Research background. Antioxidants are described as important compounds that are present at low concentrations to inhibit oxidation processes. Due to the side effects of synthetic antioxidants, research interest has increased considerably towards finding natural sources of antioxidants that can replace synthetic antioxidants. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance require the development of new drugs or some potential sources of novel medicine. This work aims to extract the secondary metabolites of S. cerevisiae using ethyl acetate as a solvent and to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of these extracted metabolites. Experimental approach. The antioxidant activities of the secondary metabolites of S. cerevisiae were determined using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of the ethyl acetate extract of S. cerevisiae in treating Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis was assessed. Results and conclusion. Five out of 13 of the extracted secondary metabolites were identified as antioxidants. The antioxidant activity of the S. cerevisiae extract exhibited relatively high IC50 of 455.2689 μg/mL and 294.51 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS respectively while the FRAP value was obtained as 44.4004 μg AAE/mL. Moreover, the extracts presented a significant antibacterial activity (p<0.05) against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis at the concentrations of 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/mL, respectively. However, no inhibitory effect was observed against Cutibacterium acnes as the extract was only effective against Cutibacterium acnes at the concentrations of 300 mg/mL and 400 mg/mL (inhibition zones ranging from 9.0±0 to 9.333±0.577) respectively (p<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was highly sensitive to the extract, with a MIC value of 18.75 mg/mL. Novelty and scientific contribution. This report confirmed the efficacy of the secondary metabolites of S. cerevisiae as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobials and suggest the possibility of employing them in drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by the tested microorganisms.

Background: Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and produce tubercle in tissue, affect mainly the lung (pulmonary TB) but can affect any other part of body (extra-pulmonary TB). Objective: This study aimed at studying the prevalence of tuberculosis in Al-Falluja city, Iraq for the period of 2012-2018. Method: By retrospective study, the following data were studied from patient record at Al-Wihdda health center in Al-Fallujah, Iraq (age, gender, and type of tuberculosis)Result: The total number of the patients in 2012 were 86 cases. Females were affected more than male, The ratio (female 47=55% and male 39=45%). The patients of age group (15-24) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of N (SS+). Females of age group of (65 and more) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB. All cases of Relapse were had detected in males. EPTB and N (SS+) more than others in this year. The total number of patients in 2013 were 102cases. Females were affected more than male, the ratio (female 52=51% and male 50=49%). Female patients in age group of (15-24) and (25-34) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of N (SS+), Males in age group of (0-1) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB, females in age group of (55-64)year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB while in age group of (15-24) year old males had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB more than females. Males in age group of (65 and more) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of Relapse more than females. Females in age group of (55-64) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of N (SS-). EPTB and N (SS+) more than other types in this year. The total number of the patients in 2017 were 51 cases. Females were affected more than males, the ratio (female 27=53% and male 24=47%). Male patients had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB, Relapse, and N (SS-) more than females. Females had experienced detected tuberculosis cases of N (SS+). EPTB and N (SS+) more than other types in this year. The Total number of the patients in 2018 were 60 cases. Females were affected more than males, the ratio (female36=60% and male 24=40%). Female patients in age group of (5-14) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of EPTB, male in age group of (55)(56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62)(63)(64) year old had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of N (SS+). Females had experienced detected Tuberculosis cases of Relapse, N (SS-) and (ND, NA) more than males. EPTB and N (SS+) more than other types in this year. Conclusion: Female patients are affected more than male by Tuberculosis. Recommendation: Our study can recommend: 1) Spreading health awareness about tuberculosis as a health problem for all people by organize an awareness program in which people learn about what is Tuberculosis and how to benefit from its treatment. 2) Tuberculosis care through the Iraqi Ministry of Health.

Background: Acne is a serious skin problem that affects mostly adolescents. The topical and systematic therapies are effective but could lead to several side effects and the emergence of antibacterial resistance of the acne-causing bacteria. Plant resources have been used as traditional medicine for centuries and can be the alternative therapies for acne treatment. Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent or delay the oxidation of substrates when present in low concentrations. Antioxidants are usually involved in several mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of free radical generation, enhancement of the scavenging capacity against free radicals, and reducing power. Methods: In this study, three antioxidant assays, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extracts of five plant extracts (A. bilimbi, M. nigra, O. stamineus, P. granatum, and E. longifolia). Furthermore, the study aimed to identify the most potent plant extracts and their combination which could provide better antibacterial activities against acne-causing bacteria. Ethanolic extracts of A. bilimbi, O. stamineus, M. nigra, P. granatum, and E. longifolia were prepared by the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) technique. Their phytochemical contents were screened using several biochemical tests and GC-MS analysis. Results: The study found that only the extracts of P. granatum and O. stamineus exhibited good antioxidant activity using DPPH assay (82.37% and 81.72% μg/mL respectively) and in ABTS assay (87.25% and 88.85% μg/mL respectively); their observed FRAP values were 115.1667 ± 5.6182 and 41.3860 ± 2.4583 μg/mL, respectively. The preliminary antibacterial screening using the disc diffusion method showed that P. granatum and O. stamineus were the most potent extracts; hence, both extracts were combined at the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 to a total concentration of 400 mg/mL. Discussion: The antibacterial efficacy of the mixture was studied using the disc diffusion method and the MIC value was determined. Both S. aureus and S. epidermidis were sensitive to all the individual and combined extracts but C. acnes was resistant to all of them. Conclusion: The antibacterial activity of the combined extracts against S. aureus showed a synergistic effect at the ratio of 2:1 with the inhibitory zone diameter of 18.00 ± 1.00 mm and MIC value of 12.5 mg/mL; however, antagonistic effects were observed against S. epidermidis while no effect was noted against C. acnes. Therefore, all the selected plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activities against certain bacteria and their effects may be enhanced by combining the plant extracts.