Background: Herbs are being widely explored to discover alternatives to synthetic antibacterial agents.Small Cardamom often referred to as queen of spices because of its very pleasant aroma and taste, have a history as old as human race. Most people use cardamom as a spice and are largely unaware of its numerous health benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of water and alcoholic cardamom extracts on sensitivities, growth, and adherence of Mutans streptococci in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this study, saliva was collected from ten volunteers (College students 18-22 years). Agar well technique was used to study the sensitivities of Mutans streptococci to different concentrations of small cardamom extracts and other control agents, also the effects of small cardamom extracts on viable counts, adherence of Mutans streptococci were studied Results: According to agar well diffusion methods, both cardamom extracts were effective in inhibition of Mutans streptococci, but still weaker than chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2%. Alcoholic extracts showed higher zone of inhibition compared to the same concentration of water with high significance differences (P<0.01). The effects of 10%, 15%, and 20% of both water and alcohol extracts of small cardamom were tested on the viability counts of Mutans streptococci in vitro. Highly significant reduction in the counts of bacteria was reported of both cardamom extracts and CHX in comparison to control without agents after 24 hr. Both cardamom extracts less effective than CHX. All the concentration of water and alcohol cardamom mouth washes tested was not effective in prevention the adherence of bacteria on teeth surface in vitro, while CHX was effective in prevention the adherence of bacteria. Conclusion: Cardamom extracts were effective against Mutans streptococci, but still less than CHX.
Fresh water resources in terms of water quality is a crucial issue worldwide. In Egypt, the Nile River is the main source of fresh water in the country and monitoring its water quality is a major task on governments and research levels. In the present case study, the physical, chemical and algal distribution in Nile River was monitored over two seasons (winter and summer) in 2019. The aims of the study were to check the seasonal variation among the different water parameters and also to check the correlations between those parameters. Water samples were collected from the Nile in Cairo governorate in EGYPT. The different physiochemical and microbiological properties in water samples were assessed. The studied parameters were included: te
... Show Morehe present work, among other previous studies done in our lab, aimed to highlight the histopathological effect of S. xylosus peptidoglycan in comparison to LPS of E. coli. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty urine specimens were collected from urinary tract infection patients visiting Baghdad hospitals. The histopathological effects of S. xylosus S24 peptidoglycan was studied in the urinary tract of female mice by injecting 5 animal groups at the following concentrations: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 µg/mL. Another 5 groups were injected with 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ng/mL of E. coli (serotype 0128:B12) LPS. Results: Ten isolates were confirmed to be Staphylococcus xylosus. Histopathological study showed different pathological
... Show MoreBackground: The marginal seal is essential for sealant success because penetration of bacteria under the sealant might allow caries onset or progression. The aim of the present study was to estimate and compare the microleakage of pit and fissure sealant after various methods of occlusal surface preparation. Materials and methods: Thirty non-carious premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were equally divided into three groups. In group one, occlusal fissures were opened with round carbide bur, in group two, occlusal surfaces of the teeth were cleaned with a dry pointed bristle brush and samples of group three were cleaned with a slurry of fine flour of pumice in water using rubber cup. Then fissures of all teeth were etched using 35% p
... Show MoreABSTRACT Background: Bracket rebonding is a common problem in orthodontics which may result in many drawbacks. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of application of two enamel protective agents “Icon†and “ProSeal†on shear bond strength before and after rebonding of stainless steel orthodontic brackets using conventional orthodontic adhesive and to assess the site of bond failure. Materials and methods: Fifty sound extracted human upper first premolar teeth were selected and randomly divided into two equal groups; the first time bonding and the rebonding groups (n=30). Each group was subdivided into control, Icon and ProSeal subgroups. The enamel protective agents were applied after etching (precondi
... Show MoreLactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were encapsulated using 3% of alginate via extrusion technique. And the probiotics capsules produced were further coated used 1% chitosan to increase the survival of probiotics, and evaluation of The heat resistance of the slow pasteurization and fast pasteurization for Lb,pla and Lb.GG for control and bacteria coated one layer and bacteria coated two layer at 63°C/ 30 minutes and 72°C/ 15 seconds. The results indicate that the Probiotic coated two layer are more resistant to pasteurization temperatures at 63°C/ 30 minutes and 72°C/ 15 seconds than the Probiotic coated one layer. While the results of the control follow a significant reduction for viability of cell toward pasteuri
... Show MoreBackground: Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome prevalent in women, even those of reproductive age. Ovarian reserve can be defined as the number and quality of follicles in the ovary at any given time. Evaluation of ovarian reserve is recommended for patients at risk of decreased ovarian reserve. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of hypothyroidism on ovarian reserve in Iraqi women by hormonal measurements of serum anti-mullerian hormones AMH, FSH, and LH. Subjects and methods: This case–control study was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, in collaboration with Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, and National Center for Teaching Labo
... Show MoreThis study aimed to investigate the ability of clove and cinnamon extracts to make pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae more sensitive to the host’s immune system and thereby interrupt the bacterial infection process in the rat model. Therefore, 60 Wistar male rats were used in this study. The phytochemical constituents of the plant extract were analysed using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Then, the capability of the plant extracts, as prophylactic and treatment, against K. pneumoniae in rats was studied by estimating the complete blood counts (CBCs) and the serum concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) before and after the treatment. The results showed that
... Show MoreA qualitative chemical test was performed on functional groups extracted from fenugreek plant and its extracts (aqueous, alcoholic and volatile oil). Results revealed that fenugreek seeds contain the main functional groups, while extracts are varied accorodihg to their content of functional groups qualitatively and quantitively. Moreover, inhibition activity was tested for extracts of fenugreek seeds (aqueous, alcoholic and volatile oil). against gram negative (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) by the ager well diffusion method. Data have revealed that inhibition activity was different in accoradance with extract solvent and the tested microorgan. Oil extract (15)%
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