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Background: The development of resistance to available anticancer drugs is increasingly becoming a major challenge and new chemical entities could be unveiled to compensate for this therapeutic failure. Objectives: The current study demonstrated whether N-protected and deprotected amino acid derivatives of 2- aminopyridine could attenuate tumor development using colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods: Biological assays were performed to investigate the anticancer potential of synthesized compounds. The in silico ADME profiling and docking studies were also performed by docking the designed compounds against the active binding site of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) to analyze the binding mode of these compounds. Four derivatives 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d were selected for investigation of in vitro anticancer potential using colorectal cancer cell line HCT 116. The anti-tumor activities of synthesized compounds were further validated by evaluating the inhibitory effects of these compounds on the target protein beta-catenin through in vitro enzyme inhibitory assay. Results: Biological assays were performed to investigate the anticancer potential of synthesized compounds. The in silico ADME profiling and docking studies were also performed by docking the designed compounds against the active binding site of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) to analyze the binding mode of these compounds. Four derivatives 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d were selected for investigation of in vitro anticancer potential using colorectal cancer cell line HCT 116. The anti-tumor activities of synthesized compounds were further validated by evaluating the inhibitory effects of these compounds on the target protein beta-catenin through in vitro enzyme inhibitory assay. Conclusion: In conclusion, the synthesized compounds showed significant anti-tumor activities both in silico and in vitro, having potential for further investigating its role in colorectal cancer.

Aims: The objective of the current study was to compare the In Vitro efficacy of regionally produced brands of ceftriaxone with that of the global innovator brand. Therefore, a fact-based conclusion at the end of the study will serve to dispel any uncertainty regarding the efficacy of medications produced locally, whether they are inferior or equal in their comparative activity. Study Design: This study was In Vitro Lab based study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed in Riphah International University, Department of Pharmacy from July 2021 to August 2021. Methodology: Five regional brands and one international parent brand (Rocephin) were chosen. The multinational product was regarded as the standard. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aurogenosa were the four bacterial strains against which activities were tested. Antibiotics' zone of inhibition was measured using the agar well method, and their minimum inhibitory concentration was identified using the broth dilution method. Results: All tested brands showed effectiveness against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aurogenosa.Some of the brands at some point showed more In Vitro efficacy than the standard brand. Conclusion: Health care professionals can be confident in prescribing locally manufactured brands that have equivalent efficacy to their international counterparts based on the findings of the study. Healthcare professionals can suggest the generic brand in population where medicine cost is directly affecting the patients adherence to therapeutic regimen.

Muhammad Faheem,1 Yusuf S Althobaiti,2,3 Abdul Waheed Khan,4 Aman Ullah,1 Syed Hussain Ali,1 Umair Ilyas1 1Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia; 3Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Islamabad, PakistanCorrespondence: Muhammad Faheem; Yusuf S Althobaiti Email muhammad.faheem@riphah.edu.pk; althobaiti@tu.edu.saObjective: The study investigated the effect 5-[(naphthalen-2-yloxy) methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiaszole2-thiol (B3) in animal model of acute epileptic shock.Methods: The pharmacokinetics profile of B3 was checked through SwissADME software. The binding affinities of B3, diazepam, and flumazenil (FLZ) were obtained through Auto Dock and PyRx. Post docking analysis and interpretation of hydrogen bonds were performed through Discovery Studio Visualizer 2016. Molecular dynamics simulations of three complexes were carried out through Desmond software package. B3 was then proceeded in PTZ-induced acute seizures models. Flumazenil was used in animal studies for elucidation of possible mechanism of B3. After behavioral studies, the animals were sacrificed, and the brain samples were isolated and stored in 4% formalin for molecular investigations including H and E staining, IHC staining and Elisa etc.Results: The results demonstrate that B3 at 20 and 40 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of generalized seizures. B3 considerably increased the expression of protective glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase and reduced lipid peroxidation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (P < 0.001) in the cortex. B3 significantly suppressed (P < 0.01) the over expression of the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor–α, whose up-regulation is reported in acute epileptic shocks.Conclusion: Hence, it is concluded from the aforementioned results that B3 provides neuroprotective effects PTZ-induced acute epileptic model. FLZ pretreatment resulted in inhibition of the anticonvulsant effect of B3. B3 possesses anticonvulsant effect which may be mediated through GABAA mediated antiepileptic pathway.Keywords: docking, molecular dynamic simulations, gamma amino butyric acid A

Pharmaceutical strategies are typically unseen to patients but have a direct impact on how well healthcare is managed. This study focuses on creating a new strategy to further develop the coordinated elements supporting the pharmaceutical divisions. The study focuses on the administration and network of stores for pharmaceutical materials used in this sector in Pakistan. This study investigates previous studies to develop an improvement strategy to computerise the systems used in the distribution center and outbuildings. The study explores the impact of the disagreements between pharmaceutical organizations on the business and their commitment to the development of strategies along with recognizing the best-known strategies of pharmaceutical development and their benefits. It also offers best practices and develops a structure of understanding with respect to the pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan. The study finds that the pharmaceuticaldevelopment and its situation in Pakistan is exceptionally unique and rapidly evolving. The study formulates new strategic proposals within the broader political context of Pakistan and its pharmaceutical industry.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a serious and life-threatening tumor of central nervous system, characterized by aggressive behavior, poor prognosis, and low survival rate. Despite of the availability of aggressive antitumor therapeutic regimen for glioblastoma (radiotherapy followed by chemotherapeutic dose), recovery rate, and patients’ survival ratio is attributed to the lack of selectivity of therapeutic drugs and less advancement in cancer therapeutics over last decade. Moreover, tools employed in conventional diagnosis of glioblastoma are more invasive and painful, making the process excruciating for the patients. These challenges urge for the need of novel biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction purpose with less invasiveness and more patient compliance. This article will explore the genetic biomarkers isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation, MGMT mutations, and EGFR that can be deployed as an analytical tool in diagnosis of disease and prognosis of a therapeutic course. The review also highlights the importance of employing novel microRNAs as prognostic biomarkers. Recent clinical advancements to treat GBM and to prevent relapse of the disease are also discussed in this article in the hope of finding a robust and effective method to treat GBM.

The diverse pharmacological role of dihydropyrimidinone scaffold has made it to be an interesting drug target. Because of the high incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer, there is a dire need of discovering new pharmacotherapeutic agents in managing this disease. A series of twenty-two derivatives of 6-(chloromethyl)-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (3a-3k) and ethyl 6-(chloromethyl)-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (4a-4k) synthesized in a previous study were evaluated for their anticancer potential against breast cancer cell line. Molecular docking studies were performed to analyze the binding mode and interaction pattern of these compounds against nine breast cancer target proteins. The in vitro cell proliferation assay was performed against the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The structure activity relationship of these compounds was further studied using QSARINS. Among nine proteins, the docking analysis revealed efficient binding of compounds 4f, 4e, 3e, 4g, and 4h against all target proteins. The in vitro cytotoxic assay revealed significant anticancer activity of compound 4f having I C 50 of 2.15 μM. The compounds 4e, 3e, 4g, and 4h also showed anticancer activities with I C 50 of 2.401, 2.41, 2.47 and 2.33 μM, respectively. The standard tamoxifen showed I C 50 1.88 μM. The 2D qualitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was also carried out to identify potential breast cancer targets through QSARINS. The final QSAR equation revealed good predictivity and statistical validation R 2 and Q 2 values for the model obtained from QSARINS was 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. The active compounds showed very good anticancer activities, and the binding analysis has revealed stable hydrogen bonding of these compounds with the target proteins. Moreover, the QSAR analysis has predicted useful information on the structural requirement of these compounds as anticancer agents with the importance of topological and autocorrelated descriptors in effecting the cancer activities.

Due to the emerging mortality rate of colorectal cancer there is a high need for the management and control of this disease. Although several treatment approaches are being developed day by day yet the high incidence rate of colorectal cancer is still not controlled. To ease in the development of treatment therapies for colorectal cancer two derivatives of ethyl 2-aminothiazole 4-carboxylate were designed and synthesized. The compounds Ethyl 2-(2-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)acetamido)thiazole-4-carboxylate (5a) and ethyl 2-(2-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-phenylpropanamido)thiazole-4-carboxylate (5b) were characterized and studied for their anti-cancer activities. The in silico molecular modeling studies were performed against the target protein beta-catenin which is an important player in the progression of colorectal cancer. The in silico ADMET studies were performed to assess the basic physicochemical properties of these compounds. The in vitro antiproliferative assay and the enzyme inhibitory assay was performed to validate the role of these compounds in the colorectal cancer. The preliminary cytotoxic assay and the MTT assay of the compounds 5a and 5b against the colorectal cancer cell line HCT 116 showed 60% inhibition of cell proliferation with IC50 of 0.72μM and 1.55μM, respectively. The standard methotrexate showed IC50 of 0.7μM showing potent inhibitory action of these compounds. The in vitro validation of the anti-cancer effect of both compounds revealed significant inhibition of beta-catenin concentration at higher doses as compared to control. Both the in vitro and in vivo assays of compounds showed effective anti-cancer activities and depicts the future potential of these compounds in colorectal cancer.

Background Because of the highly heterogeneous nature of breast cancer, each subtype differs in response to several treatment regimens. This has limited the therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer disease requiring exploration of diverse therapeutic models to target tumor specific biomarkers. Methods Differentially expressed breast cancer genes identified through extensive data mapping were studied for their interaction with other target proteins involved in breast cancer progression. The molecular mechanisms by which these signature genes are involved in breast cancer metastasis were also studied through pathway analysis. The potential drug targets for these genes were also identified. Results From 50 DEGs, 20 genes were identified based on fold change and p-value and the data curation of these genes helped in shortlisting 8 potential gene signatures that can be used as potential candidates for breast cancer. Their network and pathway analysis clarified the role of these genes in breast cancer and their interaction with other signaling pathways involved in the progression of disease metastasis. The miRNA targets identified through miRDB predictor provided potential miRNA targets for these genes that can be involved in breast cancer progression. Several FDA approved drug targets were identified for the signature genes easing the therapeutic options for breast cancer treatment. Conclusion The study provides a more clarified role of signature genes, their interaction with other genes as well as signaling pathways. The miRNA prediction and the potential drugs identified will aid in assessing the role of these targets in breast cancer.

Background Colorectal cancer is known to be the most common type of cancer worldwide with high disease-related mortality. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and is the second major cause of death globally due to cancer. It is a complicated and fatal disease comprising of a group of molecular heterogeneous disorders. Results This study identifies the potential biomarkers of CRC through differentially expressed analysis, system biology, and proteomic analysis. Ten publicly available microarray datasets were analyzed and seven potential biomarkers were identified from the list of differentially expressed genes having a p value Conclusion The integrated pathway analysis indicated the role of these genes in important physiological responses, such as cell cycle regulation, WNT, hedgehog, MAPK, and calcium signaling pathways during colorectal cancer. These pathways are involved in cell proliferation, chemotaxis, cellular growth, differentiation, tissue patterning, and cytokine production. The study shows the regulatory role of these genes in colorectal cancer and the pathways that can be effected after the dysregulation of these genes.

Clinical needs for new antifungal agents have gradually and steadily increased with the rise of AIDS-related mycoses, and the change in spectrum of fatal disseminated fungal infections.Triazoles are taken as potential antifungal molecules considering the existing portfolio of antifungal agents available in the market. This study was aimed to evaluate antifungal potential of 4-Amino 5-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thione and4-(2-hydroxybenzalidine)amine-5-(2-hydroxy)phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol using molecular docking and in-vitro antifungal screening approach. This study was further designed to evaluate potential drug likeness properties and ADME/T prediction of aforementioned experimental triazoles. 3D crystal model of cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14 α-demethylaseenzyme was acquired from Protein Data Bank (PDB ID 5EQB). Docking studies revealed that both experimental compounds showed stable binding complex with lowest binding affinity values compared to reference standard Fluconazole (-6.8, -7.8 and -7.1Kcal/mol respectively for UI, UIA and Fluconazole) against cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14 α-demethylase, which is a key yeast target.In-vitro evaluation revealed that both experimental triazoles especially UIA showed promising MIC values, 24, 48 and 80 μg against Candida albican, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata respectively. Rat acute toxicity prediction using GUSAR model suggested that both experimental molecules were virtually non toxic when computationally studied through IV, IP, SC and oral routes of administration. This experimental work concludes that both triazoles possess strong fungicidal potential and should be further explored. In-silico work in current study further proposes an exceptional strategy for drug discovery with minimum cost and time

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to known antibiotics and has become a great challenge for healthcare professionals, therefore new molecules are needed to manage this situation. In this study, new lead molecules 4-Amino-5-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-Triazol-3-Thione (U1) and4-(2-hydroxybenzalidine) amine-5-(2-hydroxy) phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol(U1A Schiff base) were synthesized by fusion method that showed promising antibacterial activity (U1A: 26mm and U1: 14mm) against MRSA.FT-IR and NMR were used for structural characterization of these derivatives and their toxicity properties were assessed by Lipinski's rule of 5. New potential drug targets of this bacterium were also identified by comparative and subtraction genomics techniques. In particular, octanoyl-[GcvH]: protein N-octanoyl transferase and phosphor mevalonate kinase were used as potential targets in AutoDock Vina studies. This study can provide a framework to find potential drug targets for other pathogenic microorganisms that can successfully be docked with compound U1 and U1A.

To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to explore the risk factors associated with it.In a cross-sectional study, a population based survey was conducted on inhabitants of Rawalpindi-Islamabad region, 219 individuals; aged 18 years or above were included in the study. Blood pressure was measured along with information about individual's demographic and socio-economic characteristics were obtained using a standard questionnaire..Overall prevalence of hypertension was 29.22% (males: 21.9% and females: 78.1%) in individuals residing in Rawalpindi-Islamabad. High blood pressure is more associated with obesity (59.4%) and a progressive increase in hypertension was observed with increasing age. Bivariate analysis revealed that hypertension has a significant correlation (p-value0.05) with age, gender, family status, weight and physical health.The study concludes that our generation is well aware about the risks and consequences of hypertension, but they still continue to make no or little effort in managing or preventing it. The factors contributing to hypertension are low physical activity, diet and lack of interest to maintain their health.

Lysyl oxidase homolog 2 (LOXL2), also known as lysyl oxidase-like protein 2 is recently been explored as regulator of carcinogenesis and has been shown to be involved in tumor progression and metastasis of several carcinomas. Therefore LOXL2 has been considered as potential therapeutic target. Doing so, its inhibitors as new chemotherapeutic lead molecules: 4-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-thione (2a) and 4-(2-hydroxybenzalidine) amine-5-(2-hydroxy) phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (2b) are synthesized by fusion method (refluxed at 160 °C). Spectral analysis of these triazole derivatives are characterized by FTIR and NMR. Active binding sites and quality of the LOXL2 model is assessed by Ramachandran plots and finally drug-target analysis is performed by computational virtual screening tools. Compounds 2a and 2b showed optimum target binding affinity with -6.2 kcal/mol and -8.9 kcal/mol binding energies. This insilico study will add to our understanding of the drug designing and development, and to target cancer-causing proteins more precisely and quickly than before.