Publications by authors named "Hamna Rafiq"

Agmatine, a naturally occurring polyamine derived from arginine via arginine decarboxylase, has been shown to play multifaceted roles in the mammalian body, impacting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This comprehensive review delineates the significant insights into agmatine's pharmacological profile, emphasizing its structure and metabolism, neurotransmission and regulation, and pharmacokinetics and function. Agmatine's biosynthesis is highly conserved across species, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular functions.

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To identify potential scaffolds to treat gastritis and oxidative stress, 2-aryl-1-naphtho[2,3-]imidazole derivatives (1-15) were synthesized. The synthesis was conveniently carried out by condensing 2,3-diaminonaphthalene with variously substituted aldehydes to yield 15 new 2-aryl-1-naphtho[2,3-]imidazole derivatives. Structures of all synthesized compounds were elucidated using MS and NMR spectroscopic techniques.

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Haloperidol is a neuroleptic medication that is used to treat a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions. It has been shown to produce medicinal effects against hyperactivity, agitation and mania, as well as schizophrenia. Long-term usage of haloperidol raises the risk of acquiring a neurological condition like Parkinson's disease.

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Obesity is a metabolic disease which promotes by consuming fat rich diet. The consequences may include leptin resistant and initiation of metabolic syndromes. Beside the fact, obesity has psychological impacts it act as a signal of depression by stimulating endogenous stress stimulation.

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Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Reduction in blood insulin level alters brain function by inducing oxidative stress with changes in dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmission, ultimately leading to neuropsychological symptoms. The efficacy of currently available psychotropic drugs is not satisfactory.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the common type of dementia and is currently incurable. Existing FDA-approved AD drugs may not be effective for everyone, they cannot cure the disease nor stop its progression and their effects diminish over time. Therefore, the present review aimed to explore the role of natural alternatives in the treatment of AD.

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Aim: Endogenous agmatine has a significant role in learning and memory processes as a neurotransmitter. Various studies described the physiological role of endogenous agmatine in learning and memory of multiple cognitive tasks suggesting elevated levels of agmatine during the learning process in the rat brain. Dietary intake of choline showed correlation with cognitive functions in human subjects and treatment with choline supplements validated the ability to diminish learning and cognitive impairment dementias.

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Background: Psychostimulants can induce behavioral sensitization by their chronic use. The main target for the action of these drugs is dopamine, neither epinephrine nor serotonin transporters. Serotonin is synthesized by the precursor L-tryptophan.

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