The College of Education for Pure Sciences Discusses a Doctoral Thesis
The College of Education for Pure Sciences discusses a doctoral thesis on: Evaluating the protective role of nano- and alcoholic extracts of prickly pear fruit. The Department of Life Sciences at the College of Education for Pure Sciences at the University of Karbala discussed a doctoral thesis entitled “Evaluation of the Protective Role of the Nano- and Alcoholic Extract of Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on Some Histological, Physiological, and Immunological Parameters in Male Albino Rats Treated with Thioacetamide”
by student Ali Nazim Muhammad Al-Yassari
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Ashwaq Kazim Obaid Prof. Dr. Hiba Alwan Abdul Salam
The current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of the nano- and alcoholic extract of the peel and pulp of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) in reducing the carcinogenic effects and pathological changes associated with exposure to thioacetamide. This was achieved by assessing the effect of thioacetamide (TAA) on some liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), kidney function indicators (T-BIL, creatinine, urea), and albumin concentration. The study concluded that the pulp and peel of the prickly pear fruit contain a group of active compounds with protective properties against the toxic effects of harmful substances in the body. The results showed that the nano-extract of the peel and pulp was more effective than the alcoholic extract in reducing these effects. Furthermore, subperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg of thioacetamide led to impaired liver and kidney function through increased levels of liver enzymes (total bilirubin, urea, and creatinine) and decreased albumin levels.
The study recommended the preparation of other nanoparticles (metallic, such as gold, and metal oxides such as silver, copper, and iron) using prickly pear extracts and studying their effectiveness in preventing liver damage caused by toxic substances. Furthermore, a histological and functional study was conducted to demonstrate the protective role of prickly pear compounds on other vital organs in the body.
