Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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RETRACTED ARTICLE: In-vitro study on antioxidant status of Zinc NPs and crude extract of Ayurvedic herbal formulation
Get PDFBackground: To create and evaluate cutting-edge therapeutic composition on biosynthesized nanoparticles exhibiting varied biological activity, nanotechnology is a novel and forward-thinking method. Increased antioxidant activity decreased toxicity to free radicals as well as cancer cells, and other benefits are achieved carefully by regulating the form and nanoparticle dimensions.Methods: Nanostructures biosynthesized utilizing Liv-Pro-08 AHF showed a strong antioxidant effect. The creation of novel and more efficient antioxidants may benefit from the usage of nanoparticles. It is noteworthy that the resulting nanoparticles exhibit more biological processes than the extract. This research aims to calculate if there are any noticeable differences in the behaviour of leaf extracts and the many nanomaterials obtained from the aqueous-based separation of Liv-Pro-08 Ayurveda herbal-based formulations.Results: Several in-vitro free radical scavenging experiments were used to determine whether or not Liv-pro-08 nanoparticles possessed any antioxidant properties. Zinc nanoparticles generated from Liv-pro-08 ayurvedic formulation demonstrated dose-dependent suppression of DPPH, as well as concentration-dependent lowering power potential, indicating that the nanomaterials contain free radical scavenging capability to produce the antioxidant effect.Conclusion: Nanoparticles might be useful for the development of newer and more potent antioxidants. It is worth mentioning that the resultant nanoparticles possess an elevated biological activity in comparison to the extract. The data represented in our study contribute to a novel and unexplored area of nano materials as alternative medicine.Keywords: Antioxidants; Biosynthesis; Leaf extract; Liv-pro-08; Zinc Retraction Note03 Dec 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has approved retraction of this article on the following grounds.1. The paper's "Methods" section is in direct contradiction with its "Results" section regarding the plant material used.Methods: The "Selection of Plant Species" section explicitly states the experiment used the "Fruits of Ficus glomerata and seeds of Nigella sativa, Entada pursaetha".Results: The "Results" section (and the legend for Figure 1) presents data (XRD, TEM, etc.) exclusively from a completely different, unmentioned plant: "G. moluccana".2. The text in the "Results" section is scientifically unsound.The text states, "the activity of catalase in Glutathione peroxidase is highest". This is biologically impossible. Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase are two different enzymes; one cannot be in the other.The text reports data with missing symbols (e.g., "22.710.90 units/mg protein" instead of 22.71 ± 0.90) and nonsensical units (e.g., "inhibition concentration of ZnNPs was found to be 0.18% µg/ml").The authors do not agree to this retraction
Enhancement of oil biodegradation by using the biosurfactant produced from local Bacillus subtilis isolate
Get PDFBackground: Oil contamination poses a significant threat to the global environment and has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Given its significance, further exploration of biodegradation options for this contamination has never been more crucial than it is today. Therefore, the objective of the study was to improve the biodegradation of oil by utilizing local bacterial isolates alongside a biosurfactant produced by a Bacillus subtilis isolate. Twenty-two bacterial isolates were collected from four samples of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. These isolates underwent screening to assess their effectiveness in degrading crude oil using two distinct methods.Methods: Soil samples were collected from two contaminated sites with oil pollutants in Baghdad city. Biodegradation ability was tested on liquid Bushnell Haas medium (BH), pH 7 supplemented with 1% of crude oil and then screened primarily using the 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol method to determine the ability of isolates to degrade the crude oil. All isolates were identified morphologically and biochemically. biosurfactant was extracted from Bacillus subtilis previously isolated.Results: Isolate SCS1 showed the highest ability reaching 52.6% compared with other isolates, also, the results of secondary screening confirmed that isolate SCS1 gave the best biodegradation reaching 53.8%. The isolate SCS1 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this isolate was used to study the effect of biosurfactant on crude oil biodegradation. Results exhibited a high biodegradation efficiency reaching 85.1% in culture broths supplemented with 100 mg/100. It was noted that the use of 150 and 200 mg of biosurfactant led to a decrease in the biodegradation of crude oil.Conclusion: The use of biosurfactant led to an increase in the degradation rate by up to 61.7% of crude oil by Pseudomonas aeruginosa when using 25-100 mg of crude biosurfactant that produced by local isolate Bacillus subtilis.Keywords: Biodegradation; Biosurfactant; Bacillus subtilis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:31 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
Bioinformatics-Driven Identification of Genetic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Dengue Virus Infection
Get PDFThe Dengue fever virus (DENV) poses a significant and escalating worldwide health risk. Nevertheless, dengue fever's exact cause and development have yet to be understood entirely. This study used bioinformatics methods to detect probable biomarkers associated with dengue infection and clarify the underlying mechanisms. The study showed that in the GSE51808 and GSE176079 datasets, the behavior of 555 genes in the dengue-infected samples differed notably from that in the normal samples. In comparison, 812 genes showed distinct patterns in another set of samples. The identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were upregulated was made through the process, and it was found that GSE51808 had 174 upregulated genes while GSE176079 had 71 upregulated genes. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment studies, as well as protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, were executed to gain a deeper insight into the roles of DEGs. Additionally, this study identified the top ten hub genes, including SLC4A1, EPB42, TMOD1, DMTN, ALAS2, SNCA, OSBP2, TRIM58, HBQ1, and ANK1. This facilitated the understanding of complex mechanisms through the involvement of specific miRNAs such as hsa-mir-34a-5p and HIF1A acting as transcription factors, which improved the understanding of complex host response to dengue virus. For each identified gene SLC4A1 and SNCA, the additional use of protein-drug interaction analysis on hub genes, followed by validation through molecular docking, yielded two approved drugs. The drugs Atenolol and Metoprolol exhibited interaction scores of 0.921563 and 2.680912, respectively, and binding scores of -6.478 and -6.032 kcal/mol, respectively, with SLC4A1. Ketoconazole and Gentian violet exhibited an interaction score of 0.094067 with SNCA. Additionally, they demonstrated a binding score of -6.2 and -6 kcal/mol, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of bioinformatics analysis techniques in identifying putative genes involved in dengue fever and elucidating their underlying mechanisms. In addition, SLC4A1 SNCA were identified in this study as potential biomarkers linked to DENV infection, thereby presenting intriguing therapeutic targets for dengue fever
Plausible inhibitors of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 ATP-dependent DNA helicase
Get PDFBackground: Plasmodium falciparum is a parasite (protozoan) of humans, and the lethal species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans. In the lack of a medically validated malaria vaccine, there are merely a few inexpensive medications available for therapy. Studies of diverse enzymes used in pharmaceutical drug discovery have become essential aspects. The theoretical analysis helps to screen novel drug candidates.Methods: Here, we have optimized three biologically active compounds, netropsin, nogalamycin, and novobiocin, and also carried out a molecular docking study with the protein ATP-dependent DNA helicase (UvrD) from Plasmodium falciparum 3D7.Results: The plasmoDB id of the designated protein is PF3D7-0514100. Our calculations show that netropsin, nogalamycin, and novobiocin can have an affinity for Plasmodium falciparum.Conclusion: Our study also predicted that novobiocin would give a better result with this protein than netropsin and nogalamycin. The frontier molecular orbitals and electrostatic potential (MEP) maps also support the higher activity of the novobiocin compound.Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; Netrropsin; Nogalamycin; Novobiocin; HOMO-LUMO; MEP and Prankweb-2 platformEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language corrections
Comparative Efficiency of Polyethylene Glycol, Ammonium Sulphate, Methanol Precipitation, and Ultrafiltration Techniques for the Down Streaming of Viral Antigen
Get PDFBackground: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is ubiquitous worldwide but endemic in many countries of Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Many reasons contribute to the incidence of viral diseases even in vaccinated animals. These reasons include low antigenic payload, low PD50, improper formulation, unstable vaccine containing antigen, and genetically different from field strain. Among these, the most important one is the low antigenic load per dose of the vaccine. Vaccine failure is mainly due to the direct use of virus suspension in the vaccine without the concentration of viral antigen. Another reason to concentrate the antigen is small volume storage in the vaccine bank. These issues are mostly concerned with developing countries like Pakistan which lack antigen concentration technology. The concentration of the virus is a major milestone to be achieved for the production of an effective vaccine as well as for the diagnostic tool.Methods: Different techniques including precipitation with polyethylene glycol, ammonium sulfate, methanol, and filtration through an ultra-filter membrane were used for the concentration of viral suspension. Antigen quantification in terms of µg/ml was determined through size exclusion chromatography by using Sephacryl S-300 as a stationary phase.Results: Percentage recovery of FMDV calculated through analysis of chromatograms found 77.80%, 59.75%, 32.50%, and 13.83% for polyethylene glycol, ammonium sulfate, ultra-filtration, and methanol treated samples respectively.Conclusion: Classical polyethylene glycol precipitation showed a maximum percentage recovery of foot and mouth disease virus as compared to other concentration methods.Keywords: Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV); Concentration Methods; Polyethylene Glycol (PEG); Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC); Sephacryl S-300
Hematological effects for rabbits immunized by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis sonicated antigen
Get PDFBackground: Analyzing Hematological parameters is usually used to monitor various circumstances such as infection, inflammation and anemia. For that we studied blood parameters which are related to immunized laboratory animals (rabbits) after immunizing these animals with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis then used an adjuvant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to stimulate the immune response cells after 2 to 3 weeks of immunization. Different concentrations were used to examine the effect on the animals’ blood parameters changing.Methods: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacterium was used at current study for evaluating the effect of immunizing laboratory rabbits with two different immune stimulators working together as adjuvant on the blood picture with the aid of 12 breed rabbits from different genders, dividing them at the base of inoculation with pre-killed and sonicated cells of bacteria (antigens) onto 4 categories as follows: the group-1 members of rabbits were injected with the antigen, group-2 and group-3 included rabbits injected with the two inoculations at various concentrations; final group, group-4 was the control group.Results: Thus, white blood cells known to be our main line of defenses act firstly in our body towards different infecting microorganisms, their count always was increased through the immunization correlated with other measured parameters. From the results we can see that the lymphocytes percentage had no alteration between the infected and the immunized compared to control group, while the percentage of MID that refers to the monocytes was at the same range in both infected and the immunized control rabbit’s groups. Granulocyte cells percentage, which is including heterophilic, basophilic and eosinophilic cells, was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with control at all groups.Conclusion: We conclude that C. pseudotuberculosis might function as a potent immunogen to notice the complete blood picture variations.Keywords: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Sonicated antigen; Blood parameters; Blood picture; Adjuvant Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:31 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
Cultivar Mixtures as Part of Integrated Protection of Winter Barley from Leaf Diseases and Abiotic Stresses
Get PDFBackground: Currently, cultivar mixtures are being extensively used in agriculture worldwide. The current research study aimed to identify the optimal proportion of cultivars with different resistance to pathogens to reduce the severity of leaf diseases in mixed cultivars against net blotch and leaf rust of barley.Methods: Leaf rust severity was assessed using a modified Cobb scale, and net blotch severity with the E. E. Geshele scale. Disease severity was averaged from triplicate measurements on 25–30 plants. After harvest, 1000 seeds per plot were weighed. Differences were evaluated using the Fisher test (α = 0.05), and correlations via the Chaddock scale in Statistica 13.3.Results: A high degree of inverse correlation was established between the proportion of resistant cultivars and the severity by both diseases r= – 0.93/– 0.99. The optimal mixture combination of a resistant and susceptible cultivar against net blotch was recorded as 1S:4R, and leaf rust as 1S:3R and 1S:4R.Conclusion: In mixed barley crops, a strong inverse correlation was found between the proportion of resistant cultivars and disease severity (r = –0.93/–0.99). Disease severity correlated directly with humidity and temperature in spring, with an inverse correlation for net blotch in June. Using mixed cultivars enhances crop resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, making it suitable for eco-friendly farming.Keywords: Abiotic factors; Barley; Mixture of cultivars; Puccinia hordei; Pyrenophora tere
Structural interpretation of the NS3 helicase ATP binding domain of Zika virus (ZIKV)
Get PDFBackground: The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus, was discovered in Uganda and quickly spread to Asia and the Pacific. Zika is mainly transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). These mosquitos bite both during the day and at night.Methods: Numerous tools (SMART, Pfam, InterProScan and Scan Prosite, BepiPred-2.0 server, I-TASSER, PROCHECK, phyre 2, protparam, and GPS 6.0) were used to elaborate the content in this publication.Results: The results show that HABD (187 amino acids) is a DEAH-Box RNA helicase. We also used the Ramachandran plot to validate the epitope peptides and structure modeling. We also discovered the amino acid composition and various residues/parentages in the HABD protein phosphorylation site prediction and PK-specific phosphorylation sites (p-sites). Conclusion: The helicase ATP binding domain (HABD), HABD protein ATP binding sites, and epitope binding peptides are discussed in this work. There are five atoms in total: nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. Hydrogen atoms (1476) provide the most to the composition. We created a graph representing the protein's predicted phosphorylation sites (p-sites). Aside from the standard statistics, GPS 6.0 may identify PK-specific p-sites hierarchically. GPS 6.0 could be a valuable service for further phosphorylation study. Keywords: DEAH-Box; Epitope peptides; Ramachandran plot; Structure Modelling; Secondary structure; Phosphorylation; PK-specific and GPS 6.0 Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:31 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
In-vitro and in-silico studies based discovery of 2-aryl-N-(4-morpholinophenyl)thiazol-4-amines as promising DNA gyrase inhibitors
Get PDFBackground: DNA gyrase is an important enzyme for the survival of bacteria. Many DNA gyrase inhibitors are in clinical practice. However, these inhibitors also encompass certain toxic and drug/food interactions. This warrants the development of a new template as DNA gyrase inhibitors. Therefore, this study aimed to deliver morpholine-based thiazoles (5a-5l) as safer DNA gyrase inhibitors.Methods: The 5a-5l were prepared by reacting compound 3 with various aryl thioamides. The structures of 5a-5l were ascertained by their spectral records. The 5a-5l were subjected to their antibacterial activity potential (serial plate dilution method), DNA gyrase inhibiting activity, and toxicity analysis (MTT assay) against HepG2 & Vero cell lines. The in-silico studies (pharmacokinetic parameters and molecular docking) of 5a-5l were likewise performed.Results: It was surprisingly observed that the MIC values of 5a-5l were equal to the MIC values of ciprofloxacin (12.5 µg/ml) against the tested bacteria, whereas the DNA gyrase inhibitory activity (IC50 in µg/ml) of 5h (3.52), 5g (3.76), 5f (3.88), 5e (4.08), 5l (4.11), 5b (4.28), 5k (4.28), 5i (4.30), and 5d (4.32) was equal/better than ciprofloxacin (4.32). The MTT assay also implied the non-cytotoxic nature of 5a-5l against HepG2 & Vero cell lines up to 200 µg/ml concentration. The docking outcomes indicated a similar binding pattern of 5a-5l and ciprofloxacin at the active site of DNA gyrase, wherein 5a-5l displayed a better binding affinity for the active site. The in-silico toxicity data employing the ProTox-II web server indicated no hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, mutagenicity, or cytotoxic effect of 5a-5l. Also, the SwissADME software supported the drug-likeliness properties and high gastrointestinal absorption of 5a-5l.Conclusion: Compounds 5h, 5g, 5f, 5e, 5l, 5b, 5k, 5i, and 5d are potent DNA gyrase inhibitors with promising safety profiles.Keywords: Discovery; Morpholine; Thiazole; DNA gyrase; MTT assay; Dockin
Phytotherapy in sexual disorders: overview of the most important medicinal plants effective on sexual disorders
Get PDFSexual health is the result of the interaction of vascular, nervous and hormonal factors and is influenced by individual factors, interpersonal relationships, traditions governing family and society, culture and religion; these sexual disorders are one of the factors influencing marital life and it poses a challenge. The present study is a review of the most important medicinal plants effective on sexual disorders. In this study, a review of the key words "sexual function, sexual dysfunction, plant medicine, herbal medicine, treatment, fertility" was searched from Embase, Magiran, SID, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. For each herb, selected published clinical trial and review articles were used. Based on the obtained results, medicinal plants such as Tribulus terrestris, Pomegranate, Red clover, Lavandula angustifolia, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Pelargonium, Melissa officinalis, Quercus brantii, Ginkgo biloba, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Crocus Sativus, Zingiber officinalis, Ros Damascena, Celery seed, Date, Fennel, and Carrot seed in clinical trials and animal models are used to treat sexual disorders, Medicinal plants can effectively treat sexual disorders. Since hormone therapy has many side effects, increasing awareness of how herbs work on androgen, estrogen, and progesterone hormones and the sexual function of people will give us the knowledge that in couples' sexual dysfunctions, there are more choices for correction without the use of hormones with the aim of increasing the quality of life.Keywords: Diet quality; Dietary fiber; Sexual dysfunction; Vaginal dryness; Functional foods; Healthy eating Editorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language corrections