The aim of this study is the determination of the anti-adhesion activity of active compounds extracted from plants in the inhibition of adhesion ability of C. albicans that is used as a virulence factor for infection. Adherence to host surfaces is a primary factor in the colonization of human tissues by fungi, which can also adhere to the surfaces of medical devices and form biofilms. Medicinal plants possess therapeutic properties or beneficial pharmacological effects on the body. A total of one hundred samples were collected from female patients with vaginal infection in two hospitals in Baghdad city for three months. The fungi were isolated and identified by microscopic morphology, morphological features on culture media, and Vital Index of Traditional Environmental Knowledge (VITEK 2) System. Extraction and purification of plant active compounds, vasicine from Adhatoda vasica and gallic acid from Punica granatum L. , were performed. The active compounds were used as anti-adhesion factors and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) against Candida albicans was determined. We also used the antifungal drug fluconazole for comparison as a control. The results of vaginal discharge characterization of clinical samples showed that 30% of the infections are caused by fungi (100% were Candida albicans), 47% by Gram negative bacteria, and 23% by Gram positive bacteria. The results of MIC assays showed that the plant extract and the antifungal drug do not seem to have fungicidal effects on the isolates of C. albicans tested. The ability of C. albicans isolates for adhesion to the epithelial cells was detected by the calculation of the number of adherent C. albicans cells under light microscope. The activity of vasicin and gallic acid appeared to be approximately equal on the number of C. albicans adherent on epithelial cells. Vasicin concentration activity used in mg/ ml was higher than that used in µg/ ml, with less numbers of C. albicans adhered on epithelial cell. However, treatment with fluconazole showed that more than half of the number of C. albicans were non-adherent on epithelial cells when added to the suspension, in contrast to the control (C. albicans without the extracts or antifungal drug).
The aqueous extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) leaves as a green corrosion inhibitor for AA7051 aluminum alloy in sodium hydroxide solution was investigated at a range of temperatures. Potentiodynamic polarization findings exhibit a mixed–type inhibitor with directly increased inhibition efficiency with the concentration of inhibitor. The adsorption of the inhibitor on aluminum alloy obeys Langmuir isotherm and the kinetic as well as thermodynamic parameters were measured and discussed.
In this study, Iraqi bentonite taken from Trefawi area/ Al-Anbar region province/ Iraq, was activated to enhance its rheological and filtration properties and increase its quality by decreasing the non-clay minerals (impurities), in order to be used in Iraqi oil companies instead of commercial bentonite. Bentonite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and particle size distribution (PSD) before and after activation to show the effects on its mineral and chemical properties. The rheological properties of bentonite were enhanced by using different weights (0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 gm) of sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), whereas the filtration properties were enhanced by using different weights (0.5
... Show MoreAwsaj (Lycium barbarum) is a plant belong to family Solanaceae serves as a good source of bioactive compounds like phytosterols which have many important biological activity. Literature survey available so far revealed that there was no studies about Iraqi wild Awsaj phytosterols especially B-sitosterol, there for the objective of this study was to examine the efficiency of ultrasound assisted extraction (probe and bath) as compared to the conventional (Soxhlet) extraction method for extraction of phytosterols especially B-sitosterol from fruits, leaves, stems and roots of Iraqi wild Awsaj plant. This goal was achieved by comparing the extraction mass yield, also by a quick and easy approach for identification and quantification of bioac
... Show MoreThe increasing anti-bacterial drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges facing doctors around the globe, so finding alternative treatments is one of the ideal options to overcome this problem. The cruciferous family is one of the wealthiest plants worldwide because it contains the most important secondary metabolites, glucosinolates, known for their anti-microbial properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-bacterial effect of glucosinolates (Sinigrin) against eight bacterial isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Actinomyces, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus pneumoniae). The current study investigated six concentrations of pure
... Show MoreIn this research some new nucleoside analogues were synthesized. Starting from α-D- glucose which was protected to glucose penta acetat α-D- glucose pyronside (1). Which was converted to active form 1-bromo protected sugar (2) as a sugar moiety. The base moiety 2-substituted imidazoline (3,4) was prepared from condensation of ethylene diamine with two kind of aromatic aldehydes, which were subjected to amino alkylation via Mannich reaction forming new nucleaobase derivatives (5-10). Condensation of nucleobase with bromo sugar through nucleophilic substitution of anomeric carbon with nitrogen forming new protected nucleoside analogues (11-16). De blocking of these nucleoside analogues with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded our targe
... Show MoreThirty five samples were collected from patients (1-30) years old, suffered from, infected skin , rushes, boils , oral thrush, anal & vaginal itches. Candida albicans 57.3% (20 isolates) and Candida tropicalis 22.5% (8 isolates) Aspergillus fumegatus 11.5% (4 isolates) Aspergillus nigar 8.7%(3 isolates) , were isolated & identified from these samples. Alcoholic & water hot extracts of the punica granatum (Pomegranate) peels as well as the dried powder were prepared. The anti-fungal activity of the extracts was evaluated by means of the agar-well diffusion assay. The extract exhibited potent activity against yeast. The Minimum inhibitory concentra
... Show MoreThere has been an increase in demand for nanocomposite, which has resulted in large-scale manufacturers employing high-energy processes and harmful solvents. Because of this, the need for environmentally benign "green" synthesis processes has grown. Other methods for making nanocomposite include using plants and plant products, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae. Green synthesis has minimal toxicity and is safe for human health and the environment compared to other processes, making it the ideal option for creating nanocomposite materials. This work reveals an environmentally friendly synthesis method for magnetic nanocomposites. In particular, they were using an aqueous extract of Artemisia to obtain ZnO/Fe3O4
... Show MoreThe elections of the Council of Representatives in Iraq are one of the manifestations of political participation, which makes it attracts the attention of researchers. Where Iraq witnessed in 2005 important political events in the Iraqi arena, a pluralist parliamentary elections or elections in Iraq by direct free election on January 30, the first almost half a century ago. On November 15 of the same year, Iraq adopted a permanent constitution for the country through a popular referendum.