Tanweer Khaliq

Breast cancer: major risk factors and recent developments in treatment.

Breast cancer is the most common in women worldwide, with some 5-10% of all cases due to inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Obesity, hormone therapy and use of alcohol are possible causes and over-expression of leptin in adipose tissue may also play a role. Normally surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy allow a good prognosis where screening measures are in place. New hope in treatment measures include adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and introduction of mono-clonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors.

Oxytocin induced oxidative stress in lactating Bubalis bubalis (Nili Ravi)

BackgroundOxytocin has been reported for a wide range of adverse effects in different species of lactating animals. The present study was aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of oxytocin on biomarkers of oxidative stress in buffaloes. Lactating buffaloes (n = 40) were randomly selected from a commercial dairy farm located in the peri-urban area of district Faisalabad, Pakistan and divided into two equal groups viz. treatment and control groups, each containing 20 buffaloes. Buffaloes in treatment group were injected with oxytocin before each milking (morning and evening) for milk let down; whereas, animals in control group were milked naturally without oxytocin injection. Both the groups were assessed for oxidative stress biomarkers.ResultsResults showed significantly higher levels (P ≤ 0.05) of TOS, tHcy and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in lactating buffaloes injected with oxytocin as compared to those of control group. On the other hand, serum levels of TAS, PON1 and arylesterase were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in the buffaloes of treatment group.ConclusionsOxytocin injection in lactating buffaloes resulted in elevated oxidative stress by increasing the total homocysteine and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity and decreasing enzymatic activities of antioxidant enzymes including paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase; that might render the animals to poor productive and reproductive potential.

In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluations of methyl ferulate, methyl p-coumarate, and pulegone 1,2-epoxide.

Abstract Context: Toxicological screening of natural compounds for medicinal purposes. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of methyl ferulate (MF), methyl p-coumarate (MpC), and pulegone 1,2-epoxide (PE) with in vitro and in vivo assays. Materials and methods: The in vitro toxicity of MF, MpC, and PE was assessed at a concentration of 10 mg/ml with the Ames assay using two strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Human red blood cells (RBC) were used to determine the hemolytic activity of these compounds. The cytotoxicity of above compounds was determined with brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) at the concentrations of 0.1–20 mg/ml. While dermal and ocular irritation studies were conducted on healthy rabbits (n = 8) for 96 and 12 h post-topical application of test compounds, respectively. Results: PE produced 6–8% hemolysis of RBCs at all the tested concentrations while MF and MpC produced 10–5% hemolysis up to 20 mg/ml, and 50–85% hemolysis at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/ml, respectively. The Ames assay indicated that MF, MpC, and PE were non-mutagenic as the test values were not significantly higher as compared with background values of the assay. BSLB suggested the lethal concentration (LC50) values of MF, MpC, and PE as 4.38, 6.74, and 25.91 mg/ml, respectively. In vivo ocular and dermal irritation scores of MF, MpC, and PE were comparable with ethanol (control) in rabbits indicating the non-irritant nature of these natural compounds. Conclusion: The present studies suggest that these compounds are non-toxic/non-irritant and might be used for medicinal purposes.

Dermatoprotective effects of some plant extracts (genus Ficus) against experimentally induced toxicological insults in rabbits

Aim: Present study was conducted to evaluate the dermatoprotective effects of plant extracts (Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, and Ficus racemosa) against known irritants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), atrazine, and petrol. Methods: The study was conducted in adult male rabbits. Ethanol extracts of plants were obtained through Soxhlet. All irritants and Ficus extracts were topically applied to the backs of rabbits daily for 4 days, while pure ethanol served as control. Skin was examined after 24, 48, and 96 h for erythema. Skin biopsies were taken on 5th day for microscopic examination. Results: Erythema produced by irritants reduced significantly with the simultaneous application of Ficus extracts. The mean ± SEM epidermal thickness (micrometer) with SDS was 45.40 ± 1.89, F. religiosa + SDS was 18.60 ± 0.51, F. benghalensis + SDS was 18.40 ± 0.25, F. racemosa + SDS was 18.80 ± 0.37, and mixture of three Ficus species + SDS was 16.80 ± 0.37. Similar findings were revealed after using plant extracts with atrazine and petrol. The mean ± SEM epidermal layer count for SDS was 3.60 ± 0.25, atrazine was 3.40 ± 0.25, petrol was 3.40 ± 0.25, and ethanol (control) was 1.00 ± 0.20. This count reduced to 1.20 ± 0.20 for three Ficus species + SDS, 1.40 ± 0.25 for Ficus species + atrazine, and 1.40 ± 0.25 for Ficus species + petrol. Conclusion: Ficus species demonstrated the potential to block the dermatotoxic effects of topical irritants and could be used successfully to prevent skin toxicity.

Determination of Enrofloxacin Residues in Commercial Broilers Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are widely used in food producing animals. Suspected residues of these drugs in meat may have ill effects upon human health. The aim of the present study was to determine the enrofloxacin residues in broiler’s meat and liver samples. Detection of enrofloxacin residues in meat (n = 75) and liver (n = 75) samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector set at 268 nm using C18 column. Overall mean residual concentrations of enrofloxacin in meat and liver samples were 208 ± 55 and 527 ± 84 µg/kg, respectively. This study revealed that 52% (39) meat and 78.7% (59) liver samples were positive for enrofloxacin, out of these 58.3% (21) meat and 71.2% (42) liver samples were having residual concentration above the maximum residual limits. So it can be concluded that the usage of this contaminated meat may cause resistance in consumers and seems to be a public health threat.

GASTRO PROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA AGAINST INDOMETHACIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN HEALTHY ADULT MALE ALBINO R ABBITS

Euphorbia prostrate belongs to family Euphorbiaceae locally known as Doodhi is small annual herb. Current study was conducted t o evaluate the gastro protec tive and antioxidant effectiveness of the aerial parts of E . prostrata in indomethacin induced ulcer in adult male albino rabbits. A total 36 mice were taken and divided into 6 equal groups . At day 0 and 14 of experiment the blood sample was collected from each animal and serum was separated from blood which was used for the determination of Total oxidant status (TOS) , Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) , catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) . At the end of the experiment, all of the rabbits were slaughtere d . The gastric content s were collected to total acid output , gastric pH and gastric volume . To confirm the data results was subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results when compared with the extensive mucosal damage in the indomethacin trate d group , gross evaluation revealed a marked protection of the gastric mucosa in the experimental groups, with significantly reductio n in gastric pH, gastric volume and acid output. In these groups, CAT and TAC levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and while MDA and TOS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) which indicate reduction in gastric damage. In conclusion to these results E. prostrata has potent antioxidant properties at dose rate of 240 mg/kg and it is also very effective for the treatment of g astric ulcer at the same dose.

Estimation of Atrazine in the Stratum Corneum and its Toxic Effects in Skin Following Topical Application to Rabbits

ABSTRACT For risk assessment, a workable non-invasive method for the estimation of atrazine in skin was needed. Moreover, the dermato-toxic effects of different concentrations of atrazine have not been studied so far. Fifteen milligrams of 35% solution of atrazine in ethanol was topically applied to each of six different clipped sites on the back of rabbits (n = 6). Each site was tape-stripped with 10 consecutive adhesive tapes at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h of topical dosing to remove the stratum corneum (SC). Atrazine in tapes was extracted with methanol and analyzed with HPLC. The amount of atrazine detected in the SC at 6 h (1955.79 ± 47.22 μg) is equivalent to 13.03% of the total applied dose. In dermal toxicity studies, 500 μl of 35%, 70% atrazine in ethanol and a commercial preparation of atrazine (Balance®) was dosed on clipped backs of rabbits (n = 4) for 4 days under occluded vs non-occluded conditions. Ethanol alone served as control. On the 5th day, rabbits were euthanized and skin was scored for erythema and then examined microscopically. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in erythema scores were observed with 70% atrazine and Balance® as compared to the control under occluded conditions. Significant differences in epidermal thickness and cell layers were observed with Balance® and 74% atrazine as compared to control in both dosing conditions. There were non-significant differences in erythema, epidermal thickness, or cell layers in occluded vs non-occluded applications of atrazine in ethanol, indicating that atrazine is equally toxic regardless of its application procedures. Moreover, under non-occluded application, very slight erythema was observed but microscopically significant epidermal hyperplasia was noticed. This indicates that even if there are no significant gross skin manifestations of atrazine this can still produce significant damage to the epidermal barrier and hence can result in increase in penetration of self or other toxic substances.

Effect of aqueous extract of black pepper and ajwa seed on liver enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of black pepper and ajwa seed on liver enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats to show the preventive and ameliorating effects in hyperglycemic rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups; normal control rats, diabetic control rats, glibenclamide treated rats, black pepper treated rats, ajwa seed treated rats and black pepper plus ajwa seed treated rats. Hyperglycemia was induced in the treatments groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan at 150 mg/kg body weight. The extracts were administered via oral incubation, doses were glibenclamide 10 mg/kg, black pepper 50 mg/kg, ajwa seed 500 mg/kg and their mixture 500 mg/kg body weight for a period of 8 weeks. Serum glucose, AST, ALT and ALP were assayed using spectrophotometric method. Results showed that ajwa seed and mixture significantly reduced glucose level. AST level was significantly reduced by mixture treated group. No significant difference was observed between different aqueous extract treated group in ALT and ALP level. The study indicates that black pepper and ajwa seed extract to some extend normalized the glucose and liver enzyme activities in alloxanized diabetic rats.

RENAL CLEARANCE AND URINARY EXCRETION OF MOXIFLOXACIN IN HEALTHY MALE VOLUNTEERS

Moxifloxacin is a 4th generation fluoroquinolone. Study was planned on renal clearance and urinary excretion of moxifloxacin on healthy male volunteers by applying sensitive, rapid and accurate HPLC-UC analytical method. For this study 8 healthy male subjects similar in all physical conditions were selected. Moxifloxacin (Avelox® 400 mg) was administered orally under fasting conditions. First sample of urine and blood was collected before administration of moxifloxacin and other samples of blood were taken at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 hr and urine samples were withdrawn at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr. The pH of the samples was measured by pH meter. Blood and urine samples were analyzed with HPLC for drug determination. Endogenous creatinine was measured by reagent kit method. The plasma concentration of endogenous creatinine and drug were 12.61 ± 0.85 μg/mL and 1.678 ± 0.062 μg/mL. The renal clearance of endogenous creatinine ranges from 1.17 to 3.18 ml/min/kg with an average ± SE value of 2.67 ± 0.24 mL/min/Kg. Renal clearance of moxifloxacin was 0.476 ± 0.04 mL/min/Kg ranged between 0.27 – 0.609 mL/min/Kg. Urinary excretion of moxifloxacin calculated as cumulative percent dose excreted 20.48 ± 0.88. A positive relationship was found between diuresis and renal clearance of drug indicated that besides glomerular filtration passive diffusion is also involved at kidney tubular level.

Antiviral and immune boosting activities of different medicinal plants against Newcastle disease virus in poultry

The poultry industry is affected by economically important problems such as Newcastle disease (ND). Newcastle disease virus (NDV) belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and manifests as different strains; lentogenic, mesogenic and velogenic. ND affects the quality of eggs and impairs growth performance of birds. Various efforts have been made to control economic losses due to this disease, including using live and killed vaccines, which do not confer 100% immunity in all cases. Due to mutations within viral strains, NDV can become resistant and difficult to control, and there is a need to search for alternative measures. Medicinal plants are considered as a complementary means to control this virus, especially in developing countries, because they have been implicated in treatments for a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins found in plants have been regarded as novel antiviral agents. The following paper encompasses the studies related to plants having in vitro antiviral activity against ND such as Momordica balamina, Adansonia digitata, Artemisia annua, Azadirachta indica, Psidium guajava, Moringa oleifera and plants having good in vivo antiviral activity such as Aloe secundiflora, Cucumis metuliferus and Anthocleista nobilis as well. It discusses plants with the potential to improve the immunity of infected birds, such as Mangrove halophytes, Nigella sativa, Polysavone, Melissa officinalis, Momordica cochinchinensis, Echinacea purpurea, Withania somnifera and Aspargus Racemosus.