Afrasiab Ali Shah’s scientific contributions

Objective: To confirm the safety and efficacy of the product for human health due to its wide use and to explore its effects on CNS. Study Design: Experimental and observational Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Frontier medical college Abbottabad Pakistan in March 2011. Materials and Methods: Thirty rabbits divided into five groups were administered Qurs saffron at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, Caffeine 100mg/kg orally and the last group was taken as control group, received normosaline. The animals were observed for behavioral changes at 30 min intervals. Results: At 50mg/kg of the drug were found to have mild stimulant activity, while 100mg/kg were found to have a moderate CNS stimulant properties same like caffeine at a dose of 50mg/kg, While at a dose of 200mg/kg-Qurs saffron were found to have a strong stimulant properties. Conclusion: From the current study it can be concluded that the product have dose dependent CNS stimulant effects.

Objectives The study was designed to confirm and explore the differences in chemical constituents of Naswar and Cigarette, major variants of consumable tobacco in central and Southeast Asia. Methods 100 grams of freshly prepared Naswar (Snuff) and one pack (20 cigarettes) of fine brand cigarettes were purchased from the local market. The shade-dried materials were pulverized into fine powder and extracts were filtered separately. The aqueous extracts of Naswar and Cigarette were evaluated for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates using simple qualitative methods. Results Aqueous extract of naswar had an excess amount of terpenes while terpenes were not detected in cigarettes. Moderate amount of alkaloids were found in naswar but lesser quantity was present in cigarettes. Saponins and Glycosides were noted in moderate amount in cigarettes while a mild amount was detected in naswar. Conclusions Both the extracts of cigarettes and naswar contained pharmacologically active constituents. Larger quantity of alkaloids in naswar may qualify it for a cheaper alternative to nicotine replacement therapy for those who want to quit smoking.

Camellia sinensis (Green tea) as a hot decoction is widely used throughout the Asia. Therefore to find out their effects on all the body functions are the need of hour, to recommend its safe use. In the current study the effect of Camellia sinensis on human (male and females) heart rate has been studied, by giving one cup of hot decoction of green tea to each subject of fifty four male and fifty four females. The heart rate per minute before and after the decoction was evaluated as; a great increase in the heart rate had been noted in case of males. Also a great decrease in the heart rate of individuals has been identified in case of females. From the current study it can be concluded that green tea have an effect of increasing heart rate in males and decreasing in the females, so the heart patients have to take care while using green tea.