Purpose: To compare the antibacterial-enhancing efficacy of aloe vera and honey in salicylic acid topical formulations against acne. Method: Six formulations containing 5 % salicylic acid were developed as creams and gels as follows: Formulations S, V and H were creams containing salicylic acid alone (S), salicylic acid with 28 % aloe vera (V), and salicylic acid with 10 % honey (H). Formulations J, M, and B were gels containing salicylic acid alone (J), salicylic acid with aloe vera 20 % (M) and salicylic acid with 12 % honey (B). Each formula was evaluated for colour, odour, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and stability under different temperatures (25, 30, and 60oC) and times (1 hour, 1 day, and 1 week). Furthermore, antibacterial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Proteus, and Klebsiella spp. Results: The formulations exhibited distinct colours and odours, with pH values ranging from 4 to 6, viscosities between 3813 and 9813 cP, and spreadability from 10 to 45.5 (g*cm/s). Antibacterial activity, measured by inhibition zone diameters, varied from 0.4 to 2.5 cm against different bacterial strains (p < 0.001). Creams (S, V, and H) exhibited high selectivity, showing strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as S. aureus but limited effectiveness against Gram-negative rods like Proteus. In contrast, gel formulations (J, M, and B) showed a broader and more consistent spectrum of activity. All formulations showed stability for up to one month, even with temperature fluctuations, while maintaining a skin-compatible pH. Conclusion: Formulations containing aloe vera and honey increased the antibacterial activity of salicylic acid, thereby making them suitable adjuvants in anti-acne formulations.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic, non-communicable diseases affecting children worldwide. The estimated prevalence of pediatric asthma in Iraq is 15.8%. Physiologic, inflammatory and structural factors contribute to the development of asthma. Assessment and monitoring of asthma control can be done by a validated children asthma control test (CACT). Management of asthma must address three components which are an appropriate management plan, the most appropriate medication if necessary, and the use of safe and effective medication. The management plan should consider patient counseling and education about the definition of asthma, signs, and symptoms, the pathophysiology of asthma, common triggers for asthma and how can avoid them,
... Show MoreThe effects of nutrients and physical conditions on phytase production were investigated with a recently isolated strain of Aspergillus tubingensis SKA under solid state fermentation on wheat bran. The nutrient factors investigated included carbon source, nitrogen source, phosphate source and concentration, metal ions (salts) and the physical parameters investigated included inoculum size, pH, temperature and fermentation duration. Our investigations revealed that optimal productivity of phytase was achieved using wheat bran supplemented with: 1.5% glucose. 0.5% (NH4)2SO4, 0.1% sodium phytate. Additionally, optimal physical conditions were 1 × 105 spore/g substrate, initial pH of 5.0, temperature of fermentation 30˚C and fermentation dura
... Show MoreBackground: Suppression of quorum sensing (QS) that regulates many virulence factors, including antimicrobial resistance, in bacteria may subject the pathogenic microbes to the harmful consequences of the antibiotics, increasing their susceptibility to such drugs. Aim: The current study aimed to make an aqueous crude extract from the soil Proteus mirabilis isolate with the use of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique for its analysis, and then, study the impact of the extract on clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Preparation of crude extracts from P. mirabilis (both organic and aqueous), which were then analyzed by GC-MS to detect the bioactive ingredients. Furthermore, the extract’s capability to i
... Show MoreThis paper compare the accurecy of HF propagation prediction programs for HF circuits links between Iraq and different points world wide during August 2018 when solar cycle 24 (start 2009 end 2020) is at minimun activity and also find out the best communication mode used. The prediction programs like Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program (VOACAP) and ITU Recommendation RS 533 (REC533 ) had been used to generat HF circuit link parameters like Maximum Usable Frequency ( MUF) and Frequency of Transsmision (FOT) .Depending on the predicted parameters (data) , real radio contacts had been done using a radio transceiver from Icom model IC 7100 with 100W RF
... Show MoreGreywater is a possible water source that can be improved for meeting the quality required for irrigation. Treatment of greywater can range from uncomplicated coarse filtration to advanced biological treatment. This article presents a simple design of a small scale greywater treatment plant, which is a series of physical and natural processes including screening, aeration, sedimentation, and filtration using granular activated carbon filter and differentiates its performance with sand filter. The performance of these units with the dual filter media of (activated carbon with sand) in treatment of greywater from Iraqi house in Baghdad city during 2019 and that collected from several points including washbasins, kitchen si
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