A genome‑wide approach to the systematic and comprehensive analysis of LIM gene family in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

The LIM domain-containing proteins are dominantly found in plants and play a significant role in various biological processes such as gene transcription as well as actin cytoskeletal organization. Nevertheless, genome-wide identification as well as functional analysis of the LIM gene family have not yet been reported in the economically important plant sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Therefore, we conducted an in silico identification and characterization of LIM genes in S. bicolor genome using integrated bioinformatics approaches. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis and conserved domain, we identified five LIM genes in S. bicolor (SbLIM) genome corresponding to Arabidopsis LIM (AtLIM) genes. The conserved domain, motif as well as gene structure analyses of the SbLIM gene family showed the similarity within the SbLIM and AtLIM members. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment study revealed that the candidate LIM genes are directly involved in cytoskeletal organization and various other important biological as well as molecular pathways. Some important families of regulating transcription factors such as ERF, MYB, WRKY, NAC, bZIP, C2H2, Dof, and G2-like were detected by analyzing their interaction network with identified SbLIM genes. The cis-acting regulatory elements related to predicted SbLIM genes were identified as responsive to light, hormones, stress, and other functions. The present study will provide valuable useful information about LIM genes in sorghum which would pave the way for the future study of functional pathways of candidate SbLIM genes as well as their regulatory factors in wet-lab experiments.

Clonal Propagation of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) through In vitro Runner Tip Culture through Incorporation of Growth Hormones

Runner tips explants of strawberry give rise to multiple shoots when cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP with KIN or NAA or GA3.The highest response of shoot multiplication was obtained on MS containing 2.5 mgl-1 BAP + 0.5 mgl-1 Kin + 0.5 mgl-1 GA3. The maximum frequency of rooting (83%) and highest number of roots (3.49) was produced in medium containing 1.0 mgl-1 IBA. The well grown rooted plantlets were acclimatized and successfully established in autoclaved vermiculate soil and as well as natural condition. Using our established protocol, it is also possible to provide large numbers of micropropagated plantlets of this cultivars to produce high quality strawberry fruit for commercial cultivation practices.

Multidrug resistance reversal activity of extract and a rare dimeric naphthoquinone from Diospyros lotus

A dimeric naphthoquinone namely dihydrodyspyrole R [1] was purified once more from Diospyros lotus. Dihydrodyspyrole R and chloroform fractions were evaluated for their effects on the reversion of multidrug resistance [MDR]. The compounds [1] and extract exhibited promising MDR reversing effect in a dose-dependent manner against mouse T-lymphoma cell line. Molecular docking of compound 1 revealed the correlation between in-silico with in-vitro results. The molecular docking results showed that compound 1 is bind closely where co-crystal ligand of P-gp is present. But usually, computational investigation predicts that, if a compound gives lesser score then compound will exhibit good activity. Hence, the docking scores of compound 1 are the near to the Rhodamine. It is conclude that there are certain important structural features of compound 1which are responsible for the inhibiting potency of P-gp from mice. The computational Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration [POM] analysis confirms the possibility of use of compound 1 without side effect or less toxicity risks

Antileishmanial, insecticidal and phytotoxic potential of leaves and stems of Rumex nervosus Vahl.

Biological assays including; phytotoxicity, brine shrimp lethality, antileishmanial and insecticidal activities were carried out on crude methanolic extracts of stems and leaves of R. nervosus and their fraction namely; n-Hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and MeOH fractions. The highest significant phytotoxicty activity showed by chloroform, n-hexane fractions and crude extract of leaves, the growth regulation were [95%, 90% and 90%] respectively against Lemna minor, while ethyl acetate fraction and n-hexane fractions of stems displayed significant phytotoxicty [100% and 90%] respectively against Lemna minor at high dose [1000 micro g/ml]. The results obtained from cytotoxicity assays revealed that none of the fractions are cytotoxic. The chloroform fraction of stems was showed good antileishmanial activity against L. major with LC50+/-S.D: 70.3+/-1.2 at micro g/ml. The crude methanolic extracts of leaves, chloroform fraction and ethyl acetate fraction exhibited low mortality against tested insect Rhyzopertha dominica while, the rest of extracts were found almost inactive against insects species

Sedative and antinociceptive activities of two new sesquiterpenes isolated from Ricinus communis / 中国天然药物

Two new sesquiterpenes, trivially named ricinusoids A (1) and ricinusoids B (2), were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Ricinus communis. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic techniques, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The compounds (1-2) were also assessed for in-vivo sedative and analgesic like effects in open field and acetic acid induced writhing tests respectively at 5, 10, and 20 mg·kg i.p. Pretreatment of both test compounds caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in locomotive activity like sedative agents and abdominal constrictions like analgesics. Both compounds (1-2) possessed marked sedative and antinociceptive effects in animal models.

Sedative and antinociceptive activities of two new sesquiterpenes isolated from Ricinus communis / 中国天然药物

Two new sesquiterpenes, trivially named ricinusoids A (1) and ricinusoids B (2), were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Ricinus communis. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic techniques, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The compounds (1-2) were also assessed for in-vivo sedative and analgesic like effects in open field and acetic acid induced writhing tests respectively at 5, 10, and 20 mg·kg i.p. Pretreatment of both test compounds caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in locomotive activity like sedative agents and abdominal constrictions like analgesics. Both compounds (1-2) possessed marked sedative and antinociceptive effects in animal models.

Physiochemical and phytochemical standardisation of khulanjan [rhizome of alpinia galanga l. willd.] - an important unani drug

Khulanjan, a rhizome of Alpinia galanga [L] Willd. [family; Zingiberaceae] is an important Unani drug found throughout India and has been recognized in many Traditional Systems of Medicine due to its medicinal and cosmetic values in various ailments and beauty enhancement. Keeping in view of the authentication and quality assurance of medicinal plants the physicochemical and phytochemical studies of Khulanjan, was conducted to meet Pharmacopoeia standard and quality control of Unani drugs before using them for health care. The physicochemical analysis includes parameters like ash values, bulk density, moisture content, loss on drying at 105°C, pH values and successive extractive values and fluorescence analysis of powder and extracts of test drug whereas the phytochemical analysis consists of thin layer chromatography, qualitative determination of different phytochemicals present in its rhizome. The data can be used as markers in the identification and standardization ol'Khulanjan that should be utilized in all the pharmaceutical industries as raw material?

Bioassay-guided isolation of novel and selective urease inhibitors from Diospyros lotus / 中国天然药物

Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5',8'-dihydroxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5',8'-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin (3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin (4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-I, carbonic anhydrase-II and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding fractions showed significant and selective inhibitory effects on urease activities. The IC values of 1 and 2 were 260.4 ± 6.37 and 381.4 ± 4.80 µmol·L, respectively, using thiourea (IC = 21 ± 0.11 µmol·L) as the standard inhibitor. This was the first report demonstrating that the naphthoquinones class showed urease inhibition.

Three new anthraquinone derivatives isolated from Symplocos racemosa and their antibiofilm activity / 中国天然药物

Three new alkyl substituted anthraquinone derivatives, trivially named as symploquinones A-C (Compounds 1-3) were isolated from Symplocos racemosa. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, Mass, H- and C-NMR, and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques). The resulting data were also compared with the reported literature. These compounds were then subjected to antibacterial or antibiofilm testing. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited good antibacterial activity in the concentration range of 160-83 μg·mL against Streptococcus mutans, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. Both compounds were further screened for anti-biofilm activity, which revealed promising activities at sub-MIC concentrations. None of the compounds were found to be active against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In vitro antimalarial and xanthine oxidase inhibition of 2-Aminoanthraquinone

In the present research study 2-Aminoanthraquinone were scrutinized for their antimalarial and Xanthine oxidase inhibitor potential. It demonstrated marked concentration dependent antimalarial activity with maximum effect of 89.06% and with IC[50] of 34.17 micro M. Regarding Xanthine oxidase inhibitor activity, it evoked significant effect with 57.45% activity with IC[50] value of 81.57.19 micro M. In conclusion, 2-Aminoanthraquinone showed potent antimalarial and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity

Antinociceptive, antioxidant and phytochemical studies of Pakistani medicinal plants

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the selected Pakistani medicinal plants [Chenopodium botrys, Micromeria biflora and Teucrium stocksianum] in-vivo followed by their antioxidant potential against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhidrazyl [DPPH] in-vitro. The results demonstrated profound antinociceptive effect of both the crude methanolic extract of Chenopodium botrys [CBM] and subsequent aqueous fraction [CBW] of C. botrys with 80.76% and 84% pain relief in acetic acid induced writhing test at 100 mg/kg i.p respectively. Similarly the crude methanolic extract of Micromeria biflora [MBM] and its subsequent aqueous fraction [MBW] with 66.46% 78.08% pain reversal in acetic acid induced writhing test respectively at 100mg/kg i.p. However, the crude methanolic extract and isolated water fraction of Teucrium stocksianum [TS] did not show any significant effect at test doses. Both the crude extracts and aqueous fractions of selected medicinal plants exhibited marked scavenging effects on DPPH and therefore strongly support the antinociceptive activity. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of various classes of natural products [alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids etc.] and thus the current finding can be attributed to the presence of these compounds. In short, our findings provide a strong scientific background to the folk uses C. botrys and M. biflora in the management of various painful conditions

In vivo antinociceptive and muscle relaxant activity of leaf and bark of Buddleja asiatica L.

The current study was designed to assess the antinociceptive and skeleton muscle relaxant effect of leaves and barks of Buddleja asiatica in animal models. In acetic acid induced writhing test, pretreatment of ethanolic extract of leaves and barks evoked marked dose dependent antinociceptive effect with maximum of 70% and 67% pain relief at 300mg/kg i.p. respectively. In chimney test, the ethanolic extract of leaves and barks evoked maximum of 66.66% and 53.33% muscle relaxant effect after 90min of treatment at 300mg/kg i.p respectively. In traction test, the ethanolic extract of leaves and barks caused maximum of 60% and 73.33% muscle relaxant effect after 90min of treatment at 300mg/kg i.p respectively. In short, both leaves and barks demonstrated profound antinociceptive and skeleton muscle relaxant effects and thus the study provided natural healing agents for the treatment of said disorders

Journal of the college of physicians and surgeons of Pakistan: five years bibliometric analysis

To conduct the bibliometric analysis of the Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan [JCPSP] from 2012 to 2014. The prime objectives of this report were to determine the number and percentage of articles by year, authorship pattern, gender and geographical affiliation, ranking by subject and citation analysis. A data collection instrument was developed as bibliometric form. The data was analysed using the Microsoft Excel spread sheet. Editorials and letters to editors were excluded. There were 1106 total research documents, including 721 original articles and 385 case reports. A rapid increase in number of articles per year was noticed, more original papers than case reports. Majority of the authors were male. The contribution of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was less than the other provinces. JCPSP was the most cited document in the reference list of the research documents. The scholars of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and female researchers should give more attention in writing quality articles eligible for consideration at this Journal. It is also suggested that writers should be compelled to address such fields of medical sciences as neurology, nephrology, anatomy and pharmacology, while writing original articles and case reports

Assessment of lipid peroxidation and serum electrolyte profile in epileptic patients exposed on anti-epileptic drugs

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common severe disorders of the brain and 50 million people are affected by epilepsy from all over the world. In the central nervous system [CNS] electrolyte homeostasis is crucial for the brain function. Anti-Epileptic Drugs [AEDs] are neither protective nor healing but employed exclusively to control symptoms such as suppression of seizures

Objective: To assess lipid peroxidation and serum electrolyte profile in epileptic patients exposed on anti-epileptic drugs

Methodology: Fifty patients of epilepsy and ten age and sex-matched clinically apparently healthy individuals were eligible for inclusion in the study at Jinnah Hospital Lahore. 5.0 ml blood sample was taken from each individual and subjected to centrifuge at 3000-4000 rpm for 10-15 minutes for the separation of serum. The estimation of anti-oxidative biomarkers [SOD, MDA, GSH and CAT] and serum electrolyte profile [NA+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++] were estimated

Results: The level of MDA in epileptic patients was increased remarkably [7.08 +/- 0.76] as compared to healthy individuals [1.67 +/- 0.19] and statistically significant [0.000<0.05]. Mg++ level was decreased in epileptic patients [1.44 +/- 0.21] as compared to control [1.68 +/- 0.20] and statistically significant [0.003<0.05]. Serum sodium [Na+] level in epileptic patients was increased [1.64 +/- 9.9] as compared to control persons [1.38 +/- 5.97] and statistically significant [0.004<0.05]

Conclusion: A relationship is present between oxidative stress, electrolyte profile and epilepsy. Lipid peroxidation level and sodium and potassium level is significantly elevated in epileptic patients as compared to control persons

Outcome of closed titanium elastic nailing in paediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures

Background: Tibia fractures in skeletally immature patients are usually treated conservatively but sometimes operative treatment becomes essential

Objective: To determine the outcome of closed titanium elastic nailing in pediatric tibia diaphyseal fractures in terms of union and range of motion at knee and ankle joints

Methodology:Across sectional study was conducted at Orthopedics Department of Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. A total of 35 patients ageing between 6-12 years with unilateral, isolated, closed displaced diaphyseal fractures of tibia were included in this study. Patients were followed in outpatient department after 15 days for operative wound examination and then were followed after every 2 months to determine the progress in union and range of motion. The collected information was entered in PASWStatistics 18 and analyzed

Results: The minimum age was 6 and maximum was 12 years. There were 19[54.3%] males and 16[45.7%] females. According to Hammer classification of fracture healing, at 2nd week post operative all patients has Grade-V. At 2nd Month follow up 12[34.28%] patients has Grade-II and 23 [65.72%] patient has Grade-III fracture healing. At 4th month follow up 30[85.71%] patients has Grade-I and 5[14.2%] patients has Grade-II union. At 6th month follow up all 35[100%] patients has Grade-I fracture healing

Conclusion: Treatment of diaphyseal fractures of tibia in children with closed elastic intramedullary nailing is a rapid and effective method in terms of bone union and range of motion of the ankle and knee joints

Antimicrobial activity of different tea varieties available in Pakistan

In this antimicrobial study, various extracts of Green and Black tea [Camellia sinensis] and Lemon grass [Cymbopogon citrates] were evaluated for antimicrobial activities against six bacterial strains including both human pathogenic bacteria [Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi] and plant pathogenic bacteria [Erwinia carotovora, Agro bacterium tumifaciens] and one fungal strain Candida albicans by disc diffusion susceptibility method. Of human pathogens, P. aeruginosa was most susceptible to all three different tea varieties; though rest of the strains also demonstrated prominent sensitivity. In comparison, black tea extracts were less activities than green tea and lemon grass. However, all the three tea varieties illustrated profound activity against plant pathogenic bacteria. Similarly, when extracts of tea were tested against C. albicans, green tea and lemon grass exhibited significant activity while black tea was mostly inactive

In vivo sedative and muscle relaxants activity of Diospyros lotus L

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L (D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests. METHODS: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the plant, in-vivo open field and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time were used, while the Roda rod test was employed in animals for the assessment of muscle relaxant activity. RESULTS: Results from this investigation revealed that the extracts of D. lotus have exhibited significant sedative effect in mice (45.98%) at 100 mg/kg i.p. When the extract was partitioned with different solvents, the n-hexane fraction was inactive whereas the chloroform fraction was the most active with 82.67% sedative effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions displayed significant sedative effects (55.65% and 40.87%, respectively) at 100 mg/kg i.p. Among the tested extract/fractions, only chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant (P < 0.05) muscle relaxant activity in the Rota rod test. CONCLUSIONS: In short, our study provided scientific background to the traditional uses of D. lotus as sedative.

Preliminary antioxidant profile of Pistacia integerrima Stewart

To explore the free radical scavenging properties of crude ethanolic extract of galls, bark, leaves, roots of Pistacia integerrima and its subsequent solvent fractions viz., n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] stable. In vitro DPPH based free radical was employed using querceitin as standard antioxidant while methanol as negative control. Different parts of P. integerrima showed marked scavenging on DPPH in a concentration dependent manner. The ethanolic extract exhibited 60.51 88.51% scavenging effect on DPPH which differentiated upon fractionation. Of the part used, leaves of the plant were the least effective while n-hexane was the least dominant fraction. However, the rest of the parts and fractions demonstrated profound scavenging potential. This in-vitro study revealed an outstanding free radical scavenging potential of various solvent fractions of different parts of whole plant P. integerrima

Preliminary phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Euphorbia milli

Euphorbia milii is a Pakistani herb used for various infectious diseases. In this study we have carried out phytochemical, antibacterial and antioxidant investigation of different extracts/fractions. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, steroids/phytosterols, anthocyanin, proteins, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. Susceptibility testing by well diffusion assay of its chloroform and methanol fractions revealed good antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Staph epidermis. Ethyl acetate fraction of roots also exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against most of tested pathogens. Various fractions [Hexane, chloroform, methanol and water] of E. milii were screen for their antioxidant potential using DPPH radical scavenging assay at different concentrations among these, chloroform fraction exhibited good scavenging activity. The IR spectroscopy of the various extracts/fractions indicated the presence of OH, saturated CH stretching, C=C, C=O, NO[2], C-N, Ar-O, C-O- and R-O-Stretching respectively. The findings provide helpful evidence for the use of E. milii in traditional medicines

Antipyretic and antinociceptive activity of Diospyros lotus L. in animals

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate pharmacologically the traditional use of Diospyros lotus as antipyretic and antinociceptive in various animal models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vivo experimental models were used in this study. Antipyretic activity of extract/fractions was evaluated in brewer's yeast induced hyperthermic mice while antinociceptive activity was studied in acetic acid induced writhing test at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The crude extract strongly ameliorated the induced pyrexia during various assessment times. Upon fractionation, the antipyretic effects were strongly augmented by the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the plant. However, hexane and butanol fractions were insignificant in their effect as antipyretic. The extract showed marked inhibition on the noxious simulation induced by post acetic acid injection. The effect was strongly supported by other fraction expect hexane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In short, our study scientifically validated the traditional use of the plant as antipyretic.</p>