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  1. Fulltext Chemical speciation and potential mobility of heavy metals in the soil of former tin mining catchment
    Ashraf MA, Maah MJ, Yusoff I
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:125608.
    PMID: 22566758 DOI: 10.1100/2012/125608
    This study describes the chemical speciation of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As, and Sn in soil of former tin mining catchment. Total five sites were selected for sampling and subsequent subsamples were collected from each site in order to create a composite sample for analysis. Samples were analysed by the sequential extraction procedure using optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Small amounts of Cu, Cr, and As retrieved from the exchangeable phase, the ready available for biogeochemical cycles in the ecosystem. Low quantities of Cu and As could be taken up by plants in these kind of acidic soils. Zn not detected in the bioavailable forms while Pb is only present in negligible amounts in very few samples. The absence of mobile forms of Pb eliminates the toxic risk both in the trophic chain and its migration downwards the soil profile. The results also indicate that most of the metals have high abundance in residual fraction indicating lithogenic origin and low bioavailability of the metals in the studied soil. The average potential mobility for the metals giving the following order: Sn > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > As.
  2. Fulltext Synthesis of Radiation Curable Palm Oil-Based Epoxy Acrylate: NMR and FTIR Spectroscopic Investigations
    Salih AM, Ahmad MB, Ibrahim NA, Dahlan KZ, Tajau R, Mahmood MH, et al.
    Molecules, 2015;20(8):14191-211.
    PMID: 26248072 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200814191
    Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing demand for bio-based polymers and resins in industrial applications, due to their potential lower cost and environmental impact compared with petroleum-based counterparts. The present research concerns the synthesis of epoxidized palm oil acrylate (EPOLA) from an epoxidized palm oil product (EPOP) as environmentally friendly material. EPOP was acrylated by acrylic acid via a ring opening reaction. The kinetics of the acrylation reaction were monitored throughout the reaction course and the acid value of the reaction mixture reached 10 mg KOH/g after 16 h, indicating the consumption of the acrylic acid. The obtained epoxy acrylate was investigated intensively by means of FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, and the results revealed that the ring opening reaction was completed successfully with an acrylation yield about 82%. The UV free radical polymerization of EPOLA was carried out using two types of photoinitiators. The radiation curing behavior was determined by following the conversion of the acrylate groups. The cross-linking density and the hardness of the cured EPOLA films were measured to evaluate the effect of the photoinitiator on the solid film characteristics, besides, the thermal and mechanical properties were also evaluated.
  3. Fulltext Characterization of high-value bioactives in some selected varieties of Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    Zubair M, Anwar F, Ashraf M, Uddin MK
    Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(4):4608-4622.
    PMID: 22605998 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13044608
    The present study reports the composition and variation of fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols and γ-oryzanol among selected varieties namely Basmati Super, Basmati 515, Basmati 198, Basmati 385, Basmati 2000, Basmati 370, Basmati Pak, KSK-139, KS-282 and Irri-6 of Pakistani rice (Oryza sativa L). Oil content extracted with n-hexane from different varieties of brown rice seed (unpolished rice) ranged from 1.92% to 2.72%. Total fatty acid contents among rice varieties tested varied between 18240 and 25840 mg/kg brown rice seed. The rice tested mainly contained oleic (6841-10952 mg/kg) linoleic (5453-7874 mg/kg) and palmitic acid (3613-5489 mg/kg). The amounts of total phytosterols (GC and GC-MS analysis), with main contribution from β-sitosterol (445-656 mg/kg), campesterol (116-242 mg/kg), Δ(5)-avenasterol (89-178 mg/kg) and stigmasterol (75-180 mg/kg) were established to be 739.4 to 1330.4 mg/kg rice seed. The content of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols as analyzed by HPLC varied from 39.0-76.1, 21.6-28.1 and 6.5-16.5 mg/kg rice seed, respectively. The amounts of different γ-oryzanol components (HPLC data), identified as cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylene cycloartanyl ferulate, campesteryl ferulate and β-sitosteryl ferulate, were in the range of 65.5-103.6, 140.2-183.1, 29.8-45.5 and 8.6-10.4 mg/kg rice seed, respectively. Overall, the concentration of these bioactives was higher in the Basmati rice cultivars showing their functional food superiority. In conclusion, the tested varieties of Pakistani rice, especially the Basmati cultivars, can provide best ingredients for functional foods.
  4. Fulltext Who are the women wishing to opt for contraception?
    Mushtaq K, Ashraf M, Thaver IH
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2020 Dec;70(12(B)):2460-2463.
    PMID: 33475564 DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.770
    This descriptive cross-sectional research study was conducted to determine the characteristics of the women who intend to use a modern family planning method. For this 154 women were selected in a small village and faceto- face interviews were conducted. The findings indicate that 86 (56%) women intended to use a contraceptive method. The regression model showed that women who had the knowledge about different methods, those who had previously ever used family planning method and those who had never used any traditional method are more likely to adopt modern contraceptive methods.
  5. Fulltext Hospitalized Patients' Awareness Of Their Rights-A Cross Sectional Survey In A Public And Private Tertiary Care Hospitals Of Punjab, Pakistan
    Tabassum T, Ashraf M, Thaver I
    J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad, 2016 Jul-Sep;28(3):582-586.
    PMID: 28712241
    BACKGROUND: The awareness of patient's rights is negligible in developing countries where no legal framework is present to protect these rights and Pakistan is no exception. Not only is there an absence of legal structure for protection of patients' rights, but the enforcement and implementation for existing law is also questionable. Pakistan has an Islamic Charter of Medical and Health Ethics which includes the medical behaviour and physician's rights and duties towards the patients. Despite all these charters on patients' rights, there is little to no awareness regarding these rights and their practice remains low in healthcare system of Pakistan. This assessment of awareness among patients about their rights will guide in formulating recommendations to improve the existing system of healthcare delivery in the country.

    METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in two hospitals in Lahore, each belonging to public and private sector. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from patients. A total of 220 patients were selected to participate in the study, 110 belonging to each private and public hospital.

    RESULTS: The findings indicate that most of the patients (64%) were not aware of their rights. The awareness level was better in patients seeking care from private hospital than those from public hospital. Education, monthly income and type of hospital utilized were found to be positively associated with the level of awareness. Most of the patients were not satisfied with the practices of their rights, especially in public hospitals.

    CONCLUSIONS: The lack of awareness regarding the rights of a patient was more common in patients of public/government hospitals compared to private hospitals. A nation-wide healthcare education program is needed to increase awareness and practice of patients' rights in the country.
  6. Fulltext Factors affecting successful scale-up of health-related pilot projects
    Ashraf M, Ismail A, Idris IB, Thaver I
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2021 02;71(2(A)):518-523.
    PMID: 33819241 DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.477
    OBJECTIVE: To identify the key factors that contribute to the successful scale-up of pilot projects, with emphasis on factors that are proven helpful in the successful scaling up of health interventions.

    METHODS: Grey literature was searched at the library of the University of Kebangsaan, Malaysia, on database engines Google Scholar and Science Direct with specific key words to screen papers published from January 2001 to June 2016. They were reviewed to identify the key factors affecting scaling up of health-related pilot projects. Full-text articles were selected, and their reference lists were checked to look for relevant papers. They were short-listed and analysed using thematic approach.

    RESULTS: Of the 47 articles initially screened, 14(29.78%) were shortlisted. Thematic analysis of the selected articles suggested several key factors contributed to the successful scale-up of pilot projects. These factors included evidence-based and effective intervention, community readiness, government support, stakeholders' engagement, and monitoring and supervision.

    CONCLUSIONS: To maximise health coverage in developing and low middle-income countries, scaling up of health interventions on a large scale is essential to improve the health and wellbeing of people. The identified key factors should be considered while planning the scale-up of any health project.

  7. Fulltext A cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine among pharmacy and non-pharmacy university students
    Ashraf M, Saeed H, Saleem Z, Rathore HA, Rasool F, Tahir E, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 May 03;19(1):95.
    PMID: 31053114 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2503-y
    BACKGROUND: Traditional medicine has always been Pakistan's cultural heritage, providing health care to a large part of its population. Thus, we aimed to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, and perception about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) between pharmacy and non-pharmacy students, the results of which may be helpful in devising national health-education policy.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by enrolling 937 students, pharmacy (437) and non-pharmacy (500), of Punjab University, Lahore. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS. (IBM v22).

    RESULTS: Data suggested that majority of students knew about the use of traditional herbs and considered massage (P: 84.4%, NP: 82%, p = 0.099), homeopathy, herbs (P: 86.5%, NP: 81%, p = 0.064], yoga [P: 357 (81.7%), NP: 84%), p = 0.42] and spiritual healing (P: 85.6%, NP: 86.2%, p = 0.55) as effective and least harmful CAM modalities. The pharmacy students had better knowledge about CAM modalities compared to non-pharmacy students. Despite utilizing non-reliable sources of CAM information and their belief that CAM is practiced by quacks, the majority of students had positive attitudes and perceptions about CAM usage. Students also believed that CAM had a positive impact on health outcomes [P: 3.19 ± 1.04, NP: 3.02 ± 1.09, p = 0.008] and acceded to include CAM in the pharmacy curriculum. However, non-pharmacy students scored higher in their beliefs that CAM usage should be discouraged due to the non-scientific basis of CAM (P: 3.04 ± 0.97, NP: 3.17 ± 1.02, p = 0.028) and a possible threat to public health (P: 3.81 ± 1.74, NP: 4.06 ± 1.56, p = 0.02). On the other hand, pharmacy students believed that patients might get benefits from CAM modalities (P: 4.31 ± 1.48, NP: 4.12 ± 1.45, p = 0.02). Majority of students perceived that spiritual healing is the most useful and safer CAM modality, while acupuncture (P: 25.4%, NP: 21.8%, p = 0.0005), hypnosis (P: 26.8%, NP: 19.6%, p = 0.001) and chiropractic (P: 18.8%, NP: 11.6%, p = 0.0005) were among the harmful ones.

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, despite poor knowledge about CAM, students demonstrated positive attitudes and beliefs regarding CAM. They exhibited better awareness about yoga, spiritual healing/prayer, herbs, and massage. Students also showed willingness to advance their knowledge about CAM and favored its inclusion in the curriculum.

  8. Conventional versus microwave assisted synthesis, molecular docking and enzyme inhibitory activities of new 3,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,4-triazole analogues
    Virk NA, Rehman A, Abbasi MA, Siddiqui SZ, Rashid U, Iqbal J, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2018 Jul;31(4(Supplementary)):1501-1510.
    PMID: 30058542
    N-(Substituted)-5-(1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio) acetamide were synthesized by following conventional as well as microwave assisted protocol through five consecutive steps under the impact of various reaction conditions to control the reaction time and the yield of product. Starting from 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride and ethyl isonipecotate, product 3 was obtained which was converted into product 4 by treating with hydrazine hydrate. In step 3, the product 4 was refluxed with methyl isothiocyanate and KOH to yield compound 5 which was finally treated with variety of N-substituted acetamides to yield an array of different new compounds (8a-k). These synthesized compounds were evaluated for their inhibition potential against bovine carbonic anhydrase (bCA-II), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Compound 8g demonstrated good activity against bCA-II, AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 8.69 ± 0.38 μM, 11.87±0.19 μM and 26.01±0.55 μM respectively. SAR studies assisted with molecular docking were carried out to explore the mode of binding of the compounds against the studied enzymes.
  9. Xanthenone-based hydrazones as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors: Synthesis, solid state self-assembly and in silico studies
    Tariq QU, Malik S, Khan A, Naseer MM, Khan SU, Ashraf A, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2019 03;84:372-383.
    PMID: 30530108 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.11.053
    Xanthenone based hydrazone derivatives (5a-n) have been synthesized as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors. All synthesized compounds (5a-n) are characterized by their FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS, and in case of 5g also by X-ray crystallographic technique. The compounds unveiled a varying degree of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity when compared with standard acarbose (IC50 = 375.38 ± 0.12 µM). Amongst the series, compound 5l (IC50 = 62.25 ± 0.11 µM) bearing a trifluoromethyl phenyl group is found to be the most active compound. Molecular modelling is performed to establish the binding pattern of the more active compound 5l, which revealed the significance of substitution pattern. The pharmacological properties of molecules are also calculated by MedChem Designer which determines the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) properties of molecules. The solid state self-assembly of compound 5g is discussed to show the conformation and role of iminoamide moiety in the molecular packing.
  10. 2-Furoic piperazide derivatives as promising drug candidates of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's diseases: In vitro and in silico studies
    Abbasi MA, Hassan M, Ur-Rehman A, Siddiqui SZ, Hussain G, Shah SAA, et al.
    Comput Biol Chem, 2018 Dec;77:72-86.
    PMID: 30245349 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.09.007
    The heterocyclic compounds have been extensively reported for their bioactivity potential. The current research work reports the synthesis of some new multi-functional derivatives of 2-furoic piperazide (1; 1-(2-furoyl)piperazine). The synthesis was initiated by reacting the starting compound 1 with 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (2) in a basic, polar and protic medium to obtain the parent sulfonamide 3 which was then treated with different electrophiles, 4a-g, in a polar and aprotic medium to acquire the designed molecules, 5a-g. These convergent derivatives were evaluated for their inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Acarbose was used as a reference standard for α-glucosidase inhibition while eserine for AChE and BChE inhibition. Some of the synthesized compounds were identified as promising inhibitors of these three enzymes and their bioactivity potentials were also supported by molecular docking study. The most active compounds among the synthetic analogues might be helpful in drug discovery and development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and Alzhiemer's diseases.
  11. Fulltext Novel Bi-heterocycles as Potent Inhibitors of Urease and Less Cytotoxic Agents: 3-({5-((2-Amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}sulfanyl)-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)propanamides
    Abbasi MA, Ramzan MS, Ur-Rehman A, Siddiqui SZ, Hassan M, Ali Shah SA, et al.
    Iran J Pharm Res, 2020;19(1):487-506.
    PMID: 32922502 DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2019.13084.11362
    The synthesis of a novel series of bi-heterocyclic propanamides, 7a-l, was accomplished by S-substitution of 5-[(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol (3). The synthesis was initiated from ethyl 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetate (1) which was converted to corresponding hydrazide, 2, by hydrazine hydrate in methanol. The refluxing of hydrazide, 2, with carbon disulfide in basic medium, resulted in 5-[(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol (3). A series of electrophiles, 6a-l, was synthesized by stirring un/substituted anilines (4a-l) with 3-bromopropanoyl chloride (5) in a basic aqueous medium. Finally, the targeted compounds, 7a-l, were acquired by stirring 3 with newly synthesized electrophiles, 6a-l, in DMF using LiH as a base and an activator. The structures of these bi-heterocyclic propanamides were confirmed through spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EI-MS. These molecules were tested for their urease inhibitory potential, whereby, the whole series exhibited very promising activity against this enzyme. Their cytotoxic behavior was ascertained through hemolysis and it was observed that all these were less cytotoxic agents. The in-silico molecular docking analysis of these molecules was also in full agreement with their in-vitro enzyme inhibition data.
  12. Characterization of thymoquinone/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: Application to anti-allergy properties
    Al-Qubaisi MS, Rasedee A, Flaifel MH, Eid EEM, Hussein-Al-Ali S, Alhassan FH, et al.
    Eur J Pharm Sci, 2019 May 15;133:167-182.
    PMID: 30902654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2019.03.015
    Thymoquinone is an effective phytochemical compound in the treatment of various diseases. However, its practical administration has been limited due to poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability. In this work, we developed a novel inclusion complex of thymoquinone and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin that features improved solubility and bioactivity. The drug solubility was markedly accelerated in the increasing ratio of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to thymoquinone amount. The formation of the thymoquinone/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was evidenced using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. The release behavior of the complex, as well as of their mixtures, was examined in artificial gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 6.8) dissolution media. The formulated complex released the drug rapidly at the initial stage, followed by a slow release. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were calculated with temperatures ranging from 20 to 45 °C to evaluate the complexation process. The activity of the inclusion complex was evaluated on IgE-mediated allergic response in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells by monitoring key allergic mediators. The results revealed that compared with free thymoquinone, the inclusion complex more strongly inhibited the release of histamine, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-4, and was not cytotoxic at the tested thymoquinone concentrations (0.125-4 μg/mL) indicating the inclusion complex possibly had better antiallergic effects. Our finding suggested that the inclusion complex achieved prolonged action and reduced side-effect of thymoquinone.
  13. Unilateral exophthalmos caused by an extramedullary plasmacytoma: a case report
    Ashraf M, Abdullah J, Ariff A, Biswal BM, Mokhtar I, Othman N
    Malays J Med Sci, 2003 Jan;10(1):95-9.
    PMID: 23365508
    Solitary plasmacytoma of the head and neck is a rare disease entity. Its description in the literature consist of some case reports. Solitary plasmacytoma presenting with exophthalmos are rare. We report a case of intracranial solitary plasmacytoma in an elderly lady with involvement of the right orbitocranial region presenting with severe exophthalmos. The tumour was debulked and radiotherapy was given.
  14. Hematologic adverse effects and efficacy monitoring in chronic Hepatitis C patients treated with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy
    Rafique G, Bukhsh A, Gul A, Khiljee S, Ashraf M, Omer MO
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017 Jan;30(1):11-16.
    PMID: 28603106
    180 million people are affected by chronic Hepatitis C Virus infection globally and more than 50 million in South East Asia. Combination of Interferon and Ribavirin is the current anti-HCV therapy in practice and is associated with certain hematologic adverse effects. In this concurrent observational study the incidence rate of major hematologic adverse effects and efficacy outcomes of Interferon and Ribavirin combination therapy was evaluated in 288 chronic hepatitis C patients at Lahore General Hospital. Levels of Hb, TLC, and Platelets counts were monitored for hematologic adverse effects monitoring, whereas, ALT, AST and bilirubin levels were monitored for efficacy. PCR was done at week 4, 12 &36 for therapeutic success evaluation. A significant reduction in Hb levels (p<0.05) was observed after week 4, 8 and 12 of therapy. Frequency of anemia increased in both genders with body weight <65kg and platelet count <150,000/mm(3). End Treatment Response (ETR) was achieved in 64.5%. Anemia was the major side effect of the combination therapy particularly in the males. Higher ETR was observed in patients who achieved RVR and were <50 years of age.
  15. Fulltext Effect of multi-pronged interventions in reducing low birth weight and maternal anaemia among pregnant women. A community-based interventions research in non-agrarian resource constrained setting of rural Pakistan
    Thaver I, Ahmad AM, Ashraf M, Asghar SK, Mirza MS
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2020 Dec;70(12(A)):2092-2101.
    PMID: 33475578 DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.1218
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect on maternal and infant health of iron plus folate and multiple micronutrient supplements, along with deworming and health education session provided to pregnant women in rural, nonagrarian and food-insecure areas.

    METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted in Tharparker and Umerkot districts, Sindh, Pakistan, in 2013-14, and comprised pregnant women in their earlier weeks of pregnancy. The enrolment and follow-up phase entailed 3 visits to each subject. Areas covered by lady health workers were designated as intervention areas, and those with non-LHW population were labelled as non-intervention areas.

    RESULTS: Of the 1204 subjects, 600(49.8%) were in the intervention group and 604(50.2%) were in the nonintervention group. By the end of the follow-up phase, significantly more women had increased number of meals in the intervention group compared to the non-intervention group (p<0.001). There was a significantly higher increase in mean haemoglobin levels and body mass index of women in the intervention arm after 3 and 6 months of interventions (p<0.05). Significantly higher mean birth weight was recorded in intervention areas compared to nonintervention areas (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Community-based provision of multiple micronutrients to women along with deworming, health education and dietary counselling significantly reduced the prevalence of anaemia and reduced the incidence of low birth weight.

  16. Fulltext Successful Treatment of Cerebral Aspergillosis in a Patient with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
    Luo J, Wang X, Yang Y, Lan T, Ashraf MA, Mao Q
    West Indian Med J, 2015 12;64(5):540-542.
    PMID: 27399315 DOI: 10.7727/wimj.2016.059
    We report a case of a patient with AIDS and a brain abscess caused by aspergillus, who underwent neurosurgical excision of the lesion and received subsequent therapy with voriconazole. The patient suffered from intracranial hypertension and visual disorders.
  17. Designing of promising medicinal scaffolds for Alzheimer's disease through enzyme inhibition, lead optimization, molecular docking and dynamic simulation approaches
    Hassan M, Abbasi MA, Aziz-Ur-Rehman, Siddiqui SZ, Shahzadi S, Raza H, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2019 10;91:103138.
    PMID: 31446329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103138
    In the designed research work, a series of 2-furoyl piperazine based sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized as therapeutic agents to target the Alzheimer's disease. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized through spectral analysis and their inhibitory potential was evaluated against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The cytotoxicity of these sulfonamides was also ascertained through hemolysis of bovine red blood cells. Furthermore, compounds were inspected by Lipinki Rule and their binding profiles against BChE were discerned by molecular docking. The protein fluctuations in docking complexes were recognized by dynamic simulation. From our in vitro and in silico results 5c, 5j and 5k were identified as promising lead compounds for the treatment of targeted disease.
  18. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria
    Zeshan MQ, Ashraf M, Omer MO, Anjum AA, Ali MA, Najeeb M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Jun 01;40(2):174-182.
    PMID: 37650404 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.2.008
    The present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial potential of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Four identified bacterial isolates including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were selected and their antibiotic sensitivity was checked by disc diffusion assay. C. longa and S. aromaticum were subjected to steam distillation to obtain their essential oils. The crude essential oils were fractioned by employing column chromatography. Crude essential oils and their fractions were evaluated for their antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. All the selected bacterial isolates showed resistance to three or more than three antibiotic groups and were declared as multidrugresistant (MDRs). Crude essential oils of C. longa and S. aromaticum exhibited antimicrobial activity against all selected isolates but S. aromaticum activity was better than the C. longa with a maximum 19.3±1.50 mm zone of inhibition against A. baumannii at 1.04 µL/mL MIC. GC/MS analysis revealed the abundance of components including eugenol, eugenyl acetate, b- caryophyllene, and a- Humulene in both crude oil and fractions of S. aromaticum. While the main components of C. longa essential oil were Ar-tumerone, a-tumerone, b- Tumerone, I-Phellandrene, a-zingibirene, b- sesquiphellandrene, and p- Cymene. This study highlights that plant-based essential oils could be a promising alternative to antibiotics for which pathogens have developed resistance. C. longa and S. aromaticum carry compounds that have antimicrobial potential against multiple drug-resistant bacteria including MRSA. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii.
  19. Fulltext Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking and biological evaluation of Schiff Base derivatives of cefpodoxime
    Mahmood W, Ahmad I, Khan MA, Ali Shah SA, Ashraf M, Shahzad MI, et al.
    Heliyon, 2022 Nov;8(11):e11332.
    PMID: 36387450 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11332
    Synthesis of new Cefpodoxime derivatives via Schiff Bases mechanism and the efficiency of their antimicrobial and antiviral activities were addressed. They were analyzed for structural validation by using spectroscopic techniques using FTIR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR. Molecular docking against IBV Virus papain-like protease (PLPro) was done with Auto dock tools against compounds having excellent IC50 values against IBV (Corona Class) virus. All derivatives showed strong zone of inhibition ranges from (55 ± 2.0 to 70 ± 0.8 mm) against E. coli. Compounds 1,2,4 and 6 derivatives showed remarkable activity against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Serratia marcescens. But For most the newly synthesized derivatives C 1 (64 ± 1.60), C 3 (32 ± 0.80), and C 8 (64 ± 1.60) showed potential IC50 values against two variants of Corona class viruses i.e. Avian Influenza (H9) and Avian corona (IBV) viruses. The current study revealed that newly synthesized Schiff Bases possessed strong anti-viral potential. Further studies may make a breakthrough in medical sciences to tackle latest challenges such as Corona Virus Diseases.
  20. Synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies of S-alkylated 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols as cholinesterase inhibitors
    Arfan M, Siddiqui SZ, Abbasi MA, Rehman A, Shah SAA, Ashraf M, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2018 Nov;31(6 (Supplementary):2697-2708.
    PMID: 30587482
    The research was aimed to unravel the enzymatic potential of sequentially transformed new triazoles by chemically converting 4-methoxybenzoic acid via Fischer's esterification to 4-methoxybenzoate which underwent hydrazinolysis and the corresponding hydrazide (1) was cyclized with phenyl isothiocyanate (2) via 2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (3); an intermediate to 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-thiol (4). The electrophiles; alkyl halides 5(a-g) were further reacted with nucleophilic S-atom to attain a series of S-alkylated 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols 6(a-g). Characterization of synthesized compounds was accomplished by contemporary spectral techniques such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and EI-MS. Excellent cholinesterase inhibitory potential was portrayed by 3-(n-heptylthio)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole; 6g against AChE (IC50; 38.35±0.62μM) and BChE (IC50; 147.75±0.67μM) enzymes. Eserine (IC50; 0.04±0.01μM) was used as reference standard. Anti-proliferative activity results ascertained that derivative encompassing long straight chain substituted at S-atom of the moiety was the most potent with 4.96 % cell viability (6g) at 25μM and with 2.41% cell viability at 50μMamong library of synthesized derivatives. In silico analysis also substantiated the bioactivity statistics.
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