http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/14323 2026-03-06T07:19:28Z http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/16521 Title: Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS): Its biology and drug targets for treating diabetic nephropathy Authors: Maryam Zain; Awan, Fazli Rabbi Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disorder of hyperglycemia caused by a combination of biochemical, molecular and genetic factors, which leads to the dysfunction of various organs including kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes that results due to poor glycemic control. Several molecular and biochemical pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of DN. Of these, the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) is considered as a key pathway. RAAS involves various subsystems which contribute to the development of DN. Mutations in several genes of the RAAS pathway have been associated with the development of DN. These genes or their products present them as therapeutic targets for potent drugs to control or prevent DN, and development of new drugs for targeting the RAAS. Drugs in use for DN are mainly the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme(ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptors Blockers (ARB) and renin inhibitors which play important roles in reducingDN. Hence, the present review is focused on the pathophysiology and genetic factors for DN by exploring the RAASpathway and emphasizing the benefits of blocking this pathway to control and prevent DN. 2014-09-20T00:00:00Z http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/16520 Title: Prostate cancer: Leading and misleading routes to TRAIL of death Authors: Farooq, Ammad Ahmad; Qureshi, Muhammad Zahid; Abdur Rehman; Nogueira, Daniele Rubert; Awan, Imrana Iftikhar; Adeela Shahid Abstract: Prostate cancer is a multifaceted disease that arises because of misrepresentation of linear and integrated signaling cascades that regulate gene network in normal and cancer cells. Programmed cell death is modulated by intracellular regulators within each cell and various lines of evidence suggest that there is under- expression and overexpression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene subsets respectively. Apoptosis is a response to the cellular microenvironment, and the cell microenvironment can be regulated by multiple signaling cascades at a higher organizational level by suppressing survival signals notably at genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Unquestionably, drug-discovery approaches over the last decade aiming at neutralizing anti-apoptotic proteins, over-expressing pro-apoptotic proteins and enhancing the cell surface appearance of TRAIL receptors have revolutionized our current information about inducing and maximizing TRAIL mediated signaling in resistant prostate cancer phenotype. In this mini-review we outline outstanding developments in the field of prostate cancer that have played a rolein understanding the underlying mechanisms that control TRAIL mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which may be helpful in the development of cancer therapies based on the apoptotic pathway 2014-09-20T00:00:00Z http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/16366 Title: MINI REVIEW Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its new drug treatments and strategies: A review Authors: Muhammad Hanif; Junaid Qureshi; Hira Ijaz; Muhammad Iqbal Mustafa; Akhtar Rasul; Naeem Amir; Basma Aftab; Ahad Fayyaz Abstract: COPD is a complicated disease. Current available treatments are just for symptomatic relief and they cannot reverse the damages to lungs tissues due to alveolar destruction in COPD. Research is being conducted to evaluate new treatments and strategies to find specific treatments to minimize the symptoms of COPD. A new mixture of herbal medicine i.e AKL1 has emerged and thought to cure COPD symptoms especially cough related quality of life of COPD patients. Although, the results have showed no significant difference as compared to placebo but researchers recommend further evaluation in a large population (COPD Patients) group. Another medicine Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, was also found to be effective to treat COPD under specific recommendations with further research needed. Finally another medicine Indacaterol, a novel, once-daily (o.d) inhaled long-acting β2-agonist proved to be effective clinically to treat COPD related broncho-constriction and also increasing the COPD patient’s compliance by reducing the number of doses as compared to other conventional inhaled bronchodilators such as Albuterol. 2018-06-02T00:00:00Z http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/16365 Title: REPORT An ex vivo up-take of levamisole molecules by cestode (Monezia expensa) of goat (Capra hirsa) and its detection through RP-HPLC Authors: Muhammad Mazhar Ayaz; Muhammad Sajid; Das, Sanjota Nirmal; Muhammad Hanif Abstract: Detection of various molecules of drugs remained a prime issue especially in tissues of animals, humans and in their target parasites. The cestode/tapeworms pose a dilemma because of their weird body composition and uptake pattern of nutrients and medicines especially through absorption by tegument. We selected levamisole; thought to be potent antiparasitic/ ani-cestodal drug. The uptake of levamisole (LEV) through cestodeal tissues is studied through HPCL in this paper. High performance liquid chromatography technique has been utilized to know the uptake of levamisole in tissues of cestodes of Goat (Monezia expensa) in small ruminants. The drug was exposed to M. expensa by in vitro till its death or a parasite ceases its movement. The tissue/ part of proglattids of the M. expensa were homogenized with some modifications and levamisole extraction was performed with liquid phase extraction method. The evaporation of solvent was done and the residual cestodal tissues were cleaned by solid phase. After the solid phase extraction method, the recovery of drug, detection and quantification of levamisole from cestodal tissues was determined through Reverse Phase Column High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). Levamisole (LEV) molecules assay was obtained on a C18 reverse-phase (20um, 6mm x 150mm) column at flow rate of 1ml/min using acetonitrile and ammonium acetate as mobile phase and UV detection was done at 254nm. The development of method of Levamisole (LEV) detection from cestodal tissues by HPLC in vitro samples has been demonstrated first time in Pakistan, which can provide the solution of parasitic control and provide in sight in to the uptake of anti cestodal drugs either against human or livestock parasites. 2018-06-01T00:00:00Z