Tikrit Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tribulus terrestris is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat
liver disorders, infertility, and conditions associated with
oxidative stress. It contains bioactive compounds such as
saponins and flavonoids, which enhance its antioxidant and
hepatoprotective properties.
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the anti
hepatotoxic effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of
Tribulus terrestris fruits and a dietary supplement (FertiPlus®)
on male albino rats susceptible to sulfasalazine-induced
hepatotoxicity (SSZ).
Methods: Thirty-five male albino rats (180–230 g) were
divided into five groups. In the first phase (4 weeks), four
groups received oral sulfasalazine to induce hepatotoxicity,
while one group served as a control. Hepatotoxicity was
confirmed by necropsy and biochemical markers. In the second
phase (also 4 weeks), the SSZ-exposed groups were treated
with either the aqueous extract, the alcoholic extract, or
FertiPlus®, while the other infected group was autopsied to
detect liver damage (at day 30). Liver enzyme levels (AST and
ALT), fat deposition, and liver histology were assessed.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical
analysis (P < 0.05).
Results: SSZ administration led to a significant increase in
AST and ALT levels and an increase in liver fat deposition,
indicating liver damage. Treatment with Tribulus terrestris
extracts and FertiPlus® resulted in significant improvements in
liver enzyme levels and histological structure. The aqueous
extract and FertiPlus® demonstrated the strongest
hepatoprotective effects.
Conclusion: Tribulus terrestris extracts, particularly the
aqueous extract, and the FertiPlus® supplement demonstrated
protective effects against SSZ-induced hepatotoxicity in rats,
indicating their therapeutic value in hepatoprotection.

Abstract
Background: Diabetes is a disease characterized by high
blood sugar levels. This elevation occurs as a result of the
body's inability to produce insulin or use glucose effectively,
resulting in the presence of high glucose in the blood.
Objective: The current study aimed to measure the activity of
the aldose reductase enzyme in addition to other biochemical
variables, including adiponectin, lipoproteins type (a) in the
blood of patients with type 2 diabetes compared to the control
group.
Methods: The study included collecting 90 blood samples
from both sexes, patient’s blood samples were (60), including
(33) females and (27) samples were males from people with
type 2 diabetes, whose ages ranged between (18-75) years, and
(30) blood samples from healthy people as a control group the
patients were diagnosed under the supervision of specialist
doctors at Al-Sharqat General Hospital- Iraq.
Results: The results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in
the level of aldose reductase, adiponectin, and lipoproteins -a
compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Increased concentrations of both adiponectin and
lipoprotein-a in diabetic patients recognized the preventive
effect of both against atherosclerotic alterations and increased
risk of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Interleukin-12 has extensively studied in
colorectal cancer, but its correlation with liver enzymes is still
limit.
Objective: the present study aimed to assess the serum levels
of Interleukin-12 and liver enzymes in Iraqi patients with colon
cancer.
Methods: Serum samples (90) were collected divided to 50
samples of colorectal cancer CRC patients and 40 of healthy
subjects, interleukin-12 was measured using ELISA, while
liver enzymes were measured spectrophotometrically and
statistically analyzed.
Results: The study showed significant increase (P˂0.0001) in
concentration of IL-12 (304.6±26.91) pg/ml, ALP
(309.9±66.84) IU/L, AST (323.5±109.9) IU/L and ALT
(37.4±7.78) IU/L compared to healthy subjects (142.3±14.71
pg/ml, 165.5±38.8 IU/L, 152.6±55.34 IU/L, and 18.28±6.14
IU/L) respectively for all biomarkers. .
Conclusion: Iraqi patients with CRC show elevated serum IL
12 and elevated lever enzymes, however, liver enzymes work
independently and not affected by IL-12.

Background: Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads
to liver dysfunction through persistent inflammation and
immune dysregulation. Cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL
12) and liver enzymes including Alanine aminotransferase,
Aspartate aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, and Total
serum bilirubin are critical markers for evaluating liver damage
and immune activation.
Objective: This study is aimed to assess the levels of IL-12 and
hepatic enzymes in patients with HBV to explore their
correlation with liver injury and immune response.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 90
individuals (40 HBV patients and 50 healthy controls) in
Kirkuk, Iraq. Serum IL-12 was quantified using a sandwich
ELISA method (FineTest®, China; Cat. No: EH0565), and
absorbance was measured using a BioTek® ELx800
microplate reader (Agilent Technologies, USA). Liver
enzymes were analyzed via standard colorimetric assays.
Results: Patients with HBV exhibited significantly elevated
interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels (4707.21 pg/mL) compared to
controls (1855.26 pg/mL; p < 0.000001). Similarly, liver
enzyme levels were markedly higher in HBV patients than in
healthy controls: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 46.13
IU/L vs. 21.91 IU/L (p = 0.000013), aspartate aminotransferase
(AST) was 47.75 IU/L vs. 22.08 IU/L (p = 0.000042), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP) was 194.57 IU/L vs. 87.49 IU/L (p =
0.000036), and total serum bilirubin (TSB) was 1.61 mg/dL vs.
0.69 mg/dL (p = 0.000029).
Conclusion: Elevated IL-12 and liver enzyme levels suggest
ongoing hepatic damage and immune dysregulation in HBV
patients. These biomarkers may support early diagnosis and
monitoring of disease progression in chronic HBV infection.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant
public health challenge that impacts individuals of all ages and
is linked to high mortality rates due to the substantial burden of
infectious diseases.
Objective: This study aimed to identify the most prevalent
pathogenic bacteria responsible for various infections in
Kirkuk, Iraq, and to assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns
of these pathogens.
Methods: This retrospective observational study was
conducted in Kirkuk, Iraq, from October 2023 to August 2024,
involving 498 patients. Specimens were collected from local
hospitals and some private laboratories in the city.
Results: Most specimens (84.1%) were obtained from
outpatients, with urine isolates being the most prevalent
(60.44%). The most commonly identified pathogens were E.
coli (33.53%), Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (18.67%), and
Klebsiella spp. (12.24%). E. coli exhibited the highest
resistance rates to Cephalothin, Cefpodoxime, Cefuroxime,
and Cefoxitin, while showing lower resistance to Lincomycin,
Imipenem, Amikacin, and Meropenem. Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) demonstrated the highest resistance rates to
Penicillin, Cefuroxime, Cefixime, and Ceftriaxone, but lower
resistance to Rifampicin, Nitrofurantoin, Imipenem, and
Meropenem. Klebsiella spp. Showed resistance to nearly all
antibiotic types.
Conclusions: This study identified an increase in antimicrobial
resistance rates to commonly used antibiotics among patients
in Kirkuk. These results emphasize the critical need to address
antimicrobial resistance in a setting where antibiotics are
routinely overprescribed.

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is defined as a
condition where pathogen infection occurs upon the urinary
tract. The most common symptom is infection, however there
are rare cases that it may become life-threatening. UTI is a
critical infection since it could result in high mortality and
morbidity for both males and females. For the past 10 years, it
was a challenge to treat and it is worsened by antimicrobial
resistance, resulting in a grave health issue.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore bacterial
resistance to a few antibiotics that are being used to treat UTIs
within the city of Tikrit.
Methods: The study sample consists of 25 gram-positive that
made up of 10 isolates, which consist of Staphylococcus aureus
and 1 of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The remaining is gram
negative bacteria that consist of 5 isolates of E. coli, 7 of
Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 2 of Proteus mirabilis. These
bacteria are isolated from patients. Vitek2 system was used to
diagnose the isolates. This study adopted the Disk diffusion
method in order to test the isolates’ sensitivity upon the eight
antibiotics.
Results: The findings show Meropenem has 80% sensitivity
while the sensitivity of Levofloxacin, Gentamicin, and
Amikacin range from 60% to 68%. The highest resistant rate
occurs with Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TM) at 36%.
Meanwhile, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, and Amoxicillin
clavulanic acid’s resistant rate is at 28%.
Conclusion: The isolated bacteria demonstrate high
sensitivity when being subjected to Meropenem. However, it is
very resistant toward Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.