Abstract The current study aimed at the quinoa-wheat composite flour's characterization (including total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) as well as its effect on dry cake sensory quality. Findings revealed a rise in ash content, fat, protein, and crude fiber of composite-flour (0.56-1.23%, 1.13-1.76%, 10.14-11.02%, and 0.23-1.04%, respectively) with an increase of quinoa flour (5-20%). The addition of quinoa flour to the composite flour enhanced cake texture (0.26-.70 kg), but it also decreased L-value of cake crumb (55.29-50.73). Total flavonoids (56.44-59.48 mg QE/100 g) and antioxidant activity (4.66-9.76%) increased as quinoa flour was increased, whereas total phenolics (8.68-5.46 mgGAE/g) decreased. By mixing wheat flour with quinoa flour, the nutritional value of wheat flour was increased. During sensory evaluation, the cake made from composite-flour containing 10% quinoa-flour scored the highest overall acceptability. Sensory quality of last two treatments, which included 15% and 20% quinoa flour, was lower. Quinoa seeds had a better nutritional profile than wheat, with higher levels of amino acids, minerals, dietary fibers, and oil. Since wheat is a staple food in Pakistan, adding quinoa-flour would help to reduce malnutrition in Pakistan. Furthermore, no previous research on the suitability of quinoa-wheat flour for dry cake has been conducted on Pakistani wheat flour.

Abstract The highly selective, sensitive, and quick interference green synthesis-based sensing of possible milk adulterants i.e., salicylic acid has been reported here. Salicylic acid interacts with nanoparticles through strong bonding interactions, hence resulting in an interruption within the formation of selenium nanoparticles which is confirmed by UV-VIS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. This interaction in the synthesis of nanoparticles resulted in transmittance wavelength that decrease with the increasing amount of salicylic acid, showing strong binding of selenium nanoparticles with adulterant thereby permitting in-situ fast detection of salicylic acid from milk having a limit of detection at 10-3 mol and linear coefficient correlation of 0.9907.

Abstract The modern process of new drug discovery and development is an exciting, yet a challenging, endeavor. Although it can result in significant financial income and meet the medical needs of patients, it ultimately may result in failure. To achieve a fast and successful new product discovery and development process, natural products which are evolutionarily optimized as drug-like molecules have gained great attention as better potential sources of new chemical entities. Historically, plant species containing berberine are used in various traditional phytotherapy. However, despite the various therapeutic effects it exerts, berberine is not yet developed into a drug product. Addressing the barriers that hinder its successful development and the efforts made to overcome them is thus crucial. The toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of berberine are the main barriers towards its development into a marketed drug product. It has low aqueous solubility, poor absorption, fast metabolism, and wide tissue distribution which lead to low bioavailability limiting its clinical application. Synthetic berberine derivatives with improved properties are suggested as better alternatives for further development and future therapeutic application. Hence, this paper summarizes the preclinical research studies conducted in the last decade to reveal the therapeutic potential of synthetic berberine derivatives for the treatment of various diseases and hence achieve successful berberine-based drug development in the future. To exploit the value of natural products as a source of leads for the development of effective drugs, collaboration among the different discovery and development scientists is essential.

Abstract The study is aimed to develop a monolithic controlled matrix transdermal patches containing Metoclopramide as a model drug by solvent casting method. Eudragit L100, Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30, and Methylcellulose were used in different ratios and Polyethylene glycol 400 added as a plasticizer. Resulting patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characters like organoleptic characters, weight variation, folding endurance, thickness, swelling index, flatness, drug content, swelling index, percentage erosion, moisture content, water vapor transmission rate and moisture uptake. Formed patches were also evaluated through Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results of SEM unveiled smooth surface of drug-loaded patches. In-vitro dissolution studies were conducted by using dissolution medium phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4. Effect of natural permeation enhancers was elucidated on two optimized formulations (Z4 and Z9). Different concentrations (5%-10 %) of permeation enhancers i.e. Olive oil, Castor oil and Eucalyptus oil were evaluated on Franz diffusion cell using excised abdominal rat skin. Z4-O2 (Olive oil 10%) had enhanced sustain effect and flux value (310.72) close to the desired flux value. Z4-O2 followed Higuchi release model (R2= 0.9833) with non-fickian diffusion release mechanism (n=0.612).

Resumen Introducción: Los pueblos indígenas de zonas montañosas lejanas sin facilidades básicas dependen principalmente de las plantas medicinales para afrontar problemas de salud de tipo veterinario. Objetivo: Explorar el conocimiento tradicional en las prácticas etnoveterinarias en el valle de Kaghan, distrito de Mansehra, Himalaya occidental-Pakistán. Métodos: Se recopilaron datos etnoveterinarios mediante una entrevista semiestructurada entre febrero y octubre de 2014 en nueve aldeas del valle de Kaghan, con la participación de 80 habitantes locales, incluidos curanderos tradicionales. Resultados: Se documentó un total de 41 taxones de plantas medicinales etnoveterinarias para el tratamiento de enfermedades del ganado. Se registró un alto porcentaje de plantas herbáceas (27 especies, 65.8 %). La mayoría de las especies utilizadas han sido para tratar enfermedades gastrointestinales (12 taxones), y mejora de la salud (7 taxones). Para el tratamiento de enfermedades del ganado, lo más usual fue utilizar la planta entera (9 especies), seguida de las hojas (7 especies), con preparación en pasta (18 especies) y en polvo (10 especies). Las especies registradas con más uso fueron: Arisaema costatum (0.82), Primula denticulata (0.76) y Berberis lyceum y Dryopteris ramosa con la misma alta frecuencia relativa (0.37 cada una). Las especies Skimmia laureola, Thymus linearis y Phytolacca latbenia se reportaron entre los taxones con mayor nivel de fidelidad porcentual. Conclusión: La flora utilizada en los remedios tradicionales del valle de Kaghan fue mayoritariamente endémica. Se propone para trabajos futuros mayor investigación química, y mayor utilización y conservación en las especies de plantas reportadas por los indígenas.

Abstract Introduction: Indigenous people in a far-flung mountainous area without basic facilities, mainly rely on medicinal plants to cope with various veterinary health problems. Objective: The present study was carried out to explore the traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary practices in Kaghan Valley, district Mansehra, Western Himalayas-Pakistan. Method: Ethnoveterinary data were collected between February to October 2014 from nine villages of the Kaghan Valley by involving 80 local people include traditional healers using a semi-structured interview. Results: A sum of 41 plant taxa of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants was documented for treating livestock ailments. Out of which, herbaceous plants were recorded with high percentage (27 species, 65.8 %). Most of the species were used to treat gastrointestinal diseases (12 taxa), followed by health improvement (7 taxa). The widely used part of plants for livestock aliments was the whole plant (9 species) followed by leaves (7 species), and preparation were paste (18 species) followed by powder with 10 species. The highest used values were recorded for Arisaema costatum (0.82), Primula denticulata (0.76), and high relative frequency citations for Berberis lyceum and Dryopteris ramosa with 0.37 each. Among the plant species Skimmia laureola, Thymus linearis and Phytolacca latbenia were among the taxa with cent fidelity level. Conclusion: The flora used in traditional remedies of the valley was found mostly endemic due to excessive utilization. Thus, further chemical investigation, better utilization and conservation of indigenous use of the reported species should be considered for future work.

ABSTRACT This study, consisting of two independent experiments, was conducted to optimize presowing guava seed treatments and evaluate the optimized treatments in improving germination and seedling growth of guava under heat and osmotic stresses. In the first experiment, seeds of guava cultivar White Flesh Local I were soaked in water, gibberellic acid (GA3) (0.05 and 0.1%), hydrochloric acid (HCl) (5 and 10%) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) (5 and 10%) for 24 and 48 h (for water and GA3), and 2 and 5 min (for HCl and H2SO4). Seed soaking (priming) with GA3 (0.1%, at 48 h) and HCl (10%, 2 min) were the most effective treatments to improve seed germination and early seed growth of guava and were used in the second experiment. In the second experiment, treated and untreated seeds were sown in plastic boxes between two layers of filter papers maintained at osmotic potentials of 0, -1.5 and -3 MPa. The germination boxes were incubated at optimal (25 °C) and higher (32 °C) temperatures. Germination was significantly suppressed at a higher temperature and with an increase in the osmotic potential. However, seed treatments with GA3 and HCl were effective to improve the germination and seedling growth of guava under both temperature and osmotic stresses. In conclusion, chemical and hormonal seed treatments may help improve the seed germination and seedling growth of guava under heat and osmotic stresses by modulation of antioxidant enzymes and leaf proline. Seed treatment with GA3 (0.1%, 48 h) was the most effective in this regard.

Abstract: The sealing potential of a fault can be originated from reservoir/nonreservoir rock juxtaposition. The present study focuses on the assessment of the sealing potential of the Lower Goru Formation of Badin area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan. The uni-directional force is one of the causes of leakage through the upper reservoirs of Lower Goru Formation, i.e. sand A, B and C and thus made a good seal as sand D. The fault properties associated with sealing capacity and leakage are estimated using algorithms. These algorithms are based on the juxtaposition of the reservoir rock against sealing lithology, deformation and present stage of stress regime within the fault plane relative to leakage. Time and depth contour maps of top of the Lower Goru Formation represent a halfgraben structure showing uni-directional force in the area. An Allan-type diagram depicted a sandsand juxtaposition for sand A and juxtaposition of sand A with sand B, thus eliminating any chances of sealing conditions. A similar diagram confirmed shale-sand juxtaposition for sands C and D. The juxtaposition diagram referred to an increase in shale gouge ratio (SGR) values from sand A to sand D with maximum values at sand D, thus classifying good fault sealing potential at sand D. Therefore, it is confirmed that sealing capacity of the fault (F2) increases from sand A (poor seal) where SGR = 0.44% - 0.9% and shale smear factor (SSF) = 0.23 - 1 to sand D (moderate seal) where SGR = 10% - 44% and SSF = 0.05 - 0.22 which means that sand D is more sealed than any other sand in the study area.

Resumen: El potencial de sellado de una falla puede originarse por la juxtaposición de rocas del reservorio de unas rocas externas. El presente estudio se refiere en el estudio de potencial de sellado en la formación Lower Goru del area de Badin, en la cuenca baja del Indus, Pakistán. La fuerza unidireccional es una de las causas de pérdida en los lagos de los reservorios superiores de la formación del Goru inferior. i. e. arena A, B y C y un buen sellado de su forma de arena D. Las propiedades de la falla asociadas con la capidad de sellado se estiman utilizando algoritmos. Estos algoritmos revasan en la juxtaposición de la roca del reservorio versus la litología selladora, la deformación y el estado presente del régimen de tensión dentro del plano de falla respecto al desprendimiento. Mapas del contorno de tiempo y profundidad de la parte superior de la formación representan una estructura de medio-graben mostrando una fuerza uni-direccional en el area. Un diagrama de tipo Allan mostró una juxtaposición arena-arena por la arena A así como juxtaposición de arena A y B, iluminando así la probabilidad de condiciones de sellado. Un diagrama similar confirmo una juxtaposición shale-arena para las arenas C y D. El diagrama de juxtaposición referido a un aumento de los valores de la relación shale gouge (SGR) de la arena A a D con valores maximos de arena D que clasifican un buen potencial de sellado de la falla en donde se localiza la arena D. Por lo tanto se confirma que la capacidad de sellado de la falla (F2) aumenta desde la arena A (sellado bajo) donde SGR = 0.44% - 0.9% y el factor smear de shale (SSF) es igual a 0.23 - 1 para arena D (sellado moderado) donde SGR = 10% - 44% y SSF = 0.05 - 0.22 lo cual indica que la arena D esta más sellada que las demás en el area de estudio.

Direct seeded aerobic rice system has been developed and adopted as an alternative for medium-grain rice in many parts of the world, whereas efforts for aerobic basmati rice types are still in infancy. Among two major constraints for aerobic rice, weeds are progressively being eliminated to great extent through introduction of new herbicides; however, the issue of unfilled grains is still elusive. As potassium (K) deficiency produce sterile pollens in different crops, therefore possible K deficiency in aerobic rice production system may increase unfilled grains in rice. Therefore, it was hypothesized that K application may yield better by improving grain filling of basmati rice, especially, under aerobic conditions. Pot and field experiments were comprised of no K as control, K fertilization using 90 and 180 kg ha-1 keeping recommended N, P and Zn fertilization at the rate of 180, 125 and 25 kg ha-1. Two fine grain rice cultivars Basmati-515 and Super basmati were used due to their differential response to K fertilization. Results indicated that application of 180 kg K2O ha-1 significantly increased the K concentration in shoot, which increased the paddy yield. Highest chlorophyll contents were observed for Basmati-515 in aerobic rice and for Super basmati under flooded condition at 180 kg K2O ha-1. Decrease in number of un-filled grains may a contributory to paddy yield improvement in K fertilized treatments. The improvement in yield was more pronounced in Basmati-515 than Super basmati. Economic analysis showed higher benefit cost ratio for Basmati-515 with 90 kg K2O5 ha-1 under aerobic conditions. Net benefit of K fertilization was increased for both fertilizer rates and both cultivars except 180 kg K ha-1 in Super basmati. As K fertilization increased the number of filled grains and improved the rice yield, therefore it is suggested to apply K fertilizers for better yield and expanded adaptability of aerobic rice production system for basmati rice. Availability of indigenous soil K under aerobic and flooded conditions should be quantified to develop precise K recommendations for both production systems of basmati rice.

Exposure to arsenic via drinking water is considered as a worldwide problem. Studies have shown that arsenic exposure during pregnancy affects embryogenesis and offspring development in rats and mice. Zinc as a micronutrient regulates many physiological functions, including an antioxidative role under various toxic conditions. However, studies on the perinatal protective effect of zinc on offspring need further attention. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential protective role of zinc in mitigating the adverse effects in the offspring of arsenic exposure during pregnancy. The arsenic (40mg/kg body weight) and zinc (4% w/v) doses formed the only drinking fluid source for the experimental groups of dams during the perinatal period of the experiment. The early development of sensory motor coordination reflexes together with morphological development in the male pups was measured during the weaning period. In adolescence, the offspring were tested for their motor behavior. The enzyme γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and the oxidative stress indices like reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were also estimated in the serum of the young adult male mice. Perinatal arsenic exposure caused depletion in body weight gain, delay in morphological development and retardation in the development of all sensory motor reflexes of the pups. In young adults, significant decrease in motor behavior with significant decrease in GSH level in the serum was observed. On the other hand, γ-GT and TBARS were significantly increased in the serum due to arsenic treatment. However, animals exposed to arsenic in the presence of zinc showed a remarkable ameliorating effect of zinc on all observed teratological and biochemical arsenic toxicity in male offspring. It was observed that zinc has an antioxidative role in the perinatal toxicity of arsenic. It is concluded from the present study that zinc consumed during the perinatal period of pregnancy can ameliorate the possible toxicities of arsenic exposure in the offspring by acting as an ameliorative supplement.

Optimum planting methods better ensure water and nutrient supply through improved root development resulting in better crop growth and productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of planting methods on root development, crop allometry, water use efficiency (WUE), productivity and economic returns of different maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. Maize hybrids NK-6621, Pioneer-30Y87, and Pioneer-30Y58 were sown on beds, ridges, and flat surface. Ridge sowing was better followed by bed sowing; while amongst the hybrids, ’Pioneer-30Y87’ performed the best. Well-developed root system, with longer primary root, more number of lateral roots and higher root growth rate, was observed in ’Pioneer-30Y87’ planted on ridges, which led to higher WUE, grain yield and its related traits. The same hybrid exhibited higher leaf area index and crop growth rate, and maximum net return and benefit:cost ratio sowed on ridges. Overall, the ridge sowing improved root development resulting in better allometry, productivity (5.45 t ha-1), and WUE (1.345 kg m-3), in all the maize hybrids. Although maize hybrids exhibited different response to different planting methods; maximum grain yield (5.63 t ha-1), WUE (1.41 kg m-3), and net economic returns were observed from hybrid Pioneer-30Y87.

Métodos óptimos de siembra aseguran mejor suministro de agua y nutrientes a través del mejorado desarrollo de raíces que resulta en mejor crecimiento y productividad de los cultivos. Este estudio se realizó para evaluar los efectos de los métodos de siembra en el desarrollo de las raíces, alometría de cultivos, uso eficiente del agua (WUE), productividad y rentabilidad económica de diferentes híbridos de maíz (Zea mays L.). Híbridos de maíz NK-6621, Pioneer 30Y87, y 30Y58-Pioneer se sembraron en camas, surcos, y superficie plana. La siembra en surco fue mejor, seguida por siembra en cama, mientras entre los híbridos, ’Pioneer 30Y87’ tuvo los mejores resultados. Se observó un sistema radical bien desarrollado, raíz primaria más larga, mayor número de raíces laterales, y mayor tasa de crecimiento radical, en ’Pioneer-30Y87’ plantado en surcos, lo que condujo a mayores WUE, rendimiento de grano y sus rasgos relacionados. El mismo híbrido sembrado en surcos presentó mayores índice de área foliar y tasa de crecimiento del cultivo, máximo rendimiento neto y relación beneficio:costo. En general, la siembra en surco mejoró el desarrollo radical resultando en mejores alometría, productividad (5,45 t ha-1), y WUE (1,35 kg m-3), en todos los híbridos de maíz. Aunque los híbridos de maíz mostraron respuesta diferente a los diferentes métodos de siembra, máximos rendimientos de grano (5,63 t ha-1), WUE (1,41 kg m-3), y retornos económicos netos se observaron en el híbrido Pioneer 30Y87.

Weed suppression is one of the several benefits achieved by soil incorporation of crop residues and such suppression is believed to be allelopathic in nature. The allelopathic potential of different crop residues: viz. sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), brassica (Brassica campestris L.) was evaluated in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and jungle rice (Echinochloa colona [L.] Link). Chopped crop residues were soil-incorporated alone and mixed at 6 g kg-1 soil (12 t ha-1) and compared with a control without residues. Soil incorporation of residues substantially delayed germination of jungle rice. The time to start germination, time to 50% emergence, mean emergence time, emergence index, and final germination percentage were all depressed by residue incorporation. Final germination of rice and jungle rice dropped by 11 to 15% and 11 to 27% with residue application alone and by 18 to 22% and 8 to 34% with a combination of crop residues, respectively. Residues were more suppressive to germination dynamics of jungle rice than rice. Crop residues exerted a pronounced negative influence on the shoot (25 to 100% and 14 to 44%) and root lengths (22 to 100% and 10 to 43%) of rice and jungle rice, respectively. Shoot and root dry weight of both rice and jungle rice also decreased significantly. An appreciable quantity of phenolics was recorded in soil amended with sorghum+sunflower+brassica residues. Since soil incorporation of allelopathic crop residues was detrimental to both rice germination and seedling growth, it is suggested that the time of residue application for jungle rice suppression and rice seeding time need to be adjusted so as to minimize rice crop damage.

La represión de malezas es uno de los beneficios logrados por la incorporación de residuos de cosecha al suelo y se cree que es de naturaleza alelopática. Se evaluó el potencial alelopático de diversos residuos de cultivos: sorgo (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), girasol (Helianthus annuus L.) y coles (Brassica Compestris L.) en arroz (Oryza sativa L.) y pasto arroz o pasto Shama (Echinochloa colona [L.] Link). Los residuos de cosecha picados se incorporaron solos y en mezcla a 6 g kg-1 de suelo (12 t ha-1) y se compararon con un testigo sin residuos. La incorporación de los residuos al suelo retrasó sustancialmente la germinación del pasto arroz o pasto Shama. El tiempo para empezar la germinación, el tiempo a 50% de emergencia, el tiempo medio de emergencia, el índice de emergencia, y el porcentaje de germinación final fueron influidos negativamente por la incorporación de residuos. La germinación final del arroz y del pasto arroz o pasto Shama se redujo en 11 a 15% y 11 a 27% con el uso exclusivo de residuos, y en 18 a 22% y 8 a 34% con la combinación de los residuos de cultivos, respectivamente. Los residuos de cultivos ejercieron una marcada influencia negativa en la longitud de brotes (25-100% y 14-44%) y la longitud de raíces (22-100% y 10-43%) de arroz y de pasto arroz o pasto Shama, respectivamente. Peso seco de brotes y raíces de arroz y pasto del arroz o pasto Shama también decrecieron significativamente. Una apreciable cantidad de fenoles fue registrada en el suelo enmendado con residuos de sorgo+girasol+coles. Desde que los residuos alelopáticos de cultivos se incorporaron al suelo también fueron perjudiciales para la germinación y crecimiento de las plántulas de arroz, así se sugiere que el momento de la aplicación de los residuos para la supresión de arroz de la selva y el tiempo de la siembra del arroz deben ser ajustados para reducir al mínimo el daño del cultivo de arroz.