Development of Highly Flexible Piezoelectric PVDF-TRFE/Reduced Graphene Oxide Doped Electrospun Nano-Fibers for Self-Powered Pressure Sensor.

The demand for self-powered, flexible, and wearable electronic devices has been increasing in recent years for physiological and biomedical applications in real-time detection due to their higher flexibility and stretchability. This work fabricated a highly sensitive, self-powered wearable microdevice with Poly-Vinylidene Fluoride-Tetra Fluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) nano-fibers using an electrospinning technique. The dielectric response of the polymer was improved by incorporating the reduced-graphene-oxide (rGO) multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) through doping. The dielectric behavior and piezoelectric effect were improved through the stretching and orientation of polymeric chains. The outermost layer was attained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of conductive polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) to enhance the electrical conductivity and sensitivity. The hetero-structured nano-composite comprises PVDF-TrFE doped with rGO-MWCNTs over poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), forming continuous self-assembly. The piezoelectric pressure sensor is capable of detecting human physiological vital signs. The pressure sensor exhibits a high-pressure sensitivity of 19.09 kPa-1, over a sensing range of 1.0 Pa to 25 kPa, and excellent cycling stability of 10,000 cycles. The study reveals that the piezoelectric pressure sensor has superior sensing performance and is capable of monitoring human vital signs, including heartbeat and wrist pulse, masticatory movement, voice recognition, and eye blinking signals. The research work demonstrates that the device could potentially eliminate metallic sensors and be used for early disease diagnosis in biomedical and personal healthcare applications.

Efficacy and mechanism of Jasminum sambac gel for musculoskeletal injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Formulate a gel and test its scientific efficacy for treating musculoskeletal ailments with or without phonophoresis. METHODS: Gel was made from Jasminum sambac leaf extract (30:70 aqueous-methanolic). A pragmatic, community-based, double-blinded randomized clinical study (IRCT20230202057310N1) was undertaken on 380 pre-diagnosed individuals with 1st and 2nd-grade musculoskeletal injuries, divided into four parallel groups (n = 95 per group): Group I got phonophoresis-applied J. sambac 10% gel. Group II got phonophoresis-applied diclofenac diethylammonium 2% gel. J. sambac 10% gel was superficially massaged onto Group III. Group IV received a superficial massage with diclofenac diethylammonium 2% gel. Color, stability, pH, spreadability, beginning of pain relief, discomfort, stiffness, and activities of daily living were recorded using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Scale. Methods included phytochemical analysis, molecular docking, and antioxidant quantification using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) tests. RESULTS: J. sambac gel worked better than diclofenac gel in phonophoresis and massage, with regard to NPRS P<0.001, WOMAC pain P<0.001, WOMAC stiffness P<0.003, and WOMAC activities of daily living (ADLs) P<0.001. There were also significant differences in pain, stiffness, and ADLs. J. sambac showed significant (P<0.005-0.001) results. CONCLUSION: J. sambac gel relieved pain and inflammation in musculoskeletal injury patients. J. sambac gel is natural, cheap, and easy to make. Better drug absorption may explain the effectiveness of phonophoresis.

Physiological impact of Tabata exercise on cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters in transgender people of Multan.

Objective: To investigate factors directly related to cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness in transgender people. METHODS: The cross-sectional, experimental study was conducted at the Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School, Multan, Pakistan, from January to February 2023, after approval from the ethics review committee of the Muhammad Institute of Medical and Allied Sciences, Multan, and comprised transgender people aged 17-28 years. Data was collected using the physical activity readiness questionnaire. All the participants were subjected to Tabata sessions for 4 weeks. Standard cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness values were noted at baseline and post-intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 44 participants, 26(59%) were trans-men, 18(40.9%) were trans-women, 16(36.3%) were aged 17-19 years, and 10(22.7%) had other transgender individuals in their families. Cardiorespiratory and cardiometabolic parameters showed significant improvement post-intervention compared to baseline values (p<0.05). Conclusion: Tabata exercises were found to be useful in maintaining cardiorespiratory and cardiometabolic parameters as well in increasing the participants' motor performance.

Discovery of Bacterial Key Genes from 16S rRNA-Seq Profiles That Are Associated with the Complications of SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Provide Therapeutic Indications.

SARS-CoV-2 infections, commonly referred to as COVID-19, remain a critical risk to both human life and global economies. Particularly, COVID-19 patients with weak immunity may suffer from different complications due to the bacterial co-infections/super-infections/secondary infections. Therefore, different variants of alternative antibacterial therapeutic agents are required to inhibit those infection-causing drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. This study attempted to explore these bacterial pathogens and their inhibitors by using integrated statistical and bioinformatics approaches. By analyzing bacterial 16S rRNA sequence profiles, at first, we detected five bacterial genera and taxa (Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Prevotella Clostridium, Atopobium, and Peptostreptococcus) based on differentially abundant bacteria between SARS-CoV-2 infection and control samples that are significantly enriched in 23 metabolic pathways. A total of 183 bacterial genes were found in the enriched pathways. Then, the top-ranked 10 bacterial genes (accB, ftsB, glyQ, hldD, lpxC, lptD, mlaA, ppsA, ppc, and tamB) were selected as the pathogenic bacterial key genes (bKGs) by their protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Then, we detected bKG-guided top-ranked eight drug molecules (Bemcentinib, Ledipasvir, Velpatasvir, Tirilazad, Acetyldigitoxin, Entreatinib, Digitoxin, and Elbasvir) by molecular docking. Finally, the binding stability of the top-ranked three drug molecules (Bemcentinib, Ledipasvir, and Velpatasvir) against three receptors (hldD, mlaA, and lptD) was investigated by computing their binding free energies with molecular dynamic (MD) simulation-based MM-PBSA techniques, respectively, and was found to be stable. Therefore, the findings of this study could be useful resources for developing a proper treatment plan against bacterial co-/super-/secondary-infection in SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Investigating Potential Cancer Therapeutics: Insight into Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) Inhibitions.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from ɛ-amino of histone, and their involvement in the development and progression of cancer disorders makes them an interesting therapeutic target. This study seeks to discover new inhibitors that selectively inhibit HDAC enzymes which are linked to deadly disorders like T-cell lymphoma, childhood neuroblastoma, and colon cancer. MOE was used to dock libraries of ZINC database molecules within the catalytic active pocket of target HDACs. The top three hits were submitted to MD simulations ranked on binding affinities and well-occupied interaction mechanisms determined from molecular docking studies. Inside the catalytic active site of HDACs, the two stable inhibitors LIG1 and LIG2 affect the protein flexibility, as evidenced by RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and PCA. MD simulations of HDACs complexes revealed an alteration from extended to bent motional changes within loop regions. The structural deviation following superimposition shows flexibility via a visual inspection of movable loops at different timeframes. According to PCA, the activity of HDACs inhibitors induces structural dynamics that might potentially be utilized to define the nature of protein inhibition. The findings suggest that this study offers solid proof to investigate LIG1 and LIG2 as potential HDAC inhibitors.

Multi-epitopes vaccine design for surface glycoprotein against SARS-CoV-2 using immunoinformatic approach.

Background: The recent COVID vaccinations have successfully reduced death and severity but did not stop the transmission of viruses by the emerging SARS-CoV-2 strain. There is a need for better and long-lasting dynamic vaccines for numerous prevailing strains and the evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus, necessitating the development of broad-spectrum strains being used to stop infection by reducing the spread rate and re-infection. The spike (S) glycoprotein is one of the proteins expressed commonly in the early phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been identified as the most immunogenic protein of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In this study, advanced bioinformatics techniques have been exploited to design the novel multi-epitope vaccine using conserved S protein portions from widespread strains of SARS-CoV-2 to predict B cell and T cell epitopes. These epitopes were selected based on toxicity, antigenicity score and immunogenicity. Epitope combinations were used to construct the maximum potent multi-epitope construct with potential immunogenic features. EAAAK, AAY, and GPGPG were used as linkers to construct epitopes. Results: The developed vaccine has shown positive results. After the chimeric vaccine construct was cloned into the PET28a (+) vector for expression screening in Escherichia coli, the potential expression of the construct was identified. Conclusion: The construct vaccine performed well in computer-based immune response simulation and covered a variety of allelic populations. These computational results are more helpful for further analysis of our contract vaccine, which can finally help control and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections worldwide.

Evaluation of polyherbal gel for musculoskeletal injuries in industrial workers.

BACKGROUND: Industrial workers often have musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their work. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to investigate the scientific use of polyherbal gel in relieving pain and stiffness due to musculoskeletal injuries and improving activities of daily living (ADLs) in industrial workers. METHODS: A pragmatic, single-blinded, randomized control study divided 200 musculoskeletal injury patients into four parallel groups (n = 50). Groups 1 and 2 were applied polyherbal gel via phonophoresis with therapeutic ultrasound and superficial massage. Groups 3 and 4 received diclofenac diethyl-ammonium 1% gel by phonophoresis and superficial massage. The Global Pain Relief Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to measure pain, stiffness, and ADLs. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-test to compare mean±SD of four independent groups before and after gel application. The confidence interval was 95%, with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The results revealed that polyherbal gel reduced pain (NPRS, WOMAC and Global pain relief scales) more efficiently (p≤0.000) when applied with phonophoresis as compared to applied with massage and standard diclofenac (p≤0.005), furthermore, polyherbal gel when applied with phonophoresis showed more efficient results. CONCLUSION: Industrial workers with musculoskeletal injuries benefited from the use of polyherbal gel for pain and inflammation relief. The polyherbal gel is natural, cost-effective, and easy to formulate.

Exploring Potentilla nepalensis Phytoconstituents: Integrated Strategies of Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, Dynamic Simulations, and MMGBSA Analysis for Cancer Therapeutic Targets Discovery.

Potentilla nepalensis belongs to the Rosaceae family and has numerous therapeutic applications as potent plant-based medicine. Forty phytoconstituents (PCs) from the root and stem through n-hexane (NR and NS) and methanolic (MR and MS) extracts were identified in earlier studies. However, the PCs affecting human genes and their roles in the body have not previously been disclosed. In this study, we employed network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs), and MMGBSA methodologies. The SMILES format of PCs from the PubChem was used as input to DIGEP-Pred, with 764 identified as the inducing genes. Their enrichment studies have shown inducing genes' gene ontology descriptions, involved pathways, associated diseases, and drugs. PPI networks constructed in String DB and network topological analyzing parameters performed in Cytoscape v3.10 revealed three therapeutic targets: TP53 from MS-, NR-, and NS-induced genes; HSPCB and Nf-kB1 from MR-induced genes. From 40 PCs, two PCs, 1b (MR) and 2a (MS), showed better binding scores (kcal/mol) with p53 protein of -8.6 and -8.0, and three PCs, 3a, (NR) 4a, and 4c (NS), with HSP protein of -9.6, -8.7, and -8.2. MDS and MMGBSA revealed these complexes are stable without higher deviations with better free energy values. Therapeutic targets identified in this study have a prominent role in numerous cancers. Thus, further investigations such as in vivo and in vitro studies should be carried out to find the molecular functions and interlaying mechanism of the identified therapeutic targets on numerous cancer cell lines in considering the PCs of P. nepalensis.

Association between anthropometric measurements of chairs and biomechanical variables leading to musculoskeletal problems in students at different government universities of Multan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between anthropometric measurements of chairs and biomechanical variables leading to musculoskeletal problems in students at different government universities in Multan. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was done on 383 students at different government universities in Multan, Pakistan. There were 23 anthropometric measurements like shoulder height (SH), shoulder breadth (SB), knee height (KH), popliteal height (PH), elbow height sitting (EHS), elbow-fingertip length (EFL), abdominal depth (ABD), buttock-popliteal length (BPL), thigh thickness (TT), forearm width (FW), hip angle (HA), knee angle (KA), cervical flexion (CF), cervical extension (CE), cervical lateral flexion (CLF), cervical rotation (CR), thoracic flexion (TF), thoracic extension (TE), lumber flexion (LF), lumber extension (LE), lumber lateral flexion (LLF), and lumber rotation (LR). There were 11 dimensions of chairs: seat height (SH), seat depth (SD), seat width (SW), desk length (DL), desk width (DW), desk height (DH), backrest height (BH), backrest depth (BD), and seat pan depth (SPD) were measured in six types of commonly used chairs in different universities in Multan. This research was done to determine the fitness of chairs using combinational equations. RESULTS: There was a huge difference between most anthropometric measurements of students and chairs. The recommended measurements were SH (33.2 cm), SW (43.6 cm), SD (42 cm), DH (24.5 cm), DL (51.1 cm), DW (95 cm), BW (42.6 cm), BD (2 cm), BH (55 cm), and SPD (4 cm). CONCLUSIONS: None of the chairs used in the universities of Multan were found to be designed according to the anthropometric dimensions of students, resulting in musculoskeletal problems. It is necessary to revise the design of chairs according to the anthropometric data of students to minimize musculoskeletal problems.

Phytochemical, antioxidant, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of Mangifera indica.

OBJECTIVE: Plant-based natural antioxidants have a wide variety of biological activities with significant therapeutic value. Mangifera indica has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments in animals and human, but little is defined about its biological or pharmacological effects. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate phytochemical, antioxidant, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of M. indica. METHODS: To investigate the possible impact of aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of M. indica on oxidative stress, inflammation, and pyrexia, we used a combined in vitro and in vivo series of experiments on laboratory animals. RESULTS: Results revealed significant antioxidant potential in 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay, while significant but dose dependent antipyretic potential was documented in typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (TAB) vaccine and prostaglandin E (PGE) induced pyrexia models. Significant anti-inflammatory effects were observed in both acute and chronic inflammatory models of arachidonic acid and formalin. Phytochemical screening and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of M. Indica confirmed the presence of mangiferin, quercetin, and isoquercetin. These phytoconstituents likely play a role in the observed biological activities. Our results show that M. indica has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects, lending credence to its traditional use and advocating for its utilization as a viable contender in treating oxidative stress-associated ailments. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Magnifera indica has various properties in the treatment of various diseases.

Role of gut microbiota metabolism and biotransformation on dietary natural products to human health implications with special reference to biochemoinformatics approach.

Gut microbiota contributes to diverse mammalian processes including the metabolic functions of drugs. It is a potential new territory for drug targeting, especially for dietary natural compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, steroidal glycosides, anthocyanins, lignans, alkaloids, and others. Because most herbal medicines are orally administered, the chemical profile and corresponding bioactivities of herbal medicines may be altered and implication to ailments by specific microbiota through gut microbiota metabolisms (GMMs) and gut microbiota biotransformations (GMBTs). In this review, briefly introducing the interactions between different categories of natural compounds and gut microbiota produced countless microbial degraded or fragmented metabolites with their biological significance in rodent-based models. From natural product chemistry division, thousands of molecules are produced, degraded, synthesized, and isolated from natural sources but exploited due to lack of biological significance. In this direction, we add a Bio-Chemoinformatics approach to get clues of biology through a specific microbial assault to (Natural products) NPs.

Evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and antitumor activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Jatropha mollissima leaves in Wistar rats.

Introduction: Despite modern sciences and advancements in new drugs or chemicals, the new era now rushes natural remedies for various illnesses and diseases that lead to end organ damage. In this study, we investigated Jatropha mollissima ethanolic extract's effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and renal toxicity. Methods: To determine phytochemicals, a phytochemical screening was conducted. Various assays were used to measure the antioxidant activity, including the DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl), SOD (superoxide dismutase), NO (nitric oxide), and others. The antiproliferative effect of Jm was assessed by MTT assay; morphological analysis was performed using an inverted and phase contrast microscope, ultra morphological analysis of apoptosis with acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Results: It was seen that doxorubicin caused elevated serum markers and abnormal changes in histological patterns. The significant reduction in cardiac and renal marker levels seen in groups given either 400 or 600 mg/kg of crude extract demonstrates that Jm has a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity due to the presence of active phytoconstituents having antioxidant potential. There is a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability when using J. mollissima. Apoptosis was observed in the treated cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, our research lends credence to the idea that J. mollissima could be used for cancer management and have cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects.

Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin with and without Strengthening Exercises in Improving Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This study aimed to assess the synergistic effects of curcumin with and without strengthening exercises in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Randomised controlled trial study was conducted from May 2021 to December 2021. Ninety patients were randomised into two groups. Group A was treated with strengthening exercises and curcumin. Group B was given curcumin only. Curcumin dosed at 180 mg/day was given orally to both groups. The treatment regimen was distributed as 3 sessions/week; each session lasted 45 minutes for group A. Serological findings and X-rays of the joints were also done for assessment. Pain, morning stiffness, and functional activities were assessed using the WOMAC and NPRS scale at baseline, 12th week, and 24th week. There was higher significant (p<0.000) reduction in quantitative values of RF, ESR and CRP, WOMAC pain, ADLs, and stiffness readings in group A. This study will project to a screening of newer and more effective interventions to treat RA. Key Words: Curcumin, Rheumatoid arthritis, Strengthening exercises.

Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac Potassium Gel in Sports Injuries with and without Phonophoresis.

Background: Pain remains a global public heath priority. Phonophoresis, also known as sonophoresis or ultrasonophoresis, is when an ultrasound is used to maximize the effects of a topical drug. Purpose: The objective of this study was to test, in patients injured in sports or accidents (N = 200), the efficacy of diclofenac potassium (DK) 6%, 4%, and 2% formulated gels with and without phonophoresis in comparison with market available standard diclofenac sodium (DS or DN) gel. Methods: The patients were enrolled after informed consent. By using the lottery method, 100 patients were randomly segregated into five groups without phonophoresis and repeated similarly with phonophoresis at a frequency of 0.8 MHz, an intensity of about 1.5 W/cm2, and at continuous mode (2:1). Group-1 was treated with 6% DK gel, group-2 was treated with 4% DK gel, group-3 was treated with 2% DK gel, group-4 was treated with 4% DS gel and group-5 was given control gel three to four times a week for 4 weeks. The patients were screened by using NPRS and WOMAC scales. They were assessed on the baseline, 4th session, 8th session, 12th session, and 16th session. Results: Significant dose-dependently relief was observed in NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and the WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis) index for pain in disability and stiffness for each group treated with DK gel compared to DS gel. Phonophoresis increased these benefits significantly when used after topical application of DK gel or DS gel, and the dose-dependent effects of DK gel plus phonophoresis were stronger than the dose-dependent effects of DS gel plus phonophoresis. The faster and profounder relief was due to phonophoresis, which allows more penetration of the DK gel into the skin as compared to the direct application of DK gel in acute, uncomplicated soft tissue injury, such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis stress injuries, and tendinitis. In addition, DK gel with phonophoresis was well tolerated. Thus, in this personalized clinical setting, according to the degree of inflammation or injured-induced pain, disability, and stiffness, DK gel 6% with phonophoresis appeared more effective and thus more recommendable than DS gel 6% alone or DS gel 6% combined to phonophoresis.

Synthesis of Novel N-Methylmorpholine-Substituted Benzimidazolium Salts as Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

The α-glucosidase enzyme, located in the brush border of the small intestine, is responsible for overall glycemic control in the body. It hydrolyses the 1,4-linkage in the carbohydrates to form blood-absorbable monosaccharides that ultimately increase the blood glucose level. α-Glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) can reduce hydrolytic activity and help to control type 2 diabetes. Aiming to achieve this, a novel series of 1-benzyl-3-((2-substitutedphenyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-2-(morpholinomethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium chloride was synthesized and screened for its α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Compounds 5d, 5f, 5g, 5h and 5k exhibited better α-glucosidase inhibitions compared to the standard drug (acarbose IC50 = 58.8 ± 0.012 µM) with IC50 values of 15 ± 0.030, 19 ± 0.060, 25 ± 0.106, 21 ± 0.07 and 26 ± 0.035 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the molecular docking studies explored the mechanism of enzyme inhibitions by different 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzimidazolium salts via significant ligand-receptor interactions.

Cardioprotective Effect of Rumex vesicarius Linn. Leaf Extract against Catecholamine-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Rumex vesicarius (L.) is a folklore medicinal herb that has been used for centuries to cure cardiovascular diseases. The present work was carefully designed to ascertain the pharmacological basis for R. vesicarius's therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases, as well as the underlying mechanism. In the ex vivo investigation, the aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of R. vesicarius was shown to have endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects in rabbit aorta tissue preparations, and its hypotensive responses were quantified by pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Furthermore, when rabbits were subjected to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction, R. vesicarius demonstrated cardioprotective characteristics. In contrast to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed lower ALP, CK-MB, CRP, LDH, ALT, troponin, and AST levels (p > 0.005−0.000), as well as edema, necrosis, apoptosis, inflammatory cell enrolment, and necrosis. R. vesicarius exhibited significant antioxidant activity and delayed noradrenaline-induced platelet aggregation. Its cardioprotective, anticoagulant, and vasorelaxant properties in both investigations (in vivo and ex vivo) are mediated through partial endothelium-dependent, NO and calcium channel blockade mediated vasorelaxation. The minimizing of adrenaline, oxidative stress, and tissue damage demonstrate its therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases.

Association of body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and their correlates among female physical therapy students in Multan.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlates directly associated with body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness among undergraduate female physiotherapists. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 at Ali-Ul-Murtaza Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Muhammad Institute of Medical and Allied Sciences, Multan, Pakistan, and comprised undergraduate female physiotherapists aged17-25 years. The subjects were assessed on the basis of Physical Activity Readiness Questioner, body mass index and standard criteria of cardiorespiratory fitness. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 334 subjects with a mean age of 20.89±1.66 years, 200(59.88) were overweight and 34(10.17) were underweight. Overall 83(24.9) reported good quality of life, 194(58.1) were satisfied with their general health, and 228(68.3) presented with a history of cardiometabolic disorder. There was a highly significant positive correlation in overweight and negative correlation in underweight subjects (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of overweight female physical therapy students was high.

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Alhagi camelorum against valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite many liver disorders, clinically useful drugs are scarce. Moreover, the available therapies are facing the challenges of efficacy and safety. Alhagi camelorum has been used in folk medicine globally for millennia to treat several ailments. Alhagi camelorum (Ac) is an old plant with a significant therapeutic value throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Our goal was to determine the hepatoprotective activity of Alhagi camelorum against valproic acid induced hepatotoxicity using an animal model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The animals were segregated in 4-groups (6 male rats each) weighing 250-290 g. Group-1 animals were treated with normal saline, Group-2 animals were treated with VPA at the dose of 500 mg/kg i.p for 14 days consecutively, while Group-3 and 4 were treated with valproic acid (VPA) at the dose of 500 mg/kg i.p for 14 days along with 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of Ac hydroalcoholic extract respectively. Subsequently, blood serum samples and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Phytochemical screening was carried out to screen for phytochemical classes and HPLC analysis was conducted to screen polyphenols. The antioxidant activity was carried by different assays such as DPPH, SOD, NO etc. KEY RESULTS: The administration of Ac showed hepatoprotection at the doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg. Ac significantly reduces the elevated serum levels of liver biomarkers compared to the valproic acid-induced hepatotoxic group. These findings were confirmed with histopathological changes where Ac was capable of reversing the toxic effects of valproic acid on liver cells CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Ac showed significant hepatoprotective effects at different doses in the animal model used in this study.

Nephroprotective Effects of Alhagi camelorum against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats.

Alhagi camelorum (AC) is an old plant with a significant therapeutic value throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The overuse of cisplatin (Cis > 50 mg/m2) is associated with observed nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, gastrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and allergic reactions. Remedial measures are needed for the protection of nephrotoxicity against cisplatin. Thus, we investigated the nephroprotective effects of AC plant extract to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. The presence of polyphenols, phenolic compounds, tannins, and saponins was revealed during phytochemical investigation, and a significantly intense antioxidant activity was recorded. There were no toxicological symptoms in the treated rats, and no anatomical, physiological, or histological abnormalities were found compared to the control rats. The results of correcting cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity revealed that the extract has a significant ability to treat kidney damage, with most parameters returning to normal after only three weeks of therapy. It is concluded that co-administration of cisplatin with AC extract showed exceptional nephroprotective effects at a dose of 600 mg/kg for Cis-induced nephrotoxicity.

Evaluation of Anti-clotting and thrombolytic potential of the aqueous-methanolic extract of Jasminum sambac.

This study was done to investigate the anti-clotting and thrombolytic potential of ariel part of Jasminum sambac (L.). Healthy male rabbits were divided into five (5) groups with each group containing six (6) animals. Aqueous-methanolic extract of the plant was prepared and given at different doses of 200, 300 and 600mg/kg to three groups in comparison to negative and positive control groups. The aqueous-methanolic extract showed a dose-dependent increase in the activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT) (p<0.05). Warfarin 2mg/kg was used as the standard. The plant extract also showed significant (p<0.05) clot lysis in comparison with standard urokinase. Moreover, it also prolonged the ADP induced platelet adhesion at doses of 200, 300 and 600µg/mL dependently. HPLC analysis showed rutin, quercetin, salicylic acid and ascorbic acid as vital phytoconstituents in aqueous-methanolic extract. Anticoagulant and thrombolytic effect of Jasminum sambac justified its therapeutic utility in cardiovascular disorders and this may be due to the presence of salicylic acid, rutin and quercetin in the extract.