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In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity, Acute Oral Toxicity Studies and Preliminary Phytochemical Characterization of the Bark Extract of Terminalia arjuna (L.)
Get PDFThe free radicals and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to induce oxidative stress and it has been implicated in the pathology of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory conditions, cancer and ageing. The activities associated with ROS can bedelayed, prevented or removedby antioxidant compounds (natural or synthetic). The use of synthetic antioxidants restricted because of their known side effects such as liver damage and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and acute oral toxicity of Terminalia arjuna extracts. The present finding reveals that the purified fraction at100 µg/ml, showed maximum (91.32 ± 0.10 %,) DPPH radical scavenging effect in comparison with standard ascorbic acid (79.46 ± 0.10%) at the 10 µg/ml concentration. The reducing power of the purified extract was found to be dose dependent. Food and water intake of the animals in test and control groups was found normal during the 14 day acute oral toxicity studies and no apparent changes were observed in the internal organs of both, the test and control groups, after gross necropsy. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude acetone extract revealed dominant presence steroids, terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids and tannins. TLC profile of the purified fraction revealed a single band of Rf 0.38, a characteristic feature of triterpenoids. The UV absorption maximum of the purified fraction was recorded at 194nm. The FT-IR spectrum indicated presence of aromatic rings 3421 (COOH), 2957 (alkanes, CH2 and CH3), 1726 (carbonyl), 1599 (carboxylic acid), and region between 1000-1300 stretching of C-O, ester and ether carboxylic group. Thus, the isolated bioactive phytoconstituents form the bark extract of Terminalia arjuna could be used as natural anti-oxidants.
Editorial: Probiotics, Gut Microbiota and Immunomodulation: Is this the Key to Counteract the Allergy Epidemics?
Get PDFAllergic diseases have been described since the antiquities [1], but major advancements on understanding of their pathogenic mechanisms and clinical implications date to the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century [2, 3]. In the meantime, during the last decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases remarkably increased, paving the way to the definition of “allergy epidemics” [4]. But what happened in the second half of the 19th century that gave rise to this phenomenon? As far as we know, at least two major changes took place, which led to an increase of allergic diseases. The first one was a major change in life and social conditions, with decrease of family size, people progressively moving from the countryside to the cities, and consistent improvements in public hygiene, with widespread availability of clean water and use of antibiotics, just to name two [4].
The second one was the increasing concentration of airborne pollens, due to the diffusion of new grasses, such as Lolium perenne in England in the late 19th century, and to the increasing presence of infesting grasses due to changes in farming techniques and increase in arable farming. By the mid-forties, hay fever became such a severe health problem in the New York city area that a ragweed eradication campaign was initiated by the city council [5].
If the link between the increase of airborne pollens in the air and allergic diseases caused by the pollens themselves is clear, this is not the same for the first explanation.
In 1989, David P. Strachan published on The Lancet the results of his epidemiologic investigation on 17414 British children who were followed-up until the age of 23 [6]. He aimed to investigate the relationship between the increase of hay fever and sixteen different perinatal, social and environmental factors. What he found was a striking association of hay fever with family size and position in the household during childhood [6]. In his evaluation, the single most influential variable was the number of older children in the household, and he hypothesized that allergies could be prevented – during childhood – by cross-infections among family members, facilitated by unhygienic contact with other siblings. This was the birth of the “hygiene hypothesis”, which is still today a milestone to explain the rise of allergic diseases [6, 7].
In the last decades of the 20th century, new information came from in vitro studies about CD4+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations [8]. T Helper-1 (Th1) cells were characterized as T lymphocytes capable of prevalent production, in response to microbial stimuli, of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), subsequently referred to as “Th1-cytokines”; these cytokines were recognized a prominent role in defense against most infectious agents [8]. Th2 cells, on the contrary, were characterized by the prevalent production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 (Th2-cytokines) who gave rise to an eosinophilic-rich immune response, primarily implicated in immunity against parasites and multicellular organisms but less crucial for immune responses in modern westernized countries [8]
In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic activities of Polygonum orientale (Bishkatali)
Get PDFThe aim of this present work is to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanol extract of Polygonum orientale (Family: Polygonaceae). Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Polygonum orientale was tested by Disc Diffusion Method. Standard antibiotic discs of Kanamycin (30µg/disc) for bacterial species was used as standard and crude extracts were used at a concentration of (20mg/disc) and (40mg/disc) for leaves and (10mg/disc) and (20mg/disc) for shoot extracts. The methanol extracts of leaves and shoots showed mild activity against gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and fungi. Most of the organisms were susceptible to the extract in various degrees. The extract showed highest zone of inhibition (13mm) against the Gram (+)ve Bacillus megateriumand and gram (-)ve Escherichia coli (zone of inhibition 10mm). Antioxidant property of the plant extracts against stable DPPH (1, 1-Dipheny1-2-picrydrazole) radical was investigated. Ascorbic acid was used as standard. The extract was found low in antioxidant property. The absorbance was taken at 517nm by UV Spectrophotometer. The IC50 values were found in leaf extract and shoot extract are (1244.58µg/ml and (1506µg/ml). For ascorbic acid IC50 value was (139.19µg/ml). Cytotoxic activity of the crude extract by using Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay. Vincristin sulphate was used as standard. LC50 value of leaf extract was found (6.85µg/ml) and (9.7104µg/ml) for the shoot extract. In conclusion, the extract of the experimental plants have mild antimicrobial, low antioxidant and good cytotoxic properties
Mineralogical Investigation of the Bara Formation from Lakhra Anticline, Sindh province, Pakistan
No full textThe present study shows the bulk mineralogical composition of the Bara Formation from Lakhra anticline, near to Lakhra coalfield area of the Sindh province of Pakistan. The petrography, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractommeter were used for the detailed mineralogical investigations. Quartz, feldspars, hematite, gypsum, chlorite and goethite minerals were obtained from above methods. Quartz, feldspar and chlorite minerals indicated that the sediments were transported from igneous and metamorphic rocks and the hematite and goethite indicated the continental environment for the studied formation. Mineralogical investigation of the Bara Formation indicates that the sediments were supplied from the Igneous and metamorphic rock terrane. It can be said that the Bara formation sediments were supplied from the Igneous and metamorphic complex which is exposed in the southeastern part of the studied area
Study of Variations in the Extraction Yield, Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of the Bark of F. religiosa as a Function of Extraction Procedure
Get PDFIn present study, the effect of different solvents and multiple techniques on the extraction yield, phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of bark of F. Religiosa, was investigated. Four solvents (absolute ethanol, absolute methanol, 80% aqueous ethanol and 80% aqueous methanol) and three techniques (orbital shaker, sonication and magnetic stirrer) were applied for this purpose. The extract obtained by the application of 80% methanol, exhibited significantly (p 80% ethanol > absolute methanol >absolute ethanol. As for as techniques are concerned, the extracts obtained by the application of sonication demonstrated significantly (
Implementation of Open Source GIS Tools to Identify Bright Rooftops for Solar Photovoltaic Applications – A Case Study of Creek Lanes, DHA, Karachi
Get PDFThe mega city of Karachi is still mainly dependent on conventional sources of energy to cater its daily electricity requirements. Dependence on conventional sources of energy for power production results in environmental degradation and depletion of fossil fuel resources. In particular, it also highlights an immense need of alternate sustainable solution for current electricity generation scenario. In this research work, an innovative methodology has been proposed to identify bright rooftops using open source geographic information system (GIS) tools which may be utilized for sustainable power generation in Karachi metropolis. First, bright rooftops have been extracted using open source Quantum GIS (QGIS) software. Edge extraction technique using gradient filter; an open source algorithm of QGIS has been utilized. Furthermore, image processing techniques have been used to extract and refine building rooftops. Then, rooftops have been polygonized and their area has been calculated using Measure Area function of QGIS. To assess the accuracy of the extracted rooftops, field validation work has been performed and sample rooftops have been physically measured. A comparison of extracted and physically measured sample rooftops yielded 90.45% accuracy. Reduction in total roof area has been made considering different roof uses and shading effect from nearby trees and buildings. Then, unshaded bright rooftops area of 4,626 m2 has been calculated which can be used for solar photovoltaic (PV) applications in Creek Lanes, DHA Phase 7 Karachi. An annual energy output of 2.1 MWh has been estimated using Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) solar PV panel and available rooftop area. The methodology adopted can be extrapolated to macro-scale as well. However, challenges and limitations for extrapolation of methodology have also been highlighted. Solar radiation studies that demonstrate the use of open source GIS tools for sustainable power generation for this region have been scarce. Thus, this study is a preliminary research work to highlight an immense solar electricity potential that exists for Karachi metropolis
Social Media as Assistive Technology for Elderly
Get PDFAn enormous amount of data is being pooled through the use of social media which is being mined to get benefits in different areas such as healthcare, business, and learning. Providing care to elderly at their home environment is understood as a complex problem and different types of systems are being proposed which can eliminate the presence of caregiver. Social media is acting as the superlative tool to provide elderly a mean of entertainment, communication and information exchange. The data contributed by them can be served to them after converting it into the knowledge. Healthcare professional are interested in the data of elderly so that they can propose solutions to assist them. The organization colleting health data needs the data of elderly activities so they can correlate with other types of activities for their betterment. This work aims to use social media as an assistive technology for elderly which can help them to spend a better life. Different views such as caregiver, healthcare professionals, organization, etc. collecting health data can be benefited through this work. Modern technology such as mobile technology, database, data mining techniques, cloud servers, and user interfaces aiding to make this work possible
ACC-Deaminase, Phosphate-Solubilizing Pseudomonas fluorescens Increase Phosphorus and Decrease Cadmium Concentration to Enhance Wheat Yield
Get PDFPhosphorus (P) fertilization of wheat at higher dose may result in grain cadmium (Cd) accumulation. This field study envisaged yield and comparative P and Cd accumulation of wheat under different P doses, i.e. 0, 45 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P0, P45 and P90, respectively) and seed inoculation with rhizobacterial strains, i.e. no Pseudomonas fluorescens (SM0), with ACC-deaminase P. fluorescens (SM1) and with phosphate-solubilizing, ACC-deaminase P. fluorescens (SM2). The soil was non-saline, alkaline clay loam, poor in organic matter and P content. Both P nutrition and rhizobacteria positively affected wheat growth, yield and nutrient concentration. Increased 1000-grain weight (TGW), yield and P concentration of wheat was noted at P90 over P0 (24-132%) and P45 (3.7-37%), and in case of SM2 (13-57%) and SM1 (5.4-34%) over SM0, and for SM2 over SM1 (1.4 to 2.4-fold). Grain-Cd concentration decreased at P90 over P0 (34%) and P45 (17%), and at P45 over P0 (21%). It decreased over SM0 at SM2 (22%) and SM1 (8%), and over SM1 at SM2 (2.7-fold). Straw-Cd concentration decreased at P90 over P0 (25%) and P45 (18%), and over P0 at P45 (8%). It decreased over SM0 at SM2 (18%) but increased at SM1 (9%). At all P levels, SM2 was more effective over SM1 or SM0. TGW and straw-P increased for P90 interacting with SM2 over SM0 (8.6 and 29%) and SM1 (6 and 14%), and for SM1 over SM0 (2.5 and 13%). Grain- and straw-Cd decreased due to interaction of P90 with SM2 (30 and 23%) or SM1 (6 and 7%) over SM0, and for SM1 over SM0 (26% and 17%). We conclude that adequate P nutrition and seed inoculation with ACC-deaminase, phosphate-solubilizing Pseudomonas fluorescens increase growth and yield of wheat due to its increased P and decreased Cd concentration
Preliminary Studies for Dosimetric Response of a Synthetic Dye for Gamma Dosimetry
Get PDFAqueous solutions of Sandalfix Orange C2RL (SO) dye were used to check its feasibility as a new passive dosimeter. UV/VIS spectrophotometer was utilized to determine the absorption peak (λmax) of dye; which was 430 nm. SO followed Beer’s law satisfactorily. The absorbance (A) of the sample solutions was decreased with increase in absorbed dose (D). The %decoloration (%Ð) showed an exponential increase and logarithmic increase within low and high dosimetry range, respectively. The pH sensitivity of the sample solutions at different doses was also observed
Comparison of Wind Potential of Ormara and Jiwani (Balochistan), Pakistan
Get PDFThis paper presents comparison of wind potential of Ormara and Jiwani and evaluation of Weilbull distribution function for two coastal areas of Balochistan. Ten years data (1998-2007) of wind speed have been obtained from Pakistan Meteorological | department (PMD) of Karachi, Pakistan. The analysis of wind data is carried out and fitted by Weibull function. The two parameters of the distribution are also evaluated. Monthly mean wind speed of two coastal locations (Ormara and Jiwan) was also predicted