Vascular endothelial growth factor/platelet ratio as a potential biomarker for preeclampsia: A study of angiogenic markers in Pakistani patients.

Objectives: To determine the levels of angiogenic biomarkers: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR1 or sFlt-1), platelet count, and the VEGF/platelet ratio in preeclampsia.

Methods: Forty-four cases of preeclampsia and 44 controls were recruited.

Results: The serum VEGF, sVEGFR1, and VEGF/platelet ratio were significantly higher and platelet counts lower in preeclampsia in comparison to controls (VEGF: median = 178 vs.

Next-generation sequencing to genetically diagnose a diverse range of inherited eye disorders in 15 consanguineous families from Pakistan.

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by photoreceptor dysfunction or degeneration. Clinical and phenotypic overlap between IRDs makes the genetic diagnosis very challenging and comprehensive genomic approaches for accurate diagnosis are frequently required. While there are previous studies on IRDs in Pakistan, causative genes and variants are still unknown for a significant portion of patients.

Indigofera linifolia ameliorated CCl induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver of rat.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Indigofera linifolia (L.f.) Retz.

Pilea umbrosa ameliorate CCl induced hepatic injuries by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, pro-inflammatory and fibrosis genes in rat.

Background: Pilea umbrosa (Urticaceae) is used by local communities (district Abbotabad) for liver disorders, as anticancer, in rheumatism and in skin disorders.

Methods: Methanol extract of P. umbrosa (PUM) was investigated for the presence of polyphenolic constituents by HPLC-DAD analysis.

Methanol extract of ameliorates CCl induced hepatic injuries by regulation of genes in rats.

We have investigated the protective potential of methanol extract of (IAM) on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress associated genes and inflammatory genes on carbon tetrachloride (CCl) induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Hepatic damage markers: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin were elevated while the content of antioxidants: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased significantly ( < 0.05) in CCl treated rats as compared to the control group.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of the leaves of Wendlandia heynei (Schult.) Santapau & Merchant in Sprague Dawley rat.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The leaves of W. heynei (family: Rubiaceae) are used by the folklore in swelling, wounds and body aches. In this study anti-inflammatory potential of W.

Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine.

Methanol extract and its n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fraction of Galium aparine L. (Rubiacea) were evaluated in vitro for their antioxidant capacity (DPPH, superoxide radical, phosphomolybdate assay); reducing power (ABTS, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, to reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) ions) and to estimate total flavonoid and phenolic contents. All the free radical generating assay models depicted differential positive scavenging activity but considerable magnitude for all the fractions.