Matrix Science Pharma (MSP)

This study describes the activity-guided isolation and purification of antimicrobial proteins from the seeds of Foeniculum vulgare. Purification was carried out by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Antifungal and antibacterial activities were determined by disc diffusion assay method. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the purified protein was a monomer with molecular mass of 60 kDa. This is a first report on purification of a protein from Foeniculum vulgare, which possesses a strong and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Our results suggest that the antimicrobial properties of this plant seed may be further investigated to explore the possibility of using them in the treatment of candidal or bacterial infections.

Moxifloxacin is a 4th generation fluoroquinolone. Study was planned on renal clearance and urinary excretion of moxifloxacin on healthy male volunteers by applying sensitive, rapid and accurate HPLC-UC analytical method. For this study 8 healthy male subjects similar in all physical conditions were selected. Moxifloxacin (Avelox® 400 mg) was administered orally under fasting conditions. First sample of urine and blood was collected before administration of moxifloxacin and other samples of blood were taken at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 hr and urine samples were withdrawn at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr. The pH of the samples was measured by pH meter. Blood and urine samples were analyzed with HPLC for drug determination. Endogenous creatinine was measured by reagent kit method. The plasma concentration of endogenous creatinine and drug were 12.61 ± 0.85 µg/mL and 1.678 ± 0.062 µg/mL. The renal clearance of endogenous creatinine ranges from 1.17 to 3.18 ml/min/kg with an average ± SE value of 2.67 ± 0.24 mL/min/Kg. Renal clearance of moxifloxacin was 0.476 ± 0.04 mL/min/Kg ranged between 0.27 – 0.609 mL/min/Kg. Urinary excretion of moxifloxacin calculated as cumulative percent dose excreted 20.48 ± 0.88. A positive relationship was found between diuresis and renal clearance of drug indicated that besides glomerular filtration passive diffusion is also involved at kidney tubular level.

Avena sativa which is commonly known as oat has beneficial effects against various diseases especially cancer, bowel syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Gastro protective effect of seed grains of Avena sativa in indomethacin induced ulcer in healthy male adult albino rabbits were evaluated in present study. A total of thirty-six rabbits were divided into six equal groups. Group 1 would be served as control group on routine diet. Indomethacin (indocin) 20 mg/kg was given to 2nd group to induce ulcer, 3rd group was served by synthetic antiulcer drug Zantac (ranitidine) at the dose of 10 mg/kg orally while group 4, 5 and 6 were given three different doses of Avena sativa seed powders 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg respectively for 14 days. At the end of experiment rabbits were sacrificed to collect gastric contents for the estimation of total acid output. The blood sample was collected at 0 and 14 days. Antiulcer activity of this plant was analyzed by measuring different parameters like pH, gastric volume, acid output and ulcer index. Result showed that Avena sativa at dose of 750 mg/kg reduced the values of total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde and increased the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity and these results were compared with standard drug. From these results it was concluded that Avena sativa has strongest antioxidant potential.

The present study was designed to investigate effect of Oxalis corniculata (Creeping wood sorrel) against aflatoxicosis in straight run broiler chicken (Hubbard strain). Hundred and twenty-day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six groups with two replicates. Two different levels of O.corniculata (250; 500 mg/kg b.w) with and without AFB1 (350 ppb) and a control treatment were added to the diet. Dietary treatment initiated at the end of 1st week and sustained for six weeks. O.corniculata supplementation in the diet during five weeks significantly reduced body weight, cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the treated groups in dose dependent manner. Dietary incorporation of O.corniculata 250 mg to 500mg induced negative effects on overall broiler health performance.

The Based on one-factor-at-a-time experiments, response surface methodology was employed to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction of Aronia melanocarpa berries (chokeberry; AMP). The optimum extraction conditions were determined as follows: ethanol concentration 62%, ultrasonic power 198 W, liquid-solid ratio 19 (mL/g) and ultrasonic time 44 min. Under this condition, AMP anthocyanin yield was 4.31893 mg/g with a 1.67 % error compared with the actual value, which showed that the model and the optimization process was feasible. Additionally, superoxide anion radical (O2-·) radical scavenging activities of AMP extracts and VC was comparatively analyzed and the result revealed that the antioxidant activity of AMP extracts was superior to VC.

Animal models of stress were successfully adopted in the stress research over the years. Generally, rodent model is successfully used and since, they can be utilized for studying different stress stimuli such as psychological, somatic or physical and a combination of both. Since human beings are difficult to be used to such specified and varied stress stimuli, the results obtained can be extrapolated to few stress situations that may lead into anxiety, depression and psychiatric conditions. The different models used vary from isolation, noise, predator exposure and diurnal variations mainly as psychological models and immobilization, foot shock, temperature variation and unpredictable stress exposure as physical stress models. Between the lines, few psychological models and somatic models may also be a mixture of both as physical discomfort or pain will also have psychological component. Nevertheless, these models have provided a strong basis in understanding the basis of psychological and psychiatric problems that are faced by human beings and contributed in the development of drug development and their testing for the good of mankind.

Over the years teaching and learning has shifted from teacher centered towards student centered learning. Internet and smart tools in addition has provided a progressive user-friendly platform for learning and gaining knowledge. Passive ways of learning no more are valid and student facilitation rather than teaching is the norm. Problem based learning is a tailored learning culture where the students are at the centre stage. Student’s design their objectives for learning and in a step-wise manner solve the problems and gain much deeper learning. It is interactive, student centered and teacher facilitated. Along with subject knowledge it prepares a student with the soft skills which are essential for future career in the industries in which they deliver their services. Problem based learning is future for the new generation as the entire educational system is changing with the availability of smart tools and internet. This shall prepare the younger generation for the industrial revolution -4 and surely lead towards a progressive and real-time learning culture.

Tetanus is a fetal disease of human and animals caused by spore forming, Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani. In present report, a 16-month old, Beetal buck, weighing about 40 kg was presented to outdoor clinics of Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan with complaint of anorexia, abnormal gait and gradual loss of body condition. History, indicated that animal was castrated 12 days before by a local quack using an ordinary shaving blade. Visual examination revealed that wound had not properly healed on the day of examination. Physical examination revealed stiffness of fore and hind limb muscles, prolapse of nictitating membrane and hyperesthesia. Owing to the presence of contaminated wound and clinical signs, Beetal Buck was diagnosed as tetanus. Animal was treated with procaine penicillin @ 44,000 IU IM/Kg, diazepam @ 0.1mg/kg IM. The treatment was prescribed for five days. Wound was debrided and washed with hydrogen peroxide. On the 3rd day of this treatment, trismus was reduced and the gait of the animal was improved. All in all, tetanus was present in goats and treatment afforded an improvement in health parameters.

Biliary atresia often neglected as normal transition neonatal jaundice reports high incidence in Pakistan in contrast to worldwide statistics. In contrast to data reported worldwide high mortality and morbidity rate of Biliary Atresia was reported within the Faisalabad region of Pakistan which indicates poor disease management. To understand the exact etiology of this disease, present study undertook a research initiative to define unique causes and clinical risk factors associated to Biliary atresia which help in early diagnosis. We intended to find strongly associated risk factors which distinguish it from early onset normal transition jaundice and suggest good prognostic measures for disease management. Logistic Regression and Pearson chi square test reports high incidence rate of Biliary atresia in newly born baby boys (64%) than in female peers. Only 27% of survival rate of this disease was recorded. Unique association of disease with mother child blood group incompatibility (P <0.05) and other simultaneous neonatal infection (P <0.05) shown to contribute significantly to high neonatal death toll (72.8%). Moreover, mother health status (P<0.05) an d maternal infection like diabetes and/or hypothyroidism (P<0.05) during gestation period are also significant contributing factors to outcome of Biliary atresia. Based on findings we suggest careful examination of neonates if any of the reported risk factors is observed in first 3 days of birth to manage Biliary Atresia. Study also emphasizes on the importance of maternal health care and proper disease management of maternal infections that otherwise predispose neonates at risk of health disorder.

Various agents in medicinal plants are used in the same way as antibiotics in treatment of acquiring resistance in bacteria.The main objective of this study is to check out the bactericidal action of leaves of Bauhinia variegateLinnagainst medically important one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and three gramnegative bacterial strains (Proteus vulgaris, S. typhi and E. coli) by the method of disc diffusion. This method showed 24mm maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, 18.5mm against Proteus vulgaris, 20mm in Escherichia coli and 17.5 mm in Salmonella typhi.Zone of inhibition of extract was compared with standard antibiotic Cephalosporin.The phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract revealed many secondary metabolites existence,like flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides and anthraquinones. Various plants are considered medicinal importance as having microbial activity due to containing many secondary metabolites. So, the development of research achievements in pharmacy is enhanced due to naturally occurring bioactive compounds of these plants.