Medicinal plants contain bioactive substances that are highly bioavailable in extracts or pure molecules, making them promising for therapeutic applications and precursors for chemo-pharmaceutical semi-synthesis. Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) is widely recognized as one of the most potent therapeutic herbs. This study aimed to extract seeds from H. procumbens using two types of solvents and to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the extracts. The two extracts were evaluated for antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities using agar well diffusion assays against four bacterial isolates and two yeast isolates. Qualitative analysis identified the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. The active components detected were: alkaloids (12.69%), flavonoids (3.25%), total phenolic compounds (24.58%), total terpenoids (8.55%), and total steroids (1.25% for methanolic and 4.55% for petroleum ether). Both methanolic and petroleum ether extracts exhibited antioxidant activities of approximately 85.33% and 74.19%, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid, which had an antioxidant effect of 67.99% at a concentration of 200 µg/ml. The extracts demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against all tested bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes) and fungi (Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis). At a concentration of 1000 µg/ml, the seed extracts showed the highest bactericidal activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 22 mm. Moreover, both extracts exhibited greater anti-biofilm activity at 1000 µg/ml compared to lower concentrations. Our study found that seed extracts of H. procumbens possess significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities, particularly at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml.
Apical meristems, lateral buds, anthers of immature flowers and immature embryos of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) were cultured on MS media with different growth regulators and incubated for 6 weeks at 25-27?C with 16 hrs photoperiod for callus initiation. Results indicated that 1 and 0.1 mg/l of 2,4-D and BA were suitable for callus initiation when apical meristems and lateral buds were used. While 2 and 0.5 mg/l of both growth regulators were essential for immature embryos. It was noticed that using chickpea anthers of the MS medium must contain 1mg/l 2ip and 0.5 mg/l IAA. However, MS medium supplemented with 1-3 mg/l of BA and 2,4-D respectively was good for callus initiation from lateral buds, anther and immature embryos.
... Show MoreUrinary tract infections (UTI) are some of the most common infections experienced by humans, exceeded in frequency among ambulatory patient only by respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. It is also the most common cause of nosocomial infection in adults. A total of three hundred urine sample were collected in age (1-69 years old) in both gender, with (UTI) symptoms referred to AL-Yarmok Teaching Hospital at Baghdad city during the period from January 2010 till August 2010. The commonest isolates were Escherichia coli (E.Coli), Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae (These represented 49.2%, 22 %, and16 % of isolates respectively). The percentage of bacteria incidence in females
... Show MoreThirty nine hyperlipoproteinemic (HPLic) male subject aged (48-63) year not on any of the lipid lowering drugs, attending out patient clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, were included in the present study, in addition to twenty two normolipidimic male subjects of matched age were included as control throughout this study. The first part of this study was devoted to the classification of the HPLic subjects according to the serum lipid and lipoprotein profile following defined criteria. The lipid parameter including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were investigated in serum of HPLic subjects included in the study. The classification was performed according to Fred
... Show MoreMetal oxide nanocomposites (MONCs) manufacturing is increasingly gaining popularity. The primary cause of this is the broad range of applications for such materials, which include fuel cells, photovoltaics, cosmetics, medicine, semiconductor packing materials, water treatment, and catalysts. Due to their size, stability, high surface area, catalytic activity, simplicity in fabrication, and selectivity for particular reactions. The MONCs with various morphologies have been created by physical, chemical, and biological processes, such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, solvothermal, and microwave irradiation. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a major component of clove essential oil and it was found in various plant groups, has
... Show MoreSilymarin is derived from the milk thistle plant, and possesses numerous pharmacological actions, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The aim of the study was to the determination of influence different concentrations of Silymarin on the rumen performance in 30 local lambs (divided into three groups of 10 lambs each). In the first and second groups, 420 and 210 mg kg-1 of silymarin were administered for 8 weeks, and the third group was the control, which received normal saline solution. The parameters evaluated included the level of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia and pH in the rumen. Furthermore, the in vitro digestibility of ash, protein, fat and dry matter was investigated.
... Show MoreAgricultural development occupies an important position in the economies of developing countries, and its role is greater for the Arab countries. The first task is to provide food security for all the population through sustainable development, which includes the investment of available natural resources and employment opportunities for the rural population, As well as the provision of raw materials for agricultural processing in order to increase agricultural exports to reduce the balance of payments deficit. Sustainable development is linked to increased production and improvement, as well as to food security. On the one hand, it has to cope with the increase in population and if it is possible to achieve a surplus allocated for export, a
... Show MoreInfection of the gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori virulence factors include a variety of proteins that are involved in its pathogenesis, such as VacA and CagA. Another group of virulence factors is clearly important for colonization of H.pylori in the gastric mucosa. These include urease, motility factors (flagellin), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Because of this organism's microaerophilic nature and the increased levels of reactive oxygen in the infected host, we expect that other factors involved in the response to oxidative stress are likely to be required for virulence. Superoxide dismutase is a near
... Show MoreThe novel heterocyclic organozinc compounds were prepared from the reaction of diazonum salt cytosine zinc chloride with thymol and vanilin as coupler components. The prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and UV-Vis, FTIR and 1HMNR spectroscopic techniques. The biological activity was also studied for all prepared compounds.