Pharmacology articles list

A large number of people suffer from gallstones worldwide, and this problem is now increasing significantly due to malnutrition, changes in living lifestyle, lack of exercise and conditions, i.e. industrialization. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries due to their cultural acceptability, efficacy, safety and fewer side effects than modern synthetic medicines. This review aims to gather information on the plants utilized in various parts of society against gallstones. The information provided is beneficial for ordinary people and the scientific community for further phytochemical, toxicological and pharmacological studies, which may lead to the discovery of new, more effective and safer medicines for gallstones.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. is a medicinally important plant found in subtropical and temperate regions of the Himalayas from Nepal to Kashmir. The plant is used traditionally to treat kidney and bladder-related problems. Flavonoids and xanthone-containing compounds, such as epicatechin, japonicumone, quercetin, etc, are reported in the plants. Plants have shown Inhibitory effects on Carboxyl esterase

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, commonly known as Mung bean, is one of the most important pulse crops grown from tropical to sub-tropical areas worldwide. Mung bean is reported to help prevent the loss of nails and hair, reduce the risk of hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease, and decrease the absorption of toxic substances. Flavonoids and phenols are reported from this plant. Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and hypocholesterolemic activities are also shown by Vigna radiata

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Bauhinia racemosa Lam. is a tall tree growing throughout Sri Lanka, China, India, and Pakistan. Various parts of the plant have great medicinal potential in folklore medicine and are used for diarrhoea, fever, skin diseases, cough, malaria, etc. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antiulcer, cytotoxicity and hypotensive activities of Bauhinia racemosa have been reported. Different parts of this plant contain β-amyrin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, quercetin, scopoletin, scopolin and tannins

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Phaseolus vulgaris Linn commonly known as red kidney bean, is enriched in protein, carbohydrates and dietary fibres. Beans have nutritional and health benefits and possess antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and anticancer activity due to bio-active chemical constituents. The following study was carried out to evaluate the anti-depressant activity of Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil (PVFO) using a forced swim test and tail suspension test in mice. In this study, animals were assigned into four groups (n=7). Group I: Control normal saline (2 mL/Kg), Group II: PVFO I (2 mL/Kg), Group III: PVFO II (4 mL/Kg) and Group IV: standard amitriptyline (10 mg/Kg). The significant results indicated the possible anti-depressant role of Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Vigna trilobata (L.) VERDC. belongs to the family Papilionaceae, which is found throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. In folk medicine, it is used for arthritis, fever, cough, dysentery, and urinogenital disorders. Different secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, and flavonoids, have been reported in Vigna trilobata. It has antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The aim of the study was to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of four different colored (green, yellow, orange, and red) sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are available at the local market in Karachi, Pakistan. Their 95% ethanol extracts at 200 and 400 mg/kg were prepared and compared with commonly used analgesics (aspirin) and anti-inflammatory agents supporting its traditional use. The analgesic effects of 95% ethanol extracts of Capsicum annum L. were investigated by acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion and hot plate test. The anti-inflammatory activities were observed using carrageenan-induced edema of the hind paw in rats. 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 and (10) Standard. All the extracts were given orally. Acute toxicity was also determined by increasing the dose to 3000 mg/kg, which showed no evidence of mortality. All extracts of Capsicum significantly increased the hot plate pain threshold and remarkably reduced the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Results obtained were compared with the corresponding control group, revealing that the fresh fruit extract of all four kinds of bell pepper (200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg) possess anti-inflammatory and pain-suppressing activities possibly mediated via PG synthesis inhibition

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive form of cancer in females and poses a significant challenge to overcoming the disease burden. The growth in global cancer deaths mandates the discovery of new efficacious natural anti-tumor treatments. In this regard, aquatic species offer a rich supply of possible drugs. Studies have shown that several marine peptides damage cancer cells by a broad range of pathways, including apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, and suppression of angiogenesis. Many side effects, including immune response suppression, characterise traditional chemotherapeutic agents. The discovery of novel putative anti-cancer peptides with lesser toxicity is therefore necessary and timely, especially those able to thwart multi-drug resistance (MDR). This review addresses marine anti-cancer peptides for the treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in humans. It is characterized by excessive cell growth, accelerated intrusion of normal brain tissue, and a poor prognosis. The current standard of treatment, including surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, is largely ineffective, with high mortality and recurrence rates. As a result, traditional approaches have evolved to include new alternative remedies, such as natural compounds. Aquatic species provide a rich supply of possible drugs. The physiological effects of marine peptides in glioblastoma are mediated by a range of pathways, including apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, suppression of angiogenesis, cell migration/invasion, and cell viability; autophagy and metabolic enzymes downregulation. Herein, we address the efficacy of marine peptides as putative safe therapeutic agents for glioblastoma coupled with detailed molecular mechanisms.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Study objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the antitussive effect of aerial parts of ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Caesalpiniaceae). Methods: In this study, cough was induced by the sulfur dioxide induction method. Four groups of animals were made, with six animals in each group, and all drugs were administered orally. Group I was used as a control, group II as a standard, and groups III and IV received 200 and 400 mg/kg Caesalpinia pulcherrima aerial parts extract. Results: Caesalpinia pulcherrima aerial parts (CPAP) extract suppressed cough. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg Caesalpinia pulcherrima aerial parts extract showed highly significant results compared to the standard at 60 and 90 min of drug administration. Conclusion: From the above results, it can be concluded that plants have significant activity in cough suppression.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The present study shows the pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies on the flowers of Cordia sebestena. L. belongs to the family Boraginaceae. C. sebestena L. is found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the American, Asian and African continents. Though it is an essential plant, no pharmacognostic work has been found on its parts, such as flowers. Various organoleptic characters were recorded by macroscopic study. A microscopic study of the flowers was also conducted, which shows the presence of fibres, calcium oxalate crystals and multiple types of trichomes, along with fluorescence analysis. The present study also deals with the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of C. sebestena L. FT-IR spectra revealed the presence of C-H, C=C, C-N, C-O and aromatic groups. The chemical composition of the hexane extract of the flowers of C. sebestena L. was detected through GC-MS, and the spectrum achieved through GC-MS was correlated with the database of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which comprise more than 62000 outlines of the mass spectrum. GC-MS analysis of n-hexane extract showed the existence of Retinoic acid, lupeol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and hexadecanoic acid, along with fatty acids, esters, alkaloids and alcohols. These pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies can be valuable in providing reliable proof of the quality of the plant, which can benefit health professionals and herbal medicine manufacturers.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading cause of cancer death in men, and its treatment is commonly associated with severe adverse effects. So, new treatment modalities are needed. In this context, natural compounds have been widely explored for their anti-PCa properties. Aquatic organisms contain numerous potential medications. Anticancer peptides are less toxic to normal cells and provide a productive treatment approach via multiple mechanisms, including altered cell viability, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, suppression of angiogenesis and microtubule balance disturbances. This review sheds light on marine peptides as efficacious and safe therapeutic agents for PCa.

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

Cancer is one of the most severe medical conditions in the world, causing millions of deaths each year. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are critical treatment approaches, but both have numerous adverse health effects. Furthermore, the resistance of cancerous cells to anticancer medication leads to treatment failure. The rising burden of cancer requires novel, efficacious treatment modalities. Natural remedies offer feasible alternative options against malignancy in contrast to available synthetic medication. Selective killing of cancer cells is privileged mainstream in cancer treatment, and targeted therapy represents the new tool with the potential to pursue this aim. The discovery of innovative therapies targeting essential components of DNA damage signalling and repair pathways, such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related Checkpoint kinase 1 (ATR-CHK1), has offered a possibility of significant therapeutic improvement in oncology. The activation and inhibition of this pathway account for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity, respectively. Targeting this pathway can also aid in overcoming the resistance of conventional chemo- or radiotherapy. This review enlightens the anticancer role of natural products by ATR-CHK1 activation and inhibition. Additionally, these compounds have been shown to have chemotherapeutic synergistic potential when used in combination with other anticancer drugs. Ideally, this review will trigger interest in natural products targeting ATR-CHK1 and their potential efficacy and safety as cancer-lessening agents.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Drug discovery started when a man suffered from abdominal pain and accidentally healed by chewing the leaves of the plant. The story of Ethnopharmacology begins with the doctrine of signatures, the shape signatures of herbs to heal resembled parts of the body. Later, shape signatures were modified into colour and taste signatures for healing. The information exchange and understanding about people's use of natural resources to discover therapeutic and toxicological potential is now shaped into a branch of science, "Ethnopharmacology". Simply Ethnopharmacology, by using modern science, enables traditional knowledge to convert into medicine and acts as a powerful and creative drug discovery engine.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent extracranial solid tumor in pediatric patients, originating from sympathetic nervous system cells. Metastasis can be observed in approximately 70% of individuals after diagnosis, and the prognosis is poor. The current care methods used, which include surgical removal as well as radio and chemotherapy, are largely unsuccessful, with high mortality and relapse rates. Therefore, attempts have been made to incorporate natural compounds as new alternative treatments. Marine cyanobacteria are a vital source of physiologically active metabolites, which have recently received attention owing to their anticancer potential. This review addresses cyanobacterial peptides' anticancer efficacy against neuroblastoma. Numerous prospective studies have been carried out with marine peptides for pharmaceutical development, including research on anticancer potential. Marine peptides possess several advantages over proteins or antibodies, including small size, simple manufacturing, cell membrane crossing capabilities, minimal drug-drug interactions, minimal changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, selective targeting, chemical and biological diversities, and effects on liver and kidney functions. We discussed the significance of cyanobacterial peptides in generating cytotoxic effects and their potential to prevent cancer cell proliferation via apoptosis, the activation of caspases, cell cycle arrest, sodium channel blocking, autophagy, and anti-metastasis behavior.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is becoming more common globally and is increasingly resistant to treatment options. Despite extensive research into its pathophysiology, there are still no proven cures for metastatic melanoma. Unfortunately, current treatments are frequently ineffective, costly, and have several adverse effects. Natural substances have been extensively researched for their anti-MM capabilities. Chemoprevention and adjuvant therapy with natural products is an emerging strategy to prevent, cure or treat melanoma. Numerous prospective drugs are found in aquatic species, providing a plentiful supply of lead cytotoxic chemicals for cancer treatment. Anticancer peptides are less harmful to healthy cells and cure cancer through several methods, such as altered cell viability, apoptosis, angiogenesis/metastasis suppression, microtubule balance disturbances and targeting lipid composition of the cancer cell membrane. This review addresses marine peptides as effective and safe treatments for MM and details their molecular mechanisms of action.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Introduction: Study was conducted with an objective of investigating the inhibitory effect of Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract on three enzymes (α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase) involved in diabetes. The disadvantages related to the use of synthetic drugs make it necessary to search for alternative medicines from medicinal plants. One therapeutic approach for treating postprandial hyperglycaemia is to decrease the plasma glucose level, which can be attained by lowering the starch hydrolysis by digestive enzymes such as α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase. The use of synthetic antidiabetic agents caused gastrointestinal side effects. Methods: Hence, the research was aimed to evaluate the potential of Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract to inhibit α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase as a possible mechanism of hypoglycemia caused by this plant with fewer side effects. Phaseolus lunatus, also known as Lima bean, is native to Tropical America and grown worldwide. Lima bean has been prescribed traditionally to treat different diseases, including diabetes. Result: The results of the present study showed that Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract has exerted both time and concentration-dependent Significant inhibitory effects on these digestive enzymes might be due to the cumulative impact of phytoconstituents in the plant extract. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be said that the part mechanisms by which Phaseolus lunatus exhibited its antidiabetic activity might be through inhibiting this digestive enzyme.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Vitamin E is extensively available in the natural world and is produced by prototrophs such as plants, algae, and blue-green algae. Vitamin E is used as a dietary supplement, an antioxidant food stabilizer, a pharmaceutical additive, and a preservative in livestock feed. Several types of vitamin E can be differentiated by the position and number of the methyl functional group, and each form has a unique biological role. The function of antioxidants such as vitamin E is to defend cells from the effects of oxidative stress. Vitamin E is a free radical scavenger converted to vitamin E radical, then converted back to vitamin E by ascorbic acid. Vitamin E was discovered by Evans and Bishop in 1922; it has proved to be an effective nutrient for reproduction. It is also possible for vitamin E to act by a mechanism not directly linked to the inhibition of oxidation. Such non-antioxidant actions of vitamin E may result from gene regulation and specific cell signalling. The function of vitamin E in cellular signalling, especially its biological impact, is undoubtedly an imperative subject for future studies. The explicit roles of the several isomers and esters of vitamin E analogues should also be the subjects of future studies.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The use of plants/herbs as medicine for the care of diseases goes back to time immemorial, and still, plants are the dominant form of medicine in the world. Most of the world's population primarily depends on raw plant products to meet their health care needs. Several drugs include atropine, caffeine, digoxin, ephedrine, quinine, theophylline, tubocurarine, and warfarin. Taxol, vincristine and vinblastin are also derived from plants and used in modern systems of medicine. The authors in this book present comprehensive information about the history of medicinal plants from time immemorial to modern. Besides this, the traditional use and biological and phytochemical investigation of genera Phoenix, Castanospermum and Cordia are included in this book.

Dr. Salman Ahmed