Biology subjects

Ali, M. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Ali, M. A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

An assessment of efficacy of Iodine complex (Renessans) against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates (Rhesus macaque)

Renessans is an iodine complex which has proven in vitro antiviral activity including Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The present study was designed to determine its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in monkeys (Rhesus macaque). A total of 14 monkeys were divided into four groups: A) Prophylactic group (n=03), (B) Treatment group (n=03), (C) infection control group (n=04) and (D) negative control group (n=04) and were housed in BSL-3 Animal facility while group D was housed at another animal house. Group A was administered with Renessans @ 2.85 mg/7 kg from 5 days prior to the infection to 08 days post infections (DPI). Group B was administered with Renessans from 03-08 DPI @ 2.85 mg/7 kg. Group C was administered with WIF only. The infection @ 2 x 106 TCID of SARS-CoV-2 was given to all group monkeys through intranasal and oral route under anesthesia. Nasal swab samples (at different times) and fecal matter on daily basis were collected for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 through real-time quantitative PCR. Three monkeys (one from each of group A, B and C) were euthanized at 07 DPI to determine the gross pathological lesions and SARS-CoV-2 detection from internal tissues. Nasal swabs from all the monkeys from group A, B and C were positive for SARS-CoV-2 at 02 and 07 DPI (Day 05 of treatment). At 14 DPI, all (100%) nasal swabs from group A were negative for SARS-CoV-2 while 50% and 100% were positive from group B and C, respectively. At 21 DPI, monkeys from group B were negative and all in group C were still positive for SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, fecal matter of monkeys in group A and B was returned negative in significantly lesser time as compared to monkeys from infection control group. Based on these research findings it is concluded that the Renessans has in-vivo SARS-CoV-2 activity and may result in early clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, a clinical trial of the drug in COVID-19 patients may reveal its anti-COVID-19 potential.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Comprehensive studies of Head Maralla, Punjab, Pakistan vegetation for ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical uses and their elaboration through quantitative indices

Head Maralla is a non-recognized wetland with diversified flora that becomes focus of current studies. Whole plant or their parts are being used for treating various maladies and they are the integral part of livelihood in the area. Unique species including Osmunda regalis is used for blood and renal diseases purifier. Wild plant resources are key to traditional ethnobotanical knowledge based practices and industrial applications. Current study reports Head Marala inhabitants interaction with these resources and identify priorities at species and habitat level for conservation. Four sites viz., River Tavi, Upstream Chenab, River Manawarwala Tavi and Bhalolpur were designated to record traditional knowledge through questionnaire and interviews during field trips. One hundred nineteen (119) plant species were identified belonging to 54 families, of which 87 species were of dicot, 12monocots, 05ferns, and 4 species of bryophytes. Fifty percent of the plant species were utilized as a whole for therapeutic purposes, followed by leaves which had more than 20% usage of total consumption. Ailments viz., urination (14%) followed by cough (8%), cold (7%), stomach (6%), asthma (6%), constipation (5%), laxative (5%), diarrhea (4%) etc., were associated with vegetation. Bronchial disorders, pneumonia, dyspepsia, anthelmintic and kidney stones, etc., were also among other diseases commonly cured by traditional knowledge. Fifteen percent of vegetation contributes as fodder species consumed by local community for livestock while almost 17% of local plants were utilized for industrial purposes like timber, fuel, furniture, wooden pots and sports goods. In conclusion the ecosystem of Head Maralla is a complex of aquatic, terrestrial and agricultural land that is located on climatic and geographical divides, which further add to botanical interest as included many wetland habitats with unique diversity of plants. It is suggested to devise comprehensive conservation strategies to safe indigenous knowledge in systematic way for comprehending ecological services.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

An in vitro assessment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of oral preparations of iodine complexes (RENESSANS)

Since the emergence of CoVID-19 pandemic in China in late 2019, scientists are striving hard to explore non-toxic, viable anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds or medicines. We determined In Vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of oral formulations (syrup and capsule) of an Iodine-complex (Renessans). A monolayer of vero cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the presence and absence of different concentrations (equivalent to 50, 05 and 0.5 g/ml of I2) of Renessans. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of each of the formulation was assessed in the form of cell survival, SARS-CoV-2-specific cytopathic effect (CPE) and genome quantization. With varying concentrations of syrup and capsule, a varying rate of inhibition of CPE, cells survival and virus replication was observed. Compared to 0.5 g/ml concentration of Renessans syrup, 5 and 50 g/ml showed comparable results where there was a 100% cell survival, no CPEs and a negligible viral replication ({Delta}CT= 0.11 and 0.13, respectively). This study indicates that Renessans, containing iodine, may have potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 which needs to be further investigated in human clinical trials.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

In vivo CRISPR screening identifies Fli1 as a transcriptional safeguard that restrains effector CD8 T cell differentiation during infection and cancer

Improving effector activity of antigen specific T cells is a major goal in cancer immunotherapy. Despite the identification of several effector T cell (TEFF)-driving transcription factors (TF), the transcriptional coordination of TEFF biology remains poorly understood. We developed an in vivo T cell CRISPR screening platform and identified a novel mechanism restraining TEFF biology through the ETS family TF, Fli1. Genetic deletion of Fli1 enhanced TEFF responses without compromising memory or exhaustion precursors. Fli1 restrained TEFF lineage differentiation by binding to cis-regulatory elements of effector-associated genes. Loss of Fli1 increased chromatin accessibility at ETS:RUNX motifs allowing more efficient Runx3-driven TEFF biology. CD8 T cells lacking Fli1 provided substantially better protection against multiple infections and tumors. These data indicate that Fli1 safeguards the developing CD8 T cell transcriptional landscape from excessive ETS:RUNX-driven TEFF cell differentiation. Moreover, genetic deletion of Fli1 improves TEFF differentiation and protective immunity in infections and cancer.

immunology↗