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The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect ofCannabis sativa and Morus nigra against lipid peroxidation in goat brain and liver homogenates. The formation of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is a normal metabolic process for cellular signaling and countering the antigens. However, they may cause serious damage if they produced at amplified tolls. In addition, metabolic disorders also serve as sources of these reactive species. Although the issue can be addressed through supplements and other phytochemicals. In this study, two plant species were evaluated for their biological potential by employing a spectrum of antioxidant assays. The antioxidant activity was performed by lipid peroxidation assay. The water extract prepared from leaves of Cannabis sativa and Morus nigra showed significant (P

The adverse environmental and human health impact of chemical use against micro-organism is profoundly increased. For this motive, substitute methods to minimize chemicals are being developed. One of the effective methods is use plant extracts which having natural antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate ethanolic extract of Datura stramonium L. (leaves) and Hippophae rhamnoides (fruits) against the selected micro-organisms. Results revealed that mean zone of inhibition for bacterial species ranged from 23±0.72 to 27±1.24 mm in case of Hippophae rhamnoides and from 21±0.79 to 30±1.06 mm in case of D. stramonium leaves respectively. For antifungal activity, the inhibition zone ranges from 39.42±1.07 to 47.22±2.11 mm in case of D. stramonium and from 38.42±1.19 to 48.46±2.32 mm in case of H. rhamnoides. However, sensitivity reaction of bacterial and fungal species against each plant extract was also differential. D. stramonium showed highest toxic effect against E. coli (30±1.06 mm)) and Aspergillus flavus (47.22±2.11mm). Whereas, H. rahmnoides showed highest zone of inhibition against bacterial species (B. subtilis 27±1.24 mm) and fungal species (R. stolonifer 48.46±2.32 mm). Both plant extract exhibited antimicrobial properties, which could be used against micro-organisms.

In developing countries, myocardial ischemia and the resulting impairments in heart function are the leading cause of illness and mortality. Thymus linearis Benth has been used as an antibiotic, antioxidant, and antihypertensive agent for centuries. The goal of this investigation was to see if Thymus linearis could protect isoproterenol and doxorubicin-induced myocardial ischemia in vivo at doses of 25 mg/kg s.c. and 15 mg/kg i.p., respectively. The level of cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, LDH, and AST) in the serum isolated from the experimental animal's blood was used to determine myocardial ischemia. The anti-ischemic potential was assessed by comparing the levels of the aforementioned cardiac biomarkers in the intoxicated and treated animal groups. The study found substantial increase (p0.0001) in the serum levels of CK-MB, LDH, AST when compared to intoxicated groups, while pretreatment of animals with crude extract of Thymus linearis significantly reduced the rise in serum cardiac indicators. The findings of the study indicated that the aqueous methanolic Thymus linearis crude extract has cardioprotective potential against Isoproterenol and Doxorubicin-induced cardiac necrosis in rats.

Different vegetation types, cater to the needs of butterflies at different stages of their life cycle. Some caterpillars are specific in their diet and egg-laying, such as the caterpillar of the Monarch butterfly, which mainly consumes leaves of milkweed and hence prefers laying eggs on this plant (Faldyn et al., 2018). This entomological research was undertaken at protected areas of Pakistan that include Dhirkot Nature Reserve, Pir Chanasi National Park, Banjosa Game Reserve, Pir Lasura National Park and Tolipir National Park. Forty-four different species of butterflies were recorded from the study area. The highest diversity of butterflies was observed from PCNP (34) and least from PLNP (15).

A general investigation of sub-tropical forests, from Pir Chinasi National Park, Tolipir National Park, Dhirkot Nature Reserve and Banjosa Game Reserve was carried out during different months from February 2008 to May 2010. The relative abundance of species was calculated using line transects of 50m. A total of five different species (Abies pindrow. Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburgii and Picea smithiana) from the Pinaceae family were recorded. The main reported use of Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana by the local people was for furniture and construction purposes. Pinus wallichiana was observed as the dominant species from all the selected sites.

To estimate the time to culture conversion and factors associated with failure to culture conversion, six-month interim outcomes and associated risk factors with poor interim outcomes in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients previously treated with second-line drugs.The prospective clinical case series study was conducted from March 2016 to January 2017 at the Indus Hospital Tuberculosis Clinic and seven other sites that are part of the hospital's Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis initiative. All bacteriologically confirmed multi-drug resistant tuberculosis retreatment patients were enrolled. Data was collected on age, gender, site of enrollment, detailed history of previous treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs, medical history, history of first-line drugs, history of second-line drugs, treatment outcomes, baseline sputum smear microscopy and monthly follow-up sputum smear microscopy and culture results. Data was subjected to univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, and risk factors for failure to culture conversion were assessed using Cox Proportional Hazards Model.Out of 266 patients, 143(53.8%) were males, the overall largest age group was 5-24 years 97(36.5%), and 250 (94%) patients had previous history of treatment with first-line drugs. Overall, 101(40.1%) patients experienced poor interim outcome. Poor interim outcomes were significantly associated with higher number of drugs on the regimen, (odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.58) and high sputum smear grading (odds ratio: 4.56; 95% confidence interval: 3.30-18.71). Besides, 186(70.3%) patients experienced culture conversion within the initial six months of treatment.The success rate of re-treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis with conventional regimen was found to be unacceptably low.

OBJECTIVES: Secondary bioactive metabolites from plants may be realistic alternatives to conventional synthetic chemicals. The aim of the present research was to test the Tanacetum falconeri Hook. f. in different bioassays to evaluate its potential as nematocidal, insecticidal, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic agent. The plant T. falconeri was further studied for its chemical constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanolic extract from T. falconeri was fractionated into various solvent fractions. All solvent fractions were further subjected to different bioassays. Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity were determined by broth micro-dilution method and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, respectively. Nematocidal activity was evaluated by using second-stage juvenile of Meloidogyne incognita. Insecticidal activity and phytotoxicity were measured with the help of Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum and fronds of Lemna minor L., respectively. Compound-1 was isolated by using liquid chromatography and its structure was determined by spectroscopic data as cis-dehydromatricaria ester. RESULTS: The excellent nematocidal activity (reduction in 100% motility) of the compound-1 against a root-knot nematode was obtained at 1% concentration after 72 h incubation time, whereas the reductions in motilities were 95% and 75% at concentrations 0.5% (w/v) and 0.125% (w/v), respectively. Similarly, the mortalities were 90% and 82% at 1% and 0.5% concentrations, respectively, after 24 h of the treatment. Compound-1 also exhibited the excellent insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae at 1% concentration (providing 100% mortality) with effective dose 50 (EC(50)) of 0.08 mg/L. The EC(50) of phosphine, which was used as standard, was 0.07 mg/L. Two fractions of T. falconeri showed a moderate cytotoxic activity against 3T3 cells lines at the concentration of 30 mg/mL with inhibitory concentration 50 values of 22.4 and 25.8 mg/L corresponding to TfP and TfM, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that cis-dehydromatricaria ester-1 provides nematocidal activity (100% mortality) against the root-knot nematodes. Its insecticidal activity against S. oryzae may enable its use as marketable insecticide.

NMR and FTIR spectra of the target compounds

Information on the spatial variability in plant disease is essential for location-based disease management. In the current study, the spatial distribution of tomato early blight disease was ascertained in District Gilgit, GilgitBaltistan, Pakistan. The comprehensive field survey was carried in two growing seasons (2014–2015), whereas in each growing season, 62 tomato fields were surveyed. Based on the distribution of disease, the respective thematic maps (incidence and severity) were prepared using Arc Map 10.1 with spatial analyst function of Arc GIS software by means of the inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation method. Results indicate that early blight of tomato is spatially distributed in both growing seasons. However, in the first growing season, the disease incidence ranged from 10.22% to 44.16% and during later season 14.03–49.16%, whereas 5.37–16.40% and 6.52–26.94% severity was recorded. Furthermore, this information indicates that higher disease infestation occurred in 2015 in relation to 2014. This information linked to metrological data (temperature, precipitation and relative humidity), seemingly favored the early blight development during the growing period. Seven botanical extracts were tested against pathogen Alternaria solani at different concentrations (4, 6 and 8%). Results revealed that all tested plant extracts showed antifungal activities. However, at 8% concentration of plant extract, Datura starmonium, Berberis orthobotry, Podophyllum emodi and Uretica dioica exhibited >60%, while Peganum harmala, Artemisia maritima and Capparis spinosa

Although Amphotericin B (AmB) is considered as the "gold standard" treatment for deep fungal infections, owing to its excellent antifungal effect, it often causes severe hemolytic toxicity and nephrotoxicity, which limits its clinical use. We designed and synthesized AmB derivatives by attaching salicylic acid (SA) to the carboxyl group and confirmed their structures using

A series of novel spiropyrans were synthesized through the condensation of substituted 3,3-dimethyl-2-methyleneindoline with different nitro-substituted o -hydroxy aromatic aldehydes. Indoles were initially substituted with a variety of alkanes and esters moieties. The substituted 3,3-dimethyl-2-methyleneindoline was then reacted with nitro-substituted o -hydroxy aromatic aldehydes to yield the respective spiropyrans. The synthesized novel spiropyrans were encapsulated in silica nano-shells to protect them from the effect of moisture and pH. The thermochromic behaviour of novel spiropyrans was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The thermally induced isomerization of spiropyran derivatives was carried out in a water/ethanol mixture. The thermal isomerization of spiro-heterocyclic (colourless form) to merocyanine (MC) (coloured form) was a discontinuous process and was observed in a temperature range of 5–60°C via UV-visible spectrometer. The absorption process occurs reversibly regardless of the heating/cooling sequence. The spiropyran derivatives, therefore, have a potential application for colorimetric temperature indication.

Cyst nematode, the Heterodera Schmidt (1871) is one of the most widely distributed and economically important plant parasitic nematode genus. During the present investigation of plant-parasitic nematode fauna from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, four cyst nematode species viz., Heterodera avenae Wollenweber, 1924; H. mani Mathews,1971; H. schachtii Schmidt, 1871 and H. zeae Koshy, Swarup and Sethi, 1971 were detected from all four districts.

Novel N-linked 5a–e and O-linked glycopyranosides 7a–e were synthesized in high yield from commercially available L-tartaric acid containing two asymmetric centers and C2 axis of symmetry. The compound L-tartaric acid was completely protected and then partially hydrolyzed to get the monoester, which upon treatment with different amino and hydroxyl derivatives of glycopyranoses gave the desired amides and esters. The synthesized derivatives were purified by chromatography and characterized by spectroanalytical techniques. The structure of compound 7c in the series was supported by X-ray analysis. Leishmanicidal activities of compounds 5a–e and 7a–e were investigated which showed moderate to good activities.

To determine the treatment outcomes of the drug-resistant tuberculosis patients who were previously exposed to second line drugs.The retrospective study was conducted at eight Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) sites in Sindh and Balochistan. Data of patients who were previously exposed to second line drugs and re-enrolled in the drug-resistant tuberculosis register at PMDT sites in Sindh and Balochistan between 2008 and 2016 was included for analysis. Data of those still under treatment or transferred to another treatment site was excluded. Association was explored between treatment outcomes and other independent variables, while in order to identify the risk factors associated with poor treatment outcomes univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used.Overall, there were 3645 patients and 288(8%) were previously exposed to second line drugs. Of them, 95(33%) were excluded, and the final sample stood at 193; 99(51.3%) males and 94(48.7%) females. The median age of the sample was 29 years (inter-quartile range: 22-41 years). The mean duration of treatment was 20}11.14 months. Overall success rate of the re-treatment of previously treated patients was 105(54.4%). Observed relapse rate was 9(4.7%)..The success rate for re-treatment drug-resistant tuberculosis patients was found to be unacceptably low. New drugs and novel regimens should be made widely available.

Freshwater wetlands are individual ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife, vegetation and microscopic life. The type of plants that exist in these areas describe the physico-chemical characteristics of their locality and vice-versa. This study was carried out at Marala wetlands in Bajwat Game Reserve. The study found 39 species of higher plants in the areas of the wetland and its associated terrain. The total species were arranged into 5 vegetation types, named on the basis of the dominant plant species, with their own composition of the species and present in different habitat conditions. The vegetative community Phragmites karka constituted an association of 8 plant species; Juncellus laevigatus had 10, Typha angustata had 13, Aeluropus lagopoides and Cyprus comylomeratus had 9 species each.

Five protected areas from temperate highlands of Pakistan were gauged for biodiversity of the Moraceae family. The National Park in Pir Lasura was studied from June to July 2009, in Banjosa from May to June 2009, in Pir Chanasi from April to May 2010, in Dhirkot (February 2008) and in Tolipir from April to May 2008. From the five protected areas surveyed, only three had species belonging to the family Moraceae. Three species were observed from Banjosa Game Reserve, two from Tolipir Nature Reserve and six from Pir Lasura National Park. The species commonly found were Ficus carica, Ficus Palmate, Ficus religiosa, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus spp., Ficus virens and Morus spp.

Motor vehicles scrap tires and tube rubbers generate a large amount of waste with different characteristics and compositions, contaminating the environment when not properly disposed. Waste inner tube rubber (isobutylene isoprene) representing a threat to the environment can be used as valuable source of energy. Waste inner tube rubber was pyrolyzed thermally under atmospheric pressure both with and without catalyst. Parameters of temperature, time, and catalyst weight were optimized for catalytic and thermal pyrolysis of isobutylene-isoprene rubber into liquid fuel, using MgO as catalyst. It was found that one-hour heating time at 350 °C using 2 g catalyst (MgO) constitutes a suitable parameter for the maximum conversion of scrap inner tube rubber into oil. The oil obtained was characterized by physical and chemical tests. Among the physical tests, Density, specific gravity, viscosity, kinematic viscosity, analine point and flash point were determined according to IP and ASTM standard valves. The physical tests indicate the presence of aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons. Among the chemical tests, the phenol test, bromine number, bromine water test, and KMnO4 tests were conducted. The chemical tests are also the support of physical tests conducted. The physical and chemical tests indicate that the oil obtained is a mixture of kerosene, diesel, and light oil and could be used for fuel purposes.

Background The inhabitants of mountainous terrains depend on folk therapies to treat various ailments; however lack of plant based research and geographical constraints set the traditional knowledge in jeopardy. Present study is the first documentation on traditional uses of plant species by the inhabitants of the Shigar Valley, Karakorum Range, Northern Pakistan. Method Ethnobotanical data were collected over a period from July, 2013 to October, 2016 from 84 respondents, using semi structured questionnaire. Quantitative indices such as relative frequency citation (RFCs) and fidelity level (FL) were intended to evaluate the importance of medicinal plant species. Results In total 84 plant species belonging to 36 families and 72 genera were recorded. Fabaceae was dominant with 7 species, followed by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Rosacea (6 species each). Leaves, root, flowers, seeds and fruits were the frequently utilized plant parts, whereas among drug formulations, decoction (49%) was ranked first. Majority of the plant species were used to treat abdominal, respiratory and dermal ailments (31, 12 and 12, respectively). RFCs value ranged 0.477 to 0.11 for Tanacetum falconeri and Allium carolinianum, respectively; while Hippophe rhamnoides and Thymus linearis depicted 100% FL. Comparative assessment with previous reports revealed that traditional uses of 26% plant species counting Hedyserum falconeri, Aconitum violoceum var. weileri, Arnebia guttata, Biebersteinia odora, Clematis alpine var. sibirica, Corydalis adiantifolia and Saussurea simpsoniana were reported for the first time. Conclusion The endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Balti community living in extremely high mountains area were explored for the first time. A comprehensive survey of this region could be significant to drive the existing knowledge in market circuit with sustainable collection, and to evaluate economic potential of the plant species. Additionally, social livelihood could be reinforced through establishing collection sites, transformation and drying centres for micro and macro marketing of medicinal plant species. Graphical abstract Plants and people interaction in the Karakorum Mountains

Deprotonation of 2-acetylpyridine was carried out in the presence of NaH as a phase transfer catalyst instead of NaOH to minimize side products formation. The products were then treated with two equivalents of alkyl/aryl halide to synthesize a variety of acetyl pyridine derivatives. The compounds were structurally characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy in solution state. Structure of compound 2 was also confirmed in solid state by X-ray diffraction. Electronic properties such as Mulliken charges, frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO-LUMO), ionization energy (IE), electron affinity (EA), global hardness (η), Chemical Potential (µ) and Global electrophilicity (ω) of some compounds were investigated by the same theory using B3LYP-6-311G basis set.

Objective To evaluate the antioxidant, phytotoxic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, antiglycative, and xanthine oxidase activities of different extracts of Suaeda heterophylla (S. heterophylla) and Bergenia stracheyi (B. stracheyi). Methods The extracts of S. heterophylla and B. stracheyi were evaluated for antioxidant, phytotoxic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, antiglycative, and xanthine oxidase activities using standard experimental methods. Results The overall antioxidant potential of ethyl acetate extract of S. heterophylla was the strongest, followed by chloroform extract, methanolic extract and n-hexane extract. It is interesting to note that ethyl acetate fraction showed 94.98% inhibition at concentration of 60 μg/mL while standard ascorbic acid showed 98.49% inhibition at same concentration. The crude methanol extracts of S. heterophylla and B. stracheyi showed significant phytotoxic activity at the highest dose. Moreover, methanol extract of B. stracheyi possessed strong activity in xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibition. Conclusions Antioxidant, phytotoxic, and xanthine oxidase activities of different fractions of S. heterophylla and B. stracheyi clearly demonstrate that these fractions possess great potential for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

L-Tartaric acid which is chiral compound and commercially available, was converted into 1,3-dioxolane. In the synthetic sequence, 1,3-dioxolane was first formed via protection and partial hydrolysis of L-tartaric acid. Treatment with altered substituted aromatic amines, 1,3-dioxolane gave the desired amides i.e. ethyl 2,2-dimethyl-5-(phenylcarbamoyl)-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate 3a, 2-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-5-carboxamido)benzoic acid 3b, ethyl 5-(4-iodophenylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate 3c, ethyl 5-(2-chlorophenylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate 3d and ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate 3e. These chiral derivatives were purified through column chromatographic technique and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques i.e IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EIMS. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were determined at different concentrations against different strains of bacteria and fungi.

Chiral 4-[(2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl)oxo]-4-oxobutanoic acid reacts with substituted anilines to produce amides 1-6 in high yields. Resulted amides 1-6 were investigated for their antifungal and antibacterial activities. Compounds 2 (96.5%) against Aspergillus fumigatus and 6 (93.7%) against Helminthosporium sativum demonstrated excellent activities. However, compounds 3 (37.6%) against Bacillus subtilis, 4 (33.2%) against Pseudomonas aurignosa, 5 against Klebsiella pneumonia demonstrated excellent growth inhibition potential.

This study was undertaken to enumerate the medicinal plants of the area, find out the conservation status, and record the folk knowledge from the inhabitants of Turmic Valley during 2011-2013. The valley is located in the Rondo division of the District Skardu on the Northeastern side of the Indus River. The detailed information about the local flora regarding medicinal uses was collected from the local herbal healers (Hakeems) and other knowledgeable people. Locally used herbs of the area prevent and cure the people from various diseases such as joint pains, bronchitis, flu and fever, lowering blood pressure, constipation, liver disorders, stomach and abdominal problems, etc. The most common medicinal herbs found in the region belong to the families Gentianaceae, Berberidaceae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, Rosaceae, Compositae, Urticaceae, and Ranunculaceae. The inhabitants of the valley mostly use the 42 plant species for the treatment of different health problems. Forty-two species of plants (including 4 Gymnosperms, 1 monocotyledon, and 37 dicotyledons) and 35 types of diseases have been identified during the current study. Thymus linearis, Rosa webbiana, Urtica dioca, Pleurospermum candollei, Berberis spp., Delphinium brononianum, and Mentha angustifolia were the commonly used plant species in the valley. The collected baseline data of this study will be helpfulfor young researchers in the fieldof taxonomy, ethnobotany, pharmacology, organic chemistry, and particularly for biodiversity conservation. Over exploitation, habitat destruction, and over grazing are the major threats for the loss of the important flora of the area.