Polemic Views about the Source of Qur’ān in Medieval Christian Writings with a Reflection upon Contemporary Orientalists: A Critical Review

Before the advent of Islam, there was a strong tradition of polemic writings both among the Jews and the Christians to prove the errors of adversary. But, after the advent of Islam in general, and the conquering of Roman / Byzantine empire by the Muslims in the era of Righteous Califate in specific, due to embracing Islam by a large number of local populace, the flux of Christian polemic writing was directed towards Islam. A number of polemic writings surfaced as a resort to keep their religion alive. These writings tried to belittle all basic concepts, beliefs, and creeds of Islam, and even the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the Holy Qur’ān. The contemporary orientalist polemic writers have claimed that there are several accounts originating from Jewish and Christian sources which tried to allegedly prove that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was instructed by Jewish or Christian scholars in the composition of Holy Qur’ān, and to support this claim, they not only point out to certain Jewish or Christian sources, but have parroted their arguments as well, with the similar motives. With this, they have attempted to discredit Islam by raising doubts about the origin of Qur’ān. But despite of their efforts the fact remains firm that the Qur’ān has a Divine origin and was revealed by Allah Ta‘ālā unto Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this regard, the purpose of this article is to analyze the medieval polemic writings, their motives, and their rumination by the orientalists of the contemporary age. A critical approach is adopted in this analytical, and historical study, using published authentic data and literature including academic books, research papers, periodicals, dictionaries and reliable web sites also.

Role of Zinc Ascorbic Acid and Cedrus Deodara Root Oil in Prevention Cyclophosphamide Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rat Model

BACKGROUND: Nephrotoxicity is one of the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide which is a cytotoxic alkylating agent that may be nephrotoxic both in humans and animal models by generating reactive oxygen species. Therefore, purpose of this study was to investigate whether antioxidants like zinc and ascorbic acid as well as most prominent traditional-based plant material like Cedrus deodara root oil could decrease the intensity of toxicity caused by cyclophosphamide in albino rats. OBJECTIVES: · To evaluate the histomorphological changes in cyclophosphamide-induced kidney damage in albino rats. · To determine the role of zinc and ascorbic acid in cyclophosphamide-induced renal damage in rat model. · To assess the phytoprotective role of cedrus deodara root oil in cyclophosphamide-induced kidney damage. · To observe the renal function tests in the controls and experimental groups of animals. · To observe the changes in the antioxidative enzymes in the controls and experimental groups of animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted at Isra University, Hyderabad and Al-Tibri Medical College, Karachi. The animals used for this study were adult albino rats of (Wistar strain) 200-250 g of either gender and were procured from the animal house of Al-Tibri Medical College, Karachi. They were maintained on well balanced laboratory diet. The animals were kept in 12/12 hour light-dark cycle and water was provided freely x throughout the experimental period. The temperature where the animals were placed was maintained between 25 – 30˚C. total sixty (60) albino rats was taken in this experimental study. Animals were divided into six groups and each group comprised of ten (10) rats placed in separate cages. Control group A were given normal saline 1 ml/ day intraperitoneally for 21 days. Experimental group B received single dose of cyclophosphamide 1mg/100g intraperitoneally on first day of study. Experimental group C received 1mg/100g cyclophosphamide and 500 mg/100g ascorbic acid orally daily for 21 days. Experimental group D received cyclophosphamide 1mg/100g single dose on first day along with zinc-sulphate 0.1mg/100g daily for 21 days. Animals of experimental group E received cyclophosphamide 1mg/100g on first day intraperitoneally along with ascorbic acid 25 mg/100g, zinc sulphate 0.05 mg/100g and Cedrus deodara root oil 0.05 mg/100g intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of 21 day of treatment protocol, rats were anesthetized by ether inhalation and scarified for biochemical and histopathological examination. Blood sample 5.0 ml was taken through cardiac puncture and transferred into sterilized gel tubes for estimation of biochemical parameters. Kidneys were removed out after laparotomy and preserved at -80˚C for tissue slicing. Thick tissue sections 5μ were prepared by rotary microtome. The tissue sections were mounted on well cleaned and gelatinized slides and were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin according to Bancroft and Stevens method for histopathological findings. The data obtained was then analyzed on SPSS version 21.0 (IBM, corporation, USA) P-value 0.05 was taken as significant. xi RESULTS: The results of present study showed that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), reduced glutathione (GSSH), catalase, Malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine, urea, uric acid (UA) and electrolytes like Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++ and Mg++ were found statistically significant among the control and experimental groups of animals. Animals of group B when compared with control group A and other groups showed statistically significant difference of antioxidant enzymes (p<0.0001). experimental group F when treated with (cyclophosphamide, ascorbic acid and zinc sulphate) showed significant increase in antioxidant enzymes as well as significant improvement were seen in urea, creatinine and serum electrolytes (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that the Cedrus deodara root oil exerted potent free radical scavenging property and showed potent antioxidant activity. Hence, it may be concluded that the mechanisms of nephroprotection by herbal agent Cedrus deodara root oil in cyclophosphamide treated animals could be due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.