Importance of herbal medicine cannot be denied even in the modern era. Various active allopathic medicine came into being from plant origin. Vernonia anthelmintica is one such herbal remedy that has been used in traditional system of medicine. Many parts of this plant are being used by humans for curing various illnesses. Since the use of seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica is increasing in traditional practice it is the need of time to establish its safety and efficacy by thorough screening in terms of toxicity as well as pharmacological activity. Though few studies authenticate some pharmacological actions of this herb however, the safety profile is lacking even in these studies. Present study is thus designed to evaluate the toxicological and pharmacological potential through in-vitro and in-vivo methods. In vitro experiments include phytochemistry of hexane, ethanol extract and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds. Moreover bio-assays to evaluate antibacterial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antiglycation, phytotoxic, insecticidal and antileishmanial potential of hexane and ethanol extracts were also undertaken. In-vivo methods include subchronic toxicity studies conducted on rabbits to elucidate its effects on hematology, coagulation, hepatic function, renal profile, electrolyte status and metabolism of lipids and glucose. Pharmacological disease models were also designed in Sprague drawly rat and albino mice to establish its role in hyperlipidemia, diabetes, inflammation and nociception. The results revealed cytotoxic potential against selected cancer cell line, strong dose dependent antioxidant and phytotoxic potential and moderate antileishmanial potential in selected extracts. Considerable antiglycation potential was also observed in ethanol extract. Present study also revealed the safety of Vernonia anthelmintica on subchronic use. In vivo results showed no deleterious alteration in hematology, renal function, liver function and lipid/ glucose metabolism as compared to normal control. Subchronic use of Vernonia anthelmintica showed favorable coagulation profile by lowering fibrinogen levels. Furthermore Vernonia anthelmintica showed favorable effects in disease model of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, inflammation and nociception. Subchronic dosing also showed weight reducing potential of Vernonia anthelmintica. Present results thus suggest the possible role of Vernonia anthelmintica in the safe treatment of obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, nociception, cancer and leishmaniasis. Furthermore its strong antioxidant potential can be used in preparing remedies to combat various diseases attributable to oxidative stress.
لفظ استفہام باب فہم یفہم کے وز ن استفعال کا مصدر ہے، جس کے لغوی معنیٰ’’دریافت کرنا، سمجھنے کی خواہش کرنا،پوچھناَ ہیں۔[[1]]
ابن منظور افریقی لفظ استفہام سے متعلق لکھتے ہیں:
استفہام سے مراد "کسی چیز کو سمجھنا اور سمجھانا ہے۔"[[2]]
اصطلاح میں استفہام سے مراد ہے کہ:
"نا معلوم چیز کو ادوات استفہام سے جاننے کی کوشش کرنا"۔[[3]]
[[1]] فیروز الدین مولوی،فیروز اللغات،فیروزسنز، لاہور، ۴ ۲۰۱ء،ص۹۱۔
[[2]] افریقی ،ابن منظور ،محمد بن مکرم ،مکتبہ دار صادر،بیروت، ۲۰۱۰ء، مادة ف ه م۔
[[3]] ابن فارس،احمد بن فارس بن زکریا الرازی، الصاحبى فى فقه اللغة العربية ومسائلھا وسنن العرب فی کلامھا،تحقیق: ڈاکٹر مصطفیٰ الشواعی،دارالکتب العلمیہ،بیروت،۱۹۶۴ء، ص۱۸۱۔
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is thedisease condition in which our gastrointestinal(GI) tract is affected and cause abdominal pain and discomfort that is associated with change in the stools form and frequency. In this condition one may suffer from diarrhea, constipation or both at the same time. This disorder is very common now days because of unhealthy eating habits mostly in females. Manyfactors are responsible for IBS like food, environment, genetic and psychological factors. IBS can be overcomed by improving our eating habits and lifestyle and also by following different diets like FODMAP and GLUTEN FREE diet. Probiotics and herbs are also very beneficial in curing IBS.
English language, the ‘lingua franca’ of the globalized world necessitates (Jenkins, 2009) even countries where it is not spoken as the first language to institute it as a second language (Caine 2008). Pakistan is also amongst one of the countries where English language is given much importance and is being taught as a compulsory subject from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to graduation level. Literature (Ahmed, 2011; Noreen, Ahmed & Esmail, 2015) says that in Pakistani English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, reading and writing are the two main skills that are focused on more, while the two other language sub-skills: speaking and listening are ignored. Experiential data, specifically relating to the rural and far-flung areas of Pakistan, like Gojal, traditional method teaching and learning practices are also prevalent there: due to which the learners of (English language) EL lack in speaking skills. As a result of the growing numbers of ESL learners, there is an ongoing search for new, effective and efficient instructional methods for the improvement of the teaching and learning processes in English language. In the 21st century, technology has gained substantial attention due it offering an abundance of devices and tools that make authentic language input accessible to EL learners (Frenik, 2013). Technology and its usefulness in developing language sub-skills is being explored as an option in formal and informal settings in many parts of the developing world where access to authentic language input is limited due to the areas in question being relatively remote (Hsu, 2013). However, there seems to be a dearth of descriptive data on the role technology plays or is seen as playing for EL learning in the remote areas of Pakistan. Accordingly, a sequential mixed methods design was employed to explore the role of technology in the enhancement of high school students’ English language speaking skills. The data was collected in two phases. In the first phase, semi-structured-interviews were used to collect data from English language teachers. Two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted to obtain data from the students. In the second phase, a mixture of open-ended, 4 and 5 point rating scale questionnaire was developed based on the emerging themes of the first phase and was administered to 116 high school ESL learners. The study findings revealed that technology is perceived as a tool that supports students in the enhancement of their speaking skills. Technologies such as television,