagic Acid ,Alzheimer Disease ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Humans ,Gallic acid ,Mode of action ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,Chemistry ,Neurodegeneration ,medicine.disease ,0104 chemical sciences ,Oxidative Stress ,010404 medicinal & biomolecular chemistry ,Neuroprotective Agents ,Acetylcholinesterase ,Ellagic acid - Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a multifactorial process involved the different cytotoxic pathways that lead towards neuronal cell death. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a persistent neurodegenerative disorder that normally has a steady onset yet later on it worsens. The documented evidence of AD neuropathology manifested the neuro-inflammation, increased reactive oxygen, nitrogen species and decreased antioxidant protective process; mitochondrial dysfunction as well as increased level of acetylcholinesterase activity. Moreover, enhanced action of proteins leads towards neural apoptosis which have a vital role in the degeneration of neurons. The inability of commercial therapeutic options to treat AD with targeting single mechanism leads the attraction towards organic drugs. Ellagic acid is a dimer of gallic acid, latest studies expressed that ellagic acid can initiate the numerous cell signaling transmission and decrease the progression of disorders, involved in the degeneration of neurons. The influential property of ellagic acid to protect the neurons in neurodegenerative disorders is due to its antioxidant effect, iron chelating and mitochondrial protective effect. The main goal of this review is to critically analyze the molecular mode of action of ellagic acid against neurodegeneration.
- Published
- 2021
43. Ameliorative effect of ethoxylated chalcone-based MAO-B inhibitor on behavioural predictors of haloperidol-induced Parkinsonism in mice: evidence of its antioxidative role against Parkinson’s diseases
- Author
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Della Grace Thomas Parambi, Bijo Mathew, Filzah Umer, Asmy Appadath Beeran, Fareeha Anwar, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Lotfi Aleya, Mohammad Ali Abdullah Almoyad, Naseer Maliyakkal, Bashir Ahmad, Uzma Saleem, and Lekshmi R Nath
- Subjects
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Pharmacology ,Catalepsy ,medicine.disease_cause ,Antioxidants ,Mice ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Chalcones ,Parkinsonian Disorders ,Dopamine ,Haloperidol ,medicine ,Animals ,Environmental Chemistry ,Monoamine Oxidase ,business.industry ,Parkinsonism ,General Medicine ,Glutathione ,medicine.disease ,Pollution ,chemistry ,Serotonin ,Monoamine oxidase B ,business ,Oxidative stress ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects mostly elderly people above the age of 60. Previously, we have reported that the ethoxylated chalcone derivative (E)-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (E7) showed potent, reversible, and competitive MAO-B inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.053 μm. The present study aims to investigate the anti-Parkinson activity of compound E7 in a haloperidol-induced animal model of mice. The disease was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route) once daily for 21 days. E7 was given at dose levels of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day for 21 days, consecutively. Behavioural tests were carried out during and at the end of the study. Biochemical analyses such as oxidative stress biomarkers and neurotransmitters were quantified on the brain homogenate at the end of the study. Behavioural results showed that there is a marked improvement in locomotor activity and motor coordination in the treatment group. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as SOD, CAT, and GSH levels were increased dose-dependently with a maximum at 30 mg/kg, whereas the dose-dependent decrease (30 mg/kg) in the MDA and nitrite levels were observed in the treatment groups. Levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, were increased in the treatment groups while dopamine and noradrenaline levels were more than in the standard treated group. MAO-B level was also decreased dose dependently in the treatment group in comparison with the control group. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the E7 compound exhibited anti-Parkinson activity which was more evident at 30 mg/kg oral dose as evaluated by the haloperidol-induced animal model of mice.
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- 2021
44. Combination of natural antivirals and potent immune invigorators: A natural remedy to combat <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19
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Hafiza Ishmal Faheem, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Azhar Rasul, Muhammad Haris, Haroon Khan, Abdul Haleem Khan, Michael Aschnar, Ayesha Hamid, Gaber El-Saber Batiha, and Rimsha Yousaf
- Subjects
medicine.medical_treatment ,Reviews ,Review ,Favipiravir ,Pharmacology ,Virus Replication ,Antiviral Agents ,SARS‐CoV‐2 ,immunostimulants ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,antivirals ,Immune system ,COVID‐19 ,Viral entry ,Immunity ,Chloroquine ,Humans ,Medicine ,Chrysin ,Herbacetin ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,COVID-19 ,Vitamins ,phytochemicals ,Cytokine ,chemistry ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
The flare-up in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread expeditiously worldwide has become a health challenge globally. The rapid transmission, absence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, and inexistence of vaccine are further exacerbating the situation. Several drugs, including chloroquine, remdesivir, and favipiravir, are presently undergoing clinical investigation to further scrutinize their effectiveness and validity in the management of COVID-19. Natural products (NPs) in general, and plants constituents specifically, are unique sources for various effective and novel drugs. Immunostimulants, including vitamins, iron, zinc, chrysin, caffeic acid, and gallic acid, act as potent weapons against COVID-19 by reinvigorating the defensive mechanisms of the immune system. Immunity boosters prevent COVID-19 by stimulating the proliferation of T-cells, B-cells, and neutrophils, neutralizing the free radicals, inhibiting the immunosuppressive agents, and promoting cytokine production. Presently, antiviral therapy includes several lead compounds, such as baicalin, glycyrrhizin, theaflavin, and herbacetin, all of which seem to act against SARS-CoV-2 via particular targets, such as blocking virus entry, attachment to host cell receptor, inhibiting viral replication, and assembly and release.
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- 2021
45. Anti‐inflammatory potential of berberine‐rich extract via modulation of inflammation biomarkers
- Author
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Iram Naz, Muhammad Shareef Masoud, Zunera Chauhdary, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,Biophysics ,Cell Biology ,Food Science - Abstract
Berberine-rich extract (BRE) prepared from Berberis lycium root bark using green extraction approach and its marker compound berberine has a broad spectrum of clinical applications. Berberine's potential pharmacological effects include anticancer, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. In current work, BRE and berberine were evaluated for their therapeutic prospects in inflammation models. The comparative effect of BRE and berberine against inflammation was determined through in vitro chemiluminescence technique. The in vivo anti-inflammatory evaluation of BRE and berberine (25, 75, and 125 mg/kg) compared to diclofenac (10 mg/kg) was performed in carrageenan and formaldehyde-induced inflammation in Wistar rats. Histopathological and biochemical studies were conducted to find the comparative anti-inflammatory potential of BRE and berberine on pathological hallmarks induced by formaldehyde. Moreover, the modulatory effects on inflammatory biomarkers were also investigated through qPCR. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay test assay) was performed to investigate the expression of pathological protein biomarkers like TNF-α and IL-6 and levels of antioxidant enzymes were estimated in liver homogenates. Both BRE and berberine markedly (p .001) reduced paw diameter and inflammation in carrageenan and formaldehyde-induced inflammation. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were recovered (p .001) by BRE and berberine treatments, and compared to the formaldehyde-treated inflammation model. Both BRE and berberine remarkably downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory biomarkers. BRE similar to berberine mitigated the level of antioxidant enzymes in liver homogenate. The undertaken study suggests that BRE, a natural, green, and therapeutically bioequivalent to berberine could be used as an economical phytomedicine in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDS are associated with serious adverse effects like gastrointestinal ulcer, worsening of preexisting cardiovascular disorders, and renal failure. Therefore, there is a constant demand to develop novel, inexpensive therapeutic strategies to treat the inflammatory disorder with the least harmful effects. Pure phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory potential are costly and hard to isolate, therefore green microwave-assisted extraction technique is developed to get the rich bioequivalent extract. Berberis lycium a medicinal plant with berberine as a major bioactive constituent, has wide acceptance in traditionally used medicine and as food. Pharmacological studies revealed its hepatoprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities. BRE was prepared by green microwave-assisted extraction and enrichment by resin column to get a higher yield of berberine. The comparative anti-inflammatory effect of BRE and berberine was determined by in vitro and in vivo studies. Results obtained from this experimental work contribute beneficial guidance that reinforces the use of the BRE to treat inflammatory disorders.
- Published
- 2022
46. Appraisal of the pharmacokinetic profile, histopathology and stability studies of a fast dissolving oral film based on natural polysaccharide
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Fatima Akbar, Sheikh, Muhammad Naeem, Aamir, Muhammad Tahir, Haseeb, Muhammad, Ajmal Shah, Muhammad, Farid-Ul-Haq, Mohammed, Alqarni, Celia, Vargas-De-La-Cruz, and Renald, Blundell
- Subjects
Suspensions ,Polysaccharides ,Dietary Carbohydrates ,Administration, Oral ,Animals ,Biological Availability ,Rabbits ,Meloxicam - Abstract
The present research is designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, histological evaluation, and stability studies of an orodispersible film (ODF) of tizanidine (TZ) and meloxicam (MX) prepared from a natural polysaccharide, i.e., xanthan gum. In vivo release study of TZ and MX was performed in rabbits and results indicated the better pharmacokinetics parameters and improved the oral bioavailability when compared to the oral aqueous suspension and solution of TZ and MX, respectively. The intermediate stability studies were performed at 30±2°C and 65±5% RH, whereas, the accelerated stability studies were carried out at 40±2°C and 75±5% RH, respectively for the duration of six months and results indicated that the ODF was stable for six months without any substantial difference in essential physico-chemical parameters, mechanical attributes, and morphological constraints. The toxicity profile of ODF was determined through histopathology of vital organs after administering the ODF to the rabbits. Histopathology revealed that the tissues of all vital organs are normal and did not exhibit any abnormalities, lesions, or hemorrhage. Therefore, the ODF prepared from xanthan gum exhibited a non-toxic and stable formulation with a better pharmacokinetics profile of MX and TZ.
- Published
- 2022
47. An Agathokakological Tale of Δ9-THC: Exploration of Possible Biological Targets
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Mazhuvancherry Kesavan Unnikrishnan, Rajesh Kumar, Della Grace Thomas Parambi, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Seetha Harilal, Arafa Musa, Tapan Behl, Bijo Mathew, Sahab Uddin, and Jobin Jose
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Pharmacology ,Leukocyte migration ,Cannabinoid receptor ,business.industry ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Excitotoxicity ,medicine.disease_cause ,030226 pharmacology & pharmacy ,Endocannabinoid system ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Downregulation and upregulation ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Molecular Medicine ,Receptor ,Tetrahydrocannabinol ,business ,Neuroinflammation ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the active phytocannabinoid in cannabis, is virtually an adjunct to the endogenous endocannabinoid signaling system. By interacting with G-proteincoupled receptors CB1 and CB2, Δ9-THC affects peripheral and central circulation by lowering sympathetic activity, altering gene expression, cell proliferation, and differentiation, decreasing leukocyte migration, modulating neurotransmitter release, thereby modulating cardiovascular functioning, tumorigenesis, immune responses, behavioral and locomotory activities. Δ9-THC effectively suppresses chemotherapy-induced vomiting, retards malignant tumor growth, inhibits metastasis, and promotes apoptosis. Other mechanisms involved are targeting cell cycle at the G2-M phase in human breast cancer, downregulation of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) in human glioblastoma multiforme, and stimulation of ER stress-induced autophagy. Δ9-THC also plays a role in ameliorating neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, neuroplasticity, trauma, and stroke and is associated with reliving childhood epilepsy, brain trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases. Δ9-THC via CB1 receptors affects nociception, emotion, memory, and reduces neuronal excitability and excitotoxicity in epilepsy. It also increases renal blood flow, reduces intraocular pressure via a sympathetic pathway, and modulates hormonal release, thereby decreasing the reproductive function and increasing glucose metabolism. Versatile medical marijuana has stimulated abundant research demonstrating substantial therapeutic promise, suggesting the possibilities of first-in-class drugs in diverse therapeutic segments. This review represents the current pharmacological status of the phytocannabinoid, Δ9-THC, and synthetic analogs in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Published
- 2021
48. Implication of scanning electron microscopy in the seed morphology with special reference to three subfamilies of Fabaceae
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Asma Jabeen, Aamir Shehzad Khan, Muhammad Zafar, Shazia Sultana, Salman Majeed, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muhammad Asad Ghufran, Abdul Waheed, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, and Fethi Ahmet Özdemir
- Subjects
Senna Plant ,Histology ,Morphology (linguistics) ,Hilum (biology) ,02 engineering and technology ,Texture (geology) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Reticulate ,Botany ,Senna alata ,Caesalpinioideae ,Instrumentation ,biology ,food and beverages ,Fabaceae ,030206 dentistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,biology.organism_classification ,Medical Laboratory Technology ,Seeds ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Mimosoideae ,Anatomy ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
The current research work was aimed to determine the morphological variation in the seeds of subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae, and Papilionoideae using scanning electron microscope to investigate the different seed features including; Seed length, width, weight, hilum shape, position, fracture line pattern, pleurogram shape, texture crudeness, ornamentation wall, and surface ornamentation. A total of 12 species were collected. The study reveals that the seed types alters from psilate to rugose, pleurogram shape from lunar to U shape, hilum shape from elliptical to depressed, hilum position from terminal to subterminal, fracture line pattern from reticulate irregular ridges to psilate with regular ridges, texture crudeness from fine to coarse, surface ornamentation from reticulate to psilate, and ornamentation wall also varies from thin to thick. In all the studied species, it was found that seed surface was brown in color except in Senna alata, in which seed surface was black. Regarding the seed size, it was found that the smallest seed was observed for Sesbania sesban, while the largest seed was observed for Pongamia pinnata. The present research article indicates the taxonomic significance of seed morphology in the subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosaceae, and Papilionoideae.
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- 2021
49. Antiparkinsonian activity of Cucurbita pepo seeds along with possible underlying mechanism
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Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Aisha Shehzad, Uzma Saleem, Zunera Chauhdary, Shabana Bibi, Shahid Shah, Zohaib Raza, and Bashir Ahmad
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Aché ,Pharmacology ,Biochemistry ,Antioxidants ,Antiparkinson Agents ,Superoxide dismutase ,03 medical and health sciences ,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Cucurbita pepo ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cucurbita ,Malondialdehyde ,Animals ,Tocopherol ,biology ,Plant Extracts ,Superoxide Dismutase ,Parkinson Disease ,Glutathione ,biology.organism_classification ,language.human_language ,Rats ,Bioavailability ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Catalase ,biology.protein ,language ,Neurology (clinical) ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Cucurbita pepo is used as a vegetable in Pakistan and its seeds are also rich in tocopherol. Data showed the pivotal role of tocopherol in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The current study was designed to probe into the antiparkinson activity of methanolic extract of C. pepo (MECP) seeds in the haloperidol-induced Parkinson rat model. Behavioral studies showed improvement in motor functions. The increase in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels whereas the decreases in the malondialdehyde and nitrite levels were noted in a dose-dependent manner. Acetylcholine-esterase (AchE) activity was increased. Molecular docking results revealed significant binding interaction of selected phytoconstituents within an active site of target protein AchE (PDB ID: 4EY7). Furthermore, α-synuclein was up regulated with down regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β in the qRT-PCR study. Subsequently, ADMET results on the basis of structure to activity predictions in terms of pharmacokinetics and toxicity estimations show that selected phytochemicals exhibited moderately acceptable properties. These properties add knowledge towards the structural features which could improve the bioavailability of selected phytochemicals before moving towards the initial phase of the drug development. Our integrated drug discovery scheme concluded that C. pepo seeds could ameliorate symptoms of PD and may prove a lead remedy for the treatment of PD.
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- 2021
50. Neuroprotective potential of Malva neglecta is mediated via down-regulation of cholinesterase and modulation of oxidative stress markers
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Rubina Akhtar, Zunera Chaudary, Muhammad Ayaz, Muhammad Ajmal Shah, Bashir Ahmad, Uzma Saleem, and Fareeha Anwar
- Subjects
Male ,0301 basic medicine ,Aché ,Down-Regulation ,Pharmacology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Biochemistry ,Neuroprotection ,03 medical and health sciences ,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Cognition ,0302 clinical medicine ,Alzheimer Disease ,medicine ,Animals ,Cholinesterases ,Rats, Wistar ,Maze Learning ,Cholinesterase ,Malva ,biology ,Plant Extracts ,Superoxide Dismutase ,business.industry ,Glutathione ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,language.human_language ,Rats ,Oxidative Stress ,Neuroprotective Agents ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,biology.protein ,language ,Malva neglecta ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,Alzheimer's disease ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Oxidative stress ,Acetylcholine ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease affects daily routine due to loss of memory and decline in cognition. In vitro data showed acetylcholine esterase inhibition activity of Malva neglecta but no in vivo evidence is available. The current study aims to investigate the anti-Alzheimer’s activity of Malva neglecta methanolic extract in the AlCl3-induced Alzheimer disease rats’ model. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups and respective doses were given orally for 21 days. Behavioural observations were recorded and biochemical analysis was performed on brain homogenate. Improvement in memory and cognition was noted in treated rats as compared to disease control. A dose-dependent decrease (0.530 ± 0.009 at 200 mg/kg, 0.212 ± 0.007 at 400 mg/kg, 0.173 ± 0.005 at 600 mg/kg) in AChE activity was noted in the treatment groups with reference to disease control value (1.572 ± 0.013). This decrease in AChE activity is linked with an increase in acetylcholine in the brain which plays a key role in retaining memory. Oxidative stress biomarkers; GSH (66.77 ± 0.01 at 600 mg/kg), SOD (26.60 ± 0.10 at 600 mg/kg), CAT (21.46 ± 0.01 at 600 mg/kg) levels were increased with a decrease in MDA (103.33 ±0.49 at 600 mg/kg) level in a dose-dependently manner in the treatment groups as compared to disease control respective values. It is concluded that Malva neglecta could ameliorate Alzheimer’s symptoms possibly by decreasing AChE activity and oxidative stress.
- Published
- 2021
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