Shafiq Ahmad Tariq

Biological and phytochemical studies on corms of Colchicum luteum Baker

The methanol extract of the corms of the Colchicum luteum Baker (Liliaceae) and its subsequent solvent fractions were screened for brine shrimp cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal activities and phytochemical studies. Profound cytotoxicity was displayed by the crude methanolic extract (LD50 42.43 μg/ml). However, the cytotoxic potential was not much altered by the fractionation. The plant also expressed low phytotoxicity against Lemna acquinoctialis Welv and the highest phytotoxicity was exhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction (33%) at 1000 μg/ml. Interestingly, negative phytotoxic effect was also computed; aqueous fraction expressed maximum phytotoxic effect (13.79%) at 10 μg/ml. Overall poor insecticidal activity was observed in which the n-butanol fraction exhibited the highest activity against Callosdruchus analis (40%) followed by the chloroform fraction (35%). Results revealed significant cytotoxicity of the extracts and therefore, can be a potential new natural source for the treatment of different types of cancers. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of various pharmacological groups especially alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and saponins.

Urease Inhibitory Activity of Aerial Parts of Artemisia scoparia: Exploration in an In Vitro Study

Artimisia scoparia has been used in the treatment of different disorders including ulcers. The current study was therefore designed to investigate the aerial parts of  Artemisia scoparia (crude extract, total sterol and flavonoidal contents, and aqueous fraction) for its urease inhibitory potential. The crude of the plant evoked marked attenuation on urease activity, when tested in various concentrations with IC50 values of 4.06 mg/ml. The inhibitory potential was further augmented in the aqueous fraction (IC50: 2.30 mg/ml) of the plant. When the total sterol and flavonoidal contents were challenged against urease, both showed concentration dependent activity; the latter showed maximum potency with IC50 values of 8.04 and 2.10 mg/ml, respectively. In short, the aerial parts of the plant demonstrated marked antagonism on urease and thus our study validated the traditional use of Artemisia scoparia in the treatment of ulcer.

Antipyretic Activity of Decoction of Joshanda and Its Saponin and Sterol Contents Validation in an Animal-Based Model

Joshanda is a polyherbal product that is commonly used in the treatment of cold and flu usually accompanied by fever. The present study was designed to scrutinize the antipyretic activity of a decoction of Joshanda and its total saponin and sterol contents in brewer’s yeast induced febrile mice. The results revealed marked attenuation of induced pyrexia by the decoction and its saponin contents during various assessment times (1-5 hours) in a dose-dependent manner, which were not supported by sterol contents. The maximum antihyperthermic effect of the decoction and saponin contents were 75.38% and 81.32%, respectively, at 300 mg/kg i.p. This findings suggested that Joshanda extracts strongly ameliorated induced pyrexia and thus validated it as a useful household remedy for cold and flu accompanied by fever.

In Vitro Attenuation of Thermal-Induced Protein Denaturation by Aerial Parts of Artemisia scoparia

The goal of this study was to explore the aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia (crude extract, total flavonoid contents, and aqueous fraction) for protein denaturation potential. The crude extract provoked marked attenuation of thermal-induced denatured protein in a concentration-dependent manner with maximum inhibition of 54.05 μg/mL at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 449.66 μg/mL. When total flavonoid contents were studied, it illustrated most dominant activity concentration dependently with maximum amelioration of 62.16 μg/mL at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 378.35 μg/mL. The aqueous fraction also exhibited significant activity with maximum of 56.75% inhibition at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 445.10 μg/mL. It can be concluded on the basis of the results that the crude extract, flavonoid contents, and aqueous fraction of the plant possessed significant inhibition on thermal-induced denatured protein.

The Biological Performance of Crataegus songarica Against Certain Infectious Fungal and Bacterial Diseases

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal of the crude extract/fractions of Crataegus songarica against six bacterial and fungal strains. The extract/fractions demonstrated significant susceptibility against tested bacteria namely Escherchia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Shigella flexeneri illustrated the most susceptibility were with MICs 150 µg/mL, 390 µg/mL and 220 µg/mL respectively. Meanwhile Antifungal activity was also recorded table and the crude extract and fractions showed marked activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Aspergillus flavus, Microspoum canis and Fusarium solani with MICs 220 µg/mL, 180 µg/mL, 110 µg/mL and 160 µg/mL respectively. Based on the obtained results, C. songarica could be considered a new natural healing agent for the treatment of various infectious diseases.

Attenuation of erythrocytic actylcholinesterase by antidepressants Evidence in an in vitro experiment

The current study was aimed to scrutinize acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory profile of two antidepressants, diazepam and phenobarbitone. The experimental designed was based on Michaelis–Menten parameters (apparent Michaelis constant (aKm) and apparent maximum velocity (aVm)) that estimate inhibition (%) as well as the type of inhibition (mechanism). The results showed marked inhibition of AchE by diazepam and the values of aKm and aVm were 65.5% and 52.63%, respectively. These values suggested a competitive type of antagonism for diazepam. Similar trend of antagonism was shown by phenobarbitone when it was subjected to the challenge of AchE with aKm and aVm values of 51.99% and 71.80%, respectively. It is concluded that diazepam and phenobarbitone exhibited prominent AchE attenuation apart from their well-established antidepressant activity, which could be more useful in related diseased conditions.

Evaluation of In-vitro Antimicrobial Potential of Daphne retusa Hemsl. Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial drug resistance is an emerging problem, which leads to a failure in the control of infectious diseases thereby, adversely affecting patient care and reducing effective management of infectious diseases globally. Thus, search for new and more effective alternatives is needed. Daphne retusa Hemsl. (Daphne) has medicinal values and is reported to be widely used in curing a variety of human ailments. OBJECTIVE Current study assesses in-vitro antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of D.retusa (whole plant) and its derived fractions against clinically isolated human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole plant of D.retusa was powder dried and then extracted with methanol (E1). The resultant was fractionated to give Chloroform fraction (E2), Butanol fraction (E3) and Ethyl acetate fraction (E4). The crude extract and derived fractions were assessed for antimicrobial and antifungal activity by using agar well diffusion method and their MICs were found following Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. RESULT Our study shows that D.retusa has very good inhibitory action against different bacterial and fungal strains. All of the extracts were active against almost every microorganism used in the study. E2 has the maximum percent of inhibition against bacterial growth while E1 has themaximum percent of inhibition against fungal growth. Streptococcus pneumonia was the most susceptible bacteria while among fungi, Gongronella butleri showed highest susceptibility. CONCLUSION Results justify the use of D. retusa in the treatment of microbial infections. For the development of a novel antibiotic, the crude extract and its derived fractions need further exploration; with emphasis to isolate and identify the active constituents that are responsible for antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Antidiabetic activity and histopathological analysis of carnosol isolated from Artemisia indica linn in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a major metabolic disorder affecting a huge population all over the world. The aim of the current study was to validate the folkloric use of Artemisia indica as an antidiabetic plant by using the isolated compound carnosol from the chloroform fraction of Artemisia indica in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The antidiabetic activity-guided isolation of the chloroform fraction of Artemisia indica linn (Asteraceae) led to the isolation and characterization of carnosol. Carnosol was tested for its possible antidiabetic potential in streptozotocin [50 mg/kg. intra peritoneal (i.p)]-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats. Blood glucose level, body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver enzymes and effects on histopathological parameters were determined. A daily oral dose of carnosol (1–100 mg/kg b.w) for 15 days caused a significant reduction in blood glucose level, which was comparable to the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg, p.o). Carnosol also showed reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and serum creatinine level in diabetic rats. Furthermore, in histopathological studies, carnosol reversed streptozotocin-induced changes in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and caused regeneration and restored the integrity of pancreatic islets of Langerhans which may be responsible for its antihyperlgycemic effect. In conclusion, carnosol possesses hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and useful protective effects on the liver and renal functions in diabetic rats, which suggests that the antidiabetic activity of Artemisia indica may be due in part to carnosol.