1. Isolation And Identification Of Insect Repelling Compounds From Indigenous Plants

2. Bioactive Molecules From Pakistani Flora For The Ecological Control Of Aedes Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the severe domestic pest insects in major parts of the world. They not only are the vectors of deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, zika and chikungunya but also cause itching nuisance on biting to their subjects. Dengue fever is an endemic in large part of world is vectored by mosquito species Aedes aegypti. Since the last few decades, the people living in rural and urban area of South Asian countries are at high risk of dengue fever and chikungunya due to high density out breaks of this mosquito species. Insecticides spray is the common method to control mosquitoes’ population that not only leaves adverse effects on the environment but also creating resistance in this severe pest. There is an urgent need to explore low-cost and indigenous available sources for the ecological control of mosquitoes. The lower Himalaya region of Pakistan is rich in diversified type of flora that never been systematically investigated for insecticidal or mosquito repellent bio-activities. Essential oils and solvents extracts of selected plants (Asterasce, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae and Rutaceae families) growing at different altitudes in the Himalaya region of Pakistan will be investigated for Aedes mosquito larvicidal, insecticidal and repellent activities. The bio-assay guided fractionation will be employed to isolate bio-active fractions and pure compounds. GC-MS will be used to separate, identify and quantify molecules from bio-active plant extracts and fractions. The unknown pure compounds will be identified by using spectroscopic techniques NMR, MS, UV-VIS and FTIR. The outcome of this project will be an enhanced knowledge of the diversity of plant species growing at different altitude of lower Himalaya region Pakistan and the chemical composition of their secondary metabolites. We expect to find potent compounds or fractions having larvacidal, insecticidal and mosquito repelling activities.

Project Funding   Funding Body   Funds 1 International Foundation for Science, Sweden 1300000 Rs

Project Members Dr Muhammad Azeem

3. Helichrysum Odoratissimum: Isolation And Identification Of Bioactive Compounds And Their Effects On Oral Bacteria

Periodontal diseases (PD) and dental caries (DC) are common oral diseases in the world. Maintenance of good oral hygiene through regular removal of accumulated plaque from tooth surfaces is essential in their prevention, but most people are unable to accomplish this regularly. A number of mouthwash solutions were introduced to reduce plaque formation and act as adjuncts to tooth-brushing, but these solutions are associated with side-effects and some affect the environment negatively. There is need for alternative antibacterial agents. This study will build on previous research where extracts from plant Helichrysum odoratissimum was found to have strong antibacterial effects on bacteria associated with PD and DC. The study will isolate and identify the bioactive compounds from Helichrysum odoratissimum and determined their effects on bacteria associated with PD and DC. Bioactive compounds will be isolated by bioassay-guided isolation and purification strategy. NMR, infrared-spectroscopy and massspectrometry will be used to identify isolated compounds Antibacterial effects of isolated compounds will be determined by agar-dilution method. Isolated compounds could be developed into new products that could be used in prevention and treatment of DC and PD. This would lead to improvement in oral health of the population. The project could provide opportunities for commercialization.   PI: Dr. Francis Ocheng, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda CoPI: Dr Muhammad Azeem, CUI, Abbottaabd Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan

Project Funding   Funding Body   Funds 1 Makerere University Research and Innovations F und (RIF), Uganda 3890000 Rs

Project Members Dr Muhammad Azeem

4. Study Of Flavoring Compounds/Polyphenolics In Aromatic Plants Of Himalayan Region-Pakistan