Recently, there has been a growing interest in research on nanofibrous scaffolds developed by electrospinning bioactive plant extracts. In this study, the extract material obtained from the medicinal plant Inula graveolens (L.) was loaded on polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun polymeric nanofibers. The combined mixture was prepared by 5% of I. graveolens at 8% (PCL) concentration and electrospun under optimal conditions. The chemical analysis, morphology, and crystallization of polymeric nanofibers were carried out by (FT-IR) spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and XRD diffraction. Hydrophilicity was determined by a contact angle experiment. The strength was characterized, and the toxicity of scaffolds on the cell line of fibroblasts was finally investigated. The efficiency of nanofibers to enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts was evaluated in vitro using the optimal I. graveolens/PCL solutions. The results show that I. graveolens/PCL polymeric scaffolds exhibited dispersion in homogeneous nanofibers around 72 ± 963 nm in the ratio 70/30 (V:V), with no toxicity for cells, meaning that they can be used for biomedical applications.

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BACKGROUND: To date, there is no study regarding women with unexplained infertility in the province of Basrah, Iraq. This study was conducted to compare the level of leptin, oxidant/antioxidant status, and some trace element levels in women of healthy control and unexplained infertility.METHODS: From total 96 women subjects, 32 subjects had primary unexplained infertility, 31 had secondary unexplained infertility, while 33 fertile women were taken as controls. The body mass index (BMI) of subjects was calculated with standard procedures. The level of fasting serum leptin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) were measured by flame, copper (Cu) by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry, while Selenium (Se) in whole blood was determined using hydride generation method.RESULTS: Non-significant changes (p>0.05) were seen in the level of BMI, leptin, TSH, FSH, LH and LH/FSH ratio. Level of 4-HNE, LOOH and Cu were significantly increased (p<0.01), while level of GSH, SOD, CAT, TAC, Se, Zn and Mg were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in primary and secondary type of unexplained infertility, compared to control.CONCLUSION: Serum leptin hormone is significantly associated with BMI and physical activity in both groups. The significant difference in oxidant/antioxidants status between unexplained infertile and fertile women may suggests a possible additional role of oxidative stress mechanisms in pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.KEYWORDS: unexplained infertility, leptin, oxidative stress, antioxidants, trace elements

Objectives:We aimed to evaluate the effect of insulin resistance (IR) on serum In telectin1 and endocrinological hormones levels in obese and nonobese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Basrah, Iraq. Methods: From 124 women volunteers, 60 patients with primary and 64 patients with secondary, while 56 normal ovulatory women were taken as controls. Their fasting in sulin hormone, intelectin1, antiMullerian hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and testosterones (T) were determined by ELISA methods. BMI, glucose and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index as well as IR was determined by the homeostasis model assessment. Results: A significant changes (P<0.05) were seen in the level of homeostasis model assessmentIR, E2 and T. Levels of antiMullerian hormone, LH, LH/FSH ratio and pro lactin were significantly (P<0.01) increased and level of intelectin1 and E2/T ratio were significantly (P<0.01) decreased, while quantitative insulin sensitivity check index level was not significantly different (P>0.05) between the patients (1 o PCOS and 2 o PCOS) and control groups. On the other hand, our data reported that FSH level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in obese and higher in nonobese patients with PCOS as compared to control group. Conclusion: Levels of intelectin1 and endocrinological hormones have significantly associated with body mass index, IR and physical activity in patients and normal groups and the strategies that can modulate levels of these parameters would improve metabolic disarrangements in women with PCOS.

Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae) is widely used in Iraqi Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was done to evaluate the effects of polysaccharide (galactomannan) from Lycium barbarum L. Fruits (GLBF) on serum blood glucose, serum lipid profile and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system in liver and kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. GLBF was found to be non-toxic at 1000 mg kg −1 , as no deaths or hazardous signs were recorded during treatment or the observation period (24 and 72 h) in either control or treated groups of mice. In GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ), the onset was 4 h, the peak effect was 6 h but the effect waned at 24 h. In the chronic study, repeated administration (once a day for 21 days) of the glibenclamide and GLBF caused a significant reduction in the serum glucose level as compared to the diabetic control group. GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ) treatment prevented a decrease in the body weight of the diabetic rats. Moreover, the results revealed that GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ) treatment for 21 days significantly (p<0.01) reduced the levels of lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, improving kidney and liver functions, enhanced insulin level and increased the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The findings in this study suggest that polysaccharide (galactomannan) from Lycium barbarum L. Fruits (GLBF) possess good pharmacological activities, which might be helpful in controls the blood glucose level, improves body weight, lipid metabolism and prevents diabetic complications associated with lipid peroxidation and also maintains the antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic in experimental diabetic rats. The extract seems promising for the development of a phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION : Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading reason of all excess death-rate over type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria or end-stage renal disease. This work was aimed to estimate insulin resistance (IR) effect on some markers and trace elements (Selenium, Zinc, Magnesium) levels for early predicting of DN in T2DM patients. METHODS : We conducted a cross-sectional clinical study. Blood and urine samples were collected from 63 subjects with T2DM and 33 healthy controls to assess glucose, insulin, IR, urea, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine clearance (CrCl), homocysteine (Hcy), fructosamine (FA), cystatin C (CysC), albumin (Alb), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), 8-hydroxy-2`-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and trace elements levels. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was filled out by specialized doctors. RESULTS : Compared with controls, the results revealed that T2DM patients with or without DN had significant increases in glucose, insulin, IR, urea, creatinine, Hcy, FA, CysC, Alb, NGAL and 8-OHdG and significant decreases in GFR, CrCl and trace elements levels. Body mass index (BMI) had no changes. CONCLUSION : Uncontrolled T2DM was associated with BMI, IR and physical activity in which elevated Hcy, FA, CysC, Alb, NGAL and 8-OHdG levels and decreased trace elements levels may be used as early clinical markers of DN.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, trace elements play an important role in PCOS, selenium performs various biological functions such as defense against oxidative stress, immune function and thyroid function, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, trace Elements have important role in PCOS, selenium is involved in many biological functions, such as, protection against oxidative stress, immune function and thyroid function, Copper, zinc and manganese are essential micronutrients that have been integrated into various proteins and metalloenzymes and are active in the metabolic process of cells and in oxidative stress pathways that can lead to oxidative stress. One hundred and twenty-four of patients' women with poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and 56 normal ovulatory women participated in the study. Seleniumand serum Copper, zinc and manganese were measured by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).

Obesity, a case accompanied by increased insulin resistance, is associated with low follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone and progesterone and estradiol levels. As there is no scientific report on diabetes complications and its effects on type 2 diabetic patients in the province of Meisan (southern of Iraq), the present investigation was done to evaluate the levels of body mass index, insulin resistance and the levels of sex hormones in serum of both men and women type 2 diabetic patients. Data obtained in the present study, show a significant increase in insulin resistance level (4.24 ± 0.57 Vs. 1.36±0.23 and 4.31 ± 0.59 Vs. 1.18 ±0.13, P < 0.05) respectively, in men and women type 2 diabetic patients compared to control. Also, the present study show a significant decrease in follicle stimulating hormone level (7.24±1.14 Vs. 12.79 ±0.87 and 38.14 ± 4.44 Vs. 54.16 ± 3.64, P < 0.05), a significant decrease in luteinizing hormone level (5.32 ± 0.74 Vs. 7.54± 1.27 and 30.12 ± 4.20 Vs. 43.33±2.07, P < 0.05), a significant decrease in testosterone level (4.69 ± 0.92 Vs. 8.20 ± 2.2 and 0.57 ± 0.11 Vs. 0.69± 0.21, P < 0.01), a significant decrease in progesterone level (0.25 ±0.03 Vs. 0.42 ± 0.10 and 0.30 ± 0.04 Vs. 0.46± 0.12, P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in estradiol level (25.04 ± 3.35 Vs. 33.80±8.4 and 34.33 ± 4.21 Vs. 41.42±5.64, P < 0.05) respectively, in men and women type 2 diabetic patients compared to control. In conclusion, the findings further demonstrated that insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and reduction of fertility. Therefore, the associated of obesity and increased insulin resistance is accompanied by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, progesterone and estradiol in both men and women.