Ahmad Ali | University of Mumbai (original) (raw)

Papers by Ahmad Ali

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and reproductive disorders... more Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and reproductive disorders observed in women. Its pathophysiology indicates its involvement in plenitude of diseases and/ or disorders. Although the absolute cause of PCOS has not been established, its prevalence in diabetic patients is noteworthy. Glycation and insulin resistance being key factors in diabetes, the present review tries to study their correlation with PCOS. Amongst the available drugs, four commonly prescribed drugs namely, metformin, inositol, thiazolidinediones, and spironolactone have been discussed. The current review also provides insights about usage of M. oleifera and S. platensis as a potential therapeutic agent for symptomatic relief of PCOS.

Annals of Phytomedicine: An International Journal, 2021

The pandemic situation due to COVID-19 has crippled the lives of the whole world population and h... more The pandemic situation due to COVID-19 has crippled the lives of the whole world population and has affected almost every individual in one way or the other. Researchers have been intrigued due to the increasing number of strains and symptoms. Several approaches have been used to control the spread of this highly infectious disease: early detection of the infected individual, development of a suitable drug and containment of the spread of this virus. Although, several vaccines have been developed, they have shown to have their own limitations and side-effects. One of the measures which has been adopted by the global health agencies is to educate people (infected or uninfected) regarding the maintenance of strong immune system to prevent the infection and lessen the health complications. There are several important factors which determine the immunity of an individual. Eating balanced diet and maintaining the proper supplication of nutritional components are being suggested by health experts to keep the immunity strong. Minerals and vitamins must be maintained in the diet for proper health and immunity. Vitamins have various roles in human physiology. In this review, the relevance of vitamins in the maintenance of immunity has been discussed and reviewed in prevention of adverse health effects of COVID-19.

Botanica Serbica

The present study was designed to evaluate the biological potentials and phenolic composition of ... more The present study was designed to evaluate the biological potentials and phenolic composition of different parts of Glaucosciadium cordifolium, which is less investigated and known as a wild endemic species to Turkey. The antioxidant activity of the plant was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-Ethylbenzthiazolin-6-Sulfonic Acid) (ABTS), iron chelating capacity, and a ?-carotene / linoleic acid emulsion assay. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the plant were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The study of the enzyme inhibition activity of the plant was carried out for acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, ?-glucosidase, ?-amylase, and tyrosinase. The antiglycation activity of the aqueous extract of the plant was evaluated using established methods such as browning, a Nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) assay, the 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) method, a Congo red assay, and fluorescent...

Several approaches such as molecular genetics, functional genomics, recombinant DNA technology et... more Several approaches such as molecular genetics, functional genomics, recombinant DNA technology etc. have been used to elucidate the regulation of nitrate assimilation in plants and microbes. In the present study a combination of enzyme inducers and inhibitors were used to examine the modulation of nitrate reductase in the shoots of 12-days hydroponically (nutrient starved for 10-12 days) grown rice seedlings. First the effect of nitrate and light was checked on the activity of nitrate reductase (NR). Nitrate caused an increase in the NR activity by several fold in both light and dark Light augmented the effect of nitrate. However there was no change in the level of NR mRNA after withdrawal of light signals. Tungstate, an analog of molybdate, caused a severe decrease in the activity of nitrate-induced nitrate reductase even at a very low concentration (0.1mM). These results indicate that the nitrate reductase is regulated in a co-ordinated manner by light and nitrate in rice.

Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology, 2008

Spirulina platensis, a cyanobacterium whose N-metabolic pathway is similar to that of higher plan... more Spirulina platensis, a cyanobacterium whose N-metabolic pathway is similar to that of higher plants like rice (Oryza sativa), produces tenfold more protein, indicating a higher capacity for nitrate utilization/removal. Our in vitro analyses in crude extracts revealed that this can be attributed, at least in part, to the higher specific activities (3-6 fold) and half lives (1.2-4.4 fold) of the N-assimilating enzymes, nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in Spirulina.

Plant Science, 2007

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of activators and inhibitors of signali... more The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of activators and inhibitors of signaling pathways on nitrate-induced NR activity and transcript levels in rice leaves. Rice plants (Oryza sativa indica var. Panvel I) were grown hydroponically (without nutrients) on germination paper under continuous white light for 10-12 days. Leaves, adapted for darkness for 2 days, were treated with signaling agents both in light and dark. The results presented in this work show that okadaic acid (protein phosphatases 1 and 2A inhibitor) and lithium (inhibitor of IP 3 pathway) specifically inhibit activity and mRNA levels of NR under light conditions with no effect on NiR activity. Both NR and NiR activities are inhibited and stimulated in the dark by PMA and Bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) (PKC activator and inhibitor), respectively. Cholera toxin specifically enhances NR activity and steady state levels of mRNA in the dark showing the involvement of G-proteins. Calcium has a stimulatory effect on both the enzymes, with an increase in NR mRNA levels albeit to a lesser extent. These results suggest that the activities of nitrate-assimilating enzymes in rice are regulated independently by G-protein and IP 3 mediated pathways and co-regulated by PKC and calcium.

Obesity is one of the common metabolic diseases which is tremendously on the rise. According to t... more Obesity is one of the common metabolic diseases which is tremendously on the rise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of patients has increased three times since 1975. A person with Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or higher than 30.0 is considered obese. Previously considered only as a cosmetic concern, obesity has now been shown to be an aggravating element for various diseases and disorders including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The most common drugs subscribed by physicians include orlistat, rimonabant, liraglutide and sibutramine which have been proven to be effective to reduce body fat in patients. However, in the long run, patients have complained about symptoms which are mild like nausea, insomnia and dizziness to severe complications such as increase in risk of heart attack or stroke. The following review provides insights about synthetic drugs, their classification and their side-effects on human health. Furthermore, a gist of natural...

Glycation, the non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to protein, is one of the important events in ... more Glycation, the non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to protein, is one of the important events in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases. Methylglyoxal (MG), a dicarbonyl compound formed during glycation, monosaccharide autoxidation, and metabolism is elevated during diabetes mellitus. Among other antioxidant enzymes, catalase is important for the defense against oxidative damage. However, antioxidant enzymes including catalase can themselves become targets of non-enzymatic modification by methylglyoxal. In this study, catalase was incubated with increasing concentrations of MG for different time intervals. Structural and functional alterations to catalase were monitored by a variety of approaches, namely, assay of enzyme activity, staining of gels for activity as well as heme, measurement of protein carbonyls and Arg pyrimidine, which is a specific MG modification product. A progressive increase in electrophoretic mobility and detachmen...

ournal of Advances in Science & Technology. 01/2010; 13(3-0971-9563):101-104.

Nitrate assimilation is an important process for the growth and development of plants. It is regu... more Nitrate assimilation is an important process for the growth and development of plants. It is regulated at both transcritptional and posttranscriptional level by various factors including nitrogen metabolites. In the present study the effect of nitrogen metabolites on the regulation of nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) in the shoots of 11-days hydroponically grown rice seedlings were studied. Both ammonium and glutamine caused a decrease in the activity of nitrateinduced NR while these metabolites had only a partial inhibitory or no effect on NiR. These metabolites had no effect on the enzyme activities in the absence of nitrate and on the nitrate uptake. Methionine sulfoximine, (MSX) an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase, was used to check whether the observed inhibitory effect on NR and NiR is due to ammonium itself or some other downstream metabolites. The results obtained show that while MSX had a partial inhibitory effect on NR. However it had no effect on NiR ac...

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that progressively affects the brain cells. It... more Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that progressively affects the brain cells. It is sometimes accompanied with dementia and commonly seen in elderly people. It ultimately leads to impaired cognitive functions and loss of memory. Widely used drugs such as donepezil and galantamine successfully abate mild to moderate symptoms of the disease though they have profound side effects. Natural products have been a source of medicine for over thousands of years. Plant secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc. are major sources of such medicines. In recent times, the use of natural products to treat various diseases has gained a lot of popularity. Extensive research is being undertaken to identify and isolate various natural products that can be used to not only reduce the disease symptoms but also as a permanent cure. The review article aims to summarize the effects of various natural products and their neuroprotective mechanisms that can be helpf...

Journal of Phytonanotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021

Nanotechnology has been used since the ancient period in some or another way, either in the form ... more Nanotechnology has been used since the ancient period in some or another way, either in the form of storing food or for medicinal purposes. Nanotechnology has allowed scientists to study an object in detail at its microscopic level which ultimately means discoveries and innovations leading towards development in various fields like pharmacy, medicine, electronics, engineering, etc. Nanotechnology can produce the material at the nanoscale called nanoparticles. When nanotechnology and the biological components are brought together, they can have a great impact on serving the medication and other environmental problems at a better level. Nigella sativa L. commonly known as black cumin, has been extensively used as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. It possesses several bioactive compounds like thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-cymene, carvacrol, t-anethole, 4-terpineol, apinene, sesquiterpene longifolene, and thymol. Among which, thymoquinone plays a significant role in treating a wide range of diseases. Various nanoparticles like silver, gold, platinum, zinc oxide, copper, and gold are synthesized from the seeds, oil extracts, and the bioactive constituents of N. sativa and play an ameliorative effect enhancing the medicinal potential of this valuable plant. Comprehensive studies on N. sativa suggested various pharmacological activities like a diuretic, digestive, antihypertensive liver tonic, antidiarrheal, antibacterial, appetite stimulant, analgesic, and useful in skin disorders. Subsequently, N. sativa has also been largely studied for its biological activities such as antidiabetic, antiglycation, antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bronchodilator, renal protective, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. This review focuses on the medicinal effects of N. sativa and its collaboration to synthesize various nanoparticles and their applications in various processes.

The significance of biomaterials is well appreciated in nanotechnology, and its use has resulted ... more The significance of biomaterials is well appreciated in nanotechnology, and its use has resulted in major advances in biomedical sciences. Although, currently, very little data is available on the clinical trial studies for treatment of neurological conditions, numerous promising advancements have been reported in drug delivery and regenerative therapies which can be applied in clinical practice. Among the commonly reported biomaterials in literature, the self-assembling peptides and hydrogels have been recognized as the most potential candidate for treatment of common neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, stroke and tumors. The hydrogels, specifically, offer advantages like flexibility and porosity, and mimics the properties of the extracellular matrix of the central nervous system. These factors make them an ideal scaffold for drug delivery through the blood-brain barrier and tissue regeneration (using stem cells). Thus, the use of biomaterials as suitable matrix for therapeutic purposes has emerged as a promising area of neurosciences. In this review, we describe the application of biomaterials, and the current advances, in treatment of statistically common neurological disorders.

The ancient world practically depended on herbal sources of medicines to treat common as well as ... more The ancient world practically depended on herbal sources of medicines to treat common as well as chronic diseases. Till now, over 80% population in the developing and under developed countries depend on plant materials for the same. Many claims have been justified about the efficacy of modern medicines; it is interesting to know that most of them are derived from plants. The common herbs and spices are exploited by the existing herbal branches of medicines to prepare potential drugs. Occasionally, it also uses rare species of medicinal plants, native to specific climate or region. The screening of new and rare plant species is required to improve the scope of pharmacological alternatives. However, the common herbs and spices provide a more practical, productive as well as a feasible source of medicine. Hence, the current review describes the medicinal benefits of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) seeds, and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) roots. They are not only commonly available but are loaded with essential nutrients that promote overall health and boosts immunity.

Sugar is an inevitable part of our diet. Since ages, sweeteners have been used to enhance the fla... more Sugar is an inevitable part of our diet. Since ages, sweeteners have been used to enhance the flavour and appearance of food products. Sweeteners may be natural or synthetically produced. Those that are synthetic, as a whole, are referred to as artificial sweeteners. This review aims at highlighting the characteristics and health implications of artificial sweeteners. In this review, the physical and chemical characteristics of artificial sweeteners are highlighted. Also, the impact of artificial sweeteners on human health is discussed in detail. The data has been collected using standard search engines like PubMed, Google scholar and websites of publishing houses like Elsevier and springer. Results and Discussion: Today, due to high calorie content, natural sweeteners are getting replaced by artificial ones. The US Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) has approved utilization of five artificial sweeteners namely, saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, neotame and cyclamate. However, artificial sweeteners should be consumed carefully and in limited quantities. This is because the consumption of artificial sweeteners is controversial owing to their effects on health ranging from mild headache to dreadful cancer risks. Conclusion: Hence, long term study of these sweeteners for further safety evaluation on health risks is essential.

water quality and negatively affects the proper use of water. One of the major social and economi... more water quality and negatively affects the proper use of water. One of the major social and economic concerns is the scarcity of potable water. Thus, it has become a need of the hour to secure this natural resource.

Oxygen-free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are known... more Oxygen-free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are known by their "double-sided" nature in biological systems. The beneficial effects of ROS involve physiological roles as weapons in the arsenal of the immune system (destroying bacteria within phagocytic cells) and role in programmed cell death (apoptosis). On the other hand, the redox imbalance in favor of the prooxidants results in an overproduction of the ROS/RNS leading to oxidative stress. This imbalance can, therefore, be related to oncogenic stimulation. High levels of ROS disrupt cellular processes by nonspecifically attacking proteins, lipids, and DNA. It appears that DNA damage is the key player in cancer initiation and the formation of 8-OH-G, a potential biomarker for carcinogenesis. The harmful effect of ROS is neutralized by an antioxidant protection treatment as they convert ROS into less reactive species. However, contradictory epidemiological results show that supplementation above physiological doses recommended for antioxidants and taken over a long period can lead to harmful effects and even increase the risk of cancer. Thus, we are describing here some of the latest updates on the involvement of oxidative stress in cancer pathology and a double view on the role of the antioxidants in this context and how this could be relevant in the management and pathology of cancer.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that progressively affects the brain cells. It is ... more Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that progressively affects the brain cells. It is sometimes accompanied with dementia and commonly seen in elderly people. It ultimately leads to impaired cognitive functions and loss of memory. Widely used drugs such as donepezil and galantamine successfully abate mild to moderate symptoms of the disease though they have profound side effects. Natural products have been a source of medicine for over thousands of years. Plant secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc. are major sources of such medicines. In recent times, the use of natural products to treat various diseases has gained a lot of popularity. Extensive research is being undertaken to identify and isolate various natural products that can be used to not only reduce the disease symptoms but also as a permanent cure. The review article aims to summarize the effects of various natural products and their neuroprotective mechanisms that can be helpful to cure Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2021

Background: Glycation is the multi-step process wherein the carbonyl group of glucose reacts with... more Background: Glycation is the multi-step process wherein the carbonyl group of glucose reacts with the amino group of other nitrogen-containing compounds like proteins and DNA. This interaction leads to the generation of harmful metabolites commonly known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs have been implicated in various diseases such as cataracts, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to check the effect of Nigella sativa seed extracts on glycation and aggregation and for this purpose, two proteins (bovine serum albumin [BSA] and hemoglobin) and two sugars (glucose, and ribose) were selected. Materials and Methods: The amount of glycation mediated products was measured by established methods such as browning, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay, carbonyl content, and aggregation assays in the presence or absence of extracts (1 mg/ml). The effect of extracts was also checked on glycated DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Analysis of results indicates that extracts (1 mg/ml) significantly prevented the generation of early products up to 30.57% (BSA-Rib) and 64.90% (Hb-Glu). The AGEs formation was also suppressed in different glycation systems up to 60.76% (BSA-Glu), 30.79% (BSA-Rib) and 10.74% (Hb-Glu) in the presence of extracts. There was also a decrease in the level of glycation-mediated protein aggregation. Seed extracts were able to prevent the glycoxidative damage of DNA. Conclusion: It can be concluded that black cumin seeds have antiglycating and antiaggregation potential as well as antioxidant properties. Further characterization will help in the identification of active compounds which can be used for the prevention of secondary complications of diabetes and aggregation.