Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli has become a global health threat, with limited effective treatment options. The growing prevalence of resistance poses significant challenges in managing these infections. This study aims to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolates collected from clinical samples. In this study, we biochemically characterized 48 E. coli isolates (using MIU, KIA, and Citrate tests) collected from clinical samples at a hospital in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. We then analyzed the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of these isolates against eleven different antibiotics (ten individual antibiotics and one combination), namely Ampicillin, Cefixime, Levofloxacin, Tobramycin, Doxycycline, Aztreonam, Ceftazidime, Nitrofurantoin, Piperacillin, Fosfomycin, and the antibiotic combination Co-trimoxazole (Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim). The E. coli isolates showed significantly reduced susceptibility to most of the antibiotics tested. Only two antibiotics–Tobramycin (75%) and Fosfomycin (83%)-demonstrated significant effectiveness against the E. coli isolates. Necessary steps should be taken to prevent E. coli from acquiring further resistance to the remaining effective antibiotics, especially considering that ampicillin showed the highest resistance rate at 96%, whereas Fosfomycin exhibited the lowest resistance at only 17%. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 25(1): 21-28, 2026 (June)
On a global scale, cancer and oxidative stress remain major health challenges. One such class of compounds is chalcones, which are 1,3-diaryl ketones containing an α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system. These ketones serve as precursors to numerous biologically active heterocyclic frameworks, including pyrazoles. In the present study, a chlorochalcone, (E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (1), was prepared by condensing 4-chlorobenzaldehyde with acetophenone. It was then converted into two pyrazole derivatives, 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole (2) and 1-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl) ethanone (3), via reaction with hydrazine hydrate followed by acetylation with acetic acid, respectively. The structures were confirmed using FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analyses. When tested against HeLa cancer cells, all three compounds exhibited strong cytotoxic activity, reducing cell viability to below 5%. The antioxidant assays, which measured total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging, showed that compounds 1 through 3 had noticeable activity. Molecular docking predicted that compounds 1-3 formed strong binding interactions at the adenosine triphosphate binding site of the epidermal growth factor receptor protein (EGFR; PDB: 1M17). Compounds 1 and 2 may interact with CYP enzymes, whereas others demonstrated good oral absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability, according to Swiss ADME predictions. To the best of our knowledge, the biological and computational assays for these compounds have been conducted for the first time. Overall, the chalconepyrazole derivatives exhibited promising antioxidant and anticancer potential, warranting further biological and pharmacokinetic investigations. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 24(2): 219-229, 2025 (December)
This work presents the isolation and characterization of two natural products from the root extract of Acanthus montanus. Extract of the root was acquired by means of maceration using n-hexane and ethyl acetate sequentially. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated via vacuum liquid chromatography and further purification through column chromatography provided two compounds (one crystalline and one amorphous). Characterization of the compounds was achieved through IR spectroscopy and NMR experiments while biological activities of the two isolates were confirmed using agar well diffusion assay. The two isolated natural products were characterized as 5- methylresorcinol and glycosylated stigmasterol having 2.6% and 1.7% yields, respectively. 5-Methylresorcinol and glycosylated stigmasterol showed biological activities against eight bacteria and seven fungal species. Zones of inhibition ranged from 25 to 39 mm against bacteria and 18 to 34 mm Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 24(2): 139-146, 2025 (December)
This study focuses on establishing a fast and novel RP-HPLC method along with its comparable UV spectroscopic approach for the routine evaluation of montelukast sodium. Using Design Expert software, a 3² full-factorial design was deployed to optimize the RP-HPLC method. Retention time, tailing factor, and theoretical plate count were considered as the dependent response parameters in this design, and the mobile phase composition and its flow rate were chosen as the independent variables. A mobile phase composed of methanol and water (40:60, %v/v) was eluted through a C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min for the chromatographic separation. The wavelength used for detection was 344.4 nm to ensure optimal sensitivity for the analyte. The RP-HPLC method development yielded statistically significant models (p<0.05). The proposed method was validated in accordance with ICH standards. Retention time of the drug was found to be 5.009 minutes. A linear calibration curve was obtained over the concentration range of 40-60 μg/mL. The method demonstrated a limit of detection of 0.15 μg/mL and a limit of quantification of 0.50 μg/mL. Additionally, a UV spectroscopic method was also developed and validated, showing comparable results to the RP-HPLC method (p<0.05). Overall, the developed RP-HPLC method along with its comparable UV spectroscopic method demonstrated a comprehensive approach for the routine analysis of montelukast sodium. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 24(2): 197-209, 2025 (December)
Stress is a common factor that can lead to various health issues, including depression and anxiety. Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been suggested to have potential therapeutic benefits, including antidepressant and anxiolyticlike effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AGE on depressive and anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic restraint stress in mice using both in vivo and in silico approaches. In vivo experiments involved subjecting mice to chronic restraint stress to induce depressive-like behavior. The mice were then treated with AGE, and their behavioral outcomes were assessed using the forced swim test and tail suspension test, open field test, and elevated maze plus. Additionally, an in silico analysis was conducted to explore the potential mechanisms of action of AGE compounds, focusing on their interactions with the monoanime oxidase-A (MAO-A) enzyme. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that the administration of aged garlic extract significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress. Specifically, AGE treatment led to reduced (p<0.05) immobility time in the forced swim test, with AGE125-treated mice showing (91.12 ± 4.94) seconds and AGE250-treated mice (73.0 ± 7.25) seconds, compared to (119.25 ± 7.13) seconds for the CRS group. Similarly, in the tail suspension test, immobility time was reduced to AGE125 (69.25 ± 5.65)s and AGE 250 (55.0 ± 6.74)s compared with CRS group (102.75 ± 6.84)s, thereby demonstrating antidepressant-like effects. Additionally, AGE-treated mice exhibited increased time spent in the periphery of the open field arena and spent more time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze, suggesting improved exploratory and anxiety-related behaviors compared to other groups. Additionally, in silico investigation suggested that compounds found in AGE may antagonize the MAO-A enzyme. This study provides evidence supporting the potential of AGE as a therapeutic agent for stress-related depressive disorders. AGE's ability to improve behavioral outcomes in stressed mice may be related to the modulation of neurotransmitter systems, reduction of oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory effects of its compounds, including its potential interaction with the MAO-A enzyme. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action and confirm the efficacy and safety of AGE in humans. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 24(2): 157-176, 2025 (December)
