Publications by authors named "Afzal Zargar"

Sphingolipids are eighteen carbon alcohol lipids synthesized from non-sphingolipid precursors in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The sphingolipids serve as precursors for a vast range of moieties found in our cells that play a critical role in various cellular processes, including cell division, senescence, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, nutrition intake, metabolism, and protein synthesis. In CVDs, different subclasses of sphingolipids and other derived molecules such as sphingomyelin (SM), ceramides (CERs), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are directly related to diabetic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, and atherogenesis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Study Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrinopathy of women, is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and is closely linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), is the usual first choice of treatment in women with PCOS. Because OCP use has been linked to the risk of venous thrombosis and there are limited data on the effect of OCP use on the inflammatory state of women with PCOS, our objective was to compare the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 between drug-naive and OCP-treated women with PCOS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To evaluate in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of Arnebia benthamii (A. benthamii) whole plant.

Methods: Plasmid damage was analyzed by agarose gell electrophoresis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Piperine, a trans-trans-isomer of 1-piperoyl-piperidine, was tested in combination with mupirocin for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains including meticillin-resistant S. aureus. The combination markedly reduced the MIC of mupirocin and also lowered the mutation frequency.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Emblica officinalis fruit (EO), commonly known as Amla is a reputed traditional medicine and functional food used in Indian subcontinent. It has long been used in Indian folk medicine to treat liver diseases, stomach ulcers, inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, geriatric complaints, skin disorders and beauty care.

Aim Of The Study: Recently, it has been shown to promote pro-collagen content and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase levels in skin fibroblast.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Palm oil is a rich source of vitamin E, carotenoids, tocotrienols and tocopherols which are natural antioxidants and act as scavengers of oxygen free radicals. 12-O-Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a known oxidant that promotes tumorigenesis in mouse skin through the elaboration of oxidative stress. In this study we therefore assessed the anti-tumor promoting potential of palm oil against TPA-mediated skin tumorigenesis in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated Swiss albino mice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF