The College of Pharmacy discussed the PhD dissertation entitled “Evaluation of the Possible Protective Effect of Nicardipine Against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice in Comparison with 5-Aminosalicylic Acid” by the student Ali Mahmood Shaker and the supervisor, Professor Dr. Munaf Hashim Abdul Razzaq Zalzala, at the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department.
The study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effect of nicardipine in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model and to compare its efficacy with 5-aminosalicylic acid through assessment of inflammatory, oxidative, molecular, and histopathological parameters.
The study included fifty BALB/c mice randomly divided into five groups: a control group, a DSS-treated group, two nicardipine pretreated groups (12 and 24 mg/kg), and a 5-aminosalicylic acid pretreated group (75 mg/kg). Treatments were administered before DSS induction. Clinical evaluation, biochemical assays (ELISA), gene expression analysis (RT-PCR), protein expression analysis (Western blot), and histopathological examination were performed.
The study concluded that nicardipine exerted a significant protective effect against DSS-induced colitis, as demonstrated by marked improvement in clinical and histopathological features, significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, COX-2, MPO, and NLRP3 inflammasome components), attenuation of oxidative stress markers, and restoration of antioxidant defenses. The higher dose showed superior efficacy and produced effects comparable to 5-aminosalicylic acid.
The study recommended further investigations to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms, assess long-term safety and efficacy, and conduct future clinical studies to explore the potential of nicardipine as a therapeutic adjunct in ulcerative colitis management.
The researchers have published the results of their scientific research in the Toxicology Reports Journal, published by Elsevier. The journal is recognized as a reputable international journal and is ranked within the first quartile (Q1), with a citation score of 7.4.
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