Health Science articles list

Urolithiasis is a common worldwide problem with high recurrence. This review covers thirty-six (36) families starting from alphabet M to R. It includes Rubiaceae (17); Phyllanthaceae and Rutaceae (09); Polygonaceae (08); Pinaceae and Piperaceae (06); Menispermaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Oxalidaceae, Plantaginaceae and Ranunculaceae (05); Moraceae and Musaceae (04); Meliaceae, Orchidaceae and Rhamnaceae (03); Moringaceae, Onagraceae, Papaveraceae, Pedaliaceae, and Polygalaceae (02); Magnoliaceae, Malpighiaceae, Molluginaceae, Myoporaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Paeoniaceae, Parmeliaceae, Parnassiaceae, Periplocaceae, Platanaceae, Polypodiaceae, Portulacaceae, Primulaceae and Punicaceae (01) plant used globally in different countries. Hopefully, this review will be helpful for the general public and attract the scientific world for antiurolithiatic drug discovery.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Urolithiasis is a common worldwide problem with high recurrence. This review covers forty four (44) families starting from alphabet A to L and includes Bignoniaceae (05); Araceae, Burseraceae, Combretaceae (04); Annonaceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Gentianaceae, Gesneriaceae (03); Aizoaceae, Adiantaceae, Alismataceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Bombacaceae, Cannabaceae, Cyperaceae, Geraniaceae and Iridaceae (02); Acoraceae, Adoxaceae, Armatellaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Araliaceae, Averrhoeaceae, Basellaceae, Begoniaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Calophyllaceae, Campanulaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Caricaceae, Celastraceae, Clusiaceae, Dracaenaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Grossulariaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Hydrangeaceae, Hypoxidaceae, llecebraceae and Juglandaceae (01) plant used globally in different countries. The plants of three families Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae are revisited to provide updated information. This review will not only be useful for the general public but also attract the scientific world for antiurolithiatic drug discovery.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Arisaema jacquemontii Blume (Araceae) is a medicinally important plant for treating different diseases, especially dermatological disorders. Alkaloids, phenols, terpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins have been reported from this plant. Antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities are also shown by Arisaema jacquemontii. The present review attempts to compile all the previous data based on its medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology reported in the earlier articles.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities of the methanol extract of two varieties of Cicer arietinum viz black or Desi and white or Kabuli were tested in 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. For the analgesic effect of the extracts, acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion and hot plate tests were employed in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was carried out by carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats, whereas the diuretic action was determined using metabolic cages for rats. Animals were divided into six groups (n=7): (1) Control (2) Standard (3) MECAB 200 (4) MECAB 400 (5) MECAW 200 (6) MECAW 400. All extracts and standard drugs were administered orally. Acute oral toxicity of the extracts was also checked in mice up to 2000mg/kg dose, which showed a favorable safety. Significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were observed. The results of diuretic activity were significant at the 12th and 24th hrs. Therefore, it is concluded that the methanol extracts of the seeds of Cicer arietinum have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic potential.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Macrotyloma uniflorum, commonly known as horse gram or kulthi bean, is grown as a pulse for livestock and human consumption. The beans contain about 1.3% fat, 18% protein, 15% carbohydrate, and vitamins and minerals. Traditional medicine uses it as an antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antihypertensive and diuretic. Other important medicinal uses include the treatment of renal stones, obesity, piles, oedema and fever. The present study evaluated analgesic (by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests in mice) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats) activities of Macrotyloma uniflorum fixed oil (MUFO). Four groups were included in the study: Group I: Normal Saline Control (2ml/kg), Group II: MUFO (2ml/kg), Group III: MUFO (4ml/kg), and Group IV: Standard Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA 300mg/kg). All results were significant; however, the tail flick and paw oedema tests observed a delayed onset of action. The oil's acute oral toxicity was also checked in mice and was found safe up to a 4ml/kg dose, as no signs of toxicity and mortality were observed. It is concluded that Macrotyloma uniflorum fixed oil may possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, which can be related to a peripheral mechanism of action.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Phycochemical and pharmacological studies were carried out on Ulva fasciata Delile. The ash content was found to be 20.4812 % dry weight, moisture content 14.5514 %, and total fat content as 0.1878% and 0.49341 %. Total carbohydrate was found to be 54.5301-54.2246% dry weight, phenolic content was found to be 0.022%, flavonoids were found to be 0.0313%, and tannins were 0.00003 %. Ulva fasicata showed central analgesic activity and significant anti-inflammatory activity at 400 mg/kg bw.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Background: Phaseolus vulgaris, commonly known as kidney bean, has been studied previously for pharmacological properties such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Various extracts of the seeds have been researched except fixed oils. Objective: Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the behavioral activity of fixed oil extracted from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Methodology: Hole board, light and dark, stationary rod and open field tests were used for behavioral evaluation. Four groups were made with seven mice in each : (1) Control = Normal saline 2ml/kg (2) Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil = PVFO 2ml/kg (3) PVFO 4ml/kg (4) Diazepam (1mg/kg) as standard. All treatments were given orally 30 minutes before the performance of tests. In the hole board test, PVFO 4ml/kg decreased the number of head poking (p≤0.01). Results: In light and dark tests, PVFO in both doses reduced the time spent in the light compartment (p≤0.01). In the open field test, the number of peripheral lines crossed was decreased (p≤0.05), whereas in the stationary rod test, no effect was observed by any dose of PVFO. Conclusion: Results indicate that Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil does not affect memory or learning in mice and may possess a dose-dependent sedative hypnotic effect.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris are known as common beans or kidney beans. The dry seeds are eaten as pulse and are enriched with protein, fiber, starch, B vitamins (B1, B6, B9), iron, potassium and selenium. Beans also contain about 1-2 % of fixed oil. Phaseolus vulgaris is linked to anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, and antioxidant actions. The fixed oil of Phaseolus vulgaris (PVFO) seeds is extracted with hexane and used in this study to assess acute oral toxicity, analgesic (by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests in mice) and antiinflammatory (by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats) actions. Four groups were made (n=6): Group-I: Normal Saline Control (2ml/kg), Group-II: PVFO (2ml/kg), Group-III: PVFO (4ml/kg) and Group-IV: Standard Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA 300 mg/kg). PVFO in 2ml/kg and 4ml/kg doses demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, but in hot plate, results were unreliable as significant activity started after 90 minutes. A 5ml/kg dose was administered orally in mice for a toxicity test, and no toxicity symptoms were observed. Therefore, PVFO is safe for oral use up to 5ml/kg and may possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (Papilionaceae) is commonly known as Horse gram and Kulthi. The seeds are reported as anthelmintic, diaphoretic, diuretic and emmenagogue. It is also useful for asthma, bronchitis, and urolithiasis. The present study evaluated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of the methanol extract of Macrotyloma uniflorum seeds in 200 and 400mg/kg doses. Significant results were obtained in all activities.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

About 12% of the world's population is affected by different forms of urolithiasis, of which the recurrence rate in females is 47–60% and in males is 70–80%. Standard therapeutic agents (allopurinol, citrate, cystone and thiazide diuretics) prevent and treat urolithiasis. Still, these are not universally-effective due to common kidney stone relapse and other side effects. Surgical treatment causes long-term renal damage, hypertension and stone recurrence. Polyphenols, the plant-derived bioactive molecules, have showed protection against cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases, among several other ailments. The role of these phytochemicals in urolithiasis management is emerging. Hence, the present review discusses peer-reviewed published literature to date on this aspect and highlights that polyphenols could effectively inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate urinary stones (most common renal stone), correlating with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Further, we have proposed the prospects and challenges in developing plant polyphenols into drugs against kidney stone prevention. This review might be a stepping stone for further investigation into the clinical implications of polyphenols in urolithiasis remediation.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The genus Caesalpinia belongs to the family Caesalpiniaceae and includes 280 species distributed in tropic and subtropical regions of the world. Historically, species of the genus Caesalpinia have been used to treat a wide range of ailments, such as malaria, ascariasis, dysentery, fever, rheumatism, and influenza. Phytochemical works led to the isolation of triterpenoids, diterpenes, flavonoids, steroids and phenolic compounds. Pharmacological studies have shown that the extracts and compounds isolated from this genus exhibited anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antipyretic, anti-microbial, anti-rheumatic, antiulcer and anti-diabetic activities. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the genus Caesalpinia's ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas. is used traditionally to treat hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. The high prevalence of hypertension and the side effects of antihypertensive drugs potentiate us to evaluate Melilotus officinalis. The hypotensive effect of Melilotus officinalis butanol fraction (MOBF) was investigated in anaesthetised normotensive rats. The doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg, i.v., produced a significant (P <0.05) decrease in blood pressure. The statistically non substantial reduction in blood pressure was shown by 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.v. These results suggest that Melilotus officinalis exhibited a hypotensive effect in normotensive rats. However, further evaluation of compound-related activity is required.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Oxalate is widely distributed in plant foods as potassium, sodium and ammonium oxalates (water-soluble form) and as insoluble calcium oxalates. Oxalate forms strong chelates with dietary calcium, thus rendering the complex unavailable for absorption and assimilation. It precipitates as insoluble salts accumulating in the renal glomeruli and contributes to the development of renal disorders. The seed flours of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. were investigated for their total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents by HPLC. The total oxalate content of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus and P. vulgaris was 1.24, 1.77 and 1.71 mg/ g, respectively. The %age of soluble oxalate were M. uniflorum (19.50), P. lunatus (15.08) and P. vulgaris (15.88). Only soluble oxalate is responsible for oxalate absorption (bioavailability) and its excretion. Overall, the total oxalate content is high in legume flour of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris, but the soluble oxalates are very low. Therefore, all these three legumes don't have the adverse effects of oxalate on minerals bioavailability and risk of urolithiasis.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was conducted to determine the insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fiber content of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn. , and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. , and legume flours by using AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric analysis. The results showed that M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris legume flours contained 155.91, 120.01, and 90.80 mg/g insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. At the same time, soluble dietary fiber was not found in any tested sample.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The study was conducted on glass slides to observe the growth patterns of urinary calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals and their inhibition using 5, 10 and 15% Phaseolus vulgaris seed infusion. For this purpose, a drop of gel medium (sodium metasilicate of 1.06 specific gravity and 3M acetic acid solution) at pH 5.02-5.17 was placed in the middle of the glass slide and converted into gel. A single drop of 1 M oxalic acid was dropped to the left, and 1 M calcium chloride and magnesium acetate (1:1) solution fell to the right side of the adequately formed gel. The glass slide was observed under microscope till it was completely dried. In the case of the crystal inhibition study, a drop of Phaseolus vulgaris infusion was also added on the right side just after adding calcium chloride and magnesium acetate solution. The results without infusion showed detailed morphology and aggregation patterns of observed crystals as donut, dumbbells, needles, platy, prismatic, rosette, round edges, and loose and compact aggregates. All infusions of Phaseolus vulgaris showed defective crystals. 5 % infusion inhibited crystals of all morphologies with their loose and compact aggregates except rosettes. Whereas 10 and 15 % infusion converted the rosette crystals into ineffective calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals of tetragonal bipyramidal and elongated rod shape. The microscopic study of calcium oxalate crystal growth and its inhibition is simple and provides rapid qualitative analysis of antiurolithiatic activity.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The use of Capsicum annum L. for culinary purposes dates back centuries. Its medicinal benefits have also been investigated in the past few days. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in 4 different colored (green, yellow, orange, and red) sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) were investigated in 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Current research is directed at authenticating whether Capsicum can be used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory, comparing the effects of the most used analgesic aspirin. The effects of ethanol extract of Capsicum annum L. were determined for analgesic activity by acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion and hot plate test. Animals were divided into ten groups (n=7): (1) Control (2) CAG 200 (3) CAG 400 (4) CAR 200 (5) CAR 400 (6) CAO 200 (7) CAO 400 (8) CAY 200 (9) CAY 400 (10) Standard. All the extracts given intraperitoneally in rat hind paws of seven animals in each treatment group received 200, 400 mg/kg. Acute toxicity was also determined by increasing the dose to 3000 mg/kg, which showed no evidence of mortality. A statistical calculation was performed using SPSS software to compare the effects of aspirin and Capsicum extract. Positive results were obtained as compared to the control group; the analgesic effect was statistically significant (P˂ 0.05). These observations revealed that the fresh fruit extract of four kinds of Bell pepper at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/ kg possesses anti-inflammatory and pain-suppressing activities possibly mediated via PG synthesis inhibition.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Globally, approximately 12% of the population is inflicted by various types of urolithiasis. Standard treatments are available to avert and treat urolithiasis, but with significant adverse side effects. Pentacyclic triterpenes represent a group of naturally occurring compounds with immense potential as treatments for kidney stones. This review aims to provide an integrative description of how pentacyclic triterpenes can effectively treat calcium oxalate urolithiasis through various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition mechanisms. Some pentacylic triterpenes showing promising activities include lupeol, oleanolic acid, betulin, and taraxasterol. Moreover, future perspectives on developing pentacyclic triterpenes in formulations/drugs for urinary stone prevention are highlighted. It is anticipated that compiled information would serve as a scientific baseline to advocate further investigations on the potential of pentacyclic triterpenes in urolithiasis remediation.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Animals like plants are also medicinal agents for preventing and curing different health problems worldwide, practically in all human cultures. Zootherapy is ancient and has strong evidence of the medicinal use of animal resources. Different animal body parts and preparations are used in folk medicines. Zootherapy reveals that medical practitioners have always considered animals a source of surprising and numerous therapeutic effects. A high diversity of animals, their parts, and derivative products are used, and this is a heritage that could constitute a fundamental step in the discovery and isolation of natural extracts and new and low-cost alternative drugs from animals. About 12% of people worldwide are affected by different types of urolithiasis; the recurrence rate in females is 47-60%, and in males is 70-80%. According to WHO, 75% of the population relies on traditional medicines to prevent and cure diseases. Hence, there is a need to concentrate on all folk natural products effective in urolithiasis for their pharmacological evaluation and isolation of single drug molecules responsible for anti-urolithiasis activity to develop suitable formulations against urolithiasis.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Capsicum has been an essential part of the diet for centuries and has been widely used traditionally for ailments. The objective of the present analysis was to determine the diuretic and antidiarrheal potentials of four variations of Capsicum annum L. fruits available in the local market of Karachi, Pakistan. It belongs to the family Solanaceae, and extracts were prepared in 95% ethanol and given in 200 and 400mg/kg doses. The activity correlated with commonly used diuretics and anti-diarrheal, reinforcing its conventional use. To confirm its activity, fruit extracts were evaluated for anti-diarrheal properties in castor-oil-induced diarrhoea. The diuretic activity of the 95% ethanolic extracts of Capsicum annum L. was assessed based on diuresis of 24 hr. collected through a metabolic cage. Urinary excretion of water and electrolytes (Na+ and K+) is significantly increased by the standard diuretic drug furosemide, which is comparable with the extract. The anti-diarrheal effects of 95% ethanolic extracts of Capsicum annum L. were examined by castor oil-induced diarrhoea. All varieties of Capsicum annum L. significantly inhibited the number of defecations.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

"Chemical Pharmacognosy" explores natural drug discovery, traversing from traditional remedies to modern therapeutics. This interdisciplinary approach aids biodiversity exploration, supports conservation, and validates Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The significance extends to drug formulation, quality control, and combating drug resistance. Symbolizing a holistic journey, it bridges traditional wisdom with scientific innovation, playing a pivotal role in harnessing nature's chemical diversity for human health and guiding drug development.

Dr. Salman Ahmed