A Welcome Message from The Editor

It is with profound pleasure that we write this editorial to welcome you to the new journal, “Pakistan Biomedical Journal” (PBMJ), an interdisciplinary international journal. PBMJ has successfully completed its first volume and now its the second volume. We greatly appreciate the response of scientists who have contributed previously and are still contributing to this new journal. The subject of the journal is interesting and we try to address the health related concerns of public and improve the understandingof scientific phenomenons by researchers. Research discoveries are happening at a fast pace, in all the fields and PBMJ provides an ideal forum for exchange of scientific knowledge in terms of full length papers, surveys, reviews, case studies, letters to editor and systematic analysis. PBMJ is committed to publishing all manuscripts receiving a high recommendation from reviewers. The intention of PBMJ is to create space for generation of new knowledge, debate, collaborations among national and international scientists. Our vision is to promote research that will be helpful for knowledge sharing, new discoveries, development of critical thinking among the upcoming scholars, guidance for policy makers, awareness among the concerned community and ultimately benefitting the general population in improving health and fitness at large. It is a matter of pride for us to haveexcellent editorial board members from renowned institutes. We aim to have the best standards of quality of the published manuscripts. With every issue, we are continuously trying to improve the standards. We look forward for more exciting researches and scientific studies from all over the world. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to the readers of PBMJ and hope you will join us as authors, reviewers and editors in future.

Downstream Approaches for Pure Biofine Chemicals and Aroma Substances from Cannabis Sativa Essential Oil

Essential oils are complex mixtures of biologically active substances used since along time as flavoring agents and constituents of number of commercial products. Currently, their importance is more highlighted due to their increasing demand for food,cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Recent scientific literature revealed theantimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and pharmacological potential of essential oils. In view of themultiple applications of essential oils, their characterization based on their chemicalprofiles, is of great importance.In the present study, indigenous specie of Cannabaceae family “Cannabis sativa” was screenedfor the isolation of essential oils. Essential oil components were fractioned, separated and isolated. The variations in the yield, chemical composition and biological activities of theessential oils and fractions were investigated in the present study with respect to temperature and technique of extraction.The hydro-distilled, steam distilled and supercritical fluid extracted essential oils were characterized fortheir physico-chemical and biological activities. It was tried to purify and separate the major constituents of Cannabis sativa essential oil by vacuum fractionation. GC-MS analysis of thechemical constituents of the isolated oils and fractions mainly revealed the presence of monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The investigated essential oils and fractions exhibited good antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, gastroprotective, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective activities as measured by different in- vivo and in-vitro assays and experimental models.