Association between Problematic Use of Smartphones and Mental Health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: A Systematic Review

Smartphones have become essential components of daily life, and research into the harmful effects of problematic smartphone use (PSU) on mental health is expanding in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This issue has yet to be synthesized and critically evaluated. To find quantitative observational studies on the relationship between PSU and mental health in the MENA region, we developed a search equation and adapted it for four databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed during the selection process. This review included 32 cross-sectional studies and one cohort study. The available language was English. All identified studies published until 8 October 2021, were considered. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The studies enrolled 21,487 people and had low-to-moderate methodological quality. The prevalence of PSU ranged from 4.3 to 97.8 percent. The time factor, type of application used on the smartphone, and sociodemographic characteristics were the determinants of PSU. Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly correlated with PSU. Epidemiological longitudinal studies that respect the quality of evidence are needed in all MENA countries to better plan and implement preventive measures against PSU

Depression and anxiety and its association with problematic social media use in the MENA region: a systematic review

Abstract Background The use of the social media has increased significantly in recent decades, and research on the impact of problematic social media use on mental health is a relatively new and growing area of study in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Social media users are prone to developing addictive behaviors and suffering from mental illness, including depression and anxiety. The present paper aims to systematically review the available research examining the association between problematic social media use (PSMU) and depression and anxiety symptoms that was done in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA region). Methods The academic databases Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane were used to conduct a literature search. Problematic social media use and the MENA region and their synonyms were main keywords in the Boolean search strategy. We selected articles based on the following criteria: (i) addressed the relationship between problematic social media use and depression and anxiety; (ii) MENA region population-based studies; and (iii) published in English. There were no age, gender, or educational status restrictions, and there was no time limit for this review. The literature search was conducted in December 2021. Results The selection criteria led to the retention of 15 articles. The findings of the systematic review demonstrated that most of these studies have found a significant association between problematic social media use and depression and anxiety symptoms. Some studies showed stress, generalized trust, perceived social support, fear of COVID-19, and misunderstanding of COVID-19 mediating the relationship between social media use and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions While there is evidence that there is a relationship between PSMU and anxiety and depressive symptoms, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship

In vitro antioxidant effect of Globularia alypum L. hydromethanolic extract

Objective : To investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of the hydromethanolic extract of aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Globularia alypum L. toward linoleic acid emulsion and human low-density lipoproteins (LDL) peroxidation. Materials and Methods : Lipid peroxidation was carried out in the presence of G. alypum hydromethanolic extract (10 and 100 µg of extract/ml). CuSO4 (10 µM) was used as the oxidation initiator. Conjugated dienes (CD) formation and oxygen consumption were assessed for monitoring the antioxidant properties of the plant extract. Butylated hydroxytoluene at 50 µg/ml was used as standard antioxidant. Quantification of total polyphenolic compounds was carried out according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results : The hydromethanolic extract of G. alypum exhibited significant antioxidant effect. There was a significant inhibition of CD formation in copper ions-mediated linoleic acid emulsion as well as human LDL peroxidation. Analysis of the plant extract revealed a high amount of polyphenols, suggesting a possible role of these compounds in the antioxidant properties. Conclusion : The obtained results suggested that G. alypum could be a potential source of antioxidants. Further investigations are in progress to determine the active constituent(s)

Association between Problematic Use of Smartphones and Mental Health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: A Systematic Review

Smartphones have become essential components of daily life, and research into the harmful effects of problematic smartphone use (PSU) on mental health is expanding in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This issue has yet to be synthesized and critically evaluated. To find quantitative observational studies on the relationship between PSU and mental health in the MENA region, we developed a search equation and adapted it for four databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed during the selection process. This review included 32 cross-sectional studies and one cohort study. The available language was English. All identified studies published until 8 October 2021, were considered. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The studies enrolled 21,487 people and had low-to-moderate methodological quality. The prevalence of PSU ranged from 4.3 to 97.8 percent. The time factor, type of application used on the smartphone, and sociodemographic characteristics were the determinants of PSU. Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly correlated with PSU. Epidemiological longitudinal studies that respect the quality of evidence are needed in all MENA countries to better plan and implement preventive measures against PSU

Effect of an Encapsulated Anti-Elastase Compound on Experimental Gingival Inflammation in the Rat

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Antioxidant constituents of the aerial parts of Globularia alypum growing in Morocco

International audienceThree new phenolic compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Globularia alypum. Their structures were determined as 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-laminaribioside (1), eriodictyol 7-O-sophoroside (2), and 6'-O-coumaroyl-1'-O-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). In addition, three phenylethanoid glycosides (acteoside, isoacteoside, and forsythiaside) and two flavonoid glycosides (6-hydroxyluteolin 7-0-/3-D-glucopyranoside and luteolin 7-O-sophoroside) were also isolated and are reported here for the first time in this plant. The structures of compounds 1-3 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data analysis. Evaluation of the antioxidative activity, conducted in vitro, showed that the isolated phenylethanoids and flavonoid glycosides possess strong effects of this type