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Objective: To facilitate the emerging need for investigating the efficacy of escitalopram compared to pregabalin for treating generalized anxiety disorders. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre and post-test design was carried out for twelve weeks in the year 2019 between January to June where 90 patients visiting Mayo Hospital in Lahore, within the age range of 18 to 60 years were divided into 2 equal groups by purposive sampling. The 20 mg dose of escitalopram per day was given to the participants of group A while a dose of 150-200mg per day of pregabalin was given to group B and the level of anxiety before and after the experiment was measured by Hamilton Anxiety Baseline. A record of all clinical signs and symptoms was also maintained throughout the time of medication. After 12 weeks, follow-up data was taken from the patients and the scores were compared with the baseline. Results: Efficacy, defined as ≥2% reduction in the scores of anxiety among the participants after 12 weeks was significantly higher in Escitalopram group A than in Pregabalin group B: (92.8% vs. 82.5%) with p-value= 0.003. Gastrointestinal symptoms were seen in 11.9% of patients in Group A and 27.5% of patients in Group B. In Group A 14.2% of patients reported headaches, as compared to 22.5% of patients in Group B. Sleep disturbances, were reported by 10% of patients in Group A and 15% of patients in Group B. Sweating was seen by 19% of patients in Group A and 50% patients in Group B. Urinary symptoms were experienced by 4.7% patients in Group A and 7.5% patients in Group B. Conclusion: Escitalopram is a better option and efficacious for the Pakistani population in treating psychological issues including depression, bipolar and other affective disorders despite the minor side effects compared to Pregabalin.

Industrial waste is mainly responsible for accumulating Zn (II) in the soil, which needs to be removed to avoid its bioaccumulation and hazardous effects on the environment. In a recent study, the potential of the RY12 strain was evaluated as a biosorbent of Zn (II) ions in an aqueous medium. Different microbiological techniques like biochemical, molecular characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used for the identification of RY12. The impact of different parameters such as the initial zinc ion concentration, pH, temperature, and the removal of other metals such as manganese, lead, cobalt, silver, copper, mercury, and chromium was also evaluated on the reduction of Zn (II). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also carried out to investigate the role of cellular surfaces in the sorption of Zn+2 ions. Both biochemical and phylogenetic analyses established that strain RY12 Pseudomonas sp. capable of reducing Zn +2 up to 89% at 28°C (pH = 6.5; initial Zn +2 concentration = 200 mg/L). The FTIR analysis revealed that the bacterial cell wall’s amino, carboxyl, and phosphate groups were involved in the reaction with Zn (II). Our findings suggest that Pseudomonas sp. RY12 is a proficient bacterium for removing zinc from industrial waste and could be a valuable bioremediation agent.

Objectives: Pregsal is a novel salicylaldehyde derivative of pregabalin, a structural analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid approved for treating epilepsy, neuropathic pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy but not trialled to date for airway inflammatory diseases. The current study evaluated a preclinical model of airway inflammation and lung remodelling induced by ovalbumin (OVA) for the potential benefits of pregsal. Methods: Wistar rats (N = 10 per group) were divided into four groups sensitized intraperitoneally (i.p.) and then challenged intranasally with OVA, with or without i.p. pregsal (100 mg/kg) or methylprednisolone (MP) (15 mg/kg). Airway inflammation was assessed through inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and nitric oxide (NO) level using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues. The mRNA expression levels of a panel of inflammatory mediators (cytokines, chemokine and growth factors) in the lungs were measured by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Systemic inflammation was assessed using splenocyte proliferation and total and differential leucocyte count in blood and BALF. Lung remodelling was assessed by wet/dry lung weight ratio, epithelial thickness and goblet cell hyperplasia, hydroxyproline and osteopontin (OPN) levels, arginase activity in lungs, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in lung mitochondria. Results: Pregsal significantly alleviated the total and differential leucocyte count in blood and BALF, NO production in BALF and recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lungs. It suppressed the T-cell response and attenuated the OVA-induced lung epithelial thickness, goblet cell hyperplasia, wet/dry lung weight ratio, hydroxyproline and OPN levels, arginase and ODC activity. Levels of inflammatory mediators were also downregulated in the lungs by pregsal. Conclusions: The key findings of this study indicate that pregsal significantly reduces the development of airway inflammation and lung remodelling by suppression of cytokine storm and associated inflammatory mediators.

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) has many pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory actions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of chrysin and to compare its effect with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, piroxicam, against complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in a pre-clinical model in rats. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by injecting CFA intra-dermally in the sub-plantar region of the left hind paw of rats. Chrysin (50 and 100 mg/kg) and piroxicam (10 mg/kg) were given to rats with established arthritis. The model of arthritis was characterized using an index of arthritis, with hematological, biological, molecular, and histopathological parameters. Treatment with chrysin significantly reduced the arthritis score, inflammatory cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rheumatoid factor. Chrysin also reduced the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor, nuclear factor kappa-B, and toll-like recepter-2 and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and -10, as well as the hemoglobin levels. Using histopathology and microscopy, chrysin reduced the severity of arthritis in joints, infiltration of inflammatory cells, subcutaneous inflammation, cartilage erosion, bone erosion, and pannus formation. Chrysin showed comparable effects to piroxicam, which is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that chrysin possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that make it a potential drug for the treatment of arthritis.