Pharmacology and Toxicology

Background: Smoking is related to many diseases, and the relapse to smoking after cessation in Iraq is noticeable. We examined the attitudes of Iraqi male smokers regarding smoking cessation and reasons for relapse. Objective: The aim of this study is to asses the ability of Iraqi male smokers to stop smoking and factors that lead to relapse after cessation. Method: We interviewed 200 male smokers in Babylon town, Najaf town, Iraq who had tried to quit smoking at least once in order to identify reasons for quitting and situations triggering relapse. Results: The most significant reported reasons for quitting included personal health (37.5%), the advice and example from other (22.5%), and family pressures to quit (12.5%). The most common factors triggering relapse were social situations (27.5%), feeling negative or down (17.5%) and times of being alone (10.0%). Conclusion: Health and family concerns, personal factors, the influence of others and a lack of cessation resources were cited as salient factors concerning smoking cessation among male smokers in this study. Effective smoking control efforts in Iraq will require attention to these influences if Iraq is to curb its current smoking epidemic.

The present study was designed to asses the efficacy of topical minoxidil solution in promoting hair growth in mouse model. This study aimed at finding the more efficacious drug for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia since the available regimens have many limitations. Alopecia or Hair loss is the absence or thinness of the hair. Androgenetic alopecia is commonly referred as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss in genetically susceptible men and women. 45 albino-Webster male mice were included in this study , they were divided randomly into two groups, each one included 15 mice. One day before starting the experiment the dorsal skin of each mouse was shaved by an electric shaver , then stained by using commercial dye and then the animals were photographed. group No. 1 was considered as control group. It included mice which did not get any treatment. Group No. 2 received topical minoxidil solution 5%. At the end of treatment (21 day), the animals were photographed to asses the degree of hair growth , it was carried out by means of special computer program called Photoshop-visual basic-8 program , this program found the ratio of area showing hair regrowth to the ratio of area denuded of hair. Histological sections were obtained from each mouse to asses the effect of drugs on the number and diameter of hair follicles.

Background :-adherence to therapy is defined as the extent to which a person's behavior in taking medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider. Patients presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus are initially encouraged to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen, followed by early medication that generally includes one or more oral hypoglycemic agents and later may include an injectable treatment. To prevent the complications associated with type 2 diabetes, therapy frequently also includes medications for control of blood pressure, dyslipidemia and other disorders, since patients often have more than three or four chronic conditions. Aim :-Despite the benefits of therapy, studies have indicated that recommended glycemic goals are achieved by less than 50% of patients, which may be associated with decreased adherence to therapies. Measure the adherence to therapy among Iraqi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and amethods:-Various measures to increase patient satisfaction and increase adherence in type 2 diabetes have been investigated. These include reducing the complexity of therapy by fixed-dose combination pills and less frequent dosing regimens, using medications that are associated with fewer adverse events (hypoglycemia or weight gain), educational initiatives with improved patient–healthcare provider communication, reminder systems and social support to help reduce costs. Results :-As a result, hyperglycemia and long term complications increase morbidity and premature mortality, and lead to increased costs to health services. Reasons for no adherence are multifactorial and difficult to identify. They include age, information, perception and duration of disease, complexity of dosing regimen, poly therapy, psychological factors, safety, tolerability and cost. Conclusions:-It is evident from many studies that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease pharmacologic treatment is essential to maintain glycemic control and reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Even though adherence to medications leads to beneficial outcomes, it was found to be suboptimal. High cost of medications was significantly associated with poor antidiabetic drug adherence, other reasons for poor adherence including age, social and psychological factors, education and a lack of understanding of the long-term benefits of treatment, the complexity of the medication regimen, cost of medication and negative treatment perceptions. Poor communication between doctor and patient, adverse outcomes such as weight gain and hypoglycemia, and failure of clinicians to modify medications appropriately can also affect adherence. Introduction Diabetes mellitus is the term used to represent a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) as a result of either insulin deficiency or cellular resistance to the action of insulin (1).

Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive disease of multifactorial etiology characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility. The disease often does not become clinically apparent until a fracture occurs. It occurs in the elderly of both sexes but is most pronounced in postmenopausal women .The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of sodium alendronate plus Thyme in treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and compare it's effect with Sodium alendronate alone. Forty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly divided into two groups(each group include twenty women) .The duration of treatment was 6 months. First group was given Sodium alendronate 70mg weekly and Thyme capsule 500mg twice daily, second group was given Sodium alendronate 70mg once weekly .The following parameters were measured for two groups at baseline and at 6 months intervals bone mineral density(BMD) and t score except ESR and serum ionized calcium were measured at baseline and at 2 months interval. There were a significant increase in BMD and significant increase in t score in group treated with Sodium alendronate plus Thyme after 6 months as compared with baseline and with group treated with Sodium alendronate. Also there were a significant reduction in mean serum ionized calcium and mean ESR in group treated with Sodium alendronate plus Thyme and group treated with Sodium alendronate alone after 2,4,6 months as compared with baseline(P<0.05) .

Osteoporosis is a condition of skeletal fragility due to progressive loss of bone mass. It occurs in the elderly of both sexes but is most pronounced in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Thyme in treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and compare it's effect with Calcium plus Vitamin D3. Forty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly divided into two groups(each group include twenty women) .The duration of treatment was 6 months. First group was given Thyme capsule 500mg twice daily, second group was given Calcium plus Vitamin D3(Calcium 600mg plus Vitamin D3 500 I.U.) once daily .The following parameters were measured for two groups at baseline and at 6 months intervals bone mineral density(BMD) and t score except ESR and serum ionized calcium were measured at baseline and at 2 months interval. There were a significant increase in BMD, t score in group treated with Thyme after 6 months as compared with baseline and with group treated with Calcium plus Vitamin D3. Also there were a significant reduction in mean serum ionized calcium and mean ESR in group treated with Thyme and group treated with Calcium with vitamin D3 after 2,4,6 months as compared with baseline(P<0.05). Introduction Osteoporosis is a serious disease that decreases both the quality and quantity of life (1,2). The disease enhances morbidity and mortality, and it affects hundreds of millions of persons worldwide (3,4) .Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by a reduce in bone mass and density which can cause an increased risk of fracture (5). In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density (BMD) is decreased, bone microarchitecture deteriorates, and the quantity proteins in bone are changed. A recent meta-analysis showed reduce rates of fracture in older women with 80% or greater adherence to calcium supplementation (6). A daily intake of calcium at least 1,200 mg is recommended for all women suffer from osteoporosis(7, 8). Recent study has shown that supplementation of 800 mg of calcium per day may helpful to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women, and the information from clinical trials also show that such supplementation may prevent vertebral and hip fractures in the elderly(9, 10) .The combination of calcium (1.2 g/day) with vitamin D 3 (800 IU/day) has been used to prevent fractures in elderly women, Daniel obtained that the total number of non vertebral fractures was 32% lower and the number of hip fractures was 43% lower among women treated with calcium and vitamin D 3 than among those who take placebo(11, 12). Enhanced intake of calcium from natural sources, especially low-fat dairy products, such as cheese , ice cream , yogurt, , and milk, may also help prevent or reduce the progress of osteoporosis, although the influences are not great(13, 14). One review recorded that sage , thyme extract, rosemary, , and other plants, appear to inhibit osteoclast activity, increasing bone density in animals, but more study is needed in humans(15). The essential oil of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), contains 20–54% thymol (16). Essential oil of Thyme also contains a range of additional compounds, like linalool, myrcene, p-Cymene, and borneol (Chemical Composition of Thyme Essential Oil). Thymol, an antiseptic, is the major active component in several commercially produced mouth washes like Listerine (17). Before the discovery of modern antibiotics, thyme oil was used to medicate bandages(18). Thymol has also been noted to be effective against different fungi that commonly infect toenails(19). Thymol can also be present as the active component in some natural, alcohol free hand sanitizers. In One study introduced by Leeds Metropolitan University recorded that thyme may be helpful in treating acne (20, 21) .

Please cite this article as: Fadheel QJ et al., A comparative effect of calcium with vitamin D3 and simvastatin in treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ABSTRACT Osteoporosis is a disease where reduced bone strength enhances the risk of a broken bone. It is the most common cause for a broken bone among the elderly. Bones that are commonly break include the bones of the forearm ,the back bones , and the hip. Until a broken bone happens there are typically no symptoms. Bones may weaken to a degree that a break may occur with minor stress or spontaneously. Chronic pain and a reduced ability to accomplish normal activities may occur following a broken bone. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of simvastatin in treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and compare it's effect with calcium plus vitamin D3. Twenty four postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly divided into two groups(each group include twelve women) , in addition to apparently healthy group include twelve postmenopausal women without osteoporosis considered as a control group .The duration of treatment was 6 months. First group was given simvastatin tablet 20mg once daily, second group was given calcium plus vitamin D3(calcium 600mg plus vitamin D3 500 I.U.) once daily .The following parameters were measured for two groups at baseline and at 6 months intervals bone mineral density(BMD) and T-score , total cholesterol , and triglyceride. There were a significant increase in BMD, T-score in group treated with simvastatin after 6 months as compared with baseline and with group treated with calcium plus vitamin D3. Also there were a significant reduction in mean serum total cholesterol and triglyceride in group treated with simvastatin e and group treated with calcium with vitamin D3 after six months as compared with baseline(P<0.05) .

Back ground: Hypertension is one of the major prevalence chronic diseases in the world and it's greatly increase particularly in developing countries (Include Iraq) especially in women. A number of risk factors for increased the blood pressure include obesity resistance of insulin, excessive alcohol intake, elderly, sedentary life style, stress decrease intake of potassium and calcium, many of this factors are additives such as obesity and alcohol intake. Aim of the study: The study was conducted with the aimed of determining the prevalence of Hypertension among woman and identifying life style related risk factor and we choose women because this town become endemic area with hypertension based on previous survey. Patient: This is a randomize prospected, clinical study it was conducted in AL-Diwaniya teaching hospital, medicinal department, and emergency department. This study started at December 2015, this approved medical ethical community at AL-Kufa University. Materials: There is considerable guidance about the range of appropriate devices for measuring blood pressure and about their maintenance and periodic recalibration local medical physics and biomedical/clinical engineering departments can often give further advice. Methods: Sample of 60 case women in Al-Diwaniya city was chosen randomly all the women present in the hospital of Al-Diwaniya Teaching Hospital at the time of visiting. Where interview according to specialise questionnaire... height.... weight; Blood pressure were measured. Results: The prevalence lifestyle risk factor among the study population was as follow: Physical inactivity (65.4%) (Over weight 39.4%), (obesity 35.3), (OCP 16.4), (salty diet 16%), (fatty diet 13.2%) drug intake {mostly (NASIDs) 11.4}, (coffee intake 7.4%), (smoking 1.5%). A significant associated was found between some lifestyles risk factor and hypertension, these were drug intake and BMI, while no sign associated was found between other risk factor and hypertension which were, fatty diet, physical activity, coffee intake and OCP intake.

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine progressive disease, characterized by either lack of the peripheral tissue response to insulin or lack of it. It requires an intensive control and monitoring of blood glucose level or it would develop into serious macro-and micro-complications. Along with pharmacological treatment represented by oral hypoglycemic medications (for type2), and non-pharmacological treatment, represented by exercise and diet; natural herbal extracts such as Garlic oil also showed an additional reduce in blood glucose level in these patients. Objective: To assess the efficacy of Garlic plus Metformin and compare their effect with metformin alone in treatment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: we take two groups of diabetic patients treated by metformin, Garlic is administered to one group, and the other continued on metformin only. Measurements of fasting blood glucose level is taken every ten days and for three months. Results: after three months of treatment, Garlic has made a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose level (P value is less than 0.05), as compared to those who used metformin alone. Conclusion: Garlic has a beneficial effect on blood glucose level, and can be administered to diabetic patients, in the absence of contraindications.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by long term elevation of blood glucose levels. A number of reasons that increase blood glucose level include (not enough insulin or oral diabetes drugs,too much food, adverse effects from other drugs, such as steroids, or conditions such as stress ,long-or short-term pain ,menstrual periods, dehydration). Objective: To assess the prevalence of type11 diabetic mellitus and its complications and comparison between different complications among people in Iraq. Patient: This is a randomize prospected, clinical study it was carried out in Iraqi Hospitals, Department of Medicine, emergency. This study was started at December 2016, this approved medical ethical community at University of Kufa. Methods: Sample of 100 cases (50 male and 50 female) in Iraq was selected in random manner and all the patients found in the Iraqi Hospitals at the time of visiting. Where directly meet the patients and collect data from each patient according to specific questionnaires: weight, height and blood glucose level were obtained. Materials: Blood glucose level was measure by using specific device and must keep it in suitable place with maintenance of sterility and recalibration. Further advices were taken from Departments of clinical/biomedical engineering and Local medical physics. Results: The prevalence diabetes mellitus complications among the study populationwas as follow:-(Diabetic neuropathy 98%), (Diabetes retinopathy 96%), (stroke 60%),

Back ground Obesity and overweight are one of the most important and prevalence disease. obesity is a complex disease with genetic, biological, social , behavioral ,cultural and environmental influences, income ,sedentary life style ,inadequate sleep , age, race-ethnicity, gender, and other socio-demographic factors. Objective To assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their risk factors and comparison between different risk factors among people in Al-Najaf city. Patient , Material , and Methods Patient-This is randomized prospective clinical trial study , it was carried out in Iraqi at schools and colleges of public city , the study was carried out between 2016 to 2017. Methods-Sample of 115 case of employees women in Iraq, The women are direct interview in the place of work of them(Schools, Collages,Governmental and private institutions),or by internet ,using specific questionnaires .The following parameters were calculated including weight , height and body mass index. Materials-Specific equipments were used for obtaining body mass index, electrical home apparatus for measuring heightand weight is one of them that is used in this study. Results :-The current study show the following results regarding to the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors :-Physically inactive (52.5%) , rheumatoid arthritis(35.5%) , single daily fruit(50%) , overweight(27.5%) , obese(43.1%), TV watching during eating(48.2%) , over eating during pleasant (26.7%) Conclusion :-From the results of present study we found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity obesity are lying within the expected range for women in Iraq. There were a significant relation among some lifestyle risk factors, Early discovery of weight gain and provide the patients with information about lifestyle risk factors are very important for control of weight .

Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the activity of different antibiotics used for various diseases and compare between their different effects among hospitalized patients. Study Design: Randomized prospected clinical study. Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out in Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital and Al-Sader medical city, Iraq/Al-Najaf Town. The present study began at November 2017 and end at December 2018. Methodology: Sample of 100 patients in Al-Zahraa teaching Hospital and al-Sader Medical City, was randomly collected 90 cases in Al Sader Medical City ( 35 cases of medical ward and 55 cases from Surgical ward). We collected 10 medical condition in Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital from Gynecological and obstetric ward in random manner. Results: The results of present study reveal a significant difference between ceftriaxone and ceftazidime and meropenem in treatment intraabdominal operations infection (appendectomy and cholycystectomy) , the results of present study ...

Objectives: The present research has been conducted to assess the Nephroprotective effects of the Moringa Oleifera Extract against contrast -induced nephrotoxicity in male rabbits. Study Design: Experimental design Place and Duration of Study: it was carried out in the Faculty of Pharmacy/University of Kufa, Iraq/Al-Najaf Town .The study began at October 2020 and end at March 2021. Methodology: Twenty one adult (male rabbits) weighing range(1.2-1.5kg). Rabbits are divided in a random manner into three equal groups each group including seven rabbits .Group1:control group administered DW, Group2:has been treated with Iodide contrast(2.5mg/kg) of (370mg/ml),group 3: dosed alcoholic extracts of Moringa 250 mg/kg and contrast (2.5mg/kg).By accounting data on the MDA levels ,Glutathione level and features of kidney histopathology. All efforts have been made to reduce the suffering of a animals prior to and throughout the experiment and sampling. Results: The alcoholic Moringa extract at 2...