Begell House Inc.
Critical Reviews™ in Eukaryotic Gene Expression
CRE
1045-4403
28
1
2018
Antibacterial Activity of Novel Strains of Bacteriophages: An Experimental Approach
1-12
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2017019608
Muhammad Imran
Qadir
Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Zunera
Chauhdary
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Governament College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
bacteriophages
characterization
antibacterial activity
The evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has increased research in the development of alternative
therapies to conventional drugs. In this study, isolated phages were characterized and antibacterial activity was
determined by standard agar disc diffusion method. The phages showed maximum propagation at 37°C to 40°C and highest viability at pH 7. Sugars influenced the bacteriophage viability. Sodium chloride decreased the phage propagation. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride increased the phage propagation up to a certain limit. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the presence of protein cover and showed the various bands ranging from 10 to 200 kDa. Nucleic
acid analysis confirmed the presence of RNA with a size of approximately 20 kb. Transmission electron microscopy
indicated that the phages belong to Siphoviridae, Leviviridae, and Podoviridae families.
Qadir Theory of Cancer Etiology
13-15
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018019561
Muhammad Imran
Qadir
Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
viruses
mechanism
HBV
HCV
HPV
The idea that viruses may cause some cancers was first proposed almost a century ago. At the end of the last century, it was estimated that 15% of all human cancers were due to viruses. But it is postulated that "Viruses are the causative agents of cancer: 100% of cancer patients contain virus/es in their body which are responsible for the cancer." Cancer may be caused by viruses through one or more of three mechanisms. Some studies have opposed the idea, but in these studies, laboratory methods were not used to detect viruses. There is a need to use innovative laboratory techniques in search of a wide range of viruses to establish a direct correlation between cancer and a virus. In the near future, viruses will be isolated from all cancer patients as causative agent of that specific cancer.
Critical Review on Curcumin as a Therapeutic Agent: From Traditional Herbal Medicine to an Ideal Therapeutic Agent
17-24
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018020088
Muhammad Usman
Akbar
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan; Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Kanwal
Rehman
Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Khalid Mahmood
Zia
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Imran
Qadir
Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Muhammad Sajid Hamid
Akash
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad
Ibrahim
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
turmeric
Curcuma longa
pharmacological activity
Traditionally, many natural medicinal plants have been used to treat a variety of diseases since ancient times and are considered a potential source of phytochemicals for the development of new drugs. One of these is curcumin, which is an easily accessible, inexpensive, and nontoxic bioactive compound. Curcumin is a very important, naturally occurring, and highly lipophilic and phenolic substance derived from the rhizomes of plant Curcuma longa, a member of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, which is mostly used as a curry spice, flavoring agent, insect repellent, coloring agent in food, traditional drug, and ingredient in cosmetics. Modern scientific research has demonstrated that it has wide range of pharmacological activities and medicinal properties against various types of diseases, disorders, and syndromes. Because it has been known for many years to have excellent therapeutic potential against various diseases, much research has been devoted to this natural product. This review briefly summarizes the scope, therapeutic potential and clinical applications of curcumin.
Investigations of Phytochemical Constituents and Their Pharmacological Properties Isolated from the Genus Urtica: Critical Review and Analysis
25-66
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018020389
Muhammad
Ibrahim
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Kanwal
Rehman
Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Aneeza
Razzaq
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Iqbal
Hussain
Department of Environmental Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579 Japan; Department of Botany, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Tahir
Farooq
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Amjad
Hussain
Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Sajid Hamid
Akash
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
traditional uses of Urtica
antioxidant activity
alkaloids
flavonoids
terpenoids
The genus Urtica belongs to the family Urticaceae. The plants of this genus are known as nettles or, quite often, as stinging nettles. These plants can be easily identified by the presence of stinging hairs. Urtica species have previously been used for various medicinal purposes. The history for the use of these plants for medicinal purposes starts from the Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC). Medicinally, the genus Urtica has been used to treat several disorders, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, diarrhea, sprains, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, flu, cough, fever, and ulcers. Scientific reports on the phytochemical analysis of this genus has so far revealed more than 123 compounds from this genus, including terpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, sterols, and polyphenols, have been isolated. Various biological activities have been exhibited by these compounds, such as antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antiurolithiatic, anthelmintic, diuretic, antinoceceptive, antidiabetic, antiviral, , and immunomodulatory. In this article, we mainly emphasize the phytochemical composition, therapeutic applications, and ethnopharmacological values of various species of genus Urtica.
Caffeine: A Potential Protective Agent Against Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease
67-72
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018021391
Azhar
Hussain
Touro College of Pharmacy
Elsa S.
Tabrez
St. Matthew's University School of Medicine, George Town, Cayman Islands
Volodymyr
Mavrych
St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Olena
Bolgova
St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Jagannadha Rao
Peela
St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
prevention
public health
mechanism of action
epidemiological studies
cognitive functioning
Over the past few decades, caffeine has been well recognized as a stimulant whose effects can be detected particularly in the central nervous system. A stimulating effect of caffeine has been found useful in treating patients with many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is reported to be a rapidly increasing public health problem with lack of a remedial treatment. However, the assumed protective effects of caffeine against AD are of huge interest. This study substantiates caffeine's role as a potential prevention agent against AD through several epidemiological studies. More than 75% of available study reports support the opinion that caffeine has a favorable effect against cognitive decline and AD. Moreover, other studies have discussed the effect of caffeine drinking and concluded several positive effects on cognitive functioning. The present study, however, focuses more on the potential mechanisms by which caffeine diminishes effects as well as delays the onset of AD.
Is Cannabidiol a Promising Substance for New Drug Development? A Review of its Potential Therapeutic Applications
73-86
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018021528
Nida
Noreen
Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
Faqir
Muhammad
Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Bushra
Akhtar
Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Farooq
Azam
Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Irfan
Anwar
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
diclofenac sodium
cancer
Cannabis sativa
IFNa
ID-1
The pharmacological importance of cannabidiol (CBD) has been in study for several years. CBD is the major nonpsychoactive constituent of plant Cannabis sativa and its administration is associated with reduced side effects. Currently, CBD is undergoing a lot of research which suggests that it has no addictive effects, good safety profile and has exhibited powerful therapeutic potential in several vital areas. It has wide spectrum of action because it acts through endocannabinoid receptors; CB1 and CB2 and it also acts on other receptors, such as GPR18, GPR55, GPR 119, 5HT1A, and TRPV2. This indicates its therapeutic value for numerous medical conditions because of its neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Potential therapeutic applications of CBD include, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-arthritic, anti-depressant, anti-Alzheimer disease, anti-ischemic, neuroprotective, and anti-fibrotic. More promising areas appear to include diabetes and cancer where CBD exhibits lesser side effects and more therapeutic benefits as compared to recent available medical therapies. Hence, CBD is a promising substance for the development of new drug. However further research and clinical studies are required to explore its complete potential.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Review of Symptomatic Management
87-92
10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2018022767
Elsa S.
Tabrez
St. Matthew's University School of Medicine, George Town, Cayman Islands
Azhar
Hussain
Touro College of Pharmacy
Seetharama
Rao
St. Matthew’s University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ashraya
Jagadeesh
St. Matthew’s University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Jagannadha Rao
Peela
St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Shams S. M.
Tabrez
St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; University of Central Florida, College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida, USA
chronic illness
management options
pharmacological advancements
surgical advancements
Considered as a chronic illness, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has manifested itself as a widespread condition throughout the adult population. As a growing epidemic, GERD has reached a staggering prevalence of 10% to 20% in the Western world, by affecting up to 30 million people in the United States alone. Sixty percent of individuals in an adult population will experience symptoms and the impact of GERD over a period of 12 months, whereas a remarkable 20% to 30% of individuals will have weekly symptoms. This rapid increase in the prevalence of the disease requires equally rapid management techniques. Although the disease itself has no cure, management of symptoms and certain pharmacological and surgical advancements have allowed for individuals affected by GERD to receive specific treatment options sufficient for them to live a healthy life. In this paper, such management options will be examined and discussed in reference to their effectiveness in treating the symptoms presented in GERD patients.