S. M. Naim Uddin

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the pharmacological and computational potential of the methanolic extract of Combretum indicum . Mineral profiling by ICP–AES confirmed the presence of essential elements, including K (5.92 ppm), Mg (4.94 ppm), Fe (1.92 ppm), and Zn (1.13 ppm), with no detectable toxic heavy metals. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with 95.48% inhibition of H ₂ O ₂ and an IC ₅₀ of 0.82 µg/mL. Significant thrombolytic activity was observed, achieving 82.71% clot lysis, exceeding streptokinase. Anti-inflammatory activity showed 95.27% inhibition in vitro and 65% edema reduction in vivo. Anti-arthritic activity reached 85.6% inhibition in vitro and 87.50% in vivo, surpassing indomethacin. Analgesic activity demonstrated up to 70.15% inhibition of writhing. Cytotoxicity (LC ₅₀ = 30.19 µg/mL) and strong anthelmintic effects further supported bioactivity. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities (up to −10.6 kcal/mol), while ADME and drug-likeness analyses indicated favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. DFT analysis confirmed chemical stability and reactivity. Overall, C. indicum demonstrated promising multi-target therapeutic potential, warranting further investigation for drug development.

Among cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction (MI) has become one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the prevalence is anticipated to rise considerably in the coming years. Within non-surgical procedures, chemical drugs, including diuretics, vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, ꞵ blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, are now a well-established option to treat MI progression. However, these drugs are not developed to mitigate oxidative stress directly, which has been recently proven to contribute to MI advancement. Naturally occurring antioxidant compounds possess promising cardioprotective properties and have the potential to be used both as lead compounds for finding novel drugs and complementary therapy to manage MI. While some of them, namely quercetin, puerarin, α-lipoic acid, and curcumin, have already made their way up to clinical trials, numerous compounds have not been sufficiently investigated clinically. To develop and formulate natural antioxidant compounds as drugs against MI, it is crucial to comprehend their underlying mechanisms of cardio-protective activities and structure–activity relationships (SARs). This comprehensive review sheds light on the contribution of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and progression of Myocardial Infarction, and highlights the cardio-protective roles of 51 natural antioxidant compounds along with their mechanistic insights and SAR.

A study of the phytochemical composition, as well as in vitro and in vivo neuropharmacological activities of methanol extract of C. indicum ( MECI ) was carried out along with an in silico prediction. GC–MS/MS and FTIR results showed that the PEs contained various bioactive components like flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, heterocyclic substances. In mice, MECI (200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant dose‐dependent anxiolytic effects as indicated by the elevated plus maze test (increased duration and entries in open arms; 166.6 ± 14.71 s, *** p < 0.001), hole‐board test (enhanced head‐dipping frequency; 53.4 ± 4.71; *** p < 0.001), light/dark box test (greatest latency time without suppression of locomotion). Antidepressant‐like effect was evidenced by decreased immobility in forced swim (48.5%–55.1% reduction) and tail suspension test (83.0 ± 2.60 to 72.4 ± 2.33 s), being at the level of efficacy of fluoxetine (67.4 ± 2.87 s). The extract did not have a sedative effect as measured by the open matter and hole‐cross tests. ADME profiling suggested well oral absorption and BBB permeability and PASS prediction indicated possible neuropharmacological activity. Molecular docking revealed that the major constituents (methyl 10,13‐dimethyltetradecanoate; −8.5 kcal/mol) and tetrazolo[1,5‐b]pyridazine (−8.1 kcal/mol) showed strong binding scores with CNS targets as compared to reference drugs. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that Tetrazolo[1,5‐b]pyridazine forms a structurally stable complex with the 2Z5X protein, supporting its potential anxiolytic activity through favorable conformational stabilization. Toxicity predictions suggested low hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. These results in turn offer mechanistic explanation for ethnomedicinal use of C. indicum to manage anxiety and depression and thus endorse it as a multi‐target natural therapeutic agent against the two mood disorders.

Myocardial infarction (MI) has become one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the prevalence is anticipated to rise considerably in the coming years. Among non-surgical procedures, chemical drugs, including diuretics, vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, ꞵ blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, are now in use to treat MI progression. These drugs often cause side effects and do not focus on mitigating oxidative stress, which has been recently proven to contribute to MI advancement. Naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, on the other hand, are safe, effective due to their multiple molecular targets, and have the potential to be used as lead compounds for finding novel drugs to therapeutically manage MI. Some of them, namely quercetin, puerarin, α-lipoic acid, and curcumin, have already made their way up to clinical trials. To develop and formulate natural antioxidant compounds as drugs against MI, it is crucial to comprehend their underlying mechanisms of cardio-protective activities and structure-activity relationships. This comprehensive review sheds light on the contribution of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and progression of Myocardial Infarction, and highlights the cardio-protective roles of 51 natural antioxidant compounds along with their mechanistic insights and structure-activity relationships.

Streblus asper (Moraceae) is traditionally used for neurological and febrile disorders, but its pharmacological basis remains unclear. This study evaluated the S. asper leaf methanolic extract (SAL‐ME) for anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, and antipyretic activities using Swiss albino mice and in silico docking analyses. Behavioral assays included the elevated plus maze, hole‐board, forced swim, tail suspension, hole cross, and open field tests, while brewer’s yeast‐induced pyrexia was used to assess antipyretic activity. SAL‐ME (200 and 400 mg/kg) produced dose‐dependent effects, significantly reducing immobility time ( p < 0.001), increasing open‐arm exploration ( p < 0.01), and suppressing locomotor activity, indicating antidepressant, anxiolytic, and sedative actions. A significant antipyretic effect was observed at 400 mg/kg, with a marked reduction in rectal temperature within 3 h posttreatment ( p < 0.01). Molecular docking analysis revealed notable binding affinities of octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, D‐pinitol, α‐D‐glucopyranoside, myo‐inositol, and butanedioic acid with target proteins associated with GABAergic, serotonergic, and prostaglandin‐mediated pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that SAL‐ME exerts dose‐dependent, multitarget pharmacological effects, supporting its potential as a phytotherapeutic candidate for CNS disorders and fever.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used for analgesia and fever control but has well‐documented toxicity risks in some settings. We performed an in silico screen to identify benzamide‐scaffold compounds with potential paracetamol‐like analgesic/antipyretic activity and improved safety indicators.A library of 116 benzamide derivatives was compiled from public databases and the literature. Molecular docking was performed using human COX‐1 (used as a structural surrogate for COX‐3) to prioritize compounds by predicted binding. Top hits were further evaluated by ADME and toxicity prediction tools (pkCSM, ProTox‐3). All computational methods, selection criteria, and interpretive thresholds are documented in Methods and Supporting Information. Several benzamide derivatives showed favorable docking poses in the COX active site and a subset displayed predicted ADME/Tox profiles that compare favorably to paracetamol. Predictions are presented as quantitative probabilities (e.g., ProTox‐3 endpoint probabilities, pkCSM descriptors) rather than binary assertions.The computational results identify promising benzamide scaffolds for follow‐up experimental validation. We emphasize that the findings are hypothesis‐generating: wet‐lab enzymatic, cellular and in vivo assays will be required to confirm analgesic/antipyretic activity and safety.

Background and Aims: Fibromyalgia is an emerging health concern in Bangladesh, with symptoms that tend to worsen over time. This study sought to measure serum lipid peroxidation, nonenzymatic antioxidant, C‐reactive protein (CRP), macro‐minerals, and trace elements in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients to explore their association with disease progression. Methods: The investigation involved 50 fibromyalgia patients (cases) and 50 healthy individuals (controls) in Bangladesh. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to assess lipid peroxidation utilizing spectrophotometry. UV spectrophotometric technique was employed for the determination of vitamin C, while serum levels of macro‐minerals (Mg and Ca) and trace elements (Zn and Cu) were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy. CRP level was ascertained by using CRP‐Latex agglutination assay. Results: Our study identified markedly increased levels of MDA (4.26 ± 0.04 nmol/mL, p < 0.001), CRP (17.13 ± 8.95 mg/L, p < 0.001), and notably reduced vitamin C levels (17.6 ± 1.84 µmol/L, p < 0.001) in the FMS group compared with healthy controls (HC). Mean serum values of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu were 7725.2 ± 202.43 µg/dL, 1173.6 ± 6.00 µg/dL, 69.62 ± 0.69 µg/dL, and 144.66 ± 0.80 µg/dL for the patient group and 8718 ± 169.95 µg/dL, 1619.4 ± 10.32 µg/dL, 91.4 ± 0.86 µg/dL, and 115.28 ± 0.96 µg/dL for the control group, respectively. A significant difference was observed for all macro‐minerals and trace elements between the FMS and the HC groups. Moreover, Pearson's correlation study revealed a significant positive and negative correlation between Mg and Cu in the FMS group ( r = 0.328, p = 0.02) and in the HC group ( r = −0.305, p = 0.032), respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that elevated serum MDA, depleted serum concentrations of vitamin C, and altered trace elements and macro‐mineral concentrations characterize the FMS patients in Bangladesh.

Background and Aims: Pre‐eclampsia is a particular type of pregnancy condition. Although the primary etiology of pre‐eclampsia is unclear, it hypothesizes that the alteration of trace elements and macro‐minerals may play a crucial function in the pathogenesis of Pre‐eclampsia. Therefore, our research sought to ascertain the serum level of trace elements (zinc, iron) and macro‐minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium) and their possible association with pre‐eclampsia.Methods: The present study was conducted with 74 pre‐eclampsia pregnant women (case) and 118 pregnant women having normal blood pressure (controls). Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy determined the serum level of trace components and electrolytes.Results: The researchers discovered notable differences in maternal age, gestational period, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, and creatinine level. Results of serum analysis revealed that calcium (52.06 ± 3.71 mg/L vs. 65.93 ± 2.57 mg/L, p < 0.05) and potassium (63.44 ± 5.33 mg/L vs. 102.54 ± 4.25 mg/L, p < 0.001) concentrations were substantially lower in the patient group than in control. Serum zinc (0.34 ± 0.02 mg/L vs. 0.52 ± 0.02 mg/L, p < 0.001) and iron (0.38 ± 0.03 mg/L vs. 0.46 ± 0.02 mg/L, p < 0.05) concentration were also considerably decreased in pre‐eclampsia participants compared with a pregnant normotensive group. Pearson's correlation research results in the patient group revealed a connection between trace elements or macro minerals. In addition, the systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with sodium (r = 0.392, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with potassium (r = −0.257, p < 0.05) in the control group.Conclusions: This study concludes that calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc levels were lower, whereas sodium levels were higher in Bangladeshi pre‐eclampsia patients compared to controls. These findings with Pearson's correlation and the inter‐element relationship between the patient and a control subject results can act as critical indication factors for patients with pre‐eclampsia in Bangladesh and, as a result, may require a higher intake of calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc for effective therapeutic intervention and reduce the intake of sodium.

Background: COVID-19, a respiratory tract infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a burning question worldwide as it gives rise to a pandemic situation. No specific medications are still recommended for COVID-19; however, healthcare support is crucial for ameliorating the disease condition. Pharmacists are the frontline fighters who are responsible for providing healthcare support to the COVID-19 infected patients around the world. This review endeavored to briefly rationalize the contributions of several pharmacy professionals in diverse fields along with their collaborative efforts and dedication regarding their limitations during the COVID-19 situation and view the prospects of pharmaceutical care services in the post-pandemic period. Main body of the Online databases were utilized to search for scholarly articles and organizational websites, to sum up the information about the contemporary and expanded role of pharmacists. Key articles were retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases using terms: “COVID-19,” “novel coronavirus,” “community,” “industrial,” “hospital,” “clinical,” “recognition,” “obstacles,” “collaboration,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “healthcare,” and “outbreak” in combination with “pharmacist.” The articles were included from the inception of the pandemic to January 25, 2021. The current review found pharmacist’s global contributions and involvements with other professionals to provide healthcare services amidst COVID-19. This included testing of suspects, providing medical information, psycho-social support, debunking myths, mitigating drug shortage events, telemedicine, e-prescription, infection control, and controlling the drug supply chain. In many countries, pharmacists’ activities were much appreciated but in some countries, they were not properly acknowledged for their contributions amidst COVID-19 outbreak. They played additional roles such as participating in the antimicrobial stewardship team, improving value-added services, conducting clinical data analysis to suppress the outspread of the SARS-CoV-2. Short conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic while the whole world is fighting against an invisible virus, the pharmacists are the earnest hero to serve their responsibilities along with additional activities. They need to be prepared and collaborate with other healthcare professionals further to meet the challenges of post-pandemic circumstances.