The 4-days 16th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-16) was inaugurated at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, by the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed. Around 60 scholars from more than 29 countries, along with 400 scholars from Pakistan participated in the conference.
Prof. Mukhtar Ahmed sharing his views urged scientists to focus on providing relief to the common man, emphasizing that the time has come for science to serve humanity. Discussing the commission’s initiatives, the HEC Chairman stated that significant investments are being made to equip Pakistan’s higher education institutions with cutting-edge tools and technologies. He highlighted the establishment of two state-of-the-art data centers—one at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and the other at NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. He further noted that HEC has launched projects supporting strategic research, quality assurance, IT initiatives, and capacity building. These initiatives have facilitated industry-academia collaborations, establishing quality enhancement cells in affiliated colleges, and improving IT infrastructure.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi emphasized that the ultimate purpose of scientific achievements is to serve humanity. Discussing the importance of natural products, he stressed the need to preserve medicinal plants from depletion and called on the relevant authorities to take measures to prevent their exploitation. He also expressed gratitude to all national and international guests for their participation in the symposium.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman delivered a detailed lecture on “Some Advances in Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Natural Products Chemistry.” He highlighted Pakistan’s rising research ranking, the increase in citation rates, and the urgent need for greater investment in science and research to compete with developed nations.
Prof. Farzana Shaheen welcomed all national and international delegates, highlighting ICCBS’s outstanding reputation for scientific research and training, which extends beyond Pakistan’s borders. She noted that the center has received recognition from various international organizations, including its designation as a UNESCO Center of Excellence, WHO Collaborating Center, and OIC Center of Excellence. Prof. Shaheen highlighted the support of the Higher Education Commission and the Government of Sindh to the ICCBS, University of Karachi.
Pakistan’s Drug Candidate Shows Promise for Epilepsy Treatment, Say Experts
Scientists have emphasized the enduring significance of natural products in treating health disorders, highlighting their extensive use since ancient times.
Speaking at the 16th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-16) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, experts elaborated that Z-acid is a promising new drug candidate from Pakistan for the treatment of epilepsy and stroke.
On the second day of the symposium, national and international scholars delivered plenary and invited lectures. The event has attracted 60 scholars from over 29 countries, alongside 400 Pakistani researchers.
In her plenary lecture, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS, highlighted that epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder requiring lifelong use of antiepileptic drugs to control unprovoked seizures, and many approved antiepileptic drugs are associated with adverse side effects such as lack of efficacy and memory loss and DNA damaging effect. She noted that there is a strong need for rescue medicine for uncontrolled seizures and diazepam, and midazolam is an older-generation drug, and remains the only rescue medicine available in rectal gel form and nasal sprays. Dr. Farzana shared her research findings on novel antiepileptic drug candidate Z-acid which is a promising new drug candidate from Pakistan for the treatment of epilepsy and stroke.
She pointed out that Z-acid nasal formulation has demonstrated significant potential as both an antiepileptic and neuroprotective agent with better activity profile and safety in preclinical studies.
Dr. Janar Jenis, a scholar from Kazakhstan, discussed the expanding use of medicinal plants due to their affordability, complex therapeutic effects, and the potential for long-term use without side effects. She informed participants that his research team had developed bioactive oral supplements with immune-boosting, pantiviral, and anti-influenza properties.
Additionally, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Norio Matsushima from Japan and Dr. Fatimah Salim from Malaysia delivered a lecture, alongside numerous other scholars presenting in concurrent sessions on the second day of the symposium.
AMR Causes Five Million Deaths Globally, Say Experts
Researchers have identified Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as one of the most significant global public health and development challenges.
They emphasized the potential of natural products as effective antimicrobial agents, and said that the Islamic Golden Age was a step towards modern medicine, with unique insights and multi-disciplinary aspects.
According to estimates, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019 and contributed to a total of five million AMR-associated deaths. Experts highlighted that plant-based products hold promise as antimicrobial agents.
These views were expressed by national and international scholars during plenary and invited lectures on the second day of the 16th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-16), held at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi on Wednesday. The event has drawn 60 scholars from 29 countries, along with 400 Pakistani researchers.
Italian scientist Prof. Dr. Marcello Iriti stated that AMR poses a serious threat to public health, with approximately five million deaths attributed to it globally. He noted that a promising therapeutic strategy involves combining natural products with conventional antibiotics to minimize the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains or counteract multidrug resistance caused by bacterial efflux pumps.
“Undoubtedly, plant-derived products are promising antimicrobial agents,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Hesham R. El-Seedi from Sweden discussed the historical use of medicinal plants and their modern applications in both preclinical and clinical studies. He highlighted that ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations had extensive knowledge of drug preparation from plants and herbs thousands of years ago.
He said traditional Islamic Medicine has had a significant impact on the development of various medical, scientific, and educational activities. Innumerable Muslim and non-Muslim physicians have built on the strong foundation of Traditional Islamic Medicine by translating the described natural remedies and effects, he mentioned.
Prof. Dr. Ute Romling from Sweden pointed out that while modern medicine and technological advancements have provided numerous benefits, they have also contributed to the emergence of new disease patterns, including the evolution and spread of pandemic clones of pathogenic bacteria.
Iranian scholar Prof. Dr. Babak Kaboudin noted that over the past two decades, gene therapy using artificial nanomaterials has gained significant attention due to its potential to treat a wide range of human diseases.
Additionally, Prof. Dr. Norbert Sewald from Germany delivered a lecture, alongside numerous other scholars who presented their research in concurrent sessions on the second day of the symposium.
Global Moot on Natural Product Chemistry Concludes
The 16th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-16) concluded at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, with key recommendations for advancing research in natural products.
Amid growing interest in natural products within the healthcare sector, the symposium’s concluding session emphasized the urgent need to protect medicinal plants from overexploitation. It also called for the development of new herbal drugs derived from medicinal plants and natural compounds to combat major diseases.
The international symposium was organized by the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry at ICCBS, University of Karachi. Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS, chaired the concluding session.
A total of 60 scholars from 29 countries, including Germany, the USA, the UK, China, Sweden, Iran, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Sudan, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, and Zimbabwe, participated in the conference, while 400 scholars attended from Pakistan. The four-day global science gathering featured several brainstorming sessions, plenary lectures, invited presentations, and session lectures. Additionally, around 130 research posters were presented by young scholars. Notably, several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between ICCBS, University of Karachi, and leading institutions from various countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen thanked both national and international experts for their participation. She noted that the attendance of a large number of foreign experts reflects the symposium’s role in fostering scientific collaboration beyond borders. She underscored the importance of medicinal plant research, emphasizing that the development of plant-based drugs could help prevent several fatal diseases.
Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf, ISNPC Organizing Secretary, also expressed gratitude to all participants and acknowledged the contributions of faculty, staff, and students in making the symposium a success.
On the occasion, while expressing their views, some foreign scientists praised the arrangements of the symposium and the hospitality of the Pakistani people. They stated that hosting such a mega-science event is a great privilege for Pakistan.
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen distributed certificates to participants and awarded prizes to the winners of the poster competition.