Sabira Sultana

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.

Epidemiology, Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is more common in men over the age of 65 years. There are 15% cases with positive family history of prostate cancer Worldwide. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among the U.S. men. Prostate cancer incidence is strongly related to age with the highest rates in older man. Globally millions of people are suffering from this disease. This study aims to provide awareness about prostate cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

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.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO TREAT PEPTIC ULCER

Peptic ulcer is considered as one of the most common disord er among gastrointestinal ailments all over the world which is mainly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, abundant use of NSAIDs, excessive alcohol intake and stress etc. Treatment of peptic ulcer with synthetic drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, H 2 receptor antagonists and other non - steroidal a nti - inflammatory drugs reported to have adverse effects, relapses and drug interactions. Medicinal plants containing active phyto - constituents have been proven as useful source in the prevention and treatment of various diseases including gastrointestinal problems . Demands of h erbal medicines are increasing in both developed and developing countries due to growing recognition of natural plants having lesser or no side effects, relatively less toxic, economical and easily available in surrounding place . Therefore , medicinal plants stand out as being exceptional for its ethnic, eth no botanical and ethno pharmaceuti cal use s . In this review an attempt ha s been made to compile some plants which may be used in treatm ent or prevention of peptic ulcers. Thi s article summarizes the antacid , anti - ulcer and gastro protective properties of the mo st commonly available medicinal plants .

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.