Investigation for Bioactive Compounds of Berberis Lyceum Royle and Justicia Adhatoda L.

In order to explore the medicinal values of plant species like Berberis lyceum and Justicia adhatoda, a study was conducted to analyze roots, leaves and fruits of both plant species for identification of various organic compounds. Chemical analysis as well as identification of organic compounds by chromatographic techniques were carried out. Results indicates that both plant species contained Proteins, Sugars, Lipids, Vitamin C, Sodium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, and Zinc.Whereas the alkaloids like Palmatine, Berberine, Vasicine and Vasicinone were also found in leaves and roots of these plant species. However, it was observed that roots of both plant species contained higher concentrations of these chemical compounds as compared to fruits and leaves except sugar and vitamin C those were high in fruits. Furthermore presence of such bioactive compounds in Berberis lyceum and Justicia adhatoda indicated their importance in the form of local medicines. This experiment will help to increase the importance of new raw material found in these plant species and their demand in the market will be increased in the future. The extract of roots and fruits of these plant species are being used against various infections and diseases in rural population of subcontinent since many centuries

Accessing the risk of overfishing faced by mullet fisheries and its ongoing economics in Pakistan

1416-1424In this study, catch statistics of mullets are first time evaluated to know their exploitation status and ongoing economic implications. Catch and effort (CE) figures of mullets acquired from Sindh, Pakistan was statistically evaluated by employing surplus production models (SPMs), non-equilibrium versions, through two famous fishery related software, viz., catch and effort data analysis (CEDA) and a stock production model incorporating covariates (ASPIC). In total three SPMs, i.e., Fox, Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson were used to investigate CE statistics, 1995 to 2012. Obtained results reveal that catch per unit effort (CPUE) has considerably dropped from 0.206 (1995) to 0.055 (2012). CEDA estimates of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) remained conservative as they were calculated between 5100 to 6500 t against ASPIC for which estimates of this parameter remained between 5800 and 7600 t. Considering the results, it can be concluded that mullet fishery is experiencing overexploitation (OE). This OE is an indicator of economic losses by increasing costs and decreasing profits. Thus, mullet resource conservation is necessary for its long-term economic utilization. Therefore, it is suggested that the target reference point (TRP) with respect to harvest should be between 5100 to 5500 t. However, this study is a preliminary study, hence; further in-depth studies are suggested before making and implementing any management plan for mullet fishery in Sindh, Pakistan

Molecular basis of arsenite (As+3)-induced acute cytotoxicity in human cervical epithelial carcinoma cells

Background: Rapid industrialization is discharging toxic heavy metals into the environment, disturbing human health in many ways and causing various neurologic, cardiovascular, and dermatologic abnormalities and certain types of cancer. The presence of arsenic in drinking water from different urban and rural areas of the major cities of Pakistan, for example, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Kasur, was found to be beyond the permissible limit of 10 parts per billion set by the World Health Organization. Therefore the present study was initiated to examine the effects of arsenite (As+3) on DNA biosynthesis and cell death.Methods: After performing cytotoxic assays on a human epithelial carcinoma cell line, expression analysis was done by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and flow cytometry.Results: We show that As+3 ions have a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect through the activation of the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. In contrast to previous research, the present study was designed to explore the early cytotoxic effects produced in human cells during exposure to heavy dosage of As+3 (7.5 μg/ml). Even treatment for 1 h significantly increased the mRNA levels of p21 and p27 and caspases 3, 7, and 9. It was interesting that there was no change in the expression levels of p53, which plays an important role in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest.Conclusion: Our results indicate that sudden exposure of cells to arsenite (As+3) resulted in cytotoxicity and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis resulting from up-regulation of caspases.Keywords: apoptosis; epithelial carcinoma; cytotoxicity; arsenite; caspases; Pakistan Responsible Editor: Amin Bredan, VIB Inflammation Research Center & Ghent University, Belgium

A competitive analysis of Indian fish export to USA: Growth, performance, comparative advantages and instability

790-797USA is the major export market destination for Indian fish and fishery products especially for crustaceans. The present study analyzed the status, export performance and competitiveness of Indian fish export to USA based on data (2000-2017) collected from UNCOMTRADE statistical database of United Nations. Trade balance revealed that the net trade for Indian fish export to USA was positive and the export has always been far greater than the imports. Compound Growth Rate (CGR) revealed that the seafood export grew at 18.22 % in terms of value with instability of 0.1 from 2000-2017. The average Unit Value Realization (UVR) was found highest in live fishes (15.62) followed by crustaceans (6.89) and others. Commodity wise Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) revealed that it is highly positive for crustaceans (7.87) followed by molluscs (2.74) and frozen fish (2.12) indicating that India has a strong comparative advantage in exporting these commodities to USA

Ethylacetate fraction of Anthocleista vogelii Planch demonstrates antiobesity activities in preclinical models

Purpose: To assess the anti-obesity effect of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) profiled ethylacetate fraction (EF) of Anthocleista vogelii Planch on pancreatic lipase activity in vitro, and on obesity-related hormones in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Methods: Chromatographic analysis of EF to identify bioactive compounds was performed using LCMS electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) positive mode. Thirty Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6). Group 1 was fed normal pellet diet, while groups 2 - 5 were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. The rats were treated for 4 weeks from week 10 with 125 mg/kg of EF (group 3), 250 mg/kg of EF (group 4) or 100 mg/kg of orlistat (group 5). Results: Seven alkaloids were identified in EF, namely, 10-hydroxycamtothecin, moschamindole, camptothecin, moschamine, N6-cis-p-coumaroylserotonin, sinomenine and desacetylcolchicine. The EF of A. vogelii exhibited inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 8.76 ± 0.110 µg/mL. Rats treated with EF (125 and 250 mg/kg) of A. vogelii showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased feed intake, body weight, leptin and insulin, when compared to HFD controls. Cortisol, serotonin and noradrenaline were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, but changes in thyroid hormones levels in EF-treated rats were not significant (p > 0.05) when compared to HFD controls. Conclusion: The EF of A. vogelii demonstrate anti-obesity activities by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, elevating serotonin and noradrenaline, and increasing leptin sensitivity, leading consequently to decreased body weight of rats. However, the clinical use of EF of A. vogelii as an antiobesity herbal remedy requires further studies on its mechanisms of action

Constraint analysis of major problems facing the marine fisheries sector in accordance with the national fisheries policy of Pakistan

Pakistan is endowed with abundant fisheries resources that have significant economic potential. Capture fisheries contribute a comparatively vital role to the national economy. However, poverty, environmental degradation and political instability are major problems for the Pakistani people, and no effective steps have been taken to handle this socio-economically important sector efficiently in the past. Furthermore, the fisheries sector faced its own set of challenges, including the emergence of small-scale artisanal fisheries, the nonexistence of technologies, deficiency of institutional development, an absence of infrastructure, insufficient human resource skill, and a lack of responsiveness among fishing societies, all of which contributed to the sector's demise. The National Fisheries Policy (NFP) was formulated to address these problems in the fisheries sector. Potential efforts have been made by the Government of Pakistan to solve these constraints under various plans of objectives and strategy axes of the policy. Our findings indicate that despite these efforts, the fisheries sector does not show significant growth to achieve the policy goals. So, it is necessary to re-evaluate and re-orient this policy for further development of this sector. It is also essential to achieve the aim of Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 to become one of the 25th largest economies in the world

Ethno-botanical and geo-referenced profiling of medicinal plants of Nawagai Valley, District Buner (Pakistan)

The prime objective of the research was to list the important ethnomedicinal plants of Nawagai village, District Buner. During the survey, 44 plant species from 27 families were observed and collected from the targeted area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Lamiaceae members were the most dominant (54%) followed by members of Asteraceae (30%), Poaceae (18%) and Solanaceae (12%). Relevant information such as field data, GPS coordinates family names, local names, therapeutic uses and plant habits were recorded for each species. For preservation purposes, specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets, and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan, flora of Australia and other relevant floristic records. During this research work all the collected specimens were preserved in the (BG&H, UOM) Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the data were also provided to the Department of Botany, University of Malakand Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.The prime objective of the research was to list the important ethnomedicinal plants of Nawagai village, District Buner. During the survey, 44 plant species from 27 families were observed and collected from the targeted area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Lamiaceae members were the most dominant (54%) followed by members of Asteraceae (30%), Poaceae (18%) and Solanaceae (12%). Relevant information such as field data, GPS coordinates family names, local names, therapeutic uses and plant habits were recorded for each species. For preservation purposes, specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets, and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan, flora of Australia and other relevant floristic records. During this research work all the collected specimens were preserved in the (BG&H, UOM) Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the data were also provided to the Department of Botany, University of Malakand Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.The prime objective of the research was to list the important ethnomedicinal plants of Nawagai village, District Buner. During the survey, 44 plant species from 27 families were observed and collected from the targeted area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Lamiaceae members were the most dominant (54%) followed by members of Asteraceae (30%), Poaceae (18%) and Solanaceae (12%). Relevant information such as field data, GPS coordinates family names, local names, therapeutic uses and plant habits were recorded for each species. For preservation purposes, specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets, and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan, flora of Australia and other relevant floristic records. During this research work all the collected specimens were preserved in the (BG&H, UOM) Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the data were also provided to the Department of Botany, University of Malakand Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Comparative assessment of serum biochemical profile in riverine and cultured populations of Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822)

1010-1016Serum biochemical assessment is an important tool to provide information about the internal organs, metabolic and nutritional parameters and electrolytes. Present study was conducted to determine the serum biochemistry of Channa marulius in hatchery and riverine populations. For this purpose blood samples were collected by caudal vein puncture. Inferences of the study showed non-significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher values of calcium 10.24 mmol/L as compared to lower 9.66 mmol/L whereas, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher values of serum globulin 21.06 g/L, total protein 53.0 g/L, albumin 14.87 g/L, cholesterol 6.116 mmol/L, alanine transaminase 530 U/L and alkaline phosphatase 398 µ/L were observed in cultured populations as compared to lower 20.40 g/L, 44.84 g/L, 12.30 g/L, 5.084 mmol/L, 453 U/L and 255 µ/L in riverine populations. On the other side, non-significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher values of serum triglyceride 0.674 mmol/L as compared to lower 0.604 mmol/L, while significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher values of glucose 28.43 g/L, urea 2.541 mmol/L, bilirubin 28.20 µmol/L, chlorine 70.3 mmol/L, potassium 13.43 mmol/L, sodium 126.5 mmol/L and aspartate transaminase 1169 U/L in riverine populations as compared to lower 23.89 g/L, 2.17 mmol/L, 26.23 µmol/L, 61.9 mmol/L, 12.08 mmol/L, 111.2 mmol/L and 1029 U/L were recorded in cultured populations, respectively. Findings of the study will be helpful in the field of biochemistry, physiology and toxicology as well as to enhance the management and rearing potential of the Chnanna marulius

TiO2 encrusted MXene as a High-Performance anode material for Li-ion batteries

TiO2 has the potential to be a viable anode material for high-power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the lower electronic conductivity of TiO2 limits its practical applications. Here, the synthesis of novel TiO2 decorated Ti3C-MXene anode for LIBs using in-situ hydrolysis is discussed. MXenes are well known for their outstanding structural stability and superior electronic conductivities; thus, using MXenes as a host material for TiO2 may improve its structural and electrical characteristics. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) examination revealed that the in-situ method resulted in a uniform and comformal coating of TiO2 (27.5 nm) on the inner and outer surfaces of MXene surfaces. BET analysis revealed that the larger surface area of MXene-TiO2 nanocomposite enhanced the active sites for lithium intercalation, which improved electrochemical performance. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed faster kinetics for MXene-TiO2 materials when compared to the TiO2 anode. Compared to pristine TiO2 anode, 5 wt% MXene-TiO2 nanocomposite showed significantly better electrochemical performance, with an electrochemical capacity of around 200 mAhg?1 at 0.1C. Nanocomposites based on MXene-TiO2 exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, indicating the potential for using MXene-based nanocomposites as an anode in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Microstructural analyses (FE-SEM and HR-TEM) were accomplished at the Central Laboratory Unit (CLU), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. Funding: This work was supported by Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation) [NPRP Grant # NPRP11S-1225-17128]; the Qatar University Internal Grant, [QUCG-CENG-20/21-2].Scopu