Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin, hair, and joints and is associated with significant humanistic and economic consequences. This work induced psoriasis in mice using an imiquimod 5% cream, an immune response modifier that can cause psoriasis-like skin inflammation when given orally. Paquinimod is prepared as an ointment and has been topically given to mice before imiquimod application. In this study, albino mice were allocated into five groups and treated as follows: the control group received only a daily application of cream based on shaved back (62.5mg/2cm) with a daily topical dose of ointment for 14 consecutive days with the oral vehicle. The Imiquimod group received a daily topical dose of vehicle one hour before imiquimod 5% application on shaved back (62.5mg/2cm) for 14 consecutive days. The paquinimod-treated group received daily topical doses of paquinimod one hour before imiquimod 5% application on shaved back (62.5mg/2cm) for 14 consecutive days. Clobetasol -treated group received a daily topical dose of clobetasol ointment (62.5mg/2cm) one hour before imiquimod 5% application on shaved back (62.5mg/2cm) for 14 consecutive days. Paquinimod, the only group that received a daily oral dose of paquinimod for 14 consecutive days. The current study found that the administration of paquinimod ointment resulted in a significant decline in TNF-α, IL-23, IL17 level, reduced psoriasis area and severity index, spleen index, skin thickness, and gene expression of TNF-α, Nf-KB, IL-1B, IL-17in the (Paquinimod ointment+imiquimod) group substantially more than that in the (vehicle ointment+imiquimod) groups. In conclusion, paquinimod has a powerful ameliorating effect that can reduce the IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in a mouse model. As a result, we have every reason to believe that paquinimod will be utilized to treat psoriasis. Keywords: Psoriasis; Paquinimod; Imiquimod; IL-23; IL-17; TNF-α.
An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and quantitation of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against vero- cytotoxine (VT) producing Escherichia coli serogroup O157:H7 was produced. E. coli O157: H7 lipopolysaccharide was extracted from locally isolated strains by using hot phenol- water method, followed by partial purification using gel filtration chromatography by sepharose- 4B. The purity of the lipopolysaccharide was checked by measuring the protein and nucleic acid content and then used as antigen. Four isolates of vero- cytotoxin producing E. coli serogroup O157:H7 was obtained by culturing 350 stool samples from children suffering from bloody diarrhea. These isolates were identified on bacteriological, s
... Show MoreUrinary tract infection (UTI) is a considerable problem aecting the health of people each year. It is caused by various Gram-positive (G+ve) and Gram-negative (G-ve) pathogens. It is an important illness in the world aecting all age groups across their life span. Objectives: To identify the most common aerobic bacteria that cause UTIs and their antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial activity of plant extracts of the males' patients. Materials and methods: The study involved 35 midstream urine samples from the male students (University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq) with suspicious symptoms of UTI, during the period from January-March 2018. Each urine sample was cultured rst on Mannitol Salt Agar and MacConkey agar plates to dierentiate
... Show MoreBackground: Enterococcus faecalis is emerging as an important endodontic pathogen, which can persist in the environment for extended periods after treatment and may cause endodontic failure. It is known to produce biofilms, a community of bacteria enclosed within a protective polymeric matrix. This study aimed to establish whether the biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis can be inhibited with steralium, co+steralium, and 5% sodium hypochlorite in the root surface environment. Materials and Methods: Extracted human teeth were biomechanically prepared, vertically sectioned, placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the root canal surface to E. faecalis to form a biofilm. At the end of the 3rd and 6th weeks, all groups were treated fo
... Show MoreBackground: Eucalyptus extracts and derivatives are natural substances with potent antimicrobial properties. This study investigated the in- vitro effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on the antifungal activity of alcoholic and aqueous Eucalyptus extracts against Candida albicans, a common oral pathogen. Materials and Method: Ten isolates of Candida albicans were isolated from dental students’ salivary samples. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts were prepared from fresh Eucalyptus leaves using maceration. The sensitivity of Candida albicans isolates to various concentrations of Eucalyptus extracts ranging from 50 to 250 (mg/mL) was evaluated via agar well diffusion method, while the agar streaking method was used to assess the minimum
... Show MoreThe antagonism of the rhizospheric bacteria toward pathogenic fungi Macrophomina phaseolina was investigated. Ten soil samples were collected from the rhizospheric zone around Cowpea root (Vignaunguiculata L.). These samples were used as the source of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobacterial isolates. Twenty-five bacteria were isolated and evaluated as an antagonistic agent against pathogenic fungi. M. phaseolina was isolated from infected roots of Cowpea and used as a pathogen. Twenty-five bacteria were isolated and evaluated as an antagonistic agent against pathogenic fungi. M. phaseolina was isolated from infected roots of Cowpea and used as a pathogen. The synergistic effect between A. siccitolerans and (AMF) Glomusmosseae,
... Show MoreThe manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles were synthesized by simple aqueous chemical reaction of manganese chloride, zinc acetate and thioacitamide in aqueous solution. Thioglycolic acid is used as capping agent for controlling the nanoparticle size. The main advantage of the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles of diameter ~ 2.73 nm is that the sample is prepared by using non-toxic precursors in a cost effective and eco-friendly way. The structural, morphological and chemical composition of the nanoparticles have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The nanosize of the prepared nanoparticles was elucidated by Scan
... Show MorePurpose: To assess the antioxidant and antineoplastic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: Human squamous cell carcinoma HSCC cells were tested for cytotoxicity by a methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (MEHSP). After 24, 48, and 72 ...