Azilsartan Mitigates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-induced Colitis in Rats via Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Enass Najem Oubaid, Noor Ali Hussein, Ghada Hamid Naji, Fatima Adnan Alzubaidi Al Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences, 2026 Background: Ulcerative colitis is a persistent mucosal inflammation of the bowel that impacts a high portion of the population worldwide. It often presents with symptoms of severe diarrhea, weight reduction, and perianal bleeding. Objective: To investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of azilsartan on dextran sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Forty healthy adult albino rats were divided into 4 groups, as follows: the normal control group, the DSS group, DSS+ prednisolone (10 mg/kg/day) group, and DSS+azilsartan (10 mg/kg/day) group. The colitis induction was prompted in rats by administering 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Results: The administration of azilsartan notably decreased edema index, spleen index, macroscopic changes scores, and microscopic changes scores that were produced by DSS. Additionally, azilsartan markedly reduced the proinflammatory cytokine expression, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in colon tissue. Furthermore, azilsartan significantly attenuated oxidative stress in colonic tissue by decreasing up-regulated myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity and increasing down-regulated catalase antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Azilsartan may have an effective role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Protective effect of COVID-19 vaccination against a SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in the Babil Province Fatima Adnan Alzubaidi, Enass Najem Oubaid, Zahraa I. J. Shubber, Hussam Wahab Al-Humadi, Rafal J. Al-Saigh, et al. Review of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics International Edition, 2024 Reinfection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been documented all over the world. Currently, limited evidence exists concerning the protec¬tion afforded by the COVID-19 vaccination against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2. This case-control study was per¬formed in order to assess the association between COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in the Babil Province; the study used an electronic questionnaire. The infected patients were 115 (aged ≥18 years) and were confirmed by a positive PCR and/or a CT scan, they were either fully vaccinated or not with a second dose of a (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Sinopharm) vaccine before the reinfection date, and they were compared with 300 control partici¬pants. The study’s findings revealed that the unvaccinated individuals had 4.5 times the odds of reinfection compared to those who were fully vaccinated, without preference for the manufacturer of the vaccine. The conclusion suggests that getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can significantly reduce the likelihood of reinfection, can enhance overall protection, and can minimize the risk of future infections.
Ibudilast ameliorates experimentally induced colitis in rats via down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity Enass Najem Oubaid, Ahmed Abu-Raghif, Israa Mahdi Al-Sudani Pharmacia, 2023 Objectives: This study was carried out to explore the possible anti-inflammatory effect of ibudilast on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Fifty adult Wistar rats were separated into 5 groups, including the control group, acetic acid group, acetic acid + vehicle, acetic acid + sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg/day)group, and acetic acid + ibudilast (30 mg/kg/day) group. Colitis was induced in rats by the inter-rectal installation of 2 ml of 4% (v/v) acetic acid. Sulfasalazine and ibudilast were administered orally for ten days after 2 hours of induction. Results: The treatment with ibudilast significantly reduced disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic colonic scores (MAC), and histopathological changes induced by acetic acid. Also, ibudilast markedly decreased the expression of proinflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-1β) in colonic tissue. Moreover, ibudilast inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity that was increased by acetic acid. Conclusion: Therefore, ibudilast may have a therapeutic effect in the management of ulcerative colitis.
Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Uncaria tomentosa Extract: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies E. Oubaid, Ahmed R. Abu-raghif, I. Al-Sudani Medical Journal of Babylon, 2023 Background: Uncaria tomentosa is a traditional medicinal herb with antiviral, antioxidant, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo and the phytochemical analysis of Uncaria tomentosa. Materials and Methods: The plant extract was screened for phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacity in vitro using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and in vivo using acetic acid-induced colitis. Colitis was induced in rats by transrectal administration (5 mL/kg) of 4% (v/v) acetic acid. Forty adult albino rats were divided into four groups: control group, acetic acid group, acetic acid + sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg/day) group, and acetic acid + Uncaria tomentosa extract (250 mg/kg/day) group. After inducing colitis, sulfasalazine and Uncaria tomentosa extract were given orally for 10 days. Data were statistically analyzed, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant throughout the study. Results: Preliminary phytochemical study showed that Uncaria tomentosa extract contains flavonoids, phenols alkaloids, saponin, and terpenoids. In the DPPH assay, the extract exhibited considerable antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Uncaria tomentosa extract dramatically decreased oxidative stress parameters, such as myeloperoxidase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde in colonic tissue. Moreover, Uncaria tomentosa treatment attenuated macroscopic colonic scores and histopathological changes induced by acetic acid. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that Uncaria tomentosa extract could be a source of natural antioxidants and may have a therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis.
