Kiran Mashaal

@kiran.mashaal@pharm.uol.edu.pk

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Lahore



              

https://researchid.co/kiran.mashaal

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Pharmacology (medical), Complementary and alternative medicine, Molecular Biology, Rheumatology

3

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Fragaria nubicola (Wild Strawberry) via Attenuation of Inflammatory Mediators in Sprague Dawley Rats
    Kiran Mashaal, Arham Shabbir, Muhammad Shahzad, Aisha Mobashar, Tasleem Akhtar, Tabinda Fatima, Bushra Riaz, Rana Alharbi, Afreen Fatima, Abdulkareem A. Alanezi,et al.
    MDPI AG
    Background and Objectives: Fragaria nubicola has never been evaluated scientifically for its anti-arthritic potential despite its use in folkloric systems of medicine. The research was conducted to assess the potential of F. nubicola against rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: The current study provided scientific evidence by evaluating the effects of plants using an in vivo CFA-induced model of arthritic rats and subsequent microscopic histopathological evaluation of ankle joints along with the determination of paw edema using a digital water displacement plethysmometer. The study also gave insight by determining levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and biochemical and hematological parameters. GCMS analysis was also conducted for the identification of possible anti-inflammatory plant constituents. Results: The data showed that F. nubicola-treated groups attenuated the progression of arthritis and paw edema. Microscopic histopathological evaluation validated the anti-arthritic potential by showing amelioration of bone erosion, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and pannus formation. RT-PCR analysis displayed that treatment with F. nubicola down-regulated IL1β, IL6, TNFα, NF-κB, VEGF, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 levels. Moreover, ELISA exhibited a reduction in levels of PGE2 levels in treatment groups. The levels of RBCs, platelets, WBCs, and Hb content were found to be nearly similar to negative control in the treated group. Statistically, a non-significant difference was found when all groups were compared for urea, creatinine, ALT, and AST analysis, indicating the safety of plant extract and fractions at test doses. GCMS analysis of extract and fractions showed the existence of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals. Conclusion: In conclusion, F. nubicola possessed anti-arthritic properties that might be attributed to the amelioration of MMPs and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

  • Anti-Arthritic and Immunomodulatory Potential of Methanolic, n-Hexane, and Ethyl Acetate Fractions of Bark of Acacia modesta on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats
    Kiran Mashaal, Arham Shabbir, Mahtab Ahmad Khan, Huma Hameed, Muhammad Shahzad, Ali Irfan, Gamal A. Shazly, Aisha Mobashar, Tasleem Akhtar, Zaib Ali Shaheryar,et al.
    MDPI AG
    Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder and topic of interest for researchers due to its increasing frequency and limited treatment. Acacia modesta Wall is known to treat rheumatic disorders in the traditional system of medicinal plants. Traditional medicines are still required for the treatment of this disease due to the large number of side-effects caused by commercial medicines. In the current study, the antiarthritic potential of methanolic extract (AM-metha), n-hexane (AM-hexa) fraction, and ethyl acetate (AM-etha) fraction of the bark of A. modesta against a complete Freund’s adjuvant rat model was evaluated. Evaluation using a digital plethysmometer, macroscopic evaluation, and histopathological evaluation were conducted to determine the paw volume and arthritic scoring. ELISA was performed to assess the PGE2 levels. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression levels of MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, NF-κB, IL6, IL1β, TNFα, and VEGF. Biochemical and hematological analyses were also conducted. GC/MS was also carried out to analyze the presence of medicinal compounds. The data revealed a marked reduction in the paw volume, arthritic scoring, and histopathological parameters, indicating the anti-arthritic potential of the plant. Treatment with plant extracts and fractions markedly down-regulated MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, NF-κB, IL6, IL1β, TNFα, and VEGF levels. Similarly, PGE2 levels were also found to be ameliorated in the treatment groups, indicating the immunomodulatory property of plant bark. Plant treatment nearly normalized hematological parameters such as counts of WBCs, RBCs, and platelets, along with Hb content, thereby validating the anti-arthritic activity. GC/MS analysis disclosed the presence of strong anti-inflammatory compounds such as lupeol, oleic acid, and squalene. The study showed that A. modesta possesses anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory potential linked to significant down-regulation of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory biomarkers.