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The greatest blessing of Allah to Believers in the world is the Holy Qur'an. The whole Universe, the heaven, the earth and the creatures living in it cannot be like this blessing. From the first century Hijri to the present, countless commentaries of this great book have been written. This book has been served; no other book in the world has been served in this way. It is necessary for a Muslim to understand its meaning and laws of God as much as possible and try to follow them. For this purpose, the scholars have written numerous commentaries, all of them are based on ancient commentaries, But due to their existence in hard form, firstly they were not easily accessible to every person and secondly due to their high cost, it was also difficult to buy them, now they are available in soft form in digital libraries and various websites which can be found in every person's personal computer and smart phone, in this paper we will present an introductory study of the primary sources of the Qur'an with reference to the popular Islamic digital library “Maktabah Shamilah”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew is in folk use in Pakistan as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and liver ailments. Therefore, we have investigated antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of the isolated compounds (ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid) from the chloroform fraction of Z. oxyphylla. Ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid showed significant DPPH and H2O2 scavenging activity as compared to control. In the acute toxicity study, ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid showed no toxic effects upto 200 mg/kg. The antinociceptive activity shown by ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid at 50 mg/kg was 64.28% and 65.35% compared to diclofenac sodium (72.3%) at 50 mg/kg. The percent inhibition of xylene-induced ear edema exhibited by ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid at 50 mg/kg was 51.33% and 58.66%, respectively, as compared to diclofenac sodium (72.66%). Both the isolated compounds exhibited inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema as compared to control. Hepatoprotection exhibited by zizybrenalic acid was more pronounced than ceanothic acid as observed from the decrease in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced elevation of serum biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, zizybrenalic acid produced a marked decline in CCl4-induced prolongation of phenobarbital-induced sleeping duration. Zizybrenalic acid exhibited 55.4 ± 1.37% inhibition of hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis compared to sodium salicylate (75.6 ± 2.15%). The histopathological damage caused by CCl4 was also countered by the administration of ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid. Ceanothic acid and zizybrenalic acid exhibited antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Zizybrenalic acid exhibited better antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activity than ceanothic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulacca oleracea L. has been used for treatment of different ailments. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and possible mechanism of action involved in the anti gastric ulcerogenic effect of Portulacca oleracea. Methanolic extract & subsequent fractions (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of Portulacca oleracea (P. oleracea) were administered orally to experimental rabbits one hour before oral administration of HCl/ethanol (40:60). Anti gastric ulcerogenic potential of P. oleracea was evaluated by assessment of gastric pH, pepsin, free acidity, ulcer index, mucus content and total acidity. For the investigation of possible mechanism of action malondialdehyde (MDA), histamine, and H + K + ATPase content were determined in the stomach homogenate. Histopathological study of stomach tissue was carried out by H&E dye. Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of P. oleracea was the most potent fraction among all fractions that exhibited efficient protection against acidified ethanol mediated gastric-ulcer. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) significantly increased the pH of gastric juice, while pepsin and histamine was observed to decrease significantly in comparison to acidified ethanol group (***p ≤ 0.001). The EAF showed moderately H + K + ATPase inhibitory activity. Moreover, it was also observed that EAF decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the stomach tissue homogenate showing antioxidant effect. Histopathological studies showed that among the tested fractions, EAF significantly prevented acidified ethanol induced gastric mucosal damage. These results showed that mechanism of anti gastric ulcerogenic potential of P. oleracea could be associated with the reduction in histamine level, H + K + ATPase inhibition and reduced MDA level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been proved through observation and experience that proverbs are the best possible set of words to be grasped in all languages throughout the world. With a proverb the whole story of an era can comprehensively be expressed. Another example is that the Holy Quran is also illustrated with proper proverbs to make the Arabs understand. The holy prophet (S.A.W) himself has expressed several proverbs, the example of autumn, swimming in a river/canal etc. Sometimes famous quotation serves as proverb and sometimes wise sayings of the sages are also taken as proverbs but it has been proved by research that every famous quotation cannot be a proverb . Thus every proverb cannot be considered a quotation and every wise saying cannot be considered a proverb. The word philosophy is common and proverb is particular, if the words of philosophy are common the people used them as a vogue word, such words are called proverb,if care is not taken, it is called word of philosophy not the proverb. Although the scholars have explained all these three aspects, however, they are different from one another. Therefore, it is very necessary to deliver the proverb, philosophic and famous Arabic saying for proper comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niclosamide (NCS) is an oral anthelminthic drug having low solubility and hence low bioavailability. Current investigation shows an approach to fabricate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of NCS and evaluated for pharmaceutical, in vitro and in vivo characterization. NFM-3 showed particle size 204.2 ± 2.2 nm, polydispersity index 0.328 ± 0.02 and zeta potential -33.16 ± 2 mV. Entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity were 84.4 ± 0.02% and 5.27 ± 0.03%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy image indicated that particles were nanoranged. DSC and P-XRD results showed change in physicochemical properties of NCS. FT-IR spectra confirmed compatibility between NCS and excipients. The drug release profile showed sustained release (93.21%) of NCS in 12 h. Different kinetic models showed zero-order kinetics and Case-II transport mechanism. Study showed maximum stability at refrigerated temperature. In vivo pharmacokinetic study showed 2.15-fold increase in NCS peak plasma concentration as solid lipid nanoparticle formulation (NFM-3) compared to commercial product while relative bioavailability was 11.08. Results including in vitro and in vivo release studies of NCS confirmed that SLNs system is suitable to improve oral delivery of NCS with increased aqueous solubility, permeability and finally bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, natural resources were used as best therapeutic sources for different diseases. Among several herbal resources, certain plant families are known for their analgesic activities, such as Dianthus crinitus , which showed a good curative potential. The mentioned plant has been used traditionally for the healing of several illnesses such as pain, inflammation, injuries, etc. The current study, therefore, evaluated the analgesic and anti-antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts of leaves, flowers, and seeds of Dianthus crinitus in mice. For analgesic activity, acetic acid and a hot plate thermal stimulation method were used to induce writhes in mice, followed by a tail emersion process. Results showed that the extract demonstrated analgesic potential in mice, signifying both peripheral and central modes of action. Furthermore, extract also significantly inhibited the rat paw edema triggered by carrageenan seaweed and dextran as revealed by neutrophil migration toward the peritoneal cavities of animals and enhanced vascular permeability. The data suggested that the extract exhibited a dose-dependent antioxidant action. These preliminary observations provided support for further exploration and justification for the potential development of a new class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicines from the constituents of Dianthus crinitus extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew (ZO) has been traditionally used for the treatment of hepatic diseases in Pakistan. The current study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness and mechanism underlying hepatoprotective effect of ZO. Hepatoprotective potential of root extracts (crude methanolic extract and subsequent fractions) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in BALB/c mice via determination of serum biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase), lipid peroxidation and histopathology. Membrane stabilizing activity was determined via inhibition of hypotonic solution and heat-induced hemolysis. Crude methanolic extract and chloroform fraction ameliorated CCl4 induced elevated levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins (TP), total bilirubin (TB) and reversed the antioxidants imbalance in terms of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Crude methanol extract inhibited hemolysis induced by hypotonic solution and heat. Histopathological examination of liver specimens of extracts administered mice exhibited recovery from CCl4 induced pathological changes. Moreover, CCl4 induced alteration in body and liver weight was countered by the administration of ZO. Compounds betulinic acid (AZO1), ceanothic acid (AZO2) and zizybrenalic acid (AZO3) were isolated from chloroform fraction of the plant. The structures of compounds were deduced using 1D-and 2D-NMR spectroscopy techniques. The results show that Ziziphus oxyphylla roots extract possess antihepatotoxic activity mediated by the protection of anti-oxidant defense system and membrane-stabilizing activity, probably due to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution clay mineral assemblages and siliciclastic grain-size records were collected from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) high sedimentation Site U1483 off the Scott Plateau of the northwest Australian margin and studied to identify the clay mineral sources, transport processes, and ocean current behavior, as well as to evaluate the Australian summer monsoon over the last 410 kyr. Clay minerals are primarily composed of smectite (41–70%), followed by kaolinite (10–28%), illite (13.5–25%), and trace chlorite (3–14%). The provenance study revealed that the primary sources of clay minerals at Site U1483 are the Victoria and Ord rivers in northwest Australia. Smectite is mainly derived from the mafic volcanic and smectite-rich Bonaparte Gulf, whereas kaolinite and illite are primarily derived from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks, respectively, found in the drainage areas of these rivers. Chlorite is primarily contributed by the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF), with a minor contribution from the northwest Australian rivers. Variations in the clay mineral assemblages and grain-size records indicate strong glacial–interglacial cyclicity, with small grain sizes, high smectite content, and low kaolinite and illite content during glacial periods. During interglacial periods, grain size, kaolinite, and illite percentages increase. Smectite is the dominant clay mineral during both the glacial and interglacial periods. (Kaolinite + illite + chlorite)/smectite and kaolinite/smectite ratios are adopted as proxies for the Leeuwin Current strength and the Australian summer monsoon, respectively. During glacial periods, low kaolinite/smectite and (kaolinite + illite + chlorite)/smectite ratios indicate a weak summer monsoon, resulting in low river discharge and a weak Leeuwin Current, which can transport small smectite-sized sediments to the core location. High kaolinite/smectite and (kaolinite + illite + chlorite)/smectite ratios during interglacial periods correspond to intense Australian monsoons and a strong ITF and Leeuwin Current, which contributed relatively more kaolinite and illite than during glacial periods. The proxy records' spectral analysis indicates a strong eccentricity period of 100-kyr, an obliquity period of 41-kyr, and a precession period of 23-kyr, implying that the clay mineral input along the northwest Australian margin is influenced by both high-latitude ice sheet forcing and low-latitude tropical processes. • Victoria and Ord Rivers have contributed clay minerals to the location of Site U1483 off northwest Australian margin. • The ITF, Leeuwin Current, and the Australian monsoon were weak during glacials while relatively strong during interglacials. • Terrigenous input has been controlled by ocean current strength, sea-level oscillation, and the Australian summer monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]