Dean of Al-Amal College Participates in Master’s Thesis Defense at the University of Babylon on the Antiepileptic Effects of Linalool

Professor Emeritus Dr. Mofeed Jaleel Awad, Dean of Al-Amal College for Specialized Medical Sciences, participated as a supervisor and external committee member in the defense of a Master’s thesis at the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon. The thesis, presented by pharmacist Zahraa Ahmed Hussein and co-supervised by Assistant Professor Riyadh Hadi Al-Mousawi, focused on an in-depth scientific study of the antiepileptic effects of linalool, a compound extracted from lavender.

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of linalool as a natural compound in reducing the severity of epileptic seizures. Through behavioral and biochemical experiments on animal models, the findings showed a significant reduction in seizure intensity and duration, an increase in response time, improved antioxidant biomarkers, and a decrease in neuroinflammatory markers (IL-1β, MDA, and TNF-α). These results suggest that linalool could be a promising candidate for treating epilepsy disorders.

The thesis involved dividing 35 rats into seven groups to evaluate the effects of linalool compared to standard antiepileptic drugs such as pregabalin, with the results clearly indicating improved neurological outcomes and reduced seizure symptoms.

The thesis was awarded a grade of "Excellent" and resulted in the publication of two scientific papers in Scopus-indexed journals. Additionally, a patent application has been submitted related to the use of linalool as an effective antiepileptic agent.

Dr. Mofeed Jaleel Awad’s participation in this academic endeavor reflects Al-Amal College’s strong commitment to supporting scientific research and fostering academic collaboration with Iraqi universities to enhance the standards of higher education and contribute to the advancement of the medical field.