Glycemic control and prevention of secondary complications are the most important goals of using pharmacologic treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). The inadequate responses to oral hypoglycemic agents may be attributed to inadequate postreceptor events even when insulin levels are quite sufficient, and associated with oxidative stress induced by long-term hyperglycemia. The administration of antioxidants such as melatonin and zinc may improve tissue responses to insulin and increase the efficacy of drugs, e.g. metformin, which act through this pathway. This project was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin and zinc on the lipid profile and renal function in type 2 DM patients poorly controlled with metformin. A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed in which 46 type 2 diabetic patients were selected and allocated into three groups. These groups were treated with single daily oral doses of both 10 mg of melatonin and 50 mg of zinc acetate alone: 10 mg of melatonin and 50 mg of zinc acetate in addition to the regularly used metformin or placebo, given at bedtime for 90 days. Fasting lipid profiles and microalbuminuria (MAU) were measured before initiating the treatments (zero time) and after 30 and 90 days of treatment. Daily administration of melatonin and zinc improved the impaired lipid profile and decreased the level of MAU; the addition of this treatment regimen in combination with metformin improved the tissue responses to this oral hypoglycemic agent. In conclusion, the combination of melatonin and zinc acetate, when used alone or in combination with metformin, improves DM-related complications such as the impaired lipid profile and MAU in type 2 DM patients.

Lycopene is a hydrocarbon phytochemical that is present in red vegetables and fruits, several studies reviewed the pharmacological properties of Lycopene across years ago and in different aspects including inflammation, cardiovascular disease, prostatic cancer and different dermatological complaints. Objective: we investigated the potential impact of two different doses of topical Lycopene and as add on therapy to Clobetasol on Psoriasis model that induced by Imiquimod in mice. Methods: This was accomplished by dividing 48 mice into six groups (8 mice per each group). All groups received Imiquimod for induction of Psoriasis (except Group I which is healthy group) across the experiment days. Group II (Induction group) received Petrolatum gel (Vaseline) for six days after 6 days induction period with Imiquimod. The rest groups III, IV,V,VI received Clobetasol propionate 0.05%, 0.125 mg/ml Lycopene, 0.25 mg/ml Lycopene and combination of 0.25 mg/ml Lycopene and 0.05% Clobetasol propionate ointments respectively once daily for six days after 6 days of induction period with Imiquimod.

Background: Many studies showed a possible exacerbation of psoriasis after exposure to angiotensin receptor antagonists. Azilsartan is a competitive angiotensin II receptor antagonist and has anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory disorders. Objective: Investigate dose-dependent effects of topical Azilsartan on Imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice. Methods: Forty-eight mice are allocated into six groups (8 mice per group). They all received Imiquimod for the induction of psoriasis (except Group I, a negative control group). Group II (Induction group) received petroleum gel for six days after induction with Imiquimod. The other groups (III, IV, V, and VI) were given Clobetasol propionate 0.05, 1% Azilsartan, 3% Azilsartan, and a combination of 3% Azilsartan and 0.05% Clobetasol propionate ointments, respectively once daily for six days after induction. Results: Azilsartan decreased psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score and attenuated the histological manifestations after induction. It significantly decreased the serum and tissue levels of the inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, and NF-Kβ), especially when used as an add-on therapy to Clobetasol. Conclusion: Topically-applied Azilsartan shows anti-psoriatic effects in Imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice via anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities.

In patients with diabetes, chronic inflammation is characterised by the increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis alpha (TNFα). The consumption of melatonin and flaxseed oil may improve insulin sensitivity and the effectiveness of diabetic medications. The current study investigated the efficacy of melatonin and flaxseed oil in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It involved 43 patients with diabetes who were divided into 3 groups. The first group received a placebo (starch 50mg, n=13), the second group received melatonin (10mg per day, n=14) and the third group received flaxseed oil (1000mg per day, n=16), in addition to prescribed hypoglycaemic medication and a 12-week controlled diet. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters were measured in each group at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Melatonin and flaxseed oil administrations resulted in a highly significant increase in glutathione (GSH) levels, a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the melatonin group and a significant increase in SOD in the flaxseed oil group. The melatonin group and the flaxseed oil group also showed a highly significant decrease in oxidised lowdensity lipoprotein (ox-LDL).TNF-α was significantly reduced after the respective consumption of melatonin and flaxseed oil. Furthermore, flaxseed oil consumption resulted in a significant decrease in CRP; however, there was no significant difference in CRP due to melatonin consumption.

Serious infections, and rising resistant infections, by pathogenic bacteria, have become developing threats worldwide. There is an increasing need to develop and discover a new treatment options that can act effectively to cure infections, with lesser resistance, side effects and toxicity. Identification of new treatment options against pathogens is an important issue nowadays. Ellagic acid is a non-drug compound that has been shown to possess many biological activities and  is presented in many red fruits and berries. This study aims to evaluate and measure the antimicrobial activity and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ellagic acid on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of ellagic acid was evaluated against ten purified bacterial isolates via agar disc diffusion assay, and minimum bactericidal concentration assay (MBC). The results show that ellagic acid was an effective antimicrobial compound against all the tested pathogens. The MBC range was shown to be between (1-2) mg/ml for MRSA, and E.coli, and between(1-1.5) mg/ml for P. aeruginosa. This current study has detected and proved the antimicrobial activity of ellagic acid against important and widely resistant pathogenic bacteria like MRSA, P.  aeruginosa, and E.coli.