Mazhar Qayyum

Di‐ and Triorganotin(IV) Esters of 3,4‐Methylenedioxyphenylpropenoic Acid: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Screening for Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Antitumor Activities

Nine biologically significant organotin(IV) esters of 3,4‐Methylenedioxyphenylpropenoic acid (L) were synthesized with the general formulae [R2SnL2], where R includes Me(1), Et(3), But(4), Oct(5), Ph(8), and [R3SnL], in which R is Me(2), Cy(6), Ph(7), and But(9). The acid and its compounds were characterized by basic analytical techniques comprising elemental analysis, FTIR and mass spectrometry in solid state and by Multinuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR in solution form, which provides some important information about the different coordination behaviors of metal in both solid and solution. Methylenedioxy moiety in these compounds enhances the biological activity of these compounds. These compounds were screened for a range of biological activities. Antibacterial activities were determined against six pathogenic bacterial strains, three gram‐positive and three gram‐negative, the activities were measured in terms of inhibition zones (mm). Results demonstrate that diorganotin derivatives are more active than triorganotin derivatives and ligand acid. Antifungal activity was determined against six pathogenic fungal strains, cytotoxicity by the brine shrimp lethality assay, and antitumor activity by crown gall tumor inhibition (potato disc) assay. Results for antifungal activity, cytotoxicity, and antitumor activity of these compounds demonstrate that triorganotin derivatives are more active than diorganotin derivatives and ligand. Finally, the results were compared with similar reports in the literature.

Isolation of antibacterial compounds from Quercus dilatata L. through bioassay guided fractionation

BackgroundFour medicinal plants (Chrozophora hierosolymitana Spreng, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L., Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf, and Quercus dilatata L.) used by indigenous healers to treat various infectious diseases were selected for the present study. The major objective of the present study was isolation and characterization of antimicrobial components from the crude plant extracts using bioassay guided fractionation.MethodsSeven methanolic extracts of the four plants were screened to identify any antimicrobial agents present in them. The active crude plant extract was fractionated first by solvent partitioning and then by HPLC. Characterization of the active fractions was done by using spectrophotometer.ResultsAll the seven methanolic extracts showed low antifungal activity, however, when these extracts were tested for antibacterial activity, significant activity was exhibited by two extracts. The extract of aerial parts of Q. dilatata was most active and therefore, was selected for further analysis. Initially fractionation was done by solvent-solvent partitioning and out of six partitioned fractions, ethanol fraction was selected on the basis of results of antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis. Further, fractionation was carried out by RP- HPLC and purified active subfractions were characterized by comparing their absorption spectra with that of the known natural products isolated from the plants of Quercus genus.Discussion and conclusionThe results suggest that this is the first report of the isolated antibacterial compounds from this genus.

Biological evaluation of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

The present study assessed the different biological activities of the methanol extract of Thymus serpyllum L. (Labiateae) using bench top bioassays including brine shrimp cytotoxic, antitumor, antimicrobial, and phytotoxicity bioassays. Plant extract showed highly significant (ED50 466 ppm < 1000 ppm) impact on percentage death of brine shrimp. Agrobacterium tumefaciens (At-10)-induced tumors in potato disc tissue were inhibited (P < 0.05) significantly by methanol extract with no activity in antibacterial assay against Agrobacterium tumefaciens. EC50 value remained as 28.7 and 261.1 ppm for 12 days and 21 days of incubation respectively. Moderate antifungal activity (41-51%) was seen against five strains of fungus and no activity against any of the bacterial strain tested. Phytotoxicity to Lemna minor L. (P < 0.05) and radish seed germination and growth (P < 0.05) was observed at higher concentrations of the plant extract.

Anthelmintic activity of Artemisia vestita Wall ex DC. and Artemisia maritima L. against Haemonchus contortus from sheep.

Current study was designed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro anthelmintic activity of Artemisia vestita Wall ex DC. and Artemisia maritima L. against Haemonchus contortus in comparison with ivermectin to investigate the effect of plant extracts on survival of infective L3 and adults under in vitro condition. Plant extracts were given to H. contortus infected sheep orally and it was infected with L3 stage of H. contortus at dose of 5000 larvae/sheep. Total of 25-30 larvae were incubated with plant extracts in PBS alone and ivermectin at different concentration used as positive control. It was recorded that there is a significant decrease in fecal egg count (FEC) after post-treatment period for both plants. The highest fecal egg count reduction for A. vestita was 87.2% at 100mg/kg while for A. maritima it was 84.5% on day 28 post-treatment. Investigated extracts indicated significant activity against larvae and adult worms.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in large ruminants in northern Punjab, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that causes significant economic losses due to abortions and other developmental disabilities in livestock animals. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle and buffaloes in northern parts of Punjab, Pakistan, where no such work previously existed. METHODOLOGY Serum samples obtained from 400 cattle and 422 buffaloes present on different private and government-owned farms were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additional data, including water sources, hygienic status at the farm, management practices, size of the herd, and presence of cats in the vicinity of the farm were obtained using a questionnaire in surveys and interviews. RESULTS The overall prevalence of infection was 19.75% (79/400) in cattle and 15.16% (64/422) in buffaloes. IgG antibodies were found in 75 (18.75%) cattle and 58 (13.74%) buffaloes, while IgM antibodies were found in 9 (2.25%) cattle and 10 (2.37%) buffaloes. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in females and older animals of both species. Seroprevalence was found to be associated with poor hygienic conditions, extensive management practices, and presence of cats in the surrounding areas. No difference of seroprevalence was observed with respect to different breeds, location, water source, and herd size. CONCLUSION The present study found that T. gondii is prevalent in large ruminants in northern Punjab, and may have important implications for the livestock industry and public health.

Risk mapping of bovine hypodermosis using geographical information system (GIS) in cattle of subtropical region, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION Hypodermosis is an ectoparasitic disease of cattle caused by Hypoderma lineatum and Hypoderma bovis. It is an important health problem of cattle, leading to considerable economic losses. There are various factors that are involved in the spread of this disease such as herd size, location, temperature, humidity, and precipitation. METHODOLOGY Blood samples from 112 herds were collected to determine the presence of Hypoderma spp. infestation. For these herds, size and location were determined; temperature, humidity, and precipitation data were obtained from meteorological stations; and topographic features were obtained from existing maps and through field work. A regression analysis was then used to generate a risk factor analysis profile for hypodermosis and geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the risks. RESULTS The GIS map developed showed the degree of infestation in different geographical locations at district and village levels. Cluster analysis demonstrated that hypodermosis prevalence varied within zones and across zones. The regression analysis showed that the temperature in the months of January, February, March, August, and November, and the precipitation in September and October had significant results (p < 0.05) when all the risks factors were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that different ecological factors have an important impact on the intensity and infestation rate of hypodermosis across the globe. The present study might be used to control and eradicate the hypodermosis across the globe.

Newcastle disease as an emerging disease in peacocks of Tharparker, Pakistan

1 Department of Zoology,University of Sargodha,Sargodha, Pakistan 2 Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Park Road, Chakh Shazad, Islamabad, Pakistan 3 Department of Botany,PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 4 Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 5 Department of Zoology, PMASArid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 6 Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan 7 Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan 8 Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, Pakistan