Cataract, which is the opacity inside clear ocular lens of eye, result in the scattering of visible light as it passes via the lens and consequently deterioration in optical image. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether safranal, an active constituent of Crocus sativus L. stigmas, has a protective effect on the cataract in the rat's pups. The animals were randomly divided into five groups, each of which consisted of 7 rat pups. Group I served as normal control (vehicle administration). For testing cataract induction, animals of Groups II, III, and IV were administered a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite on postpartum day 12. After sodium selenite intoxication, Group II served as control selenite, Groups III-IV received intraperitoneal safranal at doses of 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively from the 11th day through the 17th day, while group V receive only safranal (300 mg/kg). On postpartum day 30, the rat pups were examined for cataract formation, and the lenses were isolated for further analysis. This study found that selenite caused significant (p < 0.05) cataract formation. Through the effects of selenite on the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) which was upregulated. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzymes levels GSH levels and NRF2 protein were downregulated. In contrast, treatment with safranal could significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorate cataract formation and oxidative damage in the lens. Moreover, safranl administration significantly increased the protein expressions of Nrf2 and the GSH level, in addition to reducing the level both the MDA and the level soluble proteins in the lens. Taken together, safranal is a prospective anti-cataract agent that probably delays the onset and progression of cataracts induced by sodium selenite.
Lactobacillus is one of Lactic Acid Bacteria group, they are known to exhibit antagonistic activity against pathogenic organisms. This study evaluates the protective effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus Crud Bacteriocin like substance against growth of some food borne pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial effect of crud bacteriocin like substance was tested against the growth of S. typhi and S. aureus that isolated from food samples by agar well diffusion assay.
The results showed that the crud extract of bacteriocin like substance had antibacterial activity against the two tested bacteria, and the effect against S. typhi was greater than that of S. aureus , the zone of inhibition was (15)mm against S.&n
The aim of this study was toward the possibility of producing antigen that has the ability to stimulate the immune response against the infection with the hydatid cyst. To do so antigens were extracted from sheep hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus .These were: 1- The hydatid cyst fluid called antigen B. 2- Excretion-secretion called ES antigen. 3-B/ES antigen is a mixture (1:1) of the above two antigens. Three concentrations (15, 30 and 60 µg/ml) from antigen B/ES were prepared to immunize the white mice (males) with 20 µg/gr body weight and one booster dose (10 µg/gr) to stimulate immunity. The efficiency of t
... Show MoreThe microbial production of substances that have the ability to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms is possibly the most common defense strategy developed in nature. Microorganisms produce a variable collection of microbial defense systems, which include antibiotics, metabolic by-products, lytic agents, bacteriocins and others. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Enterococcus spp. and its most prevalent species from food samples and determine its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus isolates. A total of 50 food samples from different sources (dairy products (20 samples) and vegetables and fish (15 samples each)) were collected from different local markets in Baghdad and
... Show MoreAim: The study designed to evaluate the Geno-protective effect of green tea extract against genotoxicity induced by metronidazole and tinidazole. Methods: Thirty-six mice were used, For each experiment, The animals divided into 6 groups: Group I- Negative control administered distilled water; Group II-Healthy mice treated with metronidazole alone, Group III- Healthy mice treated with tinidazole alone; Group IV- Healthy mice administered green tea extract alone Group V- Healthy mice treated with metronidazole, followed by green tea extract administration, Group VI- Healthy mice treated with tinidazole, followed by administration of green tea extract. Results: treatment with Tinidazole significantly increase total chromosomal aberration (0.18
... Show More
Asphalt Hot Mix (HMA) is mainly applied in highway construction in Iraq because of its economic advantage and easy maintenance. Various factors impact the performance of HMA in the field. It is one of the significant impacts on aggregate gradation. The Universal Specification for Roads and Bridges in Iraq (SCRB) limits the different types of asphalt layers and allows for designed tolerance aggregate gradation. It is quite hard for contractors in the present asphalt industries to achieve the required job mix because of sieves' control problems. This study focuses on the effects on the required specification performance of aggregate deviations by using original and modified asphalt binder with AC(40-50) and
... Show MoreNutrient enrichment of Sawa lake water was made using different nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations during autumn and spring at three stations. Different concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and N: P ratios were used to test variations in phytoplankton population dynamics. Nitrogen at a concentration of 25 µmole.l-1 and N: P ratio of 10:1 gave highest phytoplankton cell number at all stations and seasons. A total of 64 algal taxa dominated by Bacillariophyceae followed by Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae were identified. The values of Shannon index of diversity were more than one in the studied stations.
Abstract: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the widespread chronic liver diseases; it is ranging from simple fat buildup in the liver (steatosis) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) presence of inflammation and hepatocyte injury. &nb
... Show MoreIn this paper, the impact of magnetic force, rotation, and nonlinear heat radiation on the peristaltic flow of a hybrid bio -nanofluids through a symmetric channel are investigated. Under the assumption of a low Reynolds number and a long wavelength, the exact solution of the expression for stream function, velocity, heat transfer coefficient, induced magnetic field, magnetic force, and temperature are obtained by using the Adomian decomposition method. The findings show that the magnetic force contours improve when the magnitude of the Hartmann number M is high and decreases when rotation increases. Lastly, the effects of essential parameters that appear in the problem are analyzed through a graph. Plotting all figures is done using the
... Show More