Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol fruit extract of Quercus incana in rat and mice models

Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of crude methanol fruit extract of Quercus incana (QI), as well as its acute toxicity and phytochemical profile.Methods: Two animal models were used: Wistar rats for carrageenan-induced paw inflammation and Swiss albino mice for acetic acid-induced writhing test (hot plate method for anti-nociceptive effect). The extract was also subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures.Results: The extract showed significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory effect at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg. It also evoked significant anti-nociceptive activity (both peripheral and central analgesia) at all test doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg; p < 0.01). Acute toxicity data revealed that the extract was non-toxicup to a dose of 425 mg/kg, while phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, tannins, coumarins, reducing sugars and resins.Conclusion: These results suggest that Quercus incana fruit contains compounds with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.Keywords: Quercus incana fruit, Antinociceptive, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemical profil

Localized graft-versus-host reaction (Elkins’ reaction); its modification with biologically filtered antigen

Transplantation antigen was isolated in its soluble form by injecting ultrasonicated lymphoid tissue in rat using the principle of biological filtration. The effect of biologically filtered antigen was studied in localized graft-versus-host reaction (Elkins' reaction). It showed almost complete suppression of reaction. The mechanism of action is postulated with the historical review of the subject. It is suggested that soluble antigen or one that bypasses macrophages is capable of inducing tolerance and opens the possibility of selective immunosuppression

New data of Heteroceridae MacLeay, 1825 from Pakistan (Coleoptera).

An updated checklist of the variegated mud-loving beetles (Coleoptera: Heteroceridae) from Pakistan is presented. One species is firstly reported from the country, Heterocerus dubius Fabricius, 1801, while the status of five species of the genus Heterocerus Fabricius, 1792 in Pakistan is addressed.Se presenta una lista actualizada de los heterocéridos (Coleoptera: Heteroceridae) de Pakistán. Una especie se cita por primera vez para el país, Heterocerus dubius Fabricius, 1801, y se aborda la situación de cinco especies del género Heterocerus Fabricius, 1792 en Pakistán

First record of Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar, 1844 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Chalcosiinae) from Pakistan.

The species Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar, 1844 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Chalcosiinae) is recorded for Pakistan for the first time. Its geographic distribution is discussed and an illustration is also provided.Se cita la especie Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar, 1844 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Chalcosiinae) por primera vez para Pakistán. Se comenta su distribución geográfica y se aporta también una imagen

An analytical tool that quantifies cellular morphology changes from three-dimensional fluorescence images

The most common software analysis tools available for measuring fluorescence images are for two-dimensional (2D) data that rely on manual settings for inclusion and exclusion of data points, and computer-aided pattern recognition to support the interpretation and findings of the analysis. It has become increasingly important to be able to measure fluorescence images constructed from three-dimensional (3D) datasets in order to be able to capture the complexity of cellular dynamics and understand the basis of cellular plasticity within biological systems. Sophisticated microscopy instruments have permitted the visualization of 3D fluorescence images through the acquisition of multispectral fluorescence images and powerful analytical software that reconstructs the images from confocal stacks that then provide a 3D representation of the collected 2D images. Advanced design-based stereology methods have progressed from the approximation and assumptions of the original model-based stereology(1) even in complex tissue sections(2). Despite these scientific advances in microscopy, a need remains for an automated analytic method that fully exploits the intrinsic 3D data to allow for the analysis and quantification of the complex changes in cell morphology, protein localization and receptor trafficking. Current techniques available to quantify fluorescence images include Meta-Morph (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) and Image J (NIH) which provide manual analysis. Imaris (Andor Technology, Belfast, Northern Ireland) software provides the feature MeasurementPro, which allows the manual creation of measurement points that can be placed in a volume image or drawn on a series of 2D slices to create a 3D object. This method is useful for single-click point measurements to measure a line distance between two objects or to create a polygon that encloses a region of interest, but it is difficult to apply to complex cellular network structures. Filament Tracer (Andor) allows automatic detection of the 3D neuronal filament-like however, this module has been developed to measure defined structures such as neurons, which are comprised of dendrites, axons and spines (tree-like structure). This module has been ingeniously utilized to make morphological measurements to non-neuronal cells(3), however, the output data provide information of an extended cellular network by using a software that depends on a defined cell shape rather than being an amorphous-shaped cellular model. To overcome the issue of analyzing amorphous-shaped cells and making the software more suitable to a biological application, Imaris developed Imaris Cell. This was a scientific project with the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, which has been developed to calculate the relationship between cells and organelles. While the software enables the detection of biological constraints, by forcing one nucleus per cell and using cell membranes to segment cells, it cannot be utilized to analyze fluorescence data that are not continuous because ideally it builds cell surface without void spaces. To our knowledge, at present no user-modifiable automated approach that provides morphometric information from 3D fluorescence images has been developed that achieves cellular spatial information of an undefined shape (Figure 1). We have developed an analytical platform using the Imaris core software module and Imaris XT interfaced to MATLAB (Mat Works, Inc.). These tools allow the 3D measurement of cells without a pre-defined shape and with inconsistent fluorescence network components. Furthermore, this method will allow researchers who have extended expertise in biological systems, but not familiarity to computer applications, to perform quantification of morphological changes in cell dynamics

Pharmacological Basis for the Medicinal Use of Zanthoxylum armatum in Gut, Airways and Cardiovascular Disorders

This study describes the gut, airways and cardiovascular modulatory activities of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Rutaceae) to rationalize some of its medicinal uses. The crude extract of Zanthoxylum armatum (Za.Cr) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and high K(+) (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum, being more effective against K(+) and suggestive of Ca(++) antagonist effect, which was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissues with Za.Cr shifted Ca(++) concentration-response curves to the right, like that caused by verapamil. Za.Cr inhibited the castor-oil-induced diarrhea in mice at 300-1000 mg/kg. In rabbit tracheal preparations, Za.Cr relaxed the carbachol (1 mu M) and high ICE-induced contractions, in a pattern similar to that of verapamil. In isolated rabbit aortic rings, Za.Cr exhibited vasodilator effect against phenylephrine (1 mu M) and K(+)-induced contractions. When tested in guinea pig atria, Za.Cr caused inhibition of both atrial force and rate of spontaneous contractions, like that caused by verapamil. These results indicate that Zanthoxylum armatum exhibits spasmolytic effects, mediated possibly through Ca(++) antagonist mechanism, which provides pharmacological base for its medicinal use in the gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders

First record of the weevil Schelopius planifrons Fåhraeus, 1840 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from Pakistan.

Schelopius planifrons Fåhraeus, 1840 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) is recorded for the first time from Pakistan. It was collected under the street lights in the city of Noshehroferoz.Schelopius planifrons Fåhraeus, 1840 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) es citado por primera vez de Pakistán. Las capturas se realizaron bajo las luces de la calle en la ciudad de Noshehroferoz

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Profile of n-Hexane Fraction of Viola betonicifolia

Purpose: To evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of n-hexane extract of the whole plant of Viola betonicifolia Sm, family: Violaceace. Methods: The n-hexane fraction of Viola betonicifolia (VBHF) was tested for its analgesic and antiinflammatory activities (carrageenan-induced and histamine-induced edema models) in BALB/c mice. Results: VBHF exhibited significant (p < 0.01) analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at test doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. The analgesic effect of VBHF was dose-dependent in acetic acid pain model while the extract was a weak analgesic at the dose of 300 mg/kg in hot plate and tail immersion test. Diclofenac sodium and tramadol showed better analgesic properties to the extract. Analgesia was not antagonized by naloxone in the hot plate model. Anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced edema was 60.8 %; however, histamine-induced inflammation was not antogonised by the extract. Conclusions: The extract has some analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. This justifies its use in traditional medicine for pain of management

Antifungal activity of bioactive constituents and bark extracts of Rhododendron arboreum

Rhododendron arboreum various fractions of bark as well as the isolated compounds were investigated against pathogenic fungi to provide evidence for the folkloric uses reported in the traditional system. Various solvent fractions and compounds were tested using agar well diffusion method at concentrations of 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/mL, the maximum inhibition recorded against fungi 17-32, 15-27 and 10-24 mm for methanol extract, 16-28, 14-26 and 10-22 mm to ethyl acetate extract, 17-21, 8-18 and 10-16 to chloroform extract and 8-15 and 8-12 mm to n-hexane extract respectively. Maximum inhibition at 10, 5 and 2.5 mg/mL of isolated triterpenoids was recorded against such as fungi 28-44, 25-42 and 20-40 mm for 3β-acetoxyurs-11,12-epoxy-13β,28-olide, 23-44, 20-42 and 15-40 mm for betulin and 17-40, 15-37 and 13-34 for lupeol respectively. It is concluded from the present study that the antifungal activity of the extracts may be due to the presence of 3β-acetoxyurs-11,12-epoxy-13β,28 - olide, betulin, lupeol and taraxerol