Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Screening of Seriphidium Oliverianum Plant Extracts.

The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemicals using reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial activities of Seriphidium oliverianum stem extracts. The extraction was carried out by conventional shaking process (CSP) and ultrasonic assisted process (UAP). The highest total phenolic contents (97.85 ± 0.735 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g sample) and flavonoid contents (188.15 ± 0.53 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g sample) were found in methanol extract obtained by CSP. Antioxidant activity was investigated using DPPH° scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Methanol extract using UAP showed the highest DPPH° scavenging activity (79.95% ± 1.80%) followed by methanol and butanol extracts obtained through CSP. Moreover, methanol extracts using CSP showed highest reducing activity (1.032 ± 0.0205 absorbance). In-vitro antimicrobial activity was studied using most common infection causing fungal and bacterial strains. Anti-fungal activity of methanol extract using CSP showed the highest zone of inhibition (10.5 mm) against F. avenaceum fungal strain, while aqueous extracts obtained through showed the highest antibacterial activity (22 ± 1.32 mm zone of inhibition) against S. aureus. The results showed that the methanol stem extract of S. oliverianum is a valued candidate for further screening and could be processed for in-vivo infection induced animal trials.

Hepatoprotective activity of silymarin encapsulation against hepatic damage in albino rats.

Liver fibrosis occurs due to liver injuries and toxins. Silymarin (SMR) extracted by the milk thistle seeds, is widely used such as herbal drug for its hepatoprotective properties. The purpose of this study to assess the properties of an optimized dose of encapsulated crude SMR on antidiabetic activity and liver fibrosis induced by paracetamol in male albino rat. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by measuring liver enzymes. Results revealed that the consumption of encapsulated SMR, can effectively affluence the target and avoid the degradation of bioactive compound. Body weight of animal also significantly increased in each group during all the period. According to our optimized study, the long-term induction of SMR (300 mg/kg) significantly amplified survival time of rats with paracetamol induced hepatic injuries. The changes of liver fibrosis and the significant increase of hepatic enzyme biomarkers were also observed. In conclusion, the results suggest that SMR acts as a hepatoprotective agent by inhibiting the fibrogenisis and apoptosis in liver, as well as insulin resistance.

Dose-Dependent Internalization and Externalization Integrity Study of Newly Synthesized 99mTc-Thymoquinone Radiopharmaceutical as Cancer Theranostic Agent.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from Nigella sativa and has been investigated for biochemical and biological activities in both in vitro and in vivo models. It is best known for its anticancer activities. Thymoquinone accomplishes anticancer activities through targeting multiple cancer markers including PPAR-γ, PTEN, P53, P73, STAT3, and generation of reactive oxygen species at the cancer cell surface. The radiolabeling of TQ with γ- and ß-emitter radionuclide could be used as cancer diagnostic or therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, respectively. In this study, we are reporting the radiolabeling of TQ with technetium-99m (99mTc), stability in saline and blood serum, internalization and externalization of 99mTc-TQ using rhabdomyosarcoma cancer cells line. The quality control study revealed more than 95% labeling yield and stable in blood serum up to 4 hours. In vitro internalization rate was recorded 27.08% ± 0.95% at 1 hour post 2 hours internalization period and comparatively slow externalization. The results of this study are quite encourging and could be investigated for further key preclinical parameters to enter phase I clinical trials.

Insecticidal, biological and biochemical response of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) to some indigenous weed plant extracts.

In the current study; insecticidal, growth regulation, oviposition deterrence and repellency of petroleum ether extracts of Azadirachta indica, Penganum harmala, Datura stramonium, Tribulus terrestris and Chenopodium murale against 2nd instar larvae of housefly was investigated. Five different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) were used through larval feeding and the mortality data was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Highest mortality was induced by P. harmala (63.87%) followed by D. stramonium (62.78%), A. indica (53.84%), T. terrestris (41.86%) and C. murale (4.09%) after 72 h at 25% concentration, respectively. Increased mortality was observed with increased time duration and concentration. Longest larval duration (9.33 ±â€¯0.33 days) and pupal duration (7.33 ±â€¯0.33 days) days) was recorded in larvae treated with 25% concentration of P. harmala which also caused a decrease in the activity of AChE, ACP, AKP, α-Carboxyl, and ß-Carboxyl enzymes. However, at 25% concentration, C. murale showed highest oviposition deterrence activity (81.88%) followed by D. stramonium (79.58%). In comet assay test, at highest concentration (25%) the mean comet tail lengths represented by Penganum harmala, Datura stramonium and Azadirachta indica (Reference plant) were 10.20 ±â€¯0.49, 9.20 ±â€¯0.37 and 7.80 ±â€¯0.49 µm while percent DNA damage was 10.56 ±â€¯0.77, 10.67 ±â€¯1.62 and 8.11 ±â€¯0.85% respectively compared to controls cells. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and anthraquinones. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of phenolic flavonoids, saponins, tannins as major functional groups. Further studies are needed to explore and thus, to incorporate weed plant extracts for the management of house flies.

Effect of organic and in-organic chromium supplementation on growth performance and genotoxicity of Labeo rohita.

In aquaculture industry, the aim of feed formulation is to provide the fish with feasible diet to enhance their body. Carbohydrates supplemented with chromium compounds (organic and in-organic) are major energy currencies for biological machinery of fish. Here, this article presents a description that emphasizes the effect of chromium picolinate (organic) and chromium chloride hexahydrate (in-organic) on growth execution and genotoxicity of Labeorohita. Seven groups (each with a replica) with 30 Labeorohita fingerlings were formed: a control group, three groups were supplemented with chromium chloride Hexahydrate (0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 mg kg-1) and three groups were supplemented with Cr-Pic, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 mg kg-1) respectively. The experimental group T4 fortified with (Cr-Pic) along with carbohydrates by dose of 0.3 mg/kg demonstrated significant results (P < 0.05). Superior growth for Labeo rohita was observed as compared to control and other experimental groups. Minimum growth trend was observed in group T5 (CP-0.5 mg/kg), T6 (CP-0.6 mg/kg) and T7 (control) respectively. Comet assay results indicated the dose and Cr related (organic or in-organic) genetic damage in fish erythrocytes. Hence, maximum comet parameters (Tail length, Tail DNA and Olive Tail Moment) were observed in (in-organic Cr) by 0.3 mg/kg concentration. This study suggested the toxicity corresponding to in-organic Cr but organic Cr could be used as growth promoter if so. Overall results demonstrated supplementation of organic chromium compounds by 0.3 mg/kg should be reconsidered for growth. This drive of research address the fish farmers to utilize the feed supplemented with organic Cr compounds which is most appropriate to provide sustainable yield as part of increment in growth performance and beneficial health effects for consumers on indices to reduce the toxicity risks.

Study on survival, growth, haematology and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different acute and chronic salinity regimes.

Pakistan's most of the land is less productive or no productivity at all due to erosion and salinity of the soil, which can be utilized to develop fisheries. The project, "Survival, growth and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different salinity regimes" was undertaken in two phases. In the first phase susceptibility of Cyprinus carpio at four salinity levels in triplicate within 0-10 g L-1NaCl for 96 h in each aquarium was checked after one week acclamation at 0 g L-1, 2 g L-1 and 4 g L-1 NaCl. LC50 values varied from 7.67 to 10.65 g L-1 after 96 h for C. carpio. Percentage mortality of the fish and important water quality parameters after every 12 h were observed for a period of 96-h. Probit analysis showed that 96-h LC50 values ranged from 7.67 to 10.65 g L-1 . During experimental period aquaria water temperature ranged from 29.6 to 33.7 °C, pH values fluctuated between 7.8 and 9.7, Electrical conductivity values ranged from 2.40 to 20.13 dSm-1 and Dissolved oxygen ranged between 2.23 and 10 mg L-1. Sub-lethal salt concentration i.e. 0 g L-1 to 3 g L-1 NaCl upto 40 days showed that growth of C. carpio decreased with the increase of water salinity levels and ceased at 4 g L-1 salinity and increase in salinity have negatively affected hematological parameters.