Ahmad Raza

Breast cancer: major risk factors and recent developments in treatment.

Breast cancer is the most common in women worldwide, with some 5-10% of all cases due to inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Obesity, hormone therapy and use of alcohol are possible causes and over-expression of leptin in adipose tissue may also play a role. Normally surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy allow a good prognosis where screening measures are in place. New hope in treatment measures include adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and introduction of mono-clonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors.

Determination of florfenicol residues in broiler meat and liver samples using RP‐HPLC with UV–visible detection

BACKGROUND Broilers are vulnerable to various types of microorganisms, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in multiple infections. Broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs such as florfenicol (FF) are widely used in the treatment of such infections. Suspected residues of these drugs in body tissues of treated birds can be passed to humans through meat consumption and thus lead to serious ill effects on human health. The present study was designed to estimate the presence of FF residues in broiler meat and liver samples. RESULTS The mean residual concentrations of FF in broiler meat and liver samples were 311.42 ± 186.56 and 2585.44 ± 1759.71 µg kg(-1) respectively, which are higher than their respective maximum residual limits (MRLs). The results showed that 126 and 24 samples were FF-positive and FF-negative respectively. Of the positive samples, 84 and 42 samples were above and below the MRL respectively. CONCLUSION The results indicate the presence of FF residues in broiler meat and liver samples. Usage of this contaminated meat causes resistance in consumers and poses a public health threat. Thus there is a need to educate farmers about the ill effects of residual drugs on human health and their withdrawal times in poultry.

In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluations of methyl ferulate, methyl p-coumarate, and pulegone 1,2-epoxide.

Abstract Context: Toxicological screening of natural compounds for medicinal purposes. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of methyl ferulate (MF), methyl p-coumarate (MpC), and pulegone 1,2-epoxide (PE) with in vitro and in vivo assays. Materials and methods: The in vitro toxicity of MF, MpC, and PE was assessed at a concentration of 10 mg/ml with the Ames assay using two strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Human red blood cells (RBC) were used to determine the hemolytic activity of these compounds. The cytotoxicity of above compounds was determined with brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) at the concentrations of 0.1–20 mg/ml. While dermal and ocular irritation studies were conducted on healthy rabbits (n = 8) for 96 and 12 h post-topical application of test compounds, respectively. Results: PE produced 6–8% hemolysis of RBCs at all the tested concentrations while MF and MpC produced 10–5% hemolysis up to 20 mg/ml, and 50–85% hemolysis at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/ml, respectively. The Ames assay indicated that MF, MpC, and PE were non-mutagenic as the test values were not significantly higher as compared with background values of the assay. BSLB suggested the lethal concentration (LC50) values of MF, MpC, and PE as 4.38, 6.74, and 25.91 mg/ml, respectively. In vivo ocular and dermal irritation scores of MF, MpC, and PE were comparable with ethanol (control) in rabbits indicating the non-irritant nature of these natural compounds. Conclusion: The present studies suggest that these compounds are non-toxic/non-irritant and might be used for medicinal purposes.

Haematopoietic effects of Angelica sinensis root cap polysaccharides against lisinopril-induced anaemia in albino rats

Abstract Context: Angelica sinensis L. (Umbelliferae) has medicinal properties. Objectives: The present study evaluates the haematopoietic effects of A. sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) against lisinopril-induced anaemia. Materials and methods: Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I was control group. Group II was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI, 20 mg/kg/day) to induce anaemia. In group III, erythropoietin (EPO, 100 IU/kg/each) was administered in combination with ACEI. Group IV was treated with ASP (1 g/kg/day), extracted from A. sinensis root caps. In Group V, ASP (1 g/kg/day) was treated with ACEI. After 28 days, blood and tissue samples were collected for haematological and histopathological analysis, respectively. Results: The results showed that ACEI significantly reduced the haemoglobin (Hb, 10.0 g/dL), packed cell volume (PCV, 39.5%), red blood cells (RBCs, 6.2 million/mm3), mean corpuscular volume (MCV, 53.5 fL) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH, 16.2 pg/cell) values. In the group treated with ASP, the Hb (13.7 g/dL) and RBCs (7.8 million/mm3) increased significantly (p < 0.05). The combination of ASP and ACEI led to the significant (p < 0.05) reduction in Hb (10.7 g/dL), PCV (33.3%), RBCs (6.0 million/mm3), MCV (54.42 fL) and MCH (16.44 pg/cell) values. While histopathological examination of the liver and kidney cells showed a mild degree of toxicity in the ASP-treated group. Conclusion: ASP has a potentiating effect on haematological parameters when given alone. However, when administered simultaneously with lisinopril, it showed an unfavourable effect with more complicated anaemia so it should not be used with ACEIs.

Determination of Enrofloxacin Residues in Commercial Broilers Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are widely used in food producing animals. Suspected residues of these drugs in meat may have ill effects upon human health. The aim of the present study was to determine the enrofloxacin residues in broiler’s meat and liver samples. Detection of enrofloxacin residues in meat (n = 75) and liver (n = 75) samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector set at 268 nm using C18 column. Overall mean residual concentrations of enrofloxacin in meat and liver samples were 208 ± 55 and 527 ± 84 µg/kg, respectively. This study revealed that 52% (39) meat and 78.7% (59) liver samples were positive for enrofloxacin, out of these 58.3% (21) meat and 71.2% (42) liver samples were having residual concentration above the maximum residual limits. So it can be concluded that the usage of this contaminated meat may cause resistance in consumers and seems to be a public health threat.

ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF BERBERINE AGAINST BREAST CANCER: A REVIEW

As the prevalence of breast cancer has been increasing day by day in almost every part of the world, there is need to develop alterna tive therapeutic measures for breast cancer control. To fulfill this need, chemoprevention is a novel approach. E fforts have been made to identify synthetic or natural products that can prevent the pre - neoplastic events preceding the occurrence of detectab le cancer. Berberine (quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids) is one such compound . In this review in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities of berberine have been summarized . The m echanisms of action of berberine include ; inhibition of tumorigenic microorganisms, regulation of oncogene, interaction with DNA and RNA, inhibition of carcinogenesis related enzymes and induction of apoptosis. Berbrine has synergistic activity of when given in combined medication while it is also responsible for reduction of multidrug resistance in breast cancer treatment.

GASTRO PROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA AGAINST INDOMETHACIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN HEALTHY ADULT MALE ALBINO R ABBITS

Euphorbia prostrate belongs to family Euphorbiaceae locally known as Doodhi is small annual herb. Current study was conducted t o evaluate the gastro protec tive and antioxidant effectiveness of the aerial parts of E . prostrata in indomethacin induced ulcer in adult male albino rabbits. A total 36 mice were taken and divided into 6 equal groups . At day 0 and 14 of experiment the blood sample was collected from each animal and serum was separated from blood which was used for the determination of Total oxidant status (TOS) , Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) , catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) . At the end of the experiment, all of the rabbits were slaughtere d . The gastric content s were collected to total acid output , gastric pH and gastric volume . To confirm the data results was subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results when compared with the extensive mucosal damage in the indomethacin trate d group , gross evaluation revealed a marked protection of the gastric mucosa in the experimental groups, with significantly reductio n in gastric pH, gastric volume and acid output. In these groups, CAT and TAC levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and while MDA and TOS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) which indicate reduction in gastric damage. In conclusion to these results E. prostrata has potent antioxidant properties at dose rate of 240 mg/kg and it is also very effective for the treatment of g astric ulcer at the same dose.

A review on nanoparticle-based technologies for biodetoxification.

Abstract Nanotechnology has gained significant penetration to different fields of medicine including drug delivery, disease interrogation, targeting and bio-imaging. In recent years, efforts have been put forth to assess the use of this technology in biodetoxification. In this review, we will discuss the current status of nanostructured biomaterials/nanoparticle (NP)-based technologies as a candidate biodetoxifying agent. Patient hospitalization due to illicit drug consumption, suicidal attempts and accidental toxin exposure are major challenges in the medical field. Overdoses of drugs/toxic chemicals or exposure to bacterial toxins or poisons are conventionally treated by voiding the stomach, administering activated charcoal or by using specific antidotes, if the toxin is known. Because of the limitations of these methods for safe and effective detoxification, advancements in nanotechnology may offer novel ways in intoxication support by using nanostructured biomaterials, such as liposomes, micellar nanocarriers, liquid crystalline nanoassemblies and ligand-based NPs.

In-vitro and in-vivo anthelmintic potential of different medicinal plants against Ascaridia galli infection in poultry birds

Infectious diseases are major constraint that hinders the poultry industry. Among them parasitic diseases are very common and Ascaridia galli is one of the most common parasitic roundworms found in poultry. Haemorrhages, diarrhoea and listlessness are signs of infection. Parasitic infections such as A. galli are treated with chemical anthelmintics (piperazine, albendazole, levamisole, Ivermectin, benzimidazoles and fenbendazole). These synthetic chemicals can promote resistance, so there is need for alternative ways to treat the disease. Medicinal plants have the potential to combat such parasitism and the development of anthelmintic resistance appears to be very slow against such treatment. This review covers the studies related to the screening of plant materials having in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activities against A. galli throughout the world. Medicinal plants showing in vitro anthelmintic activity include Anacardium occidentale, Allium sativum, Tribulus terrestris, Bassia latifolia, Piper betle, Morinda citrifolia L.I, Cassia occidentalis L. and Aloe secundiflora while in vivo studies include the use of Psorelia corylifolia, Piper betle, Pilostigma thonningi, Caesalpinia crista, Ocimum gratissimum and Anacardium occidentale. In conclusion, medicinal plants appear to have good anthelmintic activities in poultry and may substitute conventionally used synthetic drugs, and their use may moderate drug resistance in endemic pathogen populations and drug residues in poultry meat.

Impact of Different Pollutant Sources on Human Health Using Solid Aerosol’s Elemental Analysis

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used in this study to find out the metal constituents and concentration for Seven (7) trace metals in the atmosphere of Faisalabad. The maximum elemental constituents and concentration for Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Mg and Cd in ppm were found to be Cadmium Cd(1) in amounts ranging between (2.596�1.95475) in Pool (5�3), Chromium Cr(2) in amounts ranging between (0.0145�0.01125) in Pool (2�3), Nickel Ni(3) in amounts ranging between (0.9925�0.35575) in Pool (5�3), Lead Pb(4) in amounts ranging between (1.33675�0.2632) in Pool (2�3), Zinc Zn(5) in amounts ranging between (2.515�1.38825) in Pool (4�5), Magnesium Mg(6) in amounts ranging between (1.22125�1.15875) in Pool (4�5), Calcium Ca(7) in amounts ranging between (11.46725�3.53875) in Pool (4�3) respectively. Following pool wise trend pattern of identified elements in solid aerosols is given in Table 1 & 2. The comparison of results reported in literature with the obtained results showed some differences in concentrations which could be explained on the basis of climatological and meteorological set up of different pools under investigations. Furthermore, the health hazards due to identified trace metals were also investigated and were found that the metals were highly toxic and generating serious health hazards. Environment, in its wider sense, includes everything, which is external to a human being. Environmental Pollution means the accumulation or concentration of wastes that cannot be disposed off by natural recycling process due to their excessive quantity or unique chemical composition (1). Any substance which is present in nature beyond permissible limits as well as has detrimental effects not only on the environment but also on living organisms is called Pollutant e.g., Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Ca, and Mg. These chemicals are released into the atmosphere from different natural and anthropogenic sources. High temperature industrial process release coarse fractions of Mg, Ca, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn. Automobile exhaust and fertilizer industries also release these metals, their compounds, or other salts (2-8). The urban population is exposed to the aerosol toxic metals that often are well above natural background (9-13). Many studies on atmospheric metal concentration and their related health hazards have been conducted in several parts of the world which showed diverse fluctuations and disparities among the trace element constituents (14- 24). All these metals produce different diseases like oxides of Zinc along with oxides of Iron produce gastric disorder and vomiting, irritation of skin and mucous