Total flavonoid contents, reductive ability and radical scavenging activity were studied in the methanol extracts of Arum maculatum L. and Physalis peruviana L. The results revealed that A. maculatum extract had total flavonoids of 535.3±109.9 µg/ml, which was significantly higher than the recorded flavonoids in P. peruviana extract (352.0±12.7 µg/ml). Assessment of reductive ability revealed that both extract were effective in such activity and concentration-dependent. The highest absorbance was found at the concentration 0.64 mg/ml of A. maculatum methanol extract (0.929±0.006), which was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than the corresponding concentration of P. peruviana extract (0.850 ± 0.050) or trolox (0.278±0.010), but the second extract also showed a significant increased absorbance compared to trolox. The results of DPPH radical scavenging activity confirmed those of reductive ability, and again the highest concentration (0.500 mg/ml) of both extracts (A. maculatum and P. peruviana) recorded the best radical scavenging activity (93.33±0.58 and 95.33±2.52%, respectively), which was significantly higher than that of vitamin C (64.67±5.03%). In conclusion, both extracts can be considered as important medicinal plants that have the potential of anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging activities.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of potential interest because of their effective antibacterial and antiviral activities. Capping agents are used for exhibiting a better antibacterial activity than uncapped Ag NPs. There are very few reports that have shown the usage of AgNPs for in-vivo antibacterial therapy. Citrate-capped silver nanoparticles were synthesized chemically by citrate reduction method; the size of Cit-AgNPs was determined by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and was between 15-90 nm. Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates were the only sensitive species to Cit-AgNPs. MICs and MBC of Cit-AgNPs were determined by using A. baumannii. The results showed an additive effect of Cit-AgNPs. Four mice groups were infected with
... Show MoreHematological malignancies remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide despite advances in cancer therapeutics. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of Paramyxoviridae that elicits considerable interest as an anticancer agent because it can replicate up to 10 000 times faster in human cancer cells than in most normal cancer cells. Several NDV strains reportedly induce the cytolysis of cancerous cell lines. The attenuated Iraqi strain (AMHA1) of NDV is a novel oncolytic agent with promising antitumor characteristics, including apoptosis induction. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the AMHA1 NDV strain to induce apoptotic cell death in hematological tumors through caspase-dependent or independent apoptotic pathways. The
... Show MoreSome methods recommended abroad to control the oriental hornet, Vespa orientalis L., attacking the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies were tested, with some modifications, for the first time under the Iraqi conditions. One of these methods was carried out by covering the hive entrance with a piece of queen excluder to prevent the hornet from entering the hive. Also, the position of hive stand was reversed to deprive the hornet from using the flight board as a stage for waiting and creeping toward the defending bees. The second method was carried out by fixing a cardboard cone as a bee passage at the hive entrance to hinder the entry of the hornet into the hive. Both of these methods were found to be unsuccessful to
... Show MoreThe development of thyroid gland in five developmental stages of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. The thyroid originates from the pharyngeal floor as a median ventral keel in late embryos having four pairs of arches. It differentiates into profollicular aggergations and true follicles with flattened walls and empty lumina or with lumina filled with cotton waste-like material in three days-old elvers. Secretion of homogeneous eosinophilic colloid with a limited increase in the height of follicular wall is noted in five days-old elvers. In nine days-old individuals the follicles increase in size due to coallescence. The thyroid gland reaches its maximal activity as judged by its histology in one-two months-old individuals. The gland is of t
... Show MoreEssential oils were extracted from Syzqiumoramac clove, Nigella sativa and eucalyptus oil for purpose of studying effect of these oils on adult cockroaches as repellents and extent of their attraction to them by treating biscuits with three concentrations (0.5, 0.25,1%). The results showed that clove oil was significantly more repellent than black seed oil at a concentration (1%), as average for five days was (0.32) compared to black seed oil (1.36). Insects attracted towards lunch averaged 7.58, 14 and this indicates fading of repellent effect due to penetration of the aroma of volatile clove oil. Results also showed that clove oil has a more lethal effect by direct spraying on nymphs and adults than black seed oil, as mortality in
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Background: ?-L-Fucose is a methyl pentose sugar similar to L-galactose except for the loss of alcohol group on carbon number 6. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biochemical and antioxidant effect of intracrevicular injection of fucose into rabbits periodontium, throughout measuring the levels of total protein (TP), total fucose (TF), protein bound fucose PBF) , Malondialdehyde (MDA) , and vitamin C in sera of fucose injected rabbit groups. ) Materials and Methods: The existing study was carried out on 55 male rabbits and were divided randomly into three groups ; first group was injected with 50µl of 150mM fucose solution into gingival sulcus ; second group was injected with 50 µl of normal saline ; while the third group was
... Show MoreSolanum americanum is a new annual shrubby plant seen recently in fields and gardens of Baghdad city. A new species is described and illustrated, inhabit wet or semi dry places and have consequently a mesophytic habit. A detailed morphological study of the stems, leaves, Inflorescence, flower, male and female reproductive organs and fruits has been done, revealed several interesting taxonomic characteristics, which have not previously been studied in Iraq. Also, anatomical studies reveals constant taxonomical characteristics such as the presence of anthocayanine in outer row of epidermis, distinct chlorenchyma in whole cortex, the wide pith of stems, and presence of distinct mesophyll that differentiated into palisade layer and spongy laye
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Essential oils were extracted from Syzqiumoramac clove, Nigella sativa and eucalyptus oil for purpose of studying effect of these oils on adult cockroaches as repellents and extent of their attraction to them by treating biscuits with three concentrations (0.5, 0.25,1%). The results showed that clove oil was significantly more repellent than black seed oil at a concentration (1%), as average for five days was (0.32) compared to black seed oil (1.36). Insects attracted towards lunch averaged 7.58, 14 and this indicates fading of repellent effect due to penetration of the aroma of volatile clove oil. Results also showed that clove oil has a more lethal effect by direct spraying on nymphs and adults than black seed oil, as mortality in
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The kestrel Falco tinnunculus specimens coIldeted in Iraq are found infected with one or more species of the following helminthes; Physaloptera alata (Nematoda), Cladataenia globifera (Cestoda), Prosthogonimus cuneatus (Trernatoda), and Sphaeriorostris sp. (Acanthocephala) with a total infection rate of 30.56%. The results are compared and discussed with the pertinent literature.