Waqar Ahmad

A spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of lactulose in pharmaceutical preparations

A simple spectrophotometric assay for the quantification of lactulose in pharmaceutical preparations was developed. The method is based on hydrolysis of lactulose under acidic conditions. The hydrolyzed product reacts with resorcinol, giving absorption peaks at 398 and 480 nm. Both absorption wavelengths can be used for the determination of lactulose. The limit of detection of lactulose at 398 nm and 480 nm was 0.075 μg mL−1 and 0.65 μg mL−1, respectively. The calibration was linear in the range of 5–25 μg mL−1. Analytical conditions were optimized, and the method was validated for analysis of pharmaceutical preparations. The determined amount of lactulose was found to be in good agreement with labeled claims in commercial products. The proposed method is economical, convenient, and suitable for the quantification of lactulose in pharmaceutical preparations.

Pollution Problem in River Kabul: Accumulation Estimates of Heavy Metals in Native Fish Species

The contamination of aquatic systems with heavy metals is affecting the fish population and hence results in a decline of productivity rate. River Kabul is a transcountry river originating at Paghman province in Afghanistan and inters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and it is the major source of irrigation and more than 54 fish species have been reported in the river. Present study aimed at the estimation of heavy metals load in the fish living in River Kabul. Heavy metals including chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometer after tissue digestion by adopting standard procedures. Concentrations of these metals were recorded in muscles and liver of five native fish species, namely, Wallago attu, Aorichthys seenghala, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo dyocheilus, and Ompok bimaculatus. The concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead were higher in both of the tissues, whereas the concentration of cadmium was comparatively low. However, the concentration of metals was exceeding the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance of USA) limits. Hence, continuous fish consumption may create health problems for the consumers. The results of the present study are alarming and suggest implementing environmental laws and initiation of a biomonitoring program of the river.

In vitro enzyme inhibition activities of Myrtus communis L.

The crude methanolic extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Myrtus communis L. were examined as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and lipoxygenase. A significant enzyme inhibition activity (81 to 91%) was shown by the crude methanolic extract and its fractions against acetylcholinesterase, while high to outstanding enzyme inhibitory activity (72.5 to 99%) was shown against butyrylcholinesterase. The crude methanolic extract and its various fractions also demonstrated significant activity (79 to 94.5%) against lipoxygenase.

A KINETIC STUDY OF RUBAZOIC ACID FORMATION DERIVED FROM 4-AMINO-1(4-SULPHOPHENYL) 3-METHYL-2-PYRAZOLIN-5-ONE.

Ghulam Hussain 1 , Shakeel Ahmad Khan 2* , Waqar Ahmad 2 , Makshoof Athar 1 and Rashid Saleem 3 . 1. Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan. 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Management and Technology Lahore-54000, Pakistan. 3. Department of Chemistry, GC University, Kachehry Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

A comparison study of Morven gold and Tander virginia cigarettes with respect to its spasmogenic, spasmolytic and chemical screening

The ethanolic extracts derived from cigarettes (Morven gold and Tander virginia) were screened for chemicals, spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities. M. gold extract showed a strong relaxant activity that is 70% against KCl induced contractions while T. virginia was found to have a mild spasmolytic activity of (06%). Furthermore, a moderate spasmogenic effect of M. gold had being measured, while no measurable spasmogenic activity has been shown by the T. virginia. It can be concluded from the current study that Morven gold has a strong spamsmogenic and spasmolytic activity, while the Tander is not found to be so efficient in either case. The chemicals found in sufficient quantity in both the extracts were tannins, saponin and glycosides. Minute quantity of carbohydrates were also been noted in M. gold. The presence of alkaloids were also been noted in excess quantity in T. virginia and less amount in M. gold. Further studies are necessary to elucidate its exact mechanism of action.

Radical scavenging activity of various fractions of Cephalotaxus sinensis (Rehd et Wile) Li

Cephalotaxus sinensis (Rehd et Wile) Li, belongs to family Cephalotaxaceae, common in China, is an indigenous medicinal plant due to its antiascariasis, antiinflammation, anticough and antidyspepsia activity. The overindulgence of free radicals has been concerned in the development of chronic diseases and play an imperative role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases. Various fractions of this plant were evaluated for their radical scavenging activity by the DPPHldr and reducing power activity assays. Also, the Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content. The results of both methods revealed that Cephalotaxus. sinensis possesses potent antioxidant activity. The polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities of the different fractions tested decreased in the order of EaF > BtF > CfF > WtF > PtF. The radical scavenging activity of the ethyl acetate fraction higher than BHT and slightly lower than Vit-C. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and contents of polyphenol was established. This information shows that ethyl acetate fraction of C. sinensis can be used as antioxidant in medicinal preparations.

Fabrication, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of Famotidine Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Boosting Oral Bioavailability

Famotidine as H2 receptor has antagonistic effects on gastric secretion. Unfortunately, its hydrophobic nature contributes to its variable and poor oral bioavailability. In the current study efforts are being made to fabricate famotidine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. Prepared nanoformulations were pharmaceutically evaluated to confirm the desired boosted oral bioavailability. Famotidine loaded nanoformulation (FFSe-4) showed particle size u2009nm, polydispersity index , zeta potential −u2009mV, entrapment efficiency %, and drug loading capacity %. Drug-excipients compatibility was confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spherical shaped, nanosized particles. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry confirmed the change in crystalline nature. Prepared nanoformulation was more stable at refrigerated temperature. In vitro study showed that drug release time is proportional to drug pay load and followed zero order kinetics. Release exponent () confirmed non-Fickian-diffusion mechanism for drug release. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed 2.06-fold increase in oral bioavailability of famotidine dispersed in solid lipid nanoparticles compared to commercial product. These results authenticate solid lipid nanoparticles as drug delivery system and propose prolonged release with improved oral bioavailability for famotidine.

Inv estigation of Genetic Diversity among Medicago species Using RAPD Markers

Aims: Medicago is known as the Queen of forage with potential economic importance to our society. The present study aimed at the use of RAPD-PCR DNA marker to identify the genetic fingerprints affinities of six species of Alfalfa. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Genetics, Garden Campus, Hazara University, Mansehra Pakistan during February, 2011 to August, 2013. Methodology: In this study, six species of Medicago namely TWAL (Tetraploid Wisconsin Alfalfa Line), Medicago arborea, Medicago falcata, Medicago sativa, Medicago lupulina and Medicago polymorpha were used to explore the diversity of alfalfa. Seven out of 120 decamers produced 34 polymorphic loci with 100% polymorphism to identify the different species of Medicago crop. The Original Research Article Murtaza et al.; BBJ, 6(2):79-86, 2015; Article no.BBJ.2015.029 80 range of polymorphic loci was observed from 300 to 700 bp. Eleven species specific loci were generated by seven decamers. Primer B-18 generated single specific locus 700 bp against genomic DNA of M. lupulina and it is important to identify particular species of Alfalfa. The bivariate data were recorded as the presence of locus 1 and absence 0 and then this data was transferred into A and C respectively to make it suitable for DNAMAN software (version 5.2.2.0; Applied Biostatistics Inc). Moreover, cluster analysis was performed using sequence alignment and divergence function of the DNAMAN against the bivariate data collected from the products of decamers. All members clustered in a unique pattern except M. falcata and M. lupulina those shared 86% homology. Three distinct groups were observed during UPGMA (Unweighted pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean). During the phylogenetic study, TWAL was observed to have genetic diversity from other five species of Alfalfa. Conclusion: So, the present study is enabling us to discriminate different species of Alfalfa and it could be useful to identify and authenticate different species of the same genus of medicinal important plant from the Flora of Pakistan.

LC-MS Analysis of Markers for Advanced Glycation Endprocducts -Protein/Peptides Adducts

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of proteins that have been modified with glucose or carbohydrates adducts, and are thought to be responsible for many complications of diabetes and aging. Free amino groups of proteins react slowly with reducing sugars such as glucose by the glycation or Maillard reaction, initially forming Schiff bases, which undergo rearrangement to form the relatively stable Amadori products. The Amadori products subsequently degrade into a-dicarbonyl compounds that react with amino groups of proteins to form cross-links, stable end products called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs have been shown to react (cross-link) with the amino group of the N-terminal amino acid residue and the side-chains of arginine and lysine residues. Therefore, glucose has been shown to be responsible, at least in part, for protein cross-linkage, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. In this in vitro study model, the cross-linking of glucose (0.05, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 M) with bovine serum albumin incubated for different intervals of time (0, 7,14, 21, 28 and 35 days) was studied using LC-MS and Mascot database to search for the possible markers for glucose-peptides adducts. A total of twenty-seven peptides were matched in the database search query for control BSA out of which seven (m/z 922.69, 464.36, 582.41, 681.95, 834.49, 847.59 and 812.87) were found to be the possible markers for AGEs-protein/peptides adducts.

A study on modification of Human Albumin by proteomic technique

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of complex compounds which may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic complications associated with diabetes and aging. Glucose has the ability to crosslink proteins through creation of AGEs. This study was carried out on glycated human albumin (HA) by glucose which were analyzed by LC/MS with the aim of identifying specific peptides from glycated HA. Our objective was to find typical peptides as biomarker for clinical diagnose of diabetes and aging. This method was in vitro incubation of HA with glucose of different concentrations. Glycated and unglycated HA were digested by trypsin. AGE-peptides originated by enzymatic digestion were analysed by LC/MS. Analysis of the LC/MS data show that there were differences between peptides of glycated and unglycated HA. Some peptides detected in unglycated HA cannot be found in glycated HA. These typical peptides were considered as important markers for glycated HA.