Hafiz Muhammad Asif

Medicinal Plants Combating Against Cancer - a Green Anticancer Approach

Cancer is the most deadly disease that causes the serious health problems, physical disabilities, mortalities, and morbidities around the world. It is the second leading cause of death all over the world. Although great advancement have been made in the treatment of cancer progression, still significant deficiencies and room for improvement remain. Chemotherapy produced a number of undesired and toxic side effects. Natural therapies, such as the use of plant-derived products in the treatment of cancer, may reduce adverse and toxic side effects. However, many plants exist that have shown very promising anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo but their active anticancer principle have yet to be evaluated. Combined efforts of botanist, pharmacologist and chemists are required to find new lead anticancer constituent to fight disease. This review will help researchers in the finding of new bioactive molecules as it will focus on various plants evaluated for anticancer properties in vitro and in vivo.

Prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females all over the world with approximately one million new cases each year as well as one of second leading causes of death among females. In Pakistan, the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females is also breast cancer, accounting for nearly one in nine female patients. Its incidence in Pakistan is 2.5 times higher than that in neighboring countries like Iran and India. The risk factors associated with breast cancer are age, family history, early menarche, intake of combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormones, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status and lack of awareness regarding the disease. This mini-review article aims to provide awareness about breast cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.

Risk Factors and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Pakistan.

Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of death among all cancers and is the 4th most common cancer in the world. The number of deaths due to gastric cancer is about 800,000 annually. Gastric cancer is more common in men as compared to women and is 3rd most common cancer after colorectal and breast cancers in women. A progressive rise in the incidence rate has been observed in females over the last 5 years. The highest incidence of stomach cancer is in China, South America and Eastern Europe. The incidence of gastric cancer has 20 fold variation worldwide. Global variation is linked by two factors which play important role in developing gastric cancer. One is infection with Helicobacter pylori and the 2nd is diet. South Asia is a region with low risk, despite a high prevalence of H.pylori. Gastric carcinoma is common in southern region of India. Gastric cancer is more readily treated if diagnosed early. This study aims to provide awareness about gastric cancer as well as an updated knowledge about risk factors and epidemiology of gastric cancer in Pakistan.

A panoramic view on phytochemical, nutritional, ethanobotanical uses and pharmacological values of Trachyspermum ammi Linn.

ABSTRACT Trachyspermum ammi Linn. ( T. ammi ) is an aromatic, grassy, annual plant belonging to Umbelliferae family which grows in the east of India, Pakistan, Iran, and Egypt. T. ammi has been used traditionally to treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems. In addition to these medicinal uses, T. ammi continues to be valued around the world as an important cooking spice and is believed to relief the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and even painful menstrual periods. These multiple uses can be explained by its several active compounds. The phytochemical studies on T. ammi seeds have revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, fixed oils, glycosides, tannins, saponin and flavonoids, cumene, thymene, amino acids and dietary fiber essential oils like thymol, c-terpinene, p-cymene. Several pharmacological studies on anti-tussive effect, inhibitory effect on histamine (H1) receptors, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti mutagenic activities of T. ammi seed extracts have been reported in the literature. The present review is therefore, an effort to give a detailed survey of the literature on traditional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of T. ammi .

HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer - a Mini-Review.

Breast cancer is one of among all cancers with increased incidence, high mortality rate, and high economic and social costs. The the most common type of cancer among females worldwide, breast cancer is actually the uncontrolled proliferation of cells which attain malignancy. Recently it has shown that breast cancer contributes 11% among all types of cancer diagnosed globally on an annual basis and it is one of the leading causes of death among women. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is a receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 normally involved in the proliferation and division of breast cells. In some abnormal cases the HER2 gene does not work correctly and makes too many copies of itself. HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers constitute an aggressive type of breast cancer and tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread. However, therapies that specifically target HER2, such as Herceptin® (traztuzumab), are very effective. HER2 targeted therapies, has significantly improved the therapeutic outcome for patients with HER2 positive breast cancer.

Spectral Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Methanol Extract of Roots ofEchinops echinatus and its Fractions

Objective: The root of Ecinops echiantus L. (Asteraceae) is reported to have great medicinal value. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical profile of methanol extract of Echinops echiantus by two different spectral analyses which will be useful for its proper identification when therapeutically used. Isolated compounds and crude methanol extract were screened for antibacterial activity. Methods: Spectral analysis was done by different analytical methods such as Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet spectroscopy. The in vitro antibacterial activity of E. echinatus root extracts was studied by the hole plate diffusion method against several human pathogenic gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Results: Five compounds were isolated from crude methanol extract using column chromatography and characterized by techniques like Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet spectroscopy. Compounds showed different Rf values ranging from 67 to 9.4. All the five isolated compound and crude methanol extract showed significant antibacterial activity against all strains. However, maximum activity shown by compound Ee-4, Ee-1, Ee-3 against Staphylococcus aureus (17.0 mm), (15.3 mm), (12.3 mm) respectively. While Ee-5 give maximum activity against E. coli (13.5 mm). Conclusion: The result of this study suggested that methanol extract of Echinops echiantus root and its isolated compounds exhibited marked antibacterial activity. Therefore, the results of this study may act as biochemical markers for this medicinally important plant in the pharma industry and plant systematic studies.

Update knowledge on cervical cancer incidence and prevalence in Asia

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide, with over 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually and 50% mortality rate in Asia. In the United States, approximately 10,370 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, and estimated 3,710 deaths occur from the disease, making it the sixth most common cause of malignancy among American women. This study aims to provide awareness about cervical cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the prevalence and incidence of cervical cancer in Asia.

Medicinal plants with potential antipyretic activity: A review

Abstract Medicinal plants are the part and parcel of human society to combat against different diseases from the dawn of human civilization. According to World Health Organization, approximately 80% population of the developing countries are facing difficulties to afford synthetic drugs and are relying on traditional medicines mainly of plant origin in order to maintain their primary health care needs. Plants are being used in various disorders e.g., gastrointestinal disorders, genitourinary problems, hepatobilliary discomforts and psychological and respiratory problems through time immemorial and people in western countries are now reverting back towards herbal medicines because of their extensive biological and medicinal activities, higher safety and lesser costs. Many plants are being traditionally used in the treatment of fever and their antipyretic activities have been confirmed scientifically. The current review clearly demonstrates the importance of medicinal plants in the treatment of fever. Furthermore, this review can help the scientists and researchers to find some new antipyretic agents from traditional medicinal plants.

ShigelDysent efficacy in alleviating clinical sign and symptoms prevailing in Shigellosis

ShigelDysent is effective in the in the treatment and management of Shigellosis. However further studies on large scale are suggested to find out the pharmacological action of ShigelDysent.

Incidence rate and prevalence of major risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in the Pakistani population: mini-review.

Ectopic pregnancy is the complication of pregnancy in which the product of conception implants outside the uterine cavity i.e. in the uterine tubes, cervix, ovaries and abdomen. It is life-threatening emergency and a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence rate is 0.5%-1.5% of all pregnancies. Even though its incidence rate is drop off when compared with earlier decades, it is still the foremost causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially in developing countries. In Pakistan, it varies from 1:1 124 to 1:130 pregnancies. Risk factors associated to ectopic pregnancy are pelvic inflammatory disease, past history of miscarriages, age, parity, infertility, previous ectopic pregnancy, induction of ovulation and intrauterine device usage. The aim of this study is to review the published literature concerning the disease knowledge and major risk factors associated to ectopic pregnancy in Pakistan.