Scopus Research — Weaam Jasim Abbas Al Juwadhri

The chromones found in the dried roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata include cimifugin; in fact, Saposhnikovia divaricata is a main source of cimifugin. Vinpocetine is a synthetic version of vincamine derived from periwinkle; it is characterized by potent anti-inflammatory properties that allow it to reduce immune cell infiltration and suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential influence of a topically-applied combination of cimifugin and vinpocetine gels on a model of a psoriasis-like inflammatory skin reaction. To this end, we divided 48 albino BALB/c mice into six groups. All groups except for the negative control group received imiquimod topically (daily, for 7 days) for the induction of psoriasis-like skin lesions. A group received imiquimod (5%) only (positive control), while four other groups were also treated with a clobetasol (0.05%) cream, a cimifugin (3%) gel, a vinpocetine (3%) gel, or a combination of cimifugin (3%) and vinpocetine (3%) gels, once daily, for 7 days; the aforementioned treatments were first applied 7 days after the pharmacological induction of the lesions. Our findings revealed that the topically-applied combination of cimifugin-and vinpocetine-containing gels had an important anti-psoriatic effect, as seen by the diminishing of the skin levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-17, and interleukin-23, thereby improving the imiquimod-induced histological changes in mice. We conclude that a topically-applied combination of cimifugin and vinpocetine can exert substantial anti-psoriatic activity. © 2025, ZITA Medical Management. All rights reserved.

A cytokine storm is a severe and potentially fatal condition resulting from an excessive immune response. Epicatechin and huperzine A have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting their potential utility in mitigating tissue damage and cytokine storm severity. This study aimed to compare the protective effects of huperzine A and epicatechin in a cytokine storm-like murine model. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated into six groups. Except for the control group, all animals received a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg) in order to induce a cytokine storm. The induction group received LPS without further intervention. The remaining groups were pre-treated for three consecutive days prior to LPS administration as follows: vehicle group (1% dimethyl sulfoxide), methylprednisolone group (50 mg/ kg/day methylprednisolone), huperzine A group (0.2 mg/kg/day huperzine A), and epicatechin group (25 mg/kg/day epicatechin). The histological analysis of lung tissues and the quantification of serum cytokines – interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) – revealed that all pre-treated groups exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, epicatechin conferred a more pronounced protective effect than either methylprednisolone or huperzine A, as evidenced by reduced pulmonary histopathological alterations and lower serum cytokine concentrations. In conclusion, both huperzine A and epicatechin demonstrated protective efficacy against the LPS-induced cytokine storm, with epicatechin showing superior performance in attenuating systemic inflammation and lung injury. © 2025, ZITA Medical Management. All rights reserved.

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of various cancers and autoinflammatory disorders. However, it can adversely affect oral tissues, particularly impairing salivary gland function. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of rutin may counteract these toxic effects. This study aimed at examining whether rutin confers protective effects on the salivary glands of rats exposed to methotrexate. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to three groups. The control group received normal saline intraperitoneally for 10 days. On day six of the experiment, the methotrexate group was administered methotrexate intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The methotrexate + rutin group also received rutin intraperitoneally at 50 mg/kg once daily for 10 days. On day 11, the animals were euthanized, and their salivary gland tissues were harvested for histological and biochemical analyses. Rutin markedly ameliorated the methotrexate-induced histopathological changes and biochemical alterations, as indicated by reduced levels of the tumour necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde, alongside elevated levels of interleukin-10 and superoxide dismutase. These findings suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of rutin may offer a promising strategy for mitigating the methotrexate-associated toxicity in submandibular gland tissues. © 2025, ZITA Medical Management. All rights reserved.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory consequence resulting from microbial infection, assessed as a worldwide healthcare issue. Sepsis can result in multiorgan dysfunction, including cardiac, renal, hepatic, and cerebral dysfunction. Cardiotoxicity can occur in humans and rodents during sepsis, leading to increased mortality. The current study aims to explore the possible cardioprotective effects of octreotide during sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity. This study was done with a total of forty male albino Swiss mice, aged 8-12 weeks and weighing 25-30 gm. These animals had free access to food and water. After two weeks of adaptation, mice were divided into four groups (n=10): 1) Normal group: healthy mice; 2) CLP group: mice underwent CLP operation; 3) Vehicle group: mice received DMSO. 4) Octreotide group: mice received octreotide (10 mg/kg) subcutaneously in 2 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. All groups underwent CLP operation on the 4th day, then sacrificed on the 5th day then blood, and tissue sampling was done. The Octreotide group demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the myocardial levels of cardiac troponin-I as compared to the CLP group. Furthermore, the octreotide group demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the serum level of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, & IL-1β) as compared to the CLP group. Additionally, the octreotide group showed a significant (P<0.05) elevation in the myocardial activity of SOD and a reduction in MDA level compared to the CLP group. Histologically, all mice in the CLP group showed a significant (P<0.05) cardiac tissue injury, while the octreotide groups showed a significant (P<0.05) reduced level of cardiac tissue injury. The results of the present study revealed that octreotide attenuates sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity through different protective effects; they include the anti-inflammatory effect through their ability to decrease serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Also, the anti-oxidant effect through their ability to decrease myocardial levels of MDA and increase the myocardial activity of SOD. Additionally, the direct cardiac protective effect through the lower level of cardiac troponin- I and the reduction of histopathological changes during sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity. Copyright © 2023 by Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute.

Sepsis is an upregulated systemic inflammatory reaction that has been identified as a global health concern. It can lead to multiple organ toxicity, including cardiac, hepatic, and renal dysfunction. Sepsis can result in cardiomyocyte impairment, hypertrophy, and heart failure by increasing oxidative stress and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, elevated cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) during sepsis impairs heart contractile performance by decreasing myofilament response to calcium. The current study aimed to examine the possible effects of levosimendan against sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity. Forty male mice 8-12 weeks old and weighing 25-30 grams. After two weeks of acclimation, the mice were separated into four groups (n = 10): (1) Healthy group (n = 10). (2) CLP group: CLP operation was performed on mice. (3) DMSO group (4) Levosimendan group: 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (IP) in 2 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. All groups underwent the CLP procedure on the fourth day, were sacrificed on the fifth day, and then samples were taken. The Levosimendan group exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in myocardial troponin-I concentration compared to the CLP group. In addition, the inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) serum levels in the levosimendan group were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in the CLP group. In addition, the levosimendan group demonstrated a significant (p0.05) increase in myocardial SOD activity and a decrease in MDA level compared to the CLP mice. Histopathologically, the levosimendan group demonstrated a statistically significant (p0.05) reduction in cardiac tissue damage. Levosimendan attenuates sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity via multiple protective effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, according to the findings of the present study. In addition, the direct cardiac protective effect via the decreased cardiac troponin-I level and the attenuation of histopathological alterations during sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity. © 2023 by SPC (Sami Publishing Company)

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can be defined as changes in the functions and struc-tures of the tissues resulting from the restoration of blood after a period of ischemia. This study aimed to assess the potential protective effect of Fimasartan (angiotensin receptor antagonist) in the bilateral renal IRI in male rats through its potential effect on renal functions, modulation of the inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress, and apoptotic effect. The animals were equally assigned into four groups. The sham (neg-ative control) group was exposed to surgical conditions without induction of IRI. The control group was exposed to ischemia by occluding the renal pedicles by clamps for 30 min, followed by restoration of blood for 2h. The vehicle-treated group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by intraperitoneal injection (IP) 30 minutes before clamp-ing. Fimasartan-treated group: rats pretreated with Fimasartan a dose of 3 mg/kg IP; this was half hour before occluding the renal pedicles. Animals were then exposed to 30 min ischemia (clamping the renal pedicles) followed by 2h reperfusion by releasing the clamps. Blood samples were collected to examine the levels of serum urea and cre-atinine. Renal tissue was used to measure the levels of cytokines (TNFα, IL-6) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of Bax, caspase 3, and Bcl-2. Histopathological analyses were performed to detect the paren-chymal injury. The present study shows that pretreatment with Fimasartan improves kidney function through its effects on oxidative stress, cytokines, and apoptotic markers. © 2022 JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE.

The immunotherapeutic approaches based on checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccination, immune cell-based therapy, and cytokines were developed to engage the patient's immune system against cancer and better survival of them. While potent, however, preclinical and clinical data have identified that abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can affect the efficacy of immunotherapies in some cancers. It is therefore imperative to develop new therapeutic interventions that will enable to overcome tumor-supportive TME and restrain anti-tumor immunity in patients that acquire resistance to current immunotherapies. Therefore, recognition of the essential nature of the tolerogenic TME may lead to a shift from the immune-suppressive TME to an immune-stimulating phenotype. Here, we review the composition of the TME and its effect on tumor immunoediting and then present how targeted monotherapy or combination therapies can be employed for reprogramming educated TME to improve current immunotherapies outcomes or elucidate potential therapeutic targets. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.