The study aimed to evaluating the inhibitory activity of apigenin extracted from Salvia officinalis leaves on the growth of L20B cancer cell in vitro, and through two incubation periods; 48 and 72 hours. Accordingly, eight concentrations (1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0 and 200.0 micromol) of apigenin and similar concentrations of vitamin C and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were tested. The apigenin revealed its significant inhibitory potentials against the growth of L20B cell line, especially at the low concentrations (1.56, 3.13 and 6.25 micromol) and at 72 incubation period in comparison with vitamin C and CCl4.

Nanoparticles are a special group of materials with unique features and extensive applications in diverse fields. The use of nanoparticles of some metals is a viable solution to stop infectious diseases due to the antimicrobial properties of these nanoparticles. The present work demonstrates the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the antibacterial activity of four different antibiotics (amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and penicillin) against eleven Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. Disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of various classes of antibiotics in the absence and presence of sub-inhibitory silver nanoparticles of concentration (80 microgram/ml). A synergistic effect was o

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme rich in cysteine proteases, extracted from the stem and fruit of pineapple (Ananas comosus). There are several therapeutic applications of the bromelain enzyme, where it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activity, reduces joint pain, and accelerates wound healing. In the current study, bromelain enzyme was loaded on silver nanoparticles (Br-AgNPs) prepared using the citrate-reduction Turkevich method. Different characterization analyses were performed, including UV-Vis spectrophotometers, FTIR, SEM, and XRD analyses. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of prepared Br-AgNPs was evaluated by DPPH assay. The results of UV-Vis showed a peak at 434 nm, which referred to the AgNPs f

      Biocompatible gold nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by hibiscus plant leaf extract as a bioreactor. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated using UV/Vis spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) . The study also investigated the effect of the different gamma irradiation doses on the size and dispersion of the produced nanoparticles. In UV- Vis spectra, the peak of Au NPs' surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was detected as a single peak at 543 nm. The gamma irradiation induced a blue shift in the SPR peak, which indicates that it might be applied as affective factor for size control.  Physical as well as chemi

Most approaches to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria concentrate on discovering new antibiotics or modifying existing ones. However, one of the most promising alternatives is the use of bacteriophages. This study was focused on the isolation of bacteriophages that are specific to some of commonly human pathogens namely E. coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These bacteriophages were isolated from sewages that were collected from four different locations in Kirkuk City. Apart from S. pyogenes, bacteriophages specific to all tested bacteria were successfully isolated and tested for their effectiveness by spot test. The most effective

The structural, optical properties of copper oxide thin films ( CuO) thin films which have been prepared by thermal oxidation with exist air once and oxygen another have been studied. Structural analysis results of Cu thin films demonstrate that the single phase of Cu with high a crystalline structure with a preferred orientation (111). X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of pure (CuO) phase in both methods of preparation. The optical constant are investigated and calculated such as absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient and the dielectric constants for the wavelengths in the range (300-1100) nm.

Biofilm formation represents one of the biggest problems facing scientists because of this phenomenon linkage with virulence of bacteria and other clinical environmental problems. In the present study, two clinical isolates,
Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were exposed to the non thermal plasma for different intervals of time (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 min). The biofilm was measured post exposing. It was found that 2 min. exposing to non-thermal plasma reduced the biofilm formation by both clinical isolates significantly. It can be concluded that the ability of S. aureus to form biofilm higher than E. coli and exposing for 2 min to non-thermal plasma sufficient to reduce the biofilm formati

The preparation and characterization of innovative nanocomposites based on zinc oxide nanorods (ZNR) encapsulated by graphene (Gr) nanosheets and decorated with silver (Ag), and cupper (Cu) nanoparticles (NP) were studied. The prepared nanocomposites (ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag) were examined by different techniques including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the ZNR has been good cover by five layers of graphene and decorated with Ag and Cu NPs with particles size of about 10-15 nm. The ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites exhibit high absorption behavior in ultraviolet (UV) region of sp

The aim of study is to identify the histological changes in ovaries of the albino mice exposed to silver nanoparticles. Sixty adult females were collected and exposures by 4000 p.p.m. and 50-150 nm in size, Females were divided into 3treated groups. The concentration dosage was (1, 1.5 and 2) p.p.m. of silver nanoparticles for 7, 14 and 21 days as exposure periods as well as control group which treated by normal saline. Treated groups appeared different histopathological changes, it is depending on the concentration of silver nanoparticles and the period of exposure. These changes were included congestion in the blood vessels, hemorrhage, hyaline degeneration, fatty degeneration, pyknosis, necrosis as well as fusion of cells in follicula