Muhammad Qasim Hayat

Psychrophilic and psychrotrophic fungi: a comprehensive review

This article reviews the comparative diversity of psychrophilic and psychrotrophic fungi, their adaptability mechanisms for survival and potential applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Fungi are able to grow and survive at low temperature and exist widely in polar and non-polar habitats. These cold regions are known for very low temperature, high ultra violet-B radiation, frequent freeze and thaw cycles and low water and nutrient availability. Most of the fungi adapt to such harsh conditions by evolving various strategies in their metabolism and physiology. Psychrophilic and psychrotrophic fungi are of importance in biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields due to their diverse characteristics developed or evolved due to their adaptation and survival in extreme environments, like; production of cold-active enzymes, pharmaceutical or bioactive metabolites and exo-polysaccharides, have potential for bioremediation and can also be used as biofertilizer.

Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Secondary metabolites and Antioxidant Potential of Eruca sativa

Objective: To Determine the phytochemical composition of E. sativa (stem, leaves, flowers and seeds), and evaluate their antioxidant activity. Method: Preliminary phytochemical screening for all parts of E. sativa (stem, leaves, flowers and seeds) was carried out according to standard methods. Total phenolic contents of all methanolic extracts of E. sativa, have been quantified spectrophotometrically. Hydrogen Peroxidase and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assays have been used to analyze antioxidant characteristics of all extracts of E. sativa (leaves, stem, seed, flowers and seeds). Further separation and identification of number of phenolic compounds has been carried out by Reversed- Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). Results: Experimental evaluation indicated that E. sativa is a rich source of secondary phytoconstituents (Alkaloids, flavonoids, Diterpenes, Coumarins, polyphenols, tannins, cardiac glycosides etc). Quantification of total phenolic contents from all aerial parts revealed that they contain significant amount of phenolics particularly seeds and leaves (27.1 ± 0.2 mg, 23.07 ± 0.11GAE/g) respectively. Searation and identification of phenolics from E. sativa stem, leaves, flowers and seeds extracts through RP-HPLC showed presence of variety of important phenolics namely; Vanillin (RT=3.853), Ellagic acid (RT=4.04), Salicylic acid (RT=19.09), Resorcinol (RT=3.30), Catechol (RT=3.53), Quercetin (RT=18.91), Benzoic acid (RT=10.4), Tannic acid (RT=5.06), Kaempferol (RT=8.70) and Rutin (RT=9.2). Conclusion: Results revealed that E. sativa is a rich source of secondary phytoconstituents which impart significant antioxidant potential. This work also contributes significantly to support the claim about the use of this herb in folk medicines. Further investigation regarding isolation and purification of a number of phytoconstituents from leaves, stem, flowers and seeds of E. sativa may yield optimal combinations of therapeutic alternates.

Application of the Triazolization Reaction to Afford Dihydroartemisinin Derivatives with Anti-HIV Activity

Artemisinin and synthetic derivatives of dihydroartemisinin are known to possess various biological activities. Post-functionalization of dihydroartemisinin with triazole heterocycles has been proven to lead to enhanced therapeutic potential. By using our newly developed triazolization strategy, a library of unexplored fused and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of dihydroartemisinin were synthesized in a single step. All these newly synthesized compounds were characterized and evaluated for their anti-HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) potential in MT-4 cells. Interestingly; three of the synthesized triazole derivatives of dihydroartemisinin showed activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 1.34 to 2.65 µM.

AFLP mediated genetic diversity of malvaceae species

AFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism) marker system is a reliable method in the evaluation of genetic diversity among different species. It was used to explore phenetic relationships and diversity within and between 13 Malvaceae species belonging to 5 different genera. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the taxonomic potential, usefulness and applicability of AFLP marker system to reconstruct genetic relationships at interspecific and intergeneric level in Malvaceae. In total, 28 accessions comprising 13 species were included in the study but for assorted technical reasons five profiles remained incomplete or with ambiguous banding pattern. Therefore 23 accessions comprising 12 species were included in the final analysis. Two primer pairs produced a total of 73 bands, of which 70 were polymorphic. Neighbor Joining (NJ) tree showed that all 23 accessions were basically classified in three main clusters and several sub-clusters. The tree had well supported branches especially at the level of accessions and species. However, it also had poor bootsrap support at some intermediate and deeper branches. The informative value of the technique was evaluated by comparing the current results with earlier morphological and molecular investigations. Despite some poorly supported parts of the tree, most of the topologies established were in general congruence with earlier studies revealing that AFLP is a robust and reliable tool for DNA fingerprinting and detecting genetic relationships in Malvaceae at different taxonomic levels.

A comparative ethno-botanical study of Cholistan (an arid area) and Pothwar (a semi-arid area) of Pakistan for traditional medicines

BackgroundThe present study is intended to compare and document the therapeutic flora, their remedial use, and the traditional knowledge used frequently by the residents of the Cholistan desert and Pothwar (Potohar) Plateau of Punjab, Pakistan. The old endemic remedies of these areas are diminishing due to lack of qualitative and quantitative research.MethodsThe data was generated by unstructured-interviews, informal meetings, open-ended conversations and group discussions with local people and traditional health healers of the study area. Reported literature was also utilized.ResultsThe study recorded a list of various medicinal plants used as traditional medicines by local people. Total 86 numbers of plant species belonging to 38 families and 67 plant species belonging to 29 families have been reported in the Pothwar and Cholistan respectively. Only 10.5% of similar plant species were present in the studied areas.ConclusionThe investigation revealed that the local people of study areas inherit a rich traditional knowledge but there is great danger of losing this wealth of knowledge in the near future. Documentation of the knowledge exclusively from desert area of Cholistan, Pakistan is unique information in its nature. The study presents the undocumented knowledge worth recognition that will not only help in conservation of medicinal plant species but will highlight the pharmacological capacity for improved human healthcare regarding many common ailments.

The Role of Serotonin during Skin Healing in Post-Thermal Injury

Post-burn trauma significantly raises tissue serotonin concentration at the initial stages of injury, which leads us to investigate its possible role in post burn wound healing. Therefore, we planned this study to examine the role of serotonin in wound healing through in vitro and in vivo models of burn injuries. Results from in vitro analysis revealed that serotonin decreased apoptosis and increased cell survival significantly in human fibroblasts and neonatal keratinocytes. Cellular proliferation also increased significantly in both cell types. Moreover, serotonin stimulation significantly accelerated the cell migration, resulting in narrowing of the scratch zone in human neonatal keratinocytes and fibroblasts cultures. Whereas, fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and ketanserin (serotonin receptor 2A inhibitor) reversed these effects. Scald burn mice model (20% total body surface area) showed that endogenous serotonin improved wound healing process in control group, whereas fluoxetine and ketanserin treatments (disruptors of endogenous serotonin stimulation), resulted in poor reepithelization, bigger wound size and high alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) count. All of these signs refer a prolonged differentiation state, which ultimately exhibits poor wound healing outcomes. Collectively, data showed that the endogenous serotonin pathway contributes to regulating the skin wound healing process. Hence, the results of this study signify the importance of serotonin as a potential therapeutic candidate for enhancing skin healing in burn patients.

Ethnopharmacology of Artemisia annua L.: A Review

Artemisia annua L. has been recognized as important ethanomedicinal herb since two millennia. It has been included in ancient pharmacopoeias of various Asian and European countries. World Health Organization has recommended A. annua as antimalarial drug. Its most common ethnobotanical practice involves the use of whole plant decoction for the treatment of malaria, cough, and cold. Diarrhea is also reported to be cured by taking its dry leaves powder. Whole flowering plant is known to be antihelminth, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, stimulant, tonic, and stomachic. The tincture was formally used to treat nervous diseases and crushed plants in liniments. A. annua tea infusion has been used for the treatment of malaria in African countries. A. annua contains vital compound known as artemisinin that provide structural chemical base for combinatorial treatment therapy for world antimalarial program. Research studies also report that artemisinin is effective for killing human breast cancer cells. Therefore, isolation and characterization of artemisinin has increased the interest in A. annua worldwide. Several ethnobotanical uses in Africa claim that the A. annua tea is also effective against HIV. Recently, research investigations are more focused to evaluate its antiviral potential against HIV, as it is highly emerging disease throughout the world. Therefore, scientific validation can provide the support to the concept of “ethnopharmacology in overdrive”.

Phylogeny and biogeography of Artemisia subgenus Seriphidium (Asteraceae: Anthemideae)

19 p., tablas, figuras -- Contiene material suplementario -- Postprint del articulo publicado en Taxon. Version revisada y corregida

Recovery of metallo-tolerant and antibiotic resistant psychrophilic bacteria from Siachen glacier, Pakistan

Cultureable bacterial diversity of previously unexplored Siachen glacier, Pakistan, was studied. Out of 50 isolates 33 (66%) were Gram negative and 17 (34%) Gram positive. About half of the isolates were pigment producers and were able to grow at 4–37°C. 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed Gram negative bacteria dominated by Proteobacteria (especially γ-proteobacteria and β-proteobacteria) and Flavobacteria. The genus Pseudomonas (51.51%, 17) was dominant among γ- proteobacteria. β-proteobacteria constituted 4 (12.12%) Alcaligenes and 4 (12.12%) Janthinobacterium strains. Among Gram positive bacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, Rhodococcus (23.52%, 4) and Arthrobacter (23.52%, 4) were the dominating genra. Other bacteria belonged to Phylum Firmicutes with representative genus Carnobacterium (11.76%, 2) and 4 isolates represented 4 genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Staphylococcus and Planomicrobium. Most of the Gram negative bacteria were moderate halophiles, while most of the Gram positives were extreme halophiles and were able to grow up to 6.12 M of NaCl. More than 2/3 of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant S. aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus and ATCC strains. Gram positive bacteria (94.11%) were more resistant to heavy metals as compared to Gram negative (78.79%) and showed maximum tolerance against iron and least tolerance against mercury.

The phylogeographic and spatiotemporal spread of HCV in Pakistani population

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the most prevalent human pathogen in Pakistan and is the major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in infected patients. It has shifted from being hypo-endemic to being hyper-endemic. There was no information about the origin and evolution of the local variants. Here we use newly developed phyloinformatic methods of sequence analysis to conduct the first comprehensive investigation of the evolutionary and biogeographic history in unprecedented detail and breadth. Considering evolutionary rate and molecular-clock hypothesis in context, we reconstructed the spatiotemporal spread of HCV in the whole territory of its circulation using a combination of Bayesian MCMC methods utilizing all sequences available in GenBank. Comparative analysis were performed and were addressed. Whole genome and individual gene analysis have shown that sub-types 1a, 1b and 3a are recognized as epidemic strains and are distributed globally. Here we confirm that the origin of HCV 3a genotypes is in South Asia and HCV has evolved in the region to become stably adapted to the host environment.