Efficiency of borage seeds oil against gamma irradiation-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats: possible antioxidant activity

Background: Borage (Borago officinal L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of great interest because its oil contains a high percentage of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). The present work was carried out to detect fatty acids composition of the oil extracted from borage seeds (BO) and its potential effectiveness against γ-irradiation- induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.Materials and Methods: GC-MS analysis of fatty acids methyl esters of BO was performed to identify fatty acids composition. Sixty rats were divided into five groups (12 rats each): Control, irradiated; rats were exposed to (6.5 Gy) of whole body γ-radiation, BO (50 mg/kg b.wt), irradiated BO post-treated and irradiated BO prepost-treated. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at two time intervals 7 and 15 days post-irradiation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) (MDA) levels were assessed. Histopathological examination of liver sections were also carried out.Results: The results showed that the high contents of BO extracted by cold pressing, were linoleic acid (34.23%) and GLA (24.79%). Also, oral administration of BO significantly improved serum levels of liver enzymes, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic GSH and MDA levels (p<0.001) as compared with irradiated rats after 15 days post irradiation. Moreover, it exerted marked amelioration against irradiation-induced histopathological changes in liver tissues. The improvement was more pronounced in irradiated BO prepost-treated group than irradiated BO post-treated.Conclusion: BO has a beneficial role in reducing hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by radiation exposure. Therefore, BO may be used as a beneficial supplement for patients during radiotherapy treatment.Keywords: Borage seeds oil; γ-irradiation; Hepatotoxicity; Antioxidan

EFFICIENCY OF BORAGE SEEDS OIL AGAINST GAMMA IRRADIATION-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN MALE RATS: POSSIBLE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Background: Borage (Borago officinal L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of great interest because its oil contains a high percentage of -linolenic acid (GLA). The present work was carried out to detect fatty acids composition of the oil extracted from borage seeds (BO) and its potential effectiveness against γ-irradiation- induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Materials and Methods: GC-MS analysis of fatty acids methyl esters of BO was performed to identify fatty acids composition. Sixty rats were divided into five groups (12 rats each): Control, irradiated; rats were exposed to (6.5 Gy) of whole body γ-radiation, BO (50 mg/kg b.wt), irradiated BO post-treated and irradiated BO prepost-treated. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at two time intervals 7 and 15 days post-irradiation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) (MDA) levels were assessed. Histopathological examination of liver sections were also carried out. Results: The results showed that the high contents of BO extracted by cold pressing, were linoleic acid (34.23%) and GLA (24.79%). Also, oral administration of BO significantly improved serum levels of liver enzymes, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic GSH and MDA levels (

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice towards COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

(1) Background: COVID-19 has become a worldwide public health problem. No previous study has investigated factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) after completely lifting the curfew in all Saudi Arabia regions and cities. Therefore, adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and correct control of COVID-19 are essential to eradicate the disease. Hence, this study aims to assess factors associated with KAP of COVID-19; (2) Methods: This cross-sectional web-based survey was performed with the participation of 4305 individuals aged over 15 years living in Saudi Arabia from 11 to 19 August 2020. They were included using the snowball sampling method; (3) Results: Of the 4305 participants, 94.9% were Saudis, 60% females, and 45.4% were in the age group of 20–34 years, 61.7% married, and 49.3% from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Most of the participants demonstrated good KAP levels (89.6%, 87.2%, and 87.2%) towards the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. In addition, most of the participants (85.8%) used the internet and social media as a source for COVID-19 information (4) Conclusions: The finding showed that most of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19, positive attitudes, and demonstrated good practices for preventing the spread of disease infection

AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF ARTEMISIA JUDAICA L. EXTRACT AGAINST ALLOXAN-INDUCED BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Objective: The current study aims to evaluate the potential of crude leaf extract of Artemisia judaica L. (AJE) in reducing the biochemical abnormalities accompanied to alloxan-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats.Methods: Thirty male albino rats (100-110 g) were divided equally into three groups including control, diabetic and diabetic+AJE. Diabetes was induced by using a single dose of alloxan (120 mg/kg of body weight). Serum biochemical parameters, including insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), total proteins, albumin, globulin, renal markers (creatinine, urea, uric acid), activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (ɤGT) were measured in all groups. Also, values of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ratios of albumin: globulin (A: G), TC/HDL (risk factor-1), LDL/HDL (risk factor-2) were calculated for each group.Results: Diabetic rats showed reduction in body weight and marked decline in the values of serum insulin, protein profile indices and HDL accompanied with marked elevation in values of glucose, HOMA_IR, triglycerides, TC, LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, renal markers and activities of the estimated enzymes. Supplementation of diabetic rats with AJE, twice daily for 30 days, significantly ameliorated most of the estimated biochemical parameters.Conclusion: The current results demonstrate that AJE possesses a hypoglycemic effect and acts as a protective factor against metabolic abnormalities induced by diabetes mellitus.Â

Evaluation of Community Pharmacists’ Competences in Identifying and Resolve Drug-Related Problems in a Pediatric Prescription Using the Simulated Patient Method

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are a global issue that impacts the efficacy and safety of the therapy, and pediatric patients are considered to be more vulnerable to DRPs, thus requiring more attention. Community pharmacists (CPs) are in a position that allow them to identify and alleviate these DRPs. Objectives: This study evaluated the ability of CPs in identifying and resolving DRPs in a pediatric prescription. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 235 community pharmacies to evaluate the ability of CPs working in the Khartoum locality to identify DRPs in a pediatric prescription and how they intervene to resolve these problems. Fifth-final year B. Pharm. Students were selected and trained to act as simulated patients (SPs) for this study. The visits were performed by using a simulated prescription that contains three different types of DRPs. The information obtained from the visits was documented immediately by the SPs after leaving the pharmacy in a data collection form. Results: All planned SPs visits were completed. Of the 235 community pharmacies, only 50 (21.3%) CPs were able to identify at least one of the DRPs. The most common type of DRP identified was the wrong duration of the treatment 19%, followed by the wrong dose 4%. The interventions made by CPs to mitigate the identified DRPs included recalculation and correction of the dose according to weight, which was made by 10 CPs, and correction of the duration, which was done by 45 CPs. None of the CPs who identified the presented DRPs communicated with the physician or referred the SP to the prescriber. The average dispensing time of the CPs was 68.18 ± 36.1 s. Conclusions: The majority of the CPs in the Khartoum locality were unable to identify DRPs in a pediatric prescription. Correction of the dose and duration of treatment were from the attempts of CPs to resolve DRPs. However, no collaboration was observed between CPs and physicians. In general, the practice of CPs in Khartoum locality in this area requires substantial improvement

Evaluation of Community Pharmacists’ Competences in Identifying and Resolve Drug-Related Problems in a Pediatric Prescription Using the Simulated Patient Method

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are a global issue that impacts the efficacy and safety of the therapy, and pediatric patients are considered to be more vulnerable to DRPs, thus requiring more attention. Community pharmacists (CPs) are in a position that allow them to identify and alleviate these DRPs. Objectives: This study evaluated the ability of CPs in identifying and resolving DRPs in a pediatric prescription. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 235 community pharmacies to evaluate the ability of CPs working in the Khartoum locality to identify DRPs in a pediatric prescription and how they intervene to resolve these problems. Fifth-final year B. Pharm. Students were selected and trained to act as simulated patients (SPs) for this study. The visits were performed by using a simulated prescription that contains three different types of DRPs. The information obtained from the visits was documented immediately by the SPs after leaving the pharmacy in a data collection form. Results: All planned SPs visits were completed. Of the 235 community pharmacies, only 50 (21.3%) CPs were able to identify at least one of the DRPs. The most common type of DRP identified was the wrong duration of the treatment 19%, followed by the wrong dose 4%. The interventions made by CPs to mitigate the identified DRPs included recalculation and correction of the dose according to weight, which was made by 10 CPs, and correction of the duration, which was done by 45 CPs. None of the CPs who identified the presented DRPs communicated with the physician or referred the SP to the prescriber. The average dispensing time of the CPs was 68.18 ± 36.1 s. Conclusions: The majority of the CPs in the Khartoum locality were unable to identify DRPs in a pediatric prescription. Correction of the dose and duration of treatment were from the attempts of CPs to resolve DRPs. However, no collaboration was observed between CPs and physicians. In general, the practice of CPs in Khartoum locality in this area requires substantial improvement

Antihyperglycemic Potential of Grewia asiatica Fruit Extract against Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia in Rats: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Diabetes mellitus is regarded as a serious chronic disease that carries a high risk for considerable complications. In folk medicine, the edible Grewia asiatica fruit is used in a number of pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the possible curative effect of G. asiatica fruit ethanolic extract against streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced hyperglycemia in rats. Furthermore, mechanism of antihyperglycemic action is investigated. Hyperglycemic rats are either treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day G. asiatica fruits extract. Serum glucose, liver glycogen, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α are measured. G. asiatica fruits extract reduces blood glucose and pancreatic MDA levels. It increases liver glycogen and pancreatic GSH contents and SOD enzyme activity. Furthermore, Grewia asiatica fruits extract decreases serum IL-1β and TNF-α. The treatment also protects against STZ-induced pathological changes in the pancreas. The results of this study indicated that G. asiatica fruit extract exerts antihyperglycemic activity against STZ-induced hyperglycemia. The improvement in the pancreatic β-cells and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of G. asiatica fruit extract may explain the antihyperglycemic effect

Prevalence and perception of HPV vaccination among health science students in Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence and perception of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in health science students in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at different health science colleges of Majmaah University on female students. The knowledge of the participants regarding HPV was assessed using a pre-tested questionnaire. The history of vaccination of these female participants was also enquired. Results: More than three-fifth of the participants had heard about HPV. Of these, 83 participants, 59 (71.1%), were aware that it is a disease of women and how to diagnose it. Most participants (86.7%) knew that it can cause cervical cancer, while only 57.8% knew it could be asymptomatic. There were 18% of such participants who thought that HPV and human immunodeficiency virus are the same and that there is no vaccine for the prevention of HPV. Only 14.5% (n = 12) were vaccinated against HPV. Conclusion: A clear gap between knowledge and practice of HPV vaccination was observed, and health education should be planned to educate health professionals to avoid misconceptions

Effects of Phoenix dactylifera against Streptozotocin-Aluminium Chloride Induced Alzheimer’s Rats and Their In Silico Study

Phoenix dactylifera is known for medicinal importance due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of P. dactylifera seeds to cure Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD was induced in the rats with streptozotocin + aluminium chloride followed by treatment of methanolic extract of P. dactylifera seeds. The blood glucose levels were determined at regular intervals, which showed a prominent decrease in the extracts treated group. Behavior tests, including the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test and Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, were used to evaluate memory patterns in rats. The results indicated that extract-treated rats significantly improved memory behavior compared to the diseased group. After dissection, the serum electrolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and choline esterase enzymes were measured in different organs. The serum parameters creatinine, urea, and bilirubin increased after extract treatment. Similarly, the level of antioxidant enzymes like peroxidases (POD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the extract-treated group showed improved results that were close to the normal control group. The enzyme (lipase, insulin, amylase, and acetylcholine) levels were found enhanced in extract groups as compared to diseased rats. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the level of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters, which were increased significantly for P. dactylifera seeds with values of 0.18 μg/mg tissue and 0.56 μg/mg tissue, respectively. Overall, results showed that P. dactylifera seeds proved to be quite efficient in improving the memory and behavior of treated rats. The antioxidants and enzymes were also increased; therefore, it may be a potential candidate for treating AD