Master’s Thesis at the College of Medicine, University of Babylon on Depression The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the College of Medicine, University of Babylon discussed the master’s thesis of student Wurood Salah Hassan Salman, entitled: “Study of the Effect of Echinacea purpurea Extract on a Chronic Depression Model and Brain TLR Gene Expression in Male Rats”, supervised by Professor Dr. Salman Mohammed Salman and Assistant Professor Dr. Reem Abdulrahim. The defense was attended by the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Muhannad Abbass Al-Shalah, the Head of the Department, Assistant Professor Dr. Riad Hashim Al-Mousawi, along with a number of faculty members and postgraduate students. During her defense, the researcher explained that depression is a neurological condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and a variety of cognitive and physical manifestations. This condition can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to function. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression, and herbal medicines such as Echinacea purpurea have recently gained great attention in the treatment of depression due to their safety and cost-effectiveness. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) extract on a chronic stress model and TLR4 gene expression in the brains of male rats. In conclusion, Echinacea purpurea was found to have antidepressant activity, as demonstrated by behavioral tests and biochemical analyses. Furthermore, EP reversed the elevated levels of TLR4 induced by stress in the brain tissues of rats.
By: Zahraa Khawwam Abdulwahid
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