BackgroundViscum album has shown inhibitory effect on different smooth muscles but underlying mechanisms in gut and vascular smooth muscles are not well defined. Additionally, the plant has also importance in managing hyperactive gut and cardiovascular disorders. The current study was aimed to probe a pharmacological base of the smooth muscle relaxant effect of V. album in gut and vascular preparations.MethodsV. album crude extract (Va. Cr) and its ethyl acetate fraction (Va. EtAc) were studied using in vitro techniques. The antispasmodic activity was performed using isolated rabbit jejunum while the vasorelaxant effects were studied in rabbit aortic rings.ResultsVa. Cr and Va. EtAc inhibited spontaneous and high K+-induced contractions with EC50 values of 0.31 mg/mL (0.15–0.57) and 0.62 mg/mL (0.3–0.95), respectively. This advocates an antispasmodic effect probably operated through calcium channels blockade (CBB). The proposed mechanism was confirmed by a pretreatment of the tissue with Va. Cr (0.01–0.3 mg/mL), which shifted the Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) rightward, similar to verapamil. Moreover, Va. Cr showed a partial relaxation against high K+ and PE (1 μM) induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta rings. Va. EtAc caused complete relaxation of high K+ precontraction and partially relaxed PE (1 μM) induced contractions, suggesting inhibitory effect on Ca++ entry, in addition to other possible mechanisms. CRCs were shifted to the right correspondingly to verapamil when the aortic rings were pretreated with Va. Cr and Va. EtAc.ConclusionsThese data indicated that Va. Cr possesses smooth muscle relaxant effect mediated through voltage-dependent Ca++ channel blockade (CCB), which explains its spasmolytic and vasorelaxant activity. The CCB activity is concentrated more in Va. EtAc. This study provides an evidence for the medicinal importance of V. album in gut spasm and possibly hypertension.
Antibiotics dispensing without a prescription is an irrational practice and can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, which is a significant public health concern around the globe. This study was aimed to determine the extent to which antibiotics are supplied without prescription in the community pharmacies (CPs) at Hazara Division from November 2020 to February 2021. The simulated client method (SCM) was used, and the data were gathered, recorded, and analyzed through different statistical methods with descriptive and inferential techniques. The antibiotic dispensing was observed in CPs (90.5%), the most dispensed antibiotics were azithromycin (29.4%) and ciprofloxacin (46.5%) respectively. Furthermore, visited medical stores/ drug outlets, 9.5% of the visited stores denied dispensing of antibiotics because they preferred a referral to visit physicians (23. 9%) and (12.8%) did not had the antibiotics at the time of visits. Antibiotics were more obtainable in retail medical stores (AOR = 8.6, 95 percent Cl: 3.0–24.7; p = 0.001) than in pharmacies. In rural areas antibiotics dispensing was more (p = 0.004) as compared to urban areas. Staff members also had asked about patient’s (17.7%) symptoms and drug allergies (12.3% and 3.9%), and (1.5%) they consoled them about their medications. The findings of this study indicate that nonprescription antibiotic sales are very common, despite national rules prohibiting this activity. When the simulated Client requested for any medication to relieve his or her discomfort, many antibiotics were given out without a prescription. Pharmacies/medical stores in Hazara Division selling antibiotics without a prescription are worrying and need immediate action by regulators.
Proteases BACE1 (β-secretases) enzymes have been recognized as a promising target associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study was carried out on the principles of molecular docking, chemical synthesis, and enzymatic inhibition of BACE1 enzymes via biaryl guanidine-based ligands. Based on virtual screening, thirteen different compounds were synthesized and subsequently evaluated via in vitro and in vivo studies. Among them, 1,3-bis(5,6-difluoropyridin-3-yl)guanidine (compound (9)) was found the most potent (IC50=97±0.91 nM) and active to arrest (99%) β-secretase enzymes (FRET assay). Furthermore, it was found to improve the novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test significantly (p<0.05). Improved pharmacokinetic parameters, viz., Log Po/w (1.76), Log S (-2.73), and better penetration to the brain (BBB permeation) with zero Lipinski violation, made it possible to hit the BACE1 as a potential therapeutic source for AD.
Aim: To outline various histopathological types of ovarian cysts received in our teaching hospital along with their prevalence and mode of presentation and to assess the proportion of physiologic versus pathological cysts and benign versus malignant ovarian cysts. Duration of study: From Jan 2019 to March 2021. Methods: Histopathology Department of Bakhtawar Amin Medical & Dental College & Hospital, Multan. A retrospective review of 122 ovarian lesions including physiological/functional cysts, pathological non neoplastic cysts as well as benign, borderline and malignant neoplasm. Histopathology reports of all ovarian specimens were reviewed and counted. Details like age, marital status, parity, presenting complaints, procedure opted, laterality, size, gross and microscopic details and final histological diagnosis etc were recorded. H&E stained slides of all cases were reviewed. In difficult suspicious cases, immunohistochemistry was also carried out. Percentage and proportions were calculated for all the variables. Relevant tables and charts were computed. Results: A total of 122 ovarian specimens with some lesion were segregated in histopathology department of Bakhtawar Amin Hospital from 117 patients with 5 patients having bilateral lesions. The mean age was 33.2 years (ranging from 13-71 years). Most ladies presented between 25-45 years of age. Out of these 117 patients, 18 ladies were unmarried. Out of the 99 married, 12 were nulliparous. Sixty four ladies (54.7%) found to have cysts/neoplasm in right sided ovary, forty eight (41%) presented with left sided ovarian involvement and 5 (4.3 %) presented with bilateral ovarian lesions. Conclusion: Non neoplastic ovarian cysts are more frequent as compared to neoplastic masses. Histopathological diagnosis is mandatory for final confirmatory diagnosis. Keywords: Ovarian lesions, reproductive cells, cyst
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