Seasonal And Regional Effects of Air Quality Index on Hematological Indices of Dogs Under Local Environmental Conditions In Pakistan

Air pollution is found to have significant association with living health all over global world. Environment Protection Department of Punjab, Pakistan provides the monthly air quality index (AQI) data on air pollution with concentrated particulates like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2 and O3. Air particulates concentrations may vary of season, regional geography and climate. We performed blood sampling of 45 dogs from different breeds (Labrador retrievers, German shepherds and Pit bulls) from three different areas categorized on basis of AQI as less polluted (Gulberg), polluted (Town Hall) and highly polluted (Shadman) in winter and spring seasons. Data were analysed using paired sample t-tests for seasonal study and independent sample t-tests for area and breed study by SPSS (P < 0.05 ascertained as significant). Seasonal study resulted that less polluted area had no significant effects on hematological indices in any three breeds of dogs in both seasons. Polluted area was presented with increased significant effects on values of monocytes in Labrador retrievers, Hct and MCHC in German shepherds while decreased significant effects on MCH value in Pit bulls in winter season as compared to spring season. Highly polluted area had significant effects with decreasing WBC counts only in German shepherds in winter season than spring season. This study concludes that polluted and highly polluted areas in winter season with worst AQI affects blood indices more than spring season in dogs

Antihyaluronidase and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Activities of Medicinal Plants to Combat Echis carinatus Venom-Induced Toxicities

Snakebite is one of the most neglected diseases of developing countries. Deaths due to snakebite envenoming are quite high in Pakistan, and many deaths are caused by Echis carinatus envenomation. Traditional use of medicinal plants against snakebites is a common practice in Pakistan due to countless benefits. The current study was performed with the objective to evaluate eighteen Pakistani medicinal plants inhibitory potential against hyaluronidase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes of Pakistani Echis carinatus venom. Hyaluronidase activity (0.2-1.6 mg/0.1 mL) and alkaline phosphatase activity (0.1-0.8 mg/0.1 mL) were measured in dose-dependent manner. Crude methanolic extracts of medicinal plants were used for in vitro investigation of their inhibitory activity against toxic enzymes. All active plants were fractioned using different solvents and were again analyzed for inhibitory activity of same enzymes. Results indicated all plants were able to neutralize hyaluronidase that Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Flem.) Karst., Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn, Rubia cordifolia Thumb., and Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br. inhibited maximum hyaluronidase activity equivalent to standard reference (p>0.5). Pakistani medicinal plants are dense with natural neutralizing metabolites and other active phytochemicals which could inhibit hyaluronidase activity of Pakistani Echis carinatus venom. Further advanced studies at molecular level could lead us to an alternative for envenoming of Pakistani Echis carinatus venom