MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 21 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

TraPy-MAC: Traffic Priority Aware Medium Access Control Protocol for Wireless Body Area Network

Ullah F, Abdullah AH, Kaiwartya O, Cao Y

J Med Syst, 2017 Jun;41(6):93.
PMID: 28466452 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-017-0739-y

Recently, Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) has witnessed significant attentions in research and product development due to the growing number of sensor-based applications in healthcare domain. Design of efficient and effective Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is one of the fundamental research themes in WBAN. Static on-demand slot allocation to patient data is the main approach adopted in the design of MAC protocol in literature, without considering the type of patient data specifically the level of severity on patient data. This leads to the degradation of the performance of MAC protocols considering effectiveness and traffic adjustability in realistic medical environments. In this context, this paper proposes a Traffic Priority-Aware MAC (TraPy-MAC) protocol for WBAN. It classifies patient data into emergency and non-emergency categories based on the severity of patient data. The threshold value aided classification considers a number of parameters including type of sensor, body placement location, and data transmission time for allocating dedicated slots patient data. Emergency data are not required to carry out contention and slots are allocated by giving the due importance to threshold value of vital sign data. The contention for slots is made efficient in case of non-emergency data considering threshold value in slot allocation. Moreover, the slot allocation to emergency and non-emergency data are performed parallel resulting in performance gain in channel assignment. Two algorithms namely, Detection of Severity on Vital Sign data (DSVS), and ETS Slots allocation based on the Severity on Vital Sign (ETS-SVS) are developed for calculating threshold value and resolving the conflicts of channel assignment, respectively. Simulations are performed in ns2 and results are compared with the state-of-the-art MAC techniques. Analysis of results attests the benefit of TraPy-MAC in comparison with the state-of-the-art MAC in channel assignment in realistic medical environments.
The Use of the Health Belief Model in the Context of Heatwaves Research: A Rapid Review

Ullah F, Ragazzoni L, Hubloue I, Barone-Adesi F, Valente M

Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2024 Feb 22;18:e34.
PMID: 38384190 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2024.26

As heatwaves increase and intensify worldwide, so has the research aimed at outlining strategies to protect individuals from their impact. Interventions that promote adaptive measures to heatwaves are encouraged, but evidence on how to develop such interventions is still scarce. Although the Health Belief Model is one of the leading frameworks guiding behavioral change interventions, the evidence of its use in heatwave research is limited. This rapid review aims to identify and describe the main themes and key findings in the literature regarding the use of the Health Belief Model in heatwaves research. It also highlights important research gaps and future research priorities. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 10 articles were included, with a geographic distribution as follows: United States (n = 1), Australia (n = 1), Pakistan (n = 1), and China (n = 1), as well as Malaysia (n = 2), Germany (n = 1), and Austria (n = 1). Results showed a lack of research using the Health Belief Model to study heatwaves induced by climate change. Half of the studies assessed heatwave risk perception, with the 2 most frequently used constructs being Perceived Susceptibility and Perceived Severity. The Self-efficacy construct was instead used less often. Most of the research was conducted in urban communities. This review underscores the need for further research using the Health Belief Model.
Functional properties of chitosan built nanohydrogel with enhanced glucose-sensitivity

Ullah F, Othman MB, Javed F, Ahmad Z, Akil HM, Rasib SZ

Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Feb;83:376-84.
PMID: 26597568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.11.040

A new approach to design multifunctional chitosan based nanohydrogel with enhanced glucose sensitivity, stability, drug loading and release profile are reported. Two approaches were followed for functionalization of chitosan based nanohydrogel with 3-APBA via EDC and 3-APTES. The effective functionalization, structure and morphology of Chitosan based IPN respectively were confirmed by FTIR, SEM and AFM. At physiological conditions, the glucose-induced volume phase transition and release profile of the model drug Alizarin Red with 1,2-diol structure (comparative to insulin as a drug as well as a dye for bio separation) were studied at various glucose concentrations, pH and ionic strengths. The results suggested a new concept for diabetes treatment and diols sensitivity in view of their potential hi-tech applications in self-regulated on-off response to the treatment (drug delivery and bio separation concurrently).
Classification, processing and application of hydrogels: A review

Ullah F, Othman MB, Javed F, Ahmad Z, Md Akil H

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2015 Dec 1;57:414-33.
PMID: 26354282 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.07.053

This article aims to review the literature concerning the choice of selectivity for hydrogels based on classification, application and processing. Super porous hydrogels (SPHs) and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) represent an innovative category of recent generation highlighted as an ideal mould system for the study of solution-dependent phenomena. Hydrogels, also termed as smart and/or hungry networks, are currently subject of considerable scientific research due to their potential in hi-tech applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioseparation, biosensor, agriculture, oil recovery and cosmetics fields. Smart hydrogels display a significant physiochemical change in response to small changes in the surroundings. However, such changes are reversible; therefore, the hydrogels are capable of returning to its initial state after a reaction as soon as the trigger is removed.
Kinetic investigation and lifetime prediction of Cs-NIPAM-MBA-based thermo-responsive hydrogels

Othman MB, Khan A, Ahmad Z, Zakaria MR, Ullah F, Akil HM

Carbohydr Polym, 2016 Jan 20;136:1182-93.
PMID: 26572461 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.034

This study attempted to clarify the influence of a cross-linker, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) on the non-isothermal kinetic degradation, solid state and lifetime of hydrogels using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (F-W-O), Kissinger, and Coats-Redfern (C-Red) methods. The series of dual-responsive Cs-PNIPAM-MBA microgels were synthesized by soapless-emulsion free radical copolymerization in an aqueous medium at 70 °C. The thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogen atmosphere. The apparent activation energy using the chosen Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Kissinger methods showed that they fitted each other. Meanwhile, the type of solid state mechanism was determined using the Coats-Redfern method proposed for F1 (pure Cs) and F2 (Cs-PNIPAM-MBA hydrogel series) types, which comprise random nucleation with one nucleus reacting on individual particles, and random nucleation with two nuclei reacting on individual particles, respectively. On average, a higher Ea was attributed to the greater cross-linking density of the Cs hydrogel.
Identification of green energy ranunculaceous flora of district Chitral, Northern Pakistan using pollen features through scanning electron microscopy

Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Ahmad M, Abbas Q, Ayoub M, et al.

Microsc Res Tech, 2018 Sep;81(9):1004-1016.
PMID: 30303585 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23066

Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The utilization of this plantmayhelpfulin the areas of lignocellulosic conversion to biofuels and diversify application toward biomass. The current study was planned with the aim to evaluate the pollen features of complex Ranunculaceous flora of District Chitral, Northern Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollens of 18 Ranunculaceous species belonging to 6 genera were collected from different localities of the research area. SEM and LM were used to examine both qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological features. Sculptring of the sexine include; Scabrate, psilate, echinate, verrucate, perforate gemmate, and reticulate and so forth. Shape of the pollens was sub-spheroidal, spheroidal, prolate, subprolate and oblate and so forth. Type of pollen was ranged from mono to tricolpate and tricolporate. Quantitative characters include length/width of the pollen, colpus, exine thickness, and P/E ratio. Based on these micro-morphological features a taxonomic key was prepared for the fast and correct identification. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Study of the pollen micro-morphological features of Ranunculaceous species by SEM and LM. Analysing both qualitative and quantitative characters of the pollens. Preparation of taxonomic key based on micro-morphological features for the correct and fast identification.
Synthesis, thymidine phosphorylase, angiogenic inhibition and molecular docking study of isoquinoline derivatives

Zaman K, Rahim F, Taha M, Wadood A, Adnan Ali Shah S, Gollapalli M, et al.

Bioorg Chem, 2019 08;89:102999.
PMID: 31151055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.102999

Isoquinoline analogues (KA-1 to 16) have been synthesized and evaluated for their E. coli thymidine phosphorylase inhibitory activity. Except compound 11, all other analogs showed outstanding thymidine inhibitory potential ranging in between 4.40 ± 0.20 to 69.30 ± 1.80 µM when compared with standard drug 7-Deazaxanthine (IC50 = 38.68 ± 4.42 µM). Structure Activity Relationships has been established for all compounds, mainly based on substitution pattern on phenyl ring. All analogs were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EI-MS. The binding interactions of isoquinoline analogues with the active site of TP enzyme, the molecular docking studies were performed. Furthermore, the angiogenic inhibitory potentials of isoquinoline analogues (KA-1-9, 14, 12 and 16) were determined in the presence of standard drug Dexamethasone based on percentage inhibitions at various concentrations. Herein this work analogue KA-12, 14 and 16 emerged with most potent angiogenic inhibitory potentials among the synthesized analogues.
Synthesis and evaluation on pH- and temperature-responsive chitosan-p(MAA-co-NIPAM) hydrogels

Rasib SZM, Ahmad Z, Khan A, Akil HM, Othman MBH, Hamid ZAA, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2018 Mar;108:367-375.
PMID: 29222015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.021

In this study, chitosan-poly(methacrylic acid-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) [chitosan-p(MAA-co-NIPAM)] hydrogels were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. In order to be used as a carrier for drug delivery systems, the hydrogels had to be biocompatible, biodegradable and multi-responsive. The polymerization was performed by copolymerize MAA and NIPAM with chitosan polymer to produce a chitosan-based hydrogel. Due to instability during synthesis and complexity of components to produce the hydrogel, further study at different times of reaction is important to observe the synthesis process, the effect of end product on swelling behaviour and the most important is to find the best way to control the hydrogel synthesis in order to have an optimal swelling behaviour for drug release application. Studied by using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy found that, the synthesized was successfully produced stable chitosan-based hydrogel with PNIPAM continuously covered the outer surface of hydrogel which influenced much on the stability during synthesis. The chitosan and PMAA increased the zeta potential of the hydrogel and the chitosan capable to control shrinkage above human body temperature. The chitosan-p(MAA-co-NIPAM) hydrogels also responses to pH and temperature thus improved the ability to performance as a drug carrier.
Synthesis and functionalization of chitosan built hydrogel with induced hydrophilicity for extended release of sparingly soluble drugs

Ullah F, Javed F, Othman MBH, Khan A, Gul R, Ahmad Z, et al.

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 2018 03;29(4):376-396.
PMID: 29285989 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2017.1421347

Addressing the functional biomaterials as next-generation therapeutics, chitosan and alginic acid were copolymerized in the form of chemically crosslinked interpenetrating networks (IPNs). The native hydrogel was functionalized via carbodiimide (EDC), catalyzed coupling of soft ligand (1,2-Ethylenediamine) and hard ligand (4-aminophenol) to replace -OH groups in alginic acid units for extended hydrogel- interfaces with the aqueous and sparingly soluble drug solutions. The chemical structure, Lower solution critical temperature (LCST ≈ 37.88 °C), particle size (Zh,app ≈ 150-200 nm), grain size (160-360 nm), surface roughness (85-250 nm), conductivity (37-74 mv) and zeta potential (16-32 mv) of native and functionalized hydrogel were investigated by using FT-IR, solid state-13C-NMR, TGA, DSC, FESEM, AFM and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The effective swelling, drug loading (47-78%) and drug release (53-86%) profiles were adjusted based on selective functionalization of hydrophobic IPNs due to electrostatic complexation and extended interactions of hydrophilic ligands with the aqueous and drug solutions. Drug release from the hydrogel matrices with diffusion coefficient n ≈ 0.7 was established by Non- Fickian diffusion mechanism. In vitro degradation trials of the hydrogel with a 20% loss of wet mass in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and 38% loss of wet mass in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), were investigated for 400 h through bulk erosion. Consequently, a slower rate of drug loading and release was observed for native hydrogel, due to stronger H-bonding, interlocking and entanglement within the IPNs, which was finely tuned and extended by the induced hydrophilic and functional ligands. In the light of induced hydrophilicity, such functional hydrogel could be highly attractive for extended release of sparingly soluble drugs.
Fulltext Ferrocene-Based Terpolyamides and Their PDMS-Containing Block Copolymers: Synthesis and Physical Properties

Mushtaq I, Jabeen E, Akhter Z, Javed F, Hassan A, Khan MSU, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Nov 23;14(23).
PMID: 36501482 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235087

Aromatic polyamides are well-known as high-performance materials due to their outstanding properties making them useful in a wide range of applications. However, their limited solubility in common organic solvents restricts their processability and becomes a hurdle in their applicability. This study is focused on the synthesis of processable ferrocene-based terpolyamides and their polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-containing block copolymers, using low-temperature solution polycondensation methodology. All the synthesized materials were structurally characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The ferrocene-based terpolymers and block copolymers were soluble in common organic solvents, while the organic analogs were found only soluble in sulfuric acid. WXRD analysis showed the amorphous nature of the materials, while the SEM analysis exposed the modified surface of the ferrocene-based block copolymers. The structure-property relationship of the materials was further elucidated by their water absorption and thermal behavior. These materials showed low to no water absorption along with their high limiting oxygen index (LOI) values depicting their good flame-retardant behavior. DFT studies also supported the role of various monomers in the polycondensation reaction where the electron pair donation from HOMO of diamine monomer to the LUMO of acyl chloride was predicted, along with the calculation of various other parameters of the representative terpolymers and block copolymers.
Advancements in Perovskite-Based Cathode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Comprehensive Review

Samreen A, Ali MS, Huzaifa M, Ali N, Hassan B, Ullah F, et al.

Chem Rec, 2024 Jan;24(1):e202300247.
PMID: 37933973 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300247

The high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are the most efficient and green conversion technology for electricity generation from hydrogen-based fuel as compared to conventional thermal power plants. Many efforts have been made to reduce the high operating temperature (>800 °C) to intermediate/low operating temperature (400 °C
Advances in guided bone regeneration membranes: a comprehensive review of materials and techniques

Ali M, Mohd Noor SNF, Mohamad H, Ullah F, Javed F, Abdul Hamid ZA

Biomed Phys Eng Express, 2024 Apr 17;10(3).
PMID: 38224615 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ad1e75

Guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR) is a widely used technique in dentistry to facilitate the regeneration of damaged bone and tissue, which involves guiding materials that eventually degrade, allowing newly created tissue to take its place. This comprehensive review the evolution of biomaterials for guided bone regeneration that showcases a progressive shift from non-resorbable to highly biocompatible and bioactive materials, allowing for more effective and predictable bone regeneration. The evolution of biomaterials for guided bone regeneration GTR/GBR has marked a significant progression in regenerative dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. Biomaterials used in GBR have evolved over time to enhance biocompatibility, bioactivity, and efficacy in promoting bone growth and integration. This review also probes into several promising fabrication techniques like electrospinning and latest 3D printing fabrication techniques, which have shown potential in enhancing tissue and bone regeneration processes. Further, the challenges and future direction of GTR/GBR are explored and discussed.
Characterization of natural gums via elemental and chemometric analyses, synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and biological and catalytic applications

Jamila N, Khan N, Hwang IM, Saba M, Khan F, Amin F, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Mar 15;147:853-866.
PMID: 31739066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.245

Gums; composed of polysaccharides, carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals, are high molecular weight hydrophilic compounds with several biological applications. This study describes the nutritional and toxic elements content, chemical composition, synthesis of silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs), and pharmacological and catalytic properties of Prunus armeniaca (apricot), Prunus domestica (plums), Prunus persica (peaches), Acacia modesta (phulai), Acacia arabica (kikar), and Salmalia malabarica (silk cotton tree) gums. The elemental contents were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). NMR spectroscopy was used for the identification of class of compounds in the mixture, their functional groups were determined through FTIR techniques, and plasmon resonance and size of G-AgNPs through UV-Vis spectroscopic technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From the results, nutritional elements were present at appreciable concentrations, whereas toxic elements showed content below the maximum permissible ranges. Using the elemental data, linear discriminant and principal component analyses classified the gums to 99.9% variability index. Furthermore, G-AgNPs exhibited significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and redox catalytic potential. Hence, the subject G-AgNPs could have promising nutritional, therapeutic and environmental remediation applications.
β-Sitosterol from Ifloga spicata (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. as potential anti-leishmanial agent against leishmania tropica: Docking and molecular insights

Majid Shah S, Ullah F, Ayaz M, Sadiq A, Hussain S, Ali Shah AU, et al.

Steroids, 2019 08;148:56-62.
PMID: 31085212 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.05.001

The current study was aimed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial potentials of β-sitosterol isolated from Ifloga spicata. The anti-leishmanial potential of β-sitosterol is well documented against Leishmania donovani and Leishmania amazonensis but unexplored against Leishmania tropica. Structure of the compound was elucidated by FT-IR, mass spectrometry and multinuclear (1H and 13C) magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The compound was evaluated for its anti-leishmanial potentials against L. tropica KWH23 using in vitro anti-promastigote, DNA interaction, apoptosis, docking studies against leishmanolysin (GP63) and trypanothione reductase (TR) receptors using MOE 2016 software. β-sitosterol exhibited significant activity against leishmania promastigotes with IC50 values of 9.2 ± 0.06 μg/mL. The standard drug glucantaime showed IC50 of 5.33 ± 0.07 µg/mL. Further mechanistic studies including DNA targeting and apoptosis induction via acridine orange assay exhibited promising anti-leishmanial potentials for β-sitosterol. Molecular docking with leishmanolysin (GP63) and trypanothione reductase (TR) receptors displayed the binding scores of β-sitosterol with targets TR and GP63 were -7.659 and -6.966 respectively. The low binding energies -61.54 (for TR) and -33.24 (for GP63) indicate that it strongly bind to the active sites of target receptors. The results confirmed that β-sitosterol have considerable anti-leishmanial potentials and need further studies as potential natural anti-leishmanial agent against L. tropica.
Fulltext Screening of Metal Oxides and Hydroxides for Arsenic Removal from Water Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Hira NE, Lock SSM, Arshad U, Asif K, Ullah F, Farooqi AS, et al.

ACS Omega, 2023 Dec 19;8(50):48130-48144.
PMID: 38144150 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07014

Arsenic in groundwater is a harmful and hazardous substance that must be removed to protect human health and safety. Adsorption, particularly using metal oxides, is a cost-effective way to treat contaminated water. These metal oxides must be selected systematically to identify the best material and optimal operating conditions for the removal of arsenic from water. Experimental research has been the primary emphasis of prior work, which is time-consuming and costly. The previous simulation studies have been limited to specific adsorbents such as iron oxides. It is necessary to study other metal oxides to determine which ones are the most effective at removing arsenic from water. In this work, a molecular simulation computational framework using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations was developed to investigate the adsorption of arsenic using various potential metal oxides. The molecular structures have been optimized and proceeded with sorption calculations to observe the adsorption capabilities of metal oxides. In this study, 15 selected metal oxides were screened at a pressure of 100 kPa and a temperature of 298 K for As(V) in the form of HAsO4 at pH 7. Based on adsorption capacity calculations for selected metal oxides/hydroxides, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), ferric hydroxide (FeOOH), lanthanum hydroxide La(OH)3, and stannic oxide (SnO2) were the most effective adsorbents with adsorption capacities of 197, 73.6, 151, and 42.7 mg/g, respectively, suggesting that metal hydroxides are more effective in treating arsenic-contaminated water than metal oxides. The computational results were comparable with previously published literature with a percentage error of 1%. Additionally, SnO2, which is rather unconventional to be used in this application, demonstrates potential for arsenic removal and could be further explored. The effects of pH from 1 to 13, temperature from 281.15 to 331.15 K, and pressure from 100 to 350 kPa were studied. Results revealed that adsorption capacity decreased for the high-temperature applications while experiencing an increase in pressure-promoted adsorption. Furthermore, response surface methodology (RSM) has been employed to develop a regression model to describe the effect of operating variables on the adsorption capacity of screened adsorbents for arsenic removal. The RSM models utilizing CCD (central composite design) were developed for Al(OH)3, La(OH)3, and FeOOH, having R2 values 0.92, 0.67, and 0.95, respectively, suggesting that the models developed were correct.
Fulltext DeepSplice: a deep learning approach for accurate prediction of alternative splicing events in the human genome

Abrar M, Hussain D, Khan IA, Ullah F, Haq MA, Aleisa MA, et al.

Front Genet, 2024;15:1349546.
PMID: 38974384 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1349546

Alternative splicing (AS) is a crucial process in genetic information processing that generates multiple mRNA molecules from a single gene, producing diverse proteins. Accurate prediction of AS events is essential for understanding various physiological aspects, including disease progression and prognosis. Machine learning (ML) techniques have been widely employed in bioinformatics to address this challenge. However, existing models have limitations in capturing AS events in the presence of mutations and achieving high prediction performance. To overcome these limitations, this research presents deep splicing code (DSC), a deep learning (DL)-based model for AS prediction. The proposed model aims to improve predictive ability by investigating state-of-the-art techniques in AS and developing a DL model specifically designed to predict AS events accurately. The performance of the DSC model is evaluated against existing techniques, revealing its potential to enhance the understanding and predictive power of DL algorithms in AS. It outperforms other models by achieving an average AUC score of 92%. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to identifying functional implications and potential therapeutic targets associated with AS, with applications in genomics, bioinformatics, and biomedical research. The findings of this study have the potential to advance the field and pave the way for more precise and reliable predictions of AS events, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of genetic information processing and its impact on human physiology and disease.
Smart nanocrystals of artemether: fabrication, characterization, and comparative in vitro and in vivo antimalarial evaluation

Shah SM, Ullah F, Khan S, Shah SM, de Matas M, Hussain Z, et al.

Drug Des Devel Ther, 2016;10:3837-3850.
PMID: 27920499

Artemether (ARTM) is a very effective antimalarial drug with poor solubility and consequently low bioavailability. Smart nanocrystals of ARTM with particle size of 161±1.5 nm and polydispersity index of 0.172±0.01 were produced in <1 hour using a wet milling technology, Dena(®) DM-100. The crystallinity of the processed ARTM was confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction. The saturation solubility of the ARTM nanocrystals was substantially increased to 900 µg/mL compared to the raw ARTM in water (145.0±2.3 µg/mL) and stabilizer solution (300.0±2.0 µg/mL). The physical stability studies conducted for 90 days demonstrated that nanocrystals stored at 2°C-8°C and 25°C were very stable compared to the samples stored at 40°C. The nanocrystals were also shown to be stable when processed at acidic pH (2.0). The solubility and dissolution rate of ARTM nanocrystals were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared to those of its bulk powder form. The results of in vitro studies showed significant antimalarial effect (P<0.05) against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The IC50 (median lethal oral dose) value of ARTM nanocrystals was 28- and 54-fold lower than the IC50 value of unprocessed drug and 13- and 21-fold lower than the IC50 value of the marketed tablets, respectively. In addition, ARTM nanocrystals at the same dose (2 mg/kg) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher reduction in percent parasitemia (89%) against P. vivax compared to the unprocessed (27%), marketed tablets (45%), and microsuspension (60%). The acute toxicity study demonstrated that the LD50 value of ARTM nanocrystals is between 1,500 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg when given orally. This study demonstrated that the wet milling technology (Dena(®) DM-100) can produce smart nanocrystals of ARTM with enhanced antimalarial activities.
Cytotoxicity of Anchusa arvensis Against HepG-2 Cell Lines: Mechanistic and Computational Approaches

Hussain S, Ullah F, Sadiq A, Ayaz M, Shah AA, Ali Shah SA, et al.

Curr Top Med Chem, 2019;19(30):2805-2813.
PMID: 31702502 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191105103801

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer is a devastating cancer with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Plants possess numerous therapeutic properties, therefore the search for novel, naturally occurring cytotoxic compounds is urgently needed.
METHODS: The anticancer activity of plant extracts and isolated compounds from Anchusa arvensis (A. arvensis) were studied against the cell culture of HepG-2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines) using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-yl)-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was investigated by performing Acridine orange -ethidium bromide staining, styox green assay and DNA interaction study. We also used tools for computational chemistry studies of isolated compounds with the tyrosine kinase.
RESULTS: In MTT assay, the crude extract caused a significant cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 34.14 ± 0.9 μg/ml against HepG-2 cell lines. Upon fractionation, chloroform fraction (Aa.Chm) exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity with IC50 6.55 ± 1.2 μg/ml followed by ethyl acetate (Aa.Et) fraction (IC50, 24.59 ± 0.85 μg/ml) and n-hexane (Aa.Hex) fraction (IC50 29.53 ± 1.5μg/ml). However, the aqueous (Aa.Aq) fraction did not show any anti-proliferative activity. Bioactivity-guided isolation led to the isolation of two compounds which were characterized as para-methoxycatechol (1) and decane (2) through various spectroscopic techniques. Against HepG-2 cells, compound 1 showed marked potency with IC50 6.03 ± 0.75 μg/ml followed by 2 with IC50 18.52 ± 1.9 μg/ml. DMSO was used as a negative control and doxorubicin as a reference standard (IC50 1.3 ± 0.21 μg/ml). It was observed that compounds 1-2 caused apoptotic cell death evaluated by Acridine orange -ethidium bromide staining, styox green assay and DNA interaction study, therefore both compounds were tested for molecular docking studies against tyrosine kinase to support cytotoxic activity.
CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the plant extracts and isolated compounds possess promising antiproliferative activity against HepG-2 cell lines via apoptotic cell death.
Fulltext In Silico, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Potential of Novel Ester, 3-hydroxyoctyl -5- trans-docosenoate Isolated from Anchusa arvensis (L.) M.Bieb. Against HepG-2 Cancer Cells

Hussain S, Ullah F, Ayaz M, Ali Shah SA, Ali Shah AU, Shah SM, et al.

Drug Des Devel Ther, 2019;13:4195-4205.
PMID: 31849451 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S228971

Background: Cancer is one of the chronic health conditions worldwide. Various therapeutically active compounds from medicinal plants were the current focus of this research in order to uncover a treatment regimen for cancer. Anchusa arvensis (A. anchusa) (L.) M.Bieb. contains many biologically active compounds.
Methods: In the current study, new ester 3-hydroxyoctyl -5- trans-docosenoate (compound-1) was isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of A. anchusa using column chromatography. Using MTT assay, the anticancer effect of the compound was determined in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) compared with normal epithelial cell line (Vero). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were performed to assess the antioxidant potential. The Molecular Operating Environment (MOE-2016) tool was used against tyrosine kinase.
Results: The structure of the compound was elucidated based on IR, EI, and NMR spectroscopy technique. It exhibited a considerable cytotoxic effect against HepG-2 cell lines with IC50 value of 6.50 ± 0.70 µg/mL in comparison to positive control (doxorubicin) which showed IC50 value of 1.3±0.21 µg/mL. The compound did not show a cytotoxic effect against normal epithelial cell line (Vero). The compound also exhibited significant DPHH scavenging ability with IC50 value of 12 ± 0.80 µg/mL, whereas ascorbic acid, used as positive control, demonstrated activity with IC50 = 05 ± 0.15 µg/mL. Similarly, it showed ABTS radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 130 ± 0.20 µg/mL) compared with the value obtained for ascorbic acid (06 ± 0.85 µg/mL). In docking studies using MOE-2016 tool, it was observed that compound-1 was highly bound to tyrosine kinase by having two hydrogen bonds at the hinge region. This good bonding network by the compound might be one of the reasons for showing significant activity against this enzyme.
Conclusion: Our findings led to the isolation of a new compound from A. anchusa which has significant cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 cell lines with marked antioxidant potential.
Development of highly-reproducible hydrogel based bioink for regeneration of skin-tissues via 3-D bioprinting technology

Ullah F, Javed F, Mushtaq I, Rahman LU, Ahmed N, Din IU, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Jan 05;230:123131.
PMID: 36610570 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.123131

3-D Bioprinting is employed as a novel approach in biofabrication to promote skin regeneration following chronic-wounds and injury. A novel bioink composed of carbohydrazide crosslinked {polyethylene oxide-co- Chitosan-co- poly(methylmethacrylic-acid)} (PEO-CS-PMMA) laden with Nicotinamide and human dermal fibroblast was successfully synthesized via Free radical-copolymerization at 73 °C. The developed bioink was characterized in term of swelling, structural-confirmation by solid state 13C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), morphology, thermal, 3-D Bioprinting via extrusion, rheological and interaction with DNA respectively. The predominant rate of gelation was attributed to the electrostatic interactions between cationic CS and anionic PMMA pendant groups. The morphology of developed bioink presented a porous architecture satisfying the cell and growth-factor viability across the barrier. The thermal analysis revealed two-step degradation with 85 % weight loss in term of decomposition and molecular changes in the bioink moieties By applying low pressure in the range of 25-50 kPa, the optimum reproducibility and printability were determined at 37 °C in the viscosity range of 500-550 Pa. s. A higher survival rate of 92 % was observed for (PEO-CS-PMMA) in comparison to 67 % for pure chitosan built bioink. A binding constant of K ≈ 1.8 × 106 M-1 recognized a thermodynamically stable interaction of (PEO-CS-PMMA) with the Salmon-DNA. Further, the addition of PEO (5.0 %) was addressed with better self-healing and printability to produce skin-tissue constructs to replace the infected skin in human.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links