Muhammad Yousaf

Effect of body size on elemental concentration in wild Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider) from southern Punjab, Pakistan

In this study, relationships of body size with metals; zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in freshwater wild Wallago attu (whole fish) was studied. Mean concentrations ( µg g -1 dry weight) of the metals in carcasses of wild W. attu were found to be 23.66 (Cu), 96.33 (Zn), 94.02 (Fe), 0.55 (Ni), 1.05 (Co), 0.31 (Cd) and 2.07 (Pb). Cr concentration was below the limit of detection of the technique. It was observed that all metals showed significant positive correlation (P<0.001) with total body weight or total body length. Metals such as Cd, Co, Cu and Fe were found to increase in direct proportion to an increase in body weight showing isometry (when b=1 or not significantly different from 1.0). Ni, Zn and Pb were found to decrease with the increase of body weight showing negative allometry. All the metals had decreasing trends with the increase of total length of the fish showing positive allometry (b value more than 3) except Zn.

Comparative study on calcium, magnesium and cobalt in diabetic and non diabetic patients (males) in Punjab, Pakistan

Minerals are very important because of their important role in the maintenance of human health. Our study was aimed at assessing and comparing the levels of Ca, Mg and Co in the blood samples of diabetic and non diabetic persons (males) of five age groups between one and 75 years. For this purpose, fasting blood samples of diabetic and non diabetic males of selected age groups were collected. The blood samples were centrifuged to get serum. The mineral elements in the serum were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results depicted that the diabetic patients had higher mean concentration of Ca (141.47 ppm), Mg (18 ppm) and Co (0.057 ppm) while non diabetic persons had higher mean concentration of Ca (201.33 ppm), Mg (36.15 ppm) and Co (0.047 ppm). Statistical analysis was done by applying Student’s T-test. It can be concluded from the study that the diabetic patients of all five age groups are deficient of Ca, Mg, whereas the concentration of Co is higher in diabetic patients. In the further study physiological parameters along with other inorganic cofactors are being taken into consideration. Key words : Diabetes mellitus, blood serum, Ca, Mg, Co.

Synthesis of ciprofloxacin-based compounds: A review

ABSTRACT Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that plays an important role in inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Medicinal chemists are extensively involved in the synthesis of novel ciprofloxacin derivatives, in search of new ciprofloxacin-based drugs with enhanced activity. This review article summarizes the major synthetic approaches involved in the synthesis of ciprofloxacin-based molecules. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Extraction, isolation, and identification of various environment friendly components from cock's comb (Celosia argentea) leaves for allelopathic potential

In this study, the aqueous extract of leaves of the plant cocks comb (Celosia argentea) was fractioned into five batches using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the methanol re-dissolved residues of 3 polar fractions, including dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol separately which exhibited altogether 12 compounds identified as 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, m-coumaric acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, pyrogallol, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and genetic acid was categorized by retention time using known compounds. Similarly, the mass confirmation of most of the identified compounds was achieved by injecting 20 µl of composite sample of these three polar fractions into liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Similarly, the physiochemical analysis of C. argentea aqueous extract showed the presence of various constituents such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. All four organic fractions were examined for phytotoxicity against Lepidium sativum. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among these fractions against germination and growth of L. sativum. Further allelopathic effects appeared to be concentration dependent. Thus, C. argentea may prove effective as a substitute of herbicides to control the weeds like L. sativum from attacking crops and to protect the environment from the health hazard effects of herbicides.

A comparative study on the status of Zn and Cu in diabetic and non diabetic males in Punjab, Pakistan

Minerals play a considerable role in the prolongation of all biological and psychological processes in the body. The present study was aimed to determine and to compare the concentration of zinc and copper in the serum samples of diabetic and non diabetic males of different age groups, that is, between one to seventy five years. Fasting blood samples of diabetic males as well as of non diabetics of selected age groups were collected for the study. Blood serum was obtained after centrifugation of blood samples. Level of zinc and copper in blood serum samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data obtained was processed statistically by using student’s t- test. A highly, significant (p<0.01) lower levels of zinc and highly, significant (p<0.01) higher levels of copper were found in blood serum of diabetic males when they were compared with non diabetic ones. The results reflect that the diabetic patients had a higher mean concentration of Zn (0.577 ppm), lower mean concentration of Zn (0.467 ppm), higher mean concentration of Cu (2.713 ppm) and lower mean concentration of Cu (2.207 ppm). It has also been represented by our results that the non diabetic males had higher mean concentration of Zn (1.94 ppm), lower mean concentration of Zn (0.937 ppm), higher mean concentration of Cu (1.31 ppm) and lower mean concentration of Cu (1.077 ppm). It has been concluded that the diabetic males of all age groups are deficient of zinc and they contain a higher level of copper in their blood serum.

Ring-opening reactions of oxetanes: A review of methodology development and synthetic applications

ABSTRACT Ring-opening reactions of oxetanes yield important functionalized products depending upon the nature of nucleophiles as well as substitution pattern on the oxetane ring. Ring opening of oxetanes can be carried out under a variety of reaction conditions. In this review article, an up-to-date overview of major synthetic methodologies involved in the ring opening of oxetanes as well as their synthetic applications has been presented. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Synthesis and Characterization of Bimetallic Post Transition Complexes for Antimicrobial Activity

Antimicrobial and antibacterial activities of bimetallic complexes are very important in variety of biological mechanisms. In this research work, a Schiff base ligand 2-(bis-2-hydroxylphenylidene)-1,2-iminoethane was prepared by condensation reaction between the reactants. Using this ligand, the derivatives of post transition bimetallic complexes were also synthesized by condensation reaction between salicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine followed by transition metals (Cu, Co, Mn, Zn). The synthesized ligand was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS techniques, whereas the bimetallic complexes were characterized by FT-IR and X-ray crystallographic techniques. In a later stage, the ligand and bimetallic complexes were screened in vitro for antibacterial and antifungal activities by using disc diffusion method. Different bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis were used to check the antibacterial activities of ligand and bimetallic complexes. Similarly, the used fungal strains were Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata, and Aspergillus niger. The biological activity data showed that the bimetallic complexes exhibit higher values of antibacterial and antifungal activities as compared with ligand.

Synthesis, spectral and antimicrobial studies of amino acid derivative Schiff base metal (Co, Mn, Cu, and Cd) complexes

Amino acid derivative Schiff base was synthesized by reaction of leucine with salicyldehyde in basic medium. The Schiff base was used as a ligand which was reacted with Co, Mn, Cu and Cd metals in order to form the stable complexes. The synthesized ligand and metals complexes were characterized by using different spectroscopic tools i.e. FT-IR, Mass spectrometry and NMR. The percentages of different elements present in ligand molecule and complexes was confirmed by Elemental analyzer. All compounds including ligand and complexes were also engaged with different bacterial (Escheria coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subbtilis) and fungal strains (Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger) in order to check the inhibitory action of titled compounds. The results showed that the metal complexes have greater antimicrobial activities than ligand.

Synthetic strategies toward the synthesis of polyphenolic natural products: Pauciflorol F and isopaucifloral F: A review

ABSTRACT Pauciflorol F and isopaucifloral F are very important polyphenolic natural products and exhibit a variety of biological activities such as antibiotic, anticancer, anti-HIV, antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. These important molecules have gained significant attraction of medicinal chemists and several new strategies have been developed toward the synthesis of pauciflorol F and isopaucifloral F. This review article summarizes the major synthetic approaches adopted for the synthesis of these two indanone-based compounds. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Synthetic strategies toward the synthesis of enoxacin-, levofloxacin-, and gatifloxacin-based compounds: A review

ABSTRACT Enoxacin, levofloxacin, and gatifloxacin represent one of the most important prerogative scaffolds in drug development. They possess broad spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. They inhibit bacterial growth by blocking their topoisomerase enzyme which is necessary for the proper functioning of bacterial DNA. In this article, we have reviewed the synthetic approaches involved in the synthesis of derivatives of enoxacin, levofloxacin, and gatifloxacin. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT