Phase I And Phase Ii Drug Metabolism Study Of Mitragynine In Normal And Diabetes Induced Rat

Mitragynine is a major indole alkaloid abundantly isolated from M. speciosa leaves. Mitragynine exhibits psychoactive properties and shows morphine-like depressant effect and cocaine-like stimulant effects. Mitragynine also shows antitussive and antidepressant-like effects. The current research was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effect of mitragynine on phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes, namely aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in normal and diabetes Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat liver. The in vitro effect of mitragynine on APND activity in relation to factors of age, gender and diabetes was determined in rat hepatocytes. Moreover, the possible mechanism of induction of aminopyrine N-demethylase activity by mitragynine was also investigated in SD rat hepatocytes. In addition, western blot analysis was carried out for in vivo CYP2C12 and UGT1A6 and GSTM1 proteins expression in normal and diabetic rats. Aminopyrine, p-nitrophenol and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitro benzene were used as a probes to determine the APND, UGT and GST activity respectively. A range of mitragynine concentration (0.0025 – 250 μM) was used for all in vitro enzyme assays in tested groups of SD rats. The mitragynine 50 mg/kg of body weight was administered orally to SD rats for in vivo study. Results of in vitro study showed that mitragynine significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced APND activity in rat hepatocytes as well as significantly inhibited microsomal UGT and cytosolic GST activity in normal and diabeti

Lavandula stoechas L alleviates dementia by preventing oxidative damage of cholinergic neurons in mice brain

Purpose: To ascertain if there is any scientific evidence for the folkloric use of Lavandula stoechas as a nootropic substance for memory-related disorders.Methods: Aqueous and n-hexane fractions of methanol extract of aerial parts of L. stoechas were used to explore their anti-amnesic activity. Male albino mice weighing 25 - 30 g were organized in ten groups (G-I to G-X) and treated for seven days. On 7th and 8th day, behavioral studies were conducted using elevated plus maze, hole-board and light-dark paradigms. Furthermore, biochemical studies were performed on brain homogenates of mice.Results: Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for aqueous and n-hexane fractions of L. stoechas were recorded as 35.14 and 357.42 μg/mL respectively, as compared to the standard, ascorbic acid (51.39 μg/mL). Behavioral test results indicate that the aqueous fraction showed significant (p &lt; 0.001) build-up of memory in mice, compared to n-hexane fraction. Similarly, the aqueous fraction significantly (p &lt; 0.001) reduced the level of acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde as well as elevation of natural antioxidants, viz, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione in brain tissues.Conclusion: The aqueous fraction of L. stoechas is a memory-enhancing agent. Its antioxidant activity prevents the loss of memory by providing defense against neurodegeneration.Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase, Elevated plus maze, Behavioral studies, Lavandula stoechas, Malondialdehyd

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Benefits of Microcredit in Farm Production: A Welfare Economic Perspective from Punjab Province of Pakistan

Microcredit seems to be the dire need of small farmers and believed to be an appropriate tool for facilitating small enterprises. This study examined the effects of farmers’ certain internal and external factors on microcredit major benefits i.e. farm production and income. The study was confined to the four districts of Punjab Province of Pakistan. Data was randomly collected from 118 small farmers who had borrowed microcredit from different microfinance institutions (MFIs). Data analysis was performed in such a way that influence of specific variables under six categories of internal and external factors was estimated by employing logit model.  Most influencing variable observed from each logit model was selected for overall multiple regression analysis.  Findings from data analysis revealed that farmers’ education and their saving habit were positively influencing farm production and income. Number of livestock animals and more off-farm income sources reduced the changes of credit money to be used on non-income generation activities. These results were significant at 1% significance level. Inter-cropping had positive relationship for crop productivity. Suitable weather conditions was taken as environmental factor and its influence was positive for microcredit benefits. Farmers’ long distance from major agricultural market and strict repayment plan of MFIs were negative influencing microcredit benefits and were significant at 1% significance level. Multiple regression model overall 54.81% explained the impacts of six important variables on microcredit benefits. Econometric models also showed that many of the variables were inter-related and inter-dependent to each other and were affecting farm production and income on varying degree. Keywords: microcredit benefit, farm production, impact assessment, inter-dependence, Punjab

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Solanum nigrum LEAVE DIETHYL ETHER EXTRACT ON LIVER CCl4 TOXICITY

Solanum nigrum is a medicinal plant commonly known as black night shade and Makoi, it is found in two varieties. One has black colored fruits while the other has reddish brown colored fruit. Traditionally Solanum nigrum possesses a number of active compounds which are responsible for its diverse pharmacological properties. The current study aims to investigate the diethyl ether extract of Solanum nigrum leaves activity on the liver acute toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rabbits. The rabbits were allocated randomly into two groups (n=6). The hepatic damage intensity and protection was observed by biochemically investigating the serum levels of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, Alanine transaminase (ALT), Asparate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and tissue histopathology analysis. The results showed that the diethylether extract of Solanum nigrum leaves have significant (p &lt; 0.05) shielding effect on all hepatic enzymes and protein. Histopathological evaluation also confirmed that diethyl ether extract of leaves has potential to protect the liver against chemical (CCL4) induced injury.&nbsp

Human–Carnivore Conflicts in a Recently Established Pakistani National Park

Human–carnivore conflicts (HCCs) are increasing globally. These conflicts may encompass competition for food resources, crop and livestock depredations, and attacks on humans. Concerns over conflicts may result in retaliatory killings of carnivores and negative views of wildlife or landscape conservation. Yet, despite the economic and conservation implications of HCCs, data regarding the magnitude and severity of the conflicts may be lacking because many incidents are unreported. To better inform this issue, we compared HCC data for 2016 to 2018 obtained from official records of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department for a newly established national park in the Punjab Region of Pakistan to data we obtained regarding HCCs based on a survey of 200 households from 25 villages abutting the park. The households surveyed reported 250 incidents of livestock lost to leopards (Panthera pardus), jackals (Canis aureus), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) during the study period. Most of the losses (83%) were attributed to leopards. In contrast, official data reported 42 animals lost for the villages studied, with most losses attributed to leopards. Thus, official agency records underreported depredation losses by \u3e80%. Because of HCC, 19% of households supported eliminating leopards from the park, and 25% of households supported fencing the park to prevent leopards from entering human settlements. However, 47% of the households also supported increasing programs focused on improving herding practices and enhanced livestock infrastructure that might prevent attacks. Our results suggested new opportunities for wildlife officials to help residents mitigate HCCs while enhancing local support of carnivore conservation

Lavandula stoechas (L) a Very Potent Antioxidant Attenuates Dementia in Scopolamine Induced Memory Deficit Mice

The objective of the current project was to explore the pharmacotherapeutic role of Lavandula stoechas (L) for the management of dementia. Dementia is considered a global challenge of current century seeking special attention of pharmacologists to explore its best remedies. Methanolic extract of aerial parts of L. stoechas was tested for phytochemical analysis along with free radical scavenging activity. Behavioral studies were performed on scopolamine induced amnesic mice by using elevated plus maze (EPM), light and dark test and hole board paradigms. Biochemical investigations were made after decapitating the mice. Their brains were isolated for biochemical estimation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Phytochemical study ensured the presence of total phenolic contents (285.91 ± 0.75 mg of GAE/g of extract), total flavonoids (134.06 ± 0.63 mg of RE/g of extract), total tannins (149.60 ± 0.93 mg of TAE/g of extract) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 value = 76.73 μg/ml found by DPPH method). Behavioral studies indicated that animals of GVII showed higher inflexion ratio (0.40 ± 0.03) for EPM, spent most of time (227.17 ± 2.13 s) in dark area of light dark test and had many hole pockings (39.83 ± 1.88) for hole board paradigm. Moreover, biochemical studies revealed that methanolic extract of L. stoechas (800 mg/kg/p.o.) significantly (P &lt; 0.001) reduced brain AChE and MDA levels while improved SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. Thus the findings suggest that L. stoechas stabilizes memory by enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission and by providing defense against oxidative stress in mice brain

Ameliorating effect of Berberis lycium root bark extracts against cisplatin-induced nephropathy in rat

The aim of this study was to investigate the sub-acute nephroprotective effect of Berberis lycium root bark extracts against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Aqueous and methanol extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) were co-administered with cisplatin (4 mg/kg) for 19 days. Results showed that cisplatin significantly (ap<0.05) raised the serum creatinine, uric acid, urea level as well as tissue MDA level as compared to control group. It decreased GST activity, tGSH and catalase activity in rats.  Both extracts significantly reduced the serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels. Moreover, GST, CAT activity and tGSH content were significantly (p<0.05) increased and MDA level was decreased. Histopathological examination showed that both extracts efficiently reversed the morphological changes and damage induced by cisplatin. It is concluded that both extracts of B. lycium root bark possess nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Video Clip of Methodology: Histological study of rat kidney: 14 min 02 sec   Full Screen   Alternat

Economic Interactions among Stock Market Performance and Macroeconomic Variables with Mediating Role of Gold Prices Volatilities: An Evidence from Pakistan

In all emerging economies, one of the most challenging issues for investors is the multifaceted inter-relationship between volatility of gold prices and stock market index. During the COVID-19 sub-periods, gold has shown a strong hedging behavior against stock market performance. The main objective of this study was to quantify the long-run relationship among multiple independent macroeconomic variables (predictors) on stock market index (response variable) using the volatilities of gold prices as a mediator factor. This study applied the descriptive statistics, correlation, t-test and OLS multiple regression Model. The specific data comprised of period 2011-2020 regarding the fluctuations in gold prices, exchange rate, interest rate, inflation rate and performance of stock market index has been utilized. The statistical outputs of models showed that exchange rate (Dollar to PKR) was positively affecting the performance of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)-100 Index, whereas inflation rate and interest rate were negatively affecting the overall performance of KSE100 index. The findings of this study suggested that to achieve better performance of stock market, relatively low interest rate and inflation rate contribute a significant role. However, to increase the generalization capabilities of this study the impact of mentioned macroeconomic variables in other sectors like industrial production, oil &amp; gas and energy sectors with wider time span can be more helpful