Islamization under General Zia Al-Haq (1977-1988) : An Analysis

As a result of the political crisis in Pakistan, the Martial Law regime of General Zia Al-Haq came into power on July 5, 1977. The process of Islamization was given a new boost during the period of Zia Al-Haq 1977- 1988. He launched a comprehensive scheme to eradicate non-Islamic practices in Pakistani state and society. His Islamization program contemplated significant reforms in the legal-constitutional, socioeconomic and educational institutions of Pakistan. The principles of Zakāt -‘Ushr ordinance, Islamic Ḥudūd and Penal code were introduced in the country. To Islamizing the economy Ribā abandoning and Profit and Loss sharing accounts in banks were initiated. Besides, he renamed parliament as Majlis Al-Shūrā; the Federal Sharī‘at Court, Sharī‘at Appellate Benches and Sharī‘ah Council were established in the country. Under the umbrella of Nizām-e-Muṣṭafā, social reforms were introduced, through the stressing of sanctity of the Holy month of Ramaḍān, enforcement of the bans on gambling and encouragement of chadar for women. Un-Islamic programs were banned on television and radio and news in Arabic was made compulsory. The stated objectives of President Zia’s Islamization policies were to lead Pakistan in the direction of truly Islamic state. However, the critics of his polices considered it a tool for legitimizing and enhancing his political powers in the country.

Studies on Antihyperlipidemic and Vasomodulating Effects of Eruca Sativa, Erucin, Hedera Helix and Hederacoside C

Aerial parts of Eruca sativa (E. sativa) and leaves of Hedera helix (H. helix) are popular remedies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in humans. Erucin and hederacoside C (HDC) are the important constituents of E. sativa and H. helix, respectively. Literature lacks pharmacological investigation on these plants and the constituents in hyperlipidemia and hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the E. sativa and H. helix, erucin and HDC effect in hyperlipidemia, hyperlipidemiainduced vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Crude extracts of both plants (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), erucin (1 and 3 mg/kg) and HDC (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) were tested in tyloxapol and high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Biochemical evaluation of lipid profile was carried out on blood collected from all groups. Histopathological and vascular dysfunction studies were performed on aortae isolated from normal, hyperlipidemic and treated rats. The antihypertensive effect was investigated in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured in both groups. The mechanisms were investigated using isolated rat aorta and atria. Both extracts and compounds significantly reduced total cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.001), compared to lovastatin in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia. In high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia, both extracts significantly (p < 0.001) reduced TC, LDL and increased (p < 0.05) HDL levels at higher dose. Erucin and HDC also significantly (p < 0.001) decreased TC and LDL levels. Extract of H. helix was more potent (p < 0.001) in decreasing the atherogenic index in both hyperlipidemic models, compared to E. sativa. The data thus shows that extracts of both plants and compounds are antihyperlipidemic agents. Further in-vitro studies were carried out to explore the role of these agents on vascular endothelium disruption (dysfunction). The thoracic aortae from HFD rats were used for histopathological and vascular reactivity studies. Extract of E. sativa reversed endothelial dysfunction in HFD-induced hyperlipidemic rats in-vitro by inhibiting macrophages infiltration and reducing endothelial disruption. Extract of H. helix markedly preserved endothelial dysfunction by improving the architecture of vascular wall. Both compounds also improved endothelial disruption. The vascular dysfunction xi study in the aortic rings from hyperlipidemic rats treated with both extracts and compounds showed that acetylcholine caused complete relaxation against phenylephrine (PE) precontractions. This indicates that extract and compounds are effective remedies in improving disrupted vascular architecture due to hyperlipidemia. To see effect on blood pressure, extracts, fractions and compounds were tested in normotensive, normotensive atropinized and hypertensive rats. Extract of E. sativa and fractions, dose-dependently decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) that was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced with atropine (1 mg/kg) pretreatment in normotensive rats. Extract of E. sativa and fractions also decreased MAP in hypertensive rats. The effects of H. helix extract on MAP in both normotensive and hypertensive rats were greater than E. sativa. The antihypertensive effect of extract and fractions of H. helix remained unchanged in the presence of atropine in normotensive rats excluding the involvement of muscarinic receptors. Erucin and HDC also induced antihypertensive effect in normotensive rats (unaffected by atropine) and hypertensive rats in-vivo. The underlying mechanisms of antihypertensive effect of extracts and compounds were further investigated in invitro experiments in rat aorta and atria. In rat aorta, extract and fractions of E. sativa produced vasorelaxant effect that was partially inhibited with L-NAME and atropine pretreatment indicating role of muscarinic receptor-linked nitric oxide (NO) pathway. This effect of extract and fractions was also partially eliminated with denudation of endothelium and aortic rings from hypertensive rats, also suggesting role of vascular endothelium. The vasorelaxant effect of n-hexane fraction was least, indicating that it might be due to presence of vasocontractile constituents, which may have role in vasomodulation. Erucin also produced incomplete relaxation in normotensive rat aorta, suggesting that it may be one of the constituents involved in vasomodulation. The vasorelaxant effect of H. helix and HDC was inhibited with L-NAME pretreatment and denudation but did not change with atropine pretreatment excluding role of muscarinic receptors. The extracts of both plants, erucin and HDC produced vasorelaxant effect against high K+ precontractions like verapamil. Extract of E. sativa and H. helix, fractions and compounds suppressed PE peak formation; erucin was less potent than HDC. In isolated at atrial strips, E. sativa and erucin induced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects with a positive inotropic effect by the nhexane fraction, which was not affected by atropine pretreatment, suggesting that cardiac muscarinic receptors are not involved. The extract, fractions of H. helix and xii HDC caused depression of force and rate of atrial contraction which remained unchanged in the presence of atropine. To have possible chemical profile of the extract, spectrophotometric and HPLC analysis were carried out that showed the presence of quercetin and erucin in crude extract of E. sativa and HDC in H. helix. According to acute toxicity test, crude extract of E. sativa and H. helix were safe at 3 and 5 g/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the findings of present study indicated that E. sativa and H. helix are effective antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive remedies. Both extracts and important constituent’s erucin and hederacoside C significantly reduced TC and LDL and preserved the endothelial disruption evident by histopathological and vascular dysfunction studies in-vitro. The preservation of endothelial dysfunction is due to decrease in LDL. The antihypertensive effect of E. sativa and H. helix extracts is possibly due to vasodilatory and cardiac effects. The endothelium-independent mechanisms involved inhibitory effect on calcium influx and release. Endothelium-dependent mechanisms involved muscarinic receptor linked NO mediated pathway. Erucin acted through endothelium-independent mechanism mediated by calcium antagonism. E. sativa and erucin showed negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, possible due to calcium channel blockade. Antihypertensive effect of H. helix extract and HDC are mediated through NO release inhibiting calcium release from stores and entry via VDCs also decrease cardiac rate and force of contractions. This data provide pharmacological base to medicinal use of E. sativa and H. helix in hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The presence of erucin in E. sativa and HDC in H. helix further support the findings and this study identified erucin and HDC as important constituents for the management of hyperlipidemia and hypertension.