Bushra Uzair

Exploring Marine Cyanobacteria for Lead Compounds of Pharmaceutical Importance

The Ocean, which is called the “mother of origin of life,” is also the source of structurally unique natural products that are mainly accumulated in living organisms. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes used as food by humans. They are excellent source of vitamins and proteins vital for life. Several of these compounds show pharmacological activities and are helpful for the invention and discovery of bioactive compounds, primarily for deadly diseases like cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), arthritis, and so forth, while other compounds have been developed as analgesics or to treat inflammation, and so forth. They produce a large variety of bioactive compounds, including substances with anticancer and antiviral activity, UV protectants, specific inhibitors of enzymes, and potent hepatotoxins and neurotoxins. Many cyanobacteria produce compounds with potent biological activities. This paper aims to showcase the structural diversity of marine cyanobacterial secondary metabolites with a comprehensive coverage of alkaloids and other applications of cyanobacteria.

Antiviral activity of natural products extracted from marine organisms.

Many epidemics have broken out over the centuries. Hundreds and thousands of humans have died over a disease. Available treatments for infectious diseases have always been limited. Some infections are more deadly than the others, especially viral pathogens. These pathogens have continuously resisted all kinds of medical treatment, due to a need for new treatments to be developed. Drugs are present in nature and are also synthesized in vitro and they help in combating diseases and restoring health. Synthesizing drugs is a hard and time consuming task, which requires a lot of man power and financial aid. However, the natural compounds are just lying around on the earth, may it be land or water. Over a thousand novel compounds isolated from marine organisms are used as antiviral agents. Others are being pharmacologically tested. Today, over forty antiviral compounds are present in the pharmacological market. Some of these compounds are undergoing clinical and preclinical stages. Marine compounds are paving the way for a new trend in modern medicine.

Isolation, purification, structural elucidation and antimicrobial activities of kocumarin, a novel antibiotic isolated from actinobacterium Kocuria marina CMG S2 associated with the brown seaweed Pelvetia canaliculata

AIMS Screening of seaweed-associated bacteria capable of producing antimicrobials. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifteen microbial strains, associated to the brown seaweed Pelvetia canaliculata (Linnaeus) attached to the rocks of Sonmiani Beach (Karachi, Pakistan), were screened. Crude extract filtrates of CMG S2 strain grew on Zobell marine agar (ZMA) had the most remarkable antimicrobial activity. Based on its phenotypic aspects (e.g. Gram-positive, microccoid form), biochemical characteristics (e.g. halotolerance) and genetic analyses, CMG S2 is identified as a putatively new Kocuria marina type strain belonging to the actinobacterias class and micrococcaceae family. Thereby, the nucleotide sequence analysis of its full-length 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene (GenBank accession number EU073966.1) displayed highest identity (i.e. 99%) and score (2630) with K. marina KMM 3905. Phylogenic trees analysis using the neighbor-joining method showed closest evolutionary distance of CMG S2 with KMM 3905 strain and K. carniphila (DC2201) specie. Interestingly, a unique ultraviolet (UV)-bioactive compound was purified from CMG S2 crude extracts by flash silica gel column and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) techniques. Its chemical structure was unraveled as 4-[(Z)-2 phenyl ethenyl] benzoic acid (PEBA, later named kocumarin) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. Importantly, kocumarin demonstrated prominent and rapid growth inhibition against all tested fungi and pathogenic bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with a minimal fungal inhibitory concentration (MFC) of 15-25μg/mL and a minimal (bacterial) inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10-15μg/mL. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Kocumarin represents a new promising natural antibiotic for in vivo and environmental applications.

Sickle cell retinopathy: improving care with a multidisciplinary approach

Sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) is the most representative ophthalmologic complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), a hemoglobinopathy affecting both adults and children. SCR presents a wide spectrum of manifestations and may even lead to irreversible vision loss if not properly diagnosed and treated at the earliest. Over the past decade, multidisciplinary research developments have focused upon systemic, genetic, and ocular risk factors of SCR, enabling the clinician to better diagnose and manage these patients. In addition, newer imaging and testing modalities, such as spectral domain-optical coherence tomography angiography, have resulted in the detection of subclinical retinopathy related to SCD. Innovative therapy includes intravitreal injection of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (eg, Lucentis® [ranibizumab] or Eylea® [aflibercept]) which appears comparatively safe and efficient, and may be combined with laser photocoagulation (LPC) for proliferative SCR. The effect of LPC alone does not significantly lead to the regression of advanced SCR, although it helps in avoiding hemorrhage and sight loss. This comprehensive article is based on 10-years retrospective (2007–2017) studies. It aims to present advances and recommendations in SCR theranostics while pointing out the requirement of combinatorial approaches for better management of SCR patients. To reach this goal, we identified and analyzed randomized original and review articles, clinical trials, non-randomized intervention studies, and observational studies using specified keywords in various databases (eg, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov).

Scorpion Venom Peptides As A Potential Source For Human Drug Candidates

BACKGROUND Scorpion venom is the most expensive and deadly venom with exciting medical prospects and having a potential as a source of drug candidates. A number of scorpion venom peptides have shown promising site specificity and are involved in the regulation of biological mechanisms. Due to the structural and functional specificity, the scorpion peptides are widely used for the development of specific drugs especially for the cardiovascular and other immune diseases. In this review, we summarize scorpion venoms biological activities such as antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-cancerous and in immune diseases. Evolutionary perspective of peptides derived from different scorpion venoms are also described in this review. The most significant venom peptides are; Ctriporin, Chlorotoxins (cltx), Neopladine I and II, Meucin 24, Meucin 25 and Hp 1090. The most recognized scorpion species with pharmaceutical activities are; Pandinus imperator, Chaerilustricostatus, Buthus martensii, Mesobuthus eupeus, Leiurus quinnquestriatus, Tityus discrepans and Heterometrus bengalensis. CONCLUSION The role of peptides in cardiovascular events and in treating osteoporosis signifies their importance. The role of peptides against pathogens, skin infections, pain-relieving effects, anti-malarial and anti-viral effects are discussed in detail. We further, summarized the classification of scorpion peptides among different toxins, their evolutionary process and the pattern of scorpion venom resource analysis.

Potential Uses of Venom Proteins in Treatment of HIV

BACKGROUND For about 30 years Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been a significant social and health issue. It has been a perilous opponent in the human contest against HIV. At the end of 2015 there were 26.7 million people worldwide who were affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and this number is expected to increase. Unfortunately, currently there are no vaccines available for prevention and control of HIV. The global burden of HIV articulates the need for anti-HIV therapeutic factors. Venom toxins are commonly prescribed for treatment of various medical disorders. Honey Bee venom has recently been proven to be safe and maybe therapeutic in a specified dose. This therapeutic effect is due to the uptake of melittin by HIV infected cells which leads to decreased HIV gene expression and replication. Similarly, Scorpion venom acts as a therapeutic agent against HIV. Snake venoms have antiviral activity against defense mechanisms of viruses. CONCLUSION Antiretroviral therapy is promising in the fight against HIV because it limits viral replication. It has the potential to reduce the passage of HIV-1 and to limit the viral load in infected people. This review aims to shed light on an infectious potential of active constituents of bee, scorpion and snake venom articulated in many recent studies.

Snake Venom as an Effective Tool Against Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND Cancer is considered one of the most predominant causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world and colorectal cancer is the most common fatal cancers, triggering the second cancer related death. Despite progress in understanding carcinogenesis and development in chemotherapeutics, there is an essential need to search for improved treatment. More than the half a century, cytotoxic and cytostatic agents have been examined as a potential treatment of cancer, among these agents; remarkable progresses have been reported by the use of the snake venom. Snake venoms are secreting materials of lethal snakes are store in venomous glands. Venoms are composite combinations of various protein, peptides, enzymes, toxins and non proteinaceous secretions. CONCLUSION Snake venom possesses immense valuable mixtures of proteins and enzymes. Venoms have potential to combat with the cancerous cells and produce positive effect. Besides the toxicological effects of venoms, several proteins of snake venom e.g. disintegrins, phospholipases A2, metalloproteinases, and L-amino acid oxidases and peptides e.g. bradykinin potentiators, natriuretic, and analgesic peptides have shown potential as pharmaceutical agents, including areas of diagnosis and cancer treatment. In this review we have discussed recent remarkable research that has involved the dynamic snake venoms compounds, having anticancer bustle especially in case of colorectal cancer.

Optimizing the Role of Polymer Blend in the Preparation of Acyclovir Controlled-Release Tablets: An Approach for Better Patient Compliance

Release Tablets: An Approach for Better Patient Compliance Barkat Ali Khan, Faheem Haider, Kifayat Ullah Shah. Bushra Uzair. Kaijian Hou, Muhammad Khurram Waqas, Akhtar Rasul Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29500, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Department of Pharmacy, Quaid I Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan Shantou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Guangdong, China Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, UVAS, Lahore, Pakistan Department of Pharmacy, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan Correspondence: barki.gold@gmail.com, Tel: +92-333-9732578 Abstract: This study was carried out to formulate and evaluate controlled release (CR) matrix tablets of Acyclovir using combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. Acyclovir is a guanine derivative and is its half-life is short hence administered five times a day using immediate release tablets. Six formulations (F1-F6) were developed using Ethocel and Carbopol in equal combinations at drug-polymer (D:P) ratio of 10:5, 10:6, 10:7, 10:8, 10:9 and 10:10. Solubility study was performed using six different solvents. The compatibility studies were carried out using FTIR and DSC. According to USP, Quality Control and dimensional tests (hardness, friability, disintegration and thickness) were executed. In-vitro drug release studies of Acyclovir was carried out in dissolution apparatus using using 0.1 N HCl medium at constant temperature of 37 ± 0.5 oC. In order Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 10 July 2018 doi:10.20944/preprints201807.0165.v1

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of a Model Antagonistic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Divulging In Vitro Plant Growth Promoting Characteristics

The use of microbial technologies in agriculture is currently expanding quite rapidly with the identification of new bacterial strains, which are more effective in promoting plant growth. In the present study 18 strains of Pseudomonas were isolated from soil sample of Balochistan coastline. Among isolated Pseudomonas strains four designated as SP19, SP22, PS24, and SP25 exhibited biocontrol activities against phytopathogenic fungi, that is, Rhizopus microsporus, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Penicillium digitatum; PS24 identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 16srRNA gene bank accession number EU081518 was selected on the basis of its antifungal activity to explore its potential as plant growth promotion. PS24 showed multiple plant growth promoting attributes such as phosphate solubilization activity, indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, and HCN production. In order to determine the basis for antifungal properties, antibiotics were extracted from King B broth of PS24 and analyzed by TLC. Pyrrolnitrin antibiotic was detected in the culture of strain PS24. PS24 exhibited antifungal activities found to be positive for hydrogen cyanide synthase Hcn BC gene. Sequencing of gene of Hcn BC gene of strain PS24 revealed 99% homology with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA01. The sequence of PS24 had been submitted in gene bank accession number KR605499. Ps. aeruginosa PS24 with its multifunctional biocontrol possessions can be used to bioprotect the crop plants from phytopathogens.