Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease that is characterized by swollen skin patches. Normally, these skin patches are dark, swollen, itchy and scaly. The single application of the innate TLR7/8 ligand Imiquimod (IMQ) in mice easily induces a dermatitis that closely resembles human psoriasis, critically dependent on the axis of IL-23/IL-17. Artemisia dracunculus prepared as an ointment and has been used topically to mice before imiquimod application. The results of the current study showed that A. dracunculus ointment can significantly reduce psoriasis area and severity index in (A. dracunculus ointment + imiquimod group as compared with both control group and (vehicle ointment + imiquimod) group.
Curcumin is a yellow pigment produced from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant and a primary chemo preventive component of turmeric is used as a spice and food coloring ingredient. Curcumin has a large number of pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-infectious, and anti-inflammatory properties.Investigation of the geno-protective effect of curcumin on methotrexate induces chromosomal aberrations of spleen and bone marrow cells. In this study, 32 mice were used and divided into four groups (eight mice at each group) as follows: Group1 (negative control): Dimethyl sulfoxide was given intraperitoneally to mice every day for ten days.Group2 (positive control): Mice were received a single do
... Show MoreBackground:
Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous hive product. It consists of exudate from plants mixed with beeswax and used be bees as glue in general-purpose as sealer and
draught-exclude for beehives. Propolis, used in folk medicine, has attracted researchers attention to elucidate its therapeutic properties, as antioxidant and
anticancer. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the role of propolis in modulating effects of mitomycin C; MMC.
Methods:
Ethanolic solutions of propolis were prepared and administered to albino male mice (Mus musculus) through three types of experiments. In the first, the propolis was
tested alone, while in the second and third experiments, propolis was given orally&nbs
Endometrial Cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancy of the female reproductive system. With an increasing incidence, it is important to improve the new prognosis ways for its pre-diagnosis that must be early, accurate and effective. This study aimed to search for biological (like some new interleukins) which could help in early diagnosis of EC before the hysterectomy. Currently not enough research is being done exploiting linking between the interleukins submitted in this study and EC. Epically IL-36 and IL-38, which have been recently described and are still under study in the world. This study is the first of its kind in Iraq. Fifty-five patients with EC (mainly in their first or second stage, due to early diagnosis and who ne
... Show MoreBackground: Nitric oxide ( NO) is a physiological mediator of many processes in the eye including regulation of aqueous humor dynamics. Compounds acting via NO dependent mechanisms may enhance aqueous humor outflow and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) .
Objective: Sildenafil a cGMP specific phosphodiesterase 5inhibitor that potentiates NO production and increases cyclic GMP is tested in this study for its effects on intraocular pressure in an acute ocular hypertension model in rabbits.
Materials and methods: Newzealand albino rabbits of either sex weighing 2–2.5 Kg , were used in this study. Sildenafil was prepared in a vehicle of phosphate buffer and diluted to the required strength of 0.5%. Intraocular pressure (IOP ) was meas
Background: a number of studies have shown that application of topical calcineurin inhibitors is effective for a broad spectrum of inflammatory skin disorders.
Objective: to compare the efficacy and safety of 1% of pimecrolimus cream versus 0.05% of clobetasol cream and 0.005% of calcipotriol cream in psoriatic patients.
Patients and methods: adults on stable plaque psoriasis were randomized to three treatment groups (pimecrolimus, clobetasol, and calcipotriol group). The criteria of inclusion involve affected BSA of ≤10%, with a local psoriasis severity index (LPSI) score of ≥5. The main assessment of clinical efficacy was the percent changes in LPSI. The quantitative determination of cytokine levels (IL -6, s IL-2R, TNF-α),
Background: To test effectiveness and safety of topical methotrexate 0.5%gel and to introduce new formula of methotrexate gel using suitable media for delivery.
Patients and Methods: The clinical work was performed at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital during the period from January 2008 to October 2008. While preparation of formula was performed in the laboratories of the Department of Pharmacology- College of Medicine-University of Baghdad. Patients were divided in to two groups according to the type of treatment, group (I) 32 patients treated with methotrexate 0.5% gel and group(II) (placebo group) included 33 patients treated with placebo gel.
Results: A tota
This study is to evaluate plasma levels of several cytokines in preeclamptic pregnancies compared to those of healthy pregnancies. Ninety pregnant women with preeclampsia (37 mild & 53 severe) and thirty healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken and plasma levels of IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-? were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Preeclamptic women and their severe cases but not mild cases had significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of plasma IL-8, and IFN-? as compared with healthy pregnancies. By contrast, plasma levels of IL-10 was significantly (P<0.05) increased in healthy pregnant women as compared to all groups of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance betwe
... Show MoreIn this study, the possible protective effects of daidzein on ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity in male rats were examined by the determination of changes in selected oxidant–antioxidant markers of male rats’ brain tissue.
Twenty-eight (28) apparently-healthy Wistar male rats weighing (120-150gm) allocated into 4 groups (n=7) were used in this study. Rats orally-administered 1% tween 20 dissolved in distilled water/Control (Group I); rats were orally-administered daidzein suspension (100mg/kg) for 7 days (Group II); rats intraperitoneally-injected with a single dose of ifosfamide (500 mg/kg) (Group III); rats orally-administered for 7 days with the daidzein (100mg/
... Show MoreThe aim of the study was extraction of arial part of Euphorbia cyathophora constituents with methanol and evaluate its effect on mitotic index and total chromosomal aberration bone marrow cell and spleen cell in mice 200 gm of E. cyathophora fine powder was defatted then extracted by cold maceration 80% ethanol for seven days. The extract was filtered and dried in a rotary evaporator then the dried extract was suspended with water and consecutively extracted using chloroform, ethyl acetate for each. The aqueous layer was then mixed with 100ml methanol. These fractions are dried under reduced pressure to obtain the dry extract. Twenty-four Albino mice were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into four groups: Gr
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