Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Synthesis and Antibacterial Assessment of Novel Azithromycin Derivatives as Potential Taste-Masking Prodrugs.","authors":"Nadine Qalalweh, Haneen Qalalweh, Ghana Raymoni, Belal Alnajjar, Hatem A Hijaz","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.328.340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.328.340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Azithromycin is a widely used macrolide antibiotic with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; however, its clinical acceptability is limited by poor patient compliance due to its bitter taste. Additionally, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the development of novel derivatives with improved therapeutic performance. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate novel azithromycin derivatives with dual potential for taste masking and enhanced antibacterial activity. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Five novel azithromycin derivatives were synthesized by reacting azithromycin with different functional linkers, including &lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-acetyl benzenesulfonyl chloride, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;-nitrobenzoyl chloride, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;-toluenesulfonyl chloride, 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride and &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride. The synthesized compounds were characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). Prodrug properties were assessed through kinetic stability studies at physiological pH values (2.2, 5.5 and 7.4). Antibacterial activity was evaluated &lt;i&gt;in-vitro&lt;/i&gt; using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Half-Maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;) assays against clinically relevant bacterial strains, including &lt;i&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Streptococcus pneumoniae&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/i&gt;. The bacterial strains used in this study were standard ATCC reference strains and were not derived from human or animal subjects. Therefore, ethical approval was not required. All experiments were conducted following standard microbiological laboratory practices. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; All five azithromycin derivatives were successfully synthesized with satisfactory yields and confirmed structural characteristics. &lt;strong&gt;Compounds 2, 4 and 5&lt;/strong&gt; demonstrated favorable prodrug behavior by undergoing pH-dependent hydrolysis and regenerating the parent drug, indicating promising taste-masking potential. Furthermore, &lt;strong&gt;compounds 1 and 3&lt;/strong&gt; exhibited superior antibacterial activity against &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; compared to the parent azithromycin. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The synthesized azithromycin derivatives demonstrated promising potential as next-generation therapeutic agents with improved palatability and retained or enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. These findings support their prospective application in overcoming taste-related compliance issues while addressing antimicrobial resistance challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 7","pages":"328-340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149113366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant Potential and Antibacterial Activity of <i>Fagraea fragrans</i> Roxb. Flower Extract Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.","authors":"Kanlayani Charoensopharat, Surachai Rattanasuk, Kitipong Wechgama","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.401.410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.401.410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt; Fagraea fragrans&lt;/i&gt; Roxb. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in herbal medicine; however, information regarding the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of its flower extract against antibiotic-resistant bacteria remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of &lt;i&gt;F. fragrans&lt;/i&gt; Roxb. flower ethanol extract against selected antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to identify major bioactive compounds in the ethanol extract. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, while antibacterial activity against clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria was evaluated by agar disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Data (mean±SD, n = 3) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Duncan's test using SPSS v20 (p<0.05). &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids in the ethanol extract. The extract demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity with strong DPPH radical scavenging capacity. Antibacterial assays showed inhibitory activity against &lt;i&gt;Acinetobacter baumannii&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Burkholderia pseudomallei&lt;/i&gt;, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), multidrug-resistant &lt;i&gt;Klebsiella pneumoniae&lt;/i&gt; (MDR-K) and &lt;i&gt;Proteus mirabilis&lt;/i&gt;, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 7 to 11 mm. The lowest MIC value was observed against &lt;i&gt;A. baumannii&lt;/i&gt; (1.95 mg/mL), while the lowest MBC value was detected against &lt;i&gt;B. pseudomallei&lt;/i&gt; (31.25 mg/mL). No detectable antibacterial activity was observed against &lt;i&gt;Enterococcus faecalis&lt;/i&gt; and colistin-resistant &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The new findings demonstrated that &lt;i&gt;F. fragrans &lt;/i&gt;Roxb. flower extract possesses promising phytochemical constituents with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The extract may serve as a potential natural source of bioactive compounds for herbal medicine and future antimicrobial applications against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 8","pages":"401-410"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149183703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Endophytic and Rhizosphere Bacteria on Antioxidant Capacity and Fruit Phytochemical Composition of Muna Local Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.).","authors":"Jumarddin La Fua, Ratna Umi Nurlila, Gusti Ayu Kadek Sutariati, Sanatang","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.468.477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.468.477","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Muna local tomato (&lt;i&gt;Solanum lycopersicum&lt;/i&gt; L.) is a valuable local genetic resource with potential as a functional food due to its bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. However, the use of endophytic-rhizosphere bacterial consortia to improve the phytochemical quality and antioxidant capacity of local tomatoes remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of single isolates and consortia of endophytic-rhizosphere bacteria on the antioxidant activity and phytochemical profile of Muna local tomato fruits. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with eight treatments, consisting of a control, &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; sp. SWRII B02, &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. CKD061, &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; sp. Ke03 and combinations of two and three bacterial isolates. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH assay, while phytochemical profiling was performed using LC-MS/MS. Quantitative data, including DPPH inhibition and IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; values, were analyzed by ANOVA followed by DMRT at α = 0.05. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; All isolate combinations were compatible &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;. Biological agent treatments enhanced antioxidant activity compared with the control. &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. CKD061 exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with the lowest IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; value of 41.15 ppm, while the consortium of &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; sp. SWRII B02 and &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. CKD061 was the most effective bacterial combination, with an IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; value of 47.14 ppm. The LC-MS/MS analysis revealed differences in phytochemical compounds among treatments. Fucosylthreonine, hupeheninoside and triacetoxypiperidinone were detected in all treatments. Solasodine glycoside was detected in the control and &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. The CKD061 treatments, whereas tomatidine was detected only in the consortium of &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; sp. SWRII B02 and &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. CKD061. After one week of storage, the metabolite profile changed, as indicated by the presence of N-fructosylvaline, N-succinyl-2-amino-6-oxo-L-pimelic acid, tetrodamine and epivolkenin. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt; sp. CKD061 and its consortium with &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; sp. SWRII B02 have potential as bioinoculants to improve the functional quality of Muna local tomato fruits.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 9","pages":"468-477"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149239121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Fish Oil-Enriched <i>Tubifex</i> sp. on Fatty Acid Composition, Growth and Survival of Thai Mahseer (<i>Tor tambroides</i>, Bleeker, 1854) Larvae.","authors":"Azrita Azrita, Hafrijal Syandri, Rona Taula Sari, Hendra Kusuma","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.351.361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.351.361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; The high cost and limited availability of commercial live feeds have encouraged the use of locally available &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. as an alternative. This study evaluated the effects of enriching &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. with different fish oil sources on the fatty acid profile, growth performance and survival of Thai mahseer (&lt;i&gt;Tor tambroides&lt;/i&gt;) larvae. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. were enriched for 18 hrs with squid oil emulsion (TSO), sardinella fish oil (TLO), or striped catfish oil (TCO), while unenriched &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. served as the control (TNC). Larvae were reared from 7 to 25 days post-hatch and fed &lt;i&gt;ad libitum&lt;/i&gt;. Fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography and growth performance was assessed based on length growth, weight gain, condition factor and survival. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Enrichment significantly increased lipid, polyunsaturated fatty acid and n-3 fatty acid contents in &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. (p<0.05), which were subsequently reflected in larval tissues. Larvae fed TCO-enriched &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. exhibited significantly greater growth and higher condition factors than those in other treatments (p<0.05). Survival remained high (97-99%) and did not differ significantly among treatments (p>0.05). &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Striped catfish oil is a promising, cost-effective local lipid source for enriching &lt;i&gt;Tubifex&lt;/i&gt; sp. to improve the culture performance of Thai mahseer larvae.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 7","pages":"351-361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149113320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial and Anticancer Properties of L-Cyclic Dipeptides from <i>Streptomyces sanyensis</i> ARR153, an Endophyte in <i>Caulerpa lentillifera</i> J. Agardh.","authors":"Thongchai Taechowisan, Thanaporn Chuen-Im, Waya Sengpracha Phutdhawong","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.417.433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.417.433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Marine algal endophytes remain a highly promising yet underexplored frontier for discovering unique bioactive scaffolds. This study aimed to isolate endophytic actinomycetes from the tissues of the green macroalga &lt;i&gt;Caulerpa lentillifera&lt;/i&gt; in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand and evaluate their antibacterial and selective anticancer properties. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Actinomycetes were isolated from surface-sterilized &lt;i&gt;C. lentillifera&lt;/i&gt; tissues using humic acid-vitamins agar. The most antagonistic strain, ARR153, was identified via morphological and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. Following large-scale cultivation on ISP-2 agar, the secondary metabolites were extracted using ethyl acetate and purified via column and thin-layer chromatography. Purified compounds were evaluated using MIC microdilution assays, &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; MTT cytotoxicity tests against human cancer lines (HeLa, HepG2, MDA-MB-231) and normal Vero cells and &lt;i&gt;in silico&lt;/i&gt; molecular docking/ADMET simulations targeting the EGFR kinase domain. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Isolate ARR153 was identified as &lt;i&gt;Streptomyces sanyensis&lt;/i&gt;. Chromatographic purification yielded four L-cyclic dipeptides (diketopiperazines): Cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Val), Cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Thr), Cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Ile) and Cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Leu). These molecules exhibited broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including clinical MRSA (MICs: 16-128 μg/mL). In cytotoxicity assays, the dipeptides induced strong, dose-dependent growth inhibition against MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cells, while showing no toxicity toward normal Vero cells (IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;>400 μg/mL). Notably, Cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Leu) demonstrated a higher selectivity index for breast cancer cells than doxorubicin. &lt;i&gt;In silico&lt;/i&gt; modeling confirmed that the compounds effectively bind the EGFR active site via essential hydrogen bonds at residue Thr830 with favorable predictive pharmacokinetic profiles. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; This study demonstrates that &lt;i&gt;C. lentillifera&lt;/i&gt;-associated &lt;i&gt;S. sanyensis&lt;/i&gt; ARR153 is a valuable source of bioactive L-cyclic dipeptides. These natural products offer potent structural platforms for the design of targeted biopharmaceuticals to counter multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and specific human cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 9","pages":"417-433"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149239130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of Experimental <i>in vitro</i> Models to Elucidate Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Pathology and its Prevention.","authors":"Iskra V Sainova, Vera Kolyovska, Elica Mihaylova, Desislava Drenska, Dimitar Maslarov, Dimitrina Dimitrova-Dikanarova, Radka Hadjiolova, Tzvetanka Markova","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.193.199","DOIUrl":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.193.199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Pathological processes at the cellular level can cause damage and understanding their underlining molecular mechanisms is crucial. The study aims to develop experimental &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; models to investigate these mechanisms and identify potential strategies for preventing pathology. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; The average titers of gangliosides and anti-ganglioside antibodies in samples of non-malignant mouse embryonic cells 3T3 fibroblasts, of mouse malignant myeloma cells and mixed of the two cell types &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;-cultures were assessed as homogenates of each one of the three types. The tested &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;-cultures were applied in the role of experimental &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;-models of patients with multifactor diseases in different phases, as well as of a healthy human organism. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The assessed varieties in the average titers of the gangliosides and anti-ganglioside antibodies could be due to participation of these molecules in different in various intra- and extra-cellular inter-molecular interactions. Production of antibodies/immunoglobulins by non-lymphoid and non-hematopoietic types of cells in appropriate conditions, but also about differentiation of non-immune and non-hematopoietic cell progenitors to myeloid and lymphoid directions in appropriate conditions, were proposed. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Activation of internal protective mechanisms was suggested. Further studies should be performed.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 4","pages":"193-199"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of <i>Combretum vendae</i> A.E. Van Wyk (Combretaceae).","authors":"Alfred Maroyi","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.211.217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.211.217","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;i&gt;Combretum vendae&lt;/i&gt; A.E. Van Wyk, commonly known as \"Venda bushwillow\", is a deciduous shrub or small tree endemic to the Blouberg and Soutpansberg mountain ranges in the Limpopo province in South Africa. A critical review is presented here that focuses on the medicinal uses, phytochemicals and &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; biological activities of &lt;i&gt;C. vendae&lt;/i&gt;. To this end, multidisciplinary scientific publications, which included books, book chapters and scientific journals obtained from the university library and scientific databases such as PubMed&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt;, Web of Science, Scopus&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt;, Google Scholar, SciELO, ScienceDirect&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; and SpringerLink&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; were surveyed for the medicinal uses, phytochemical and &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; biological activities of &lt;i&gt;C. vendae&lt;/i&gt;. The leaf or root decoctions of &lt;i&gt;C. vendae &lt;/i&gt;are taken orally or applied topically as traditional medicine for bacterial and fungal infections, blood purification, leprosy and as an ophthalmic. Phytochemical compounds identified from &lt;i&gt;C. vendae&lt;/i&gt; include flavonoids, polyphenolics, tannins, proanthocyanidin, anthocyanin, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and flavanols. The phytochemical compounds isolated from &lt;i&gt;C. vendae &lt;/i&gt;and its extracts demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet and cytotoxicity activities. Future research on &lt;i&gt;C. vendae &lt;/i&gt;should focus on detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations, as well as &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; and clinical studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 4","pages":"211-217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Isoniazid on Metabolic Dysfunction, Toxicity and Lifespan in Long-Term Monosodium Glutamate-Treated Mice.","authors":"Syed Imam Rabbani, Abdullah Hamoud Almushawwah, Abdullah Ghannam Alghannam","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.200.210","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.200.210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer that has been associated with obesity and metabolic disturbances, as well as potential liver and kidney dysfunction. Considering the importance of these organs in metabolic regulation and detoxification, it is necessary to explore substances such as isoniazid (INH) that may alter or influence these effects. Therefore, this research focused on evaluating how INH affects metabolic parameters, toxicity indicators and the functional status of the liver and kidneys in MSG-exposed animals. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A total of forty-eight male Swiss albino mice were arbitrarily assigned to six experimental groups: A saline-treated control group, a negative control group receiving isoniazid (INH, 100 mg/kg for 10 days), a positive control group administered monosodium glutamate (MSG, 4 mg/kg for 40 days) and three treatment groups receiving MSG (40 days) in combination with INH at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively for last 10 days. Animals from all groups were evaluated for metabolic alterations, clinical indicators of toxicity, survival outcomes and pointers of renal and hepatic dysfunction. Statistical investigation was accomplished employing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) along with Tukey's &lt;i&gt;post hoc&lt;/i&gt; multiple comparison test and statistical implication labeled as p<0.05. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The findings verified that continuous MSG exposure significantly (p<0.01) amplified body weight, food and water intake, blood glucose, grimace scores, renal and hepatic biomarkers and mortality in mice, suggesting noticeable metabolic and systemic toxicity. Co-administration of INH produced a dose-dependent aggravation of MSG-induced adverse effects. Notably, INH at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly intensified (p<0.01) metabolic disturbances (except blood glucose levels) grimace scale scores and markers of kidney and liver dysfunction comparative to the MSG-only group. Furthermore, INH treatment raised mortality rates in MSG-exposed mice. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The results reveal that INH can aggravate the adverse effects associated with chronic MSG exposure and increase the risk of complications. Further research is affirmed to validate these observations and to explain the exact impact of MSG on health outcomes, as well as its potential interactions with frequently used therapeutic agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 4","pages":"200-210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes and Openness toward Psychedelics among Medical and Psychology Students in a Conservative Cultural Setting.","authors":"Mai Albaik, Ayesha Hanin Shaikh, Haneen Kadi, Shyma Haidar, Nadeem Ikram, Samratul Fuadah","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.171.178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.171.178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Psychedelic substances have re-emerged as promising tools in mental health treatment, yet their integration into clinical practice is influenced by public and professional perceptions. In Saudi Arabia, research on knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelic science remains scarce, particularly among future healthcare professionals. This study assesses and compares the knowledge, attitudes and openness toward psychedelic science among medical and psychology students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2024 across six academic institutions. A total of 360 students (50.3% medical, 49.7% psychology) completed a validated bilingual questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes and openness toward psychedelics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, with significance set at p<0.05. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Psychology students reported significantly higher knowledge across all indicators, including curricular exposure (58.7 vs. 38.7%, p<0.001) and self-rated awareness of psychedelic-assisted therapy (47.5 vs. 23.2%, p<0.001). Attitudinal differences were also evident, with psychology students showing greater support for legalization (50.9 vs. 33.1%, p = 0.001) and recognition of potential benefits, including spiritual value (51.3 vs. 29.8%, p<0.001). Openness to learning and clinical application was higher among psychology students (62.0% vs. 48.1%, p = 0.046), though both groups expressed concerns about potential risks. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Psychology students demonstrated greater knowledge, more favorable attitudes and higher openness toward psychedelic science compared to medical students. Integrating evidence-based psychedelic education into curricula may enhance awareness, critical evaluation and responsible clinical adoption in Saudi Arabia.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 4","pages":"171-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Finding Hidden Huanglongbing using an Electronic Nose.","authors":"Anthoni Sulthan Harahap, Siti Subandiyah, Iman Rahman, Nerida Donovan, Kuwat Triyana","doi":"10.3923/pjbs.2026.179.192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2026.179.192","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; The Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases affecting citrus worldwide. A major challenge in its management is its ability to remain asymptomatic for extended periods, delaying timely detection and control. This study aims to develop and evaluate a compact electronic nose (e-nose) system equipped with metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors for the early detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus infection in citrus leaves through Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) analysis under field-like conditions. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A total of 454 Purworejo Siamese citrus leaf samples were collected from two orchards. The infection status of each sample was confirmed using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) prior to headspace VOC extraction. The cross-sensitive MOS sensor array converted VOC interactions into electrical signals, which were subsequently preprocessed, feature-extracted and analyzed using machine learning pipelines. Model selection and optimization were performed on baseline-shifted data. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; A stratified 5-fold cross-validation using the Extra Trees algorithm successfully discriminated between PCR-confirmed Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus-infected leaves and healthy controls, achieving an accuracy of 84.57% (95% confidence interval: 80.98%-88.15%). These results were obtained under field-like conditions and were further validated using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS), which revealed distinct VOC profiles for each group. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; This study demonstrates the potential of the electronic nose (e-nose) as a rapid, in-field screening tool capable of prioritizing samples for laboratory confirmation, thereby supporting effective HLB management.</p>","PeriodicalId":19800,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"29 4","pages":"179-192"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148278329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}