Riphah Journal of Allied Health Sciences

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles: advances in green methods and biomedical potential

Osama Saleem — 2026-01-29

Current study examines the environmentally sustainable production of silver nanoparticles utilizing renewable resources, including plant extracts. Green synthesis methods are a better option than traditional chemical processes because they utilize fewer harmful chemicals and are less environmentally hazardous. Different methods for characterization include UV-Vis double beam spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To assess the dimensions, shape and stability of the synthesized AgNPs. The study mainly emphasizes the different applications of silver nanoparticles, particularly their remarkable antibacterial efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogenic microbes. Using eco-friendly methods to make AgNPs with herbal extract is a more modern and safer way than traditional chemical synthesis. Eco-friendly methods make nanoparticles more durable and enhance their functional properties. Silver nanoparticles exhibit antibacterial properties that are highly beneficial in healthcare and industry, including illness treatment and environmental sanitation. It refers to their scalability and compatibility with biological systems. Further study is required to enhance the eco-friendly synthesis procedure, ensure manufacturing efficacy, and ensure the safety of nanoparticles for practical applications. This review demonstrates that eco-friendly nanotechnology can provide sustainable activities. Further research to find solutions to the challenges that come with scalability, biocompatibility, and sustainability. In this manner, these technologies can be employed safely and ethically in many domains.

Computational Mapping of Pathogenic Variants in the Fas/Fas Ligand Apoptotic Pathway

Amna Ayub — 2026-01-29

Background: The Fas receptor (FAS) and its ligand (FASLG) are key regulators of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, play essential role in immune homeostasis. Their genetic alterations disrupt apoptotic signaling and contribute to autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Objective: This study was designed to perform a comprehensive in-silico analysis to identify pathogenic missense variants in FAS and FASLG and to evaluate their structure-functional consequences.
Methodology: 12 different pathogenicity prediction tools were used to screen 392 missense variants of FAS and structural modeling was performed. Interaction analyses was performed with GeneMANIA and COACH.
Results: We identified G112S (rs2133504146) as the deleterious variant. Consensus filtering initially highlighted 82 risk-associated variants, including C85Y (rs2133502994), C119Y (rs2133513826), and C127G (rs1848386782). Structural modeling confirmed conformational alterations and disulfide bond loss in these variants. Similarly, 258 missense variants in FASLG were analyzed and were narrowed down to 44 high-confidence pathogenic variants. Among these, N184K (rs771262843), N250D (rs1659251672), and N260K (rs761374744) were predicted to abrogate N-glycosylation sites within the TNF homology domain, potentially impairing ligand function. Pathogenic FAS variants were predominantly localized to the extracellular ligand-binding domain, whereas those in FASLG clustered within the TNF homology region.

Conclusion: Collectively, this work delineates key pathogenic variants within the FAS/FASLG axis, provides mechanistic insights into how disrupted apoptosis contributes to immune dysregulation, and sets a foundation for their future experimental validation.

Effect of Herbal Powder (Flaxseed, Garlic and Cinnamon) On Hypercholesterolemia

Hassan Aziz — 2026-01-29

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a condition whereby there is raised levels of plasma lipids such as triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL while the level of HDL is reduced

Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of herbal powder; flaxseed, garlic, and cinnamon powder on elevated cholesterol levels.

Methodology: The raw materials were examined to determine their composition and bioactive components as nutraceutical powder. For the effectiveness study, six rats were assigned to different groups including control groups, G0 (on a normal diet), positive control, G1 (also on a normal diet), and G2, G3, and G4 (which were fed the mixture with specified concentrations). The G0 group consisted of healthy rats, while the other groups had hypercholesterolemia induced by P-407.

Results: Following statistical analysis of the data collected, it was found that flaxseed contained a significant amount of fat (42.13%) and fiber (6.1%), garlic contained allicin (4.2mg/g), and cinnamon contained cinnamaldehyde (41.2mg/g). The efficacy study revealed that the rats in group G4 (on a diet of 3 g flaxseed, 4.5 g garlic, and 4.5 g cinnamon) exhibited reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, ALP, ALT, and AST levels (191.09±0.80; 129.29±0.60; 43.90±0.30, 28.94±1.10, 112.00±1.95; 32.05±0.19; 83.27±0.73, respectively) while showing an increase in HDL (45.61±0.49) compared to the control group. This group experienced a 48% reduction in cholesterol levels after 28 days, followed by group G3 with a 41% decrease, and G2 with a 33% reduction.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that a higher content of garlic and cinnamon was most effective in enhancing lipid profiles and liver function. Adding flaxseed, garlic, and cinnamon to daily diets may act as an economical, natural complementary therapy for controlling high cholesterol levels.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Ficus carica Whole Fruit Extracts from Kalar Kahar, Pakistan

Sumaira Mehboob — 2026-01-29

Background: Ficus carica, or fig, is the most widely consumed edible fruit. The plant is having rich history of use in traditional medicine due to its innumerable health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic properties. Fig having high amount of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins), prenylated isoflavone derivatives that exhibit strong medicinal properties.

Objectives: This study focused on the Black Mission fig variety, which is well grown in Pakistan. The research aimed to explore its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from different organic solvent extracts of ripened fig fruit.

Methodology: Fresh figs were sourced from a farms Kalar kahar, and four organic solvents (hexane, ethanol, butanol, ethyl acetate and distilled water extracts were prepared from oven-dried crushed fruit. The extracts were assessed for total phenolic content using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH free radical scavenging assay against Ascorbic acid as reference, while inflammatory controlling potential was evaluated through inhibition of egg proteins’ denaturation against diclofenac sodium (standard drug).

Results: Phenolic compounds analysis of all extracts revealed that ethyl acetate extract possessed high phenolic compounds content (368.7 GAE/gm) suggested the presence of abundant amount of these compounds. Among all selected extracts, ethyl acetate extract (25 μg/mL) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (77.36%) in comparison to ascorbic acid (84.12%) by DPPH assay. Ethyl acetate (10 μg/mL) inhibited the inflammatory response (77.5%) in comparison to diclofenac sodium (89.9%) using protein denaturation assay. Strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response of local variety of fig fruit was observed in ethyl acetate extract due to potential phenolic molecules and supporting its therapeutic potential.

Conclusion: All of these findings point to the need for further investigation of the extracted compounds from ethyl acetate extract using advanced biological techniques and wet lab experiments to comprehend the biological functions of these molecules in medicinal field.

Medicinal Plant Power Against Superbugs: In-Silico Screening of Phytochemicals Targeting β-Lactamase-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance

Sundas Shehnaz — 2026-01-29

Background: Antibiotic resistance represents a major global public health threat, with multidrug-resistant bacterial strains increasingly described as “silent killers.” The rapid emergence of resistance has significantly reduced the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, creating an urgent need for alternative or adjunct therapeutic strategies. Herbal medicines have been used for centuries, and according to the World Health Organization, approximately 70–80% of the global population relies on plant-based remedies for primary healthcare. Phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants possess diverse bioactive properties and have demonstrated promising antibacterial potential against resistant pathogens.

Methodology: In this study, an in silico screening approach was employed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of phytochemicals derived from Allium cepa, Acacia nilotica, and Azadirachta indica. Molecular docking was performed against three clinically relevant β-lactamase enzymes: AmpC (PDB ID: 1FSW) from Escherichia coli, OXA-48 (PDB ID: 7AUX) from Klebsiella pneumoniae, and VIM-2 (PDB ID: 5NI0) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These enzymes were selected due to their central role in conferring resistance to broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and cephalosporin were used as reference drugs for comparative binding analysis. Drug-likeness, physicochemical properties, and pharmacokinetic profiles of the top-ranked phytochemicals were further evaluated using Swiss ADME, and a heat map was generated to visualize their overall performance.

Results: Kaempferol and quercetin from Allium cepa exhibited strong binding affinities against the targeted β-lactamases. Phytochemicals such as apigenin, gallocatechin, and cyanidanol from Acacia nilotica, and caryophyllin from Azadirachta indica, demonstrated higher or comparable binding energies relative to standard antibiotics. Additionally, azadirachtol and acetylnimbandiol showed activity against multiple β-lactamases, indicating broad-spectrum potential.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that selected phytochemicals, including kaempferol, quercetin, cyanidanol, and caryophyllin, hold promise as lead compounds for the development of novel antibacterial agents or antibiotic adjuvants. These compounds may enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics and help combat resistant bacterial infections. Although the in silico results are encouraging, further in vitro and in vivo studies are essential to validate their therapeutic potential.

Nutritional Status and Perceived Stress among Hospitalized Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rabia Naveed — 2025-12-28

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are frequently associated with poor nutritional status and psychological stress, particularly among hospitalized patients. These factors can adversely affect disease management, recovery, and overall clinical outcomes.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and stress levels among non-communicable disease inpatients and examine the relationship between them.
This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and perceived stress levels among hospitalized patients with non-communicable diseases in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and to examine the association between these factors.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 20th February and 18th May 2023 in tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Data were collected from 400 hospitalized patients with non-communicable diseases using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Included conditions were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders, confirmed through medical records. Nutritional status and perceived stress were assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening tool (NRS-2002) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively

Results: The study results showed that 60.5% of the participants were nutritionally at risk, while 39.5% were categorized as nourished. Among the study population, 42.75% reported moderate stress levels and 42.50% reported high stress levels. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant model (χ² = 59.93, df = 6, p < 0.001). Increasing age (OR = 0.741, 95% CI: 0.639–0.860), presence of chronic medical conditions (OR = 0.850, 95% CI: 0.771–0.938), and higher perceived stress scores (OR = 0.496, 95% CI: 0.362–0.678) were significantly associated with nutritional status among hospitalized patients with non-communicable diseases.

Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of nutritional risk and elevated perceived stress among hospitalized patients with non-communicable diseases in tertiary care hospitals. Nutritional status was significantly associated with age, chronic medical conditions, and perceived stress levels.

Nutrigenomics: A Modern Era in Nutrition Integrated with Artificial Intelligence and Microbiome

Ali Raza — 2026-01-29