31 research outputs found
Phytochemicals, Health-Promoting Effects, and Enzyme Inhibition Traits of <i>Phlomis stewartii</i> Extracts
No full textPhlomis stewartii is a wild, perennial woody plant used for diverse therapeutic targets. The present work evaluated the influence of independent variables such as extraction time, solvent concentration, and speed in the range of (100 mL, 150 mL, and 200 mL), (2 h, 5 h, and 8 h), and (100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm), respectively, on extraction yields, phytochemical components, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of P. stewartii extract. In the present work, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction yield. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the bioactive constituents of the extracts. The potent extracts were analyzed to study α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Under the optimized conditions of solvent concentration (200 mL), extraction time (8 h), and speed (150 rpm), the whole plant methanol extract (WPME) showed a maximum extraction yield of 13.5%, while the leaves methanol extract (LME) showed a maximum TPC of 19.5 ± 44 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of extract and a maximum TFC of 4.78 ± 0.34 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per gram of extract. HPLC analysis showed the presence of p-coumaric, gallic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid. LME showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 46.86 ± 0.21 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 45.81 ± 0.17 µg/mL). Therefore, in conclusion, LME could be considered to fix the α-amylase and α-glucosidase-mediated disorders in the human body to develop herbal phytomedicine
Suspected inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs among requesting customers: A Saudi community pharmacists’ perspective
No full textBackground: Inappropriate use of medications is a global health concern, and this is attributed to the increased accessibility to prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs at community pharmacies. We investigated the inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs in community pharmacies based on the perspectives of the community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey which employed convenient sampling (snowball technique) to recruit participants. Being a licensed practicing pharmacist in a retail chain or an independent community pharmacy was the inclusion criteria. Participants were asked to report the drugs they suspected of being inappropriately used along with the frequency, age and gender of the suspected customers. Pharmacists were also asked to mention the action taken to limit inappropriate use at their pharmacy. Results: A total of 397 community pharmacists completed the questionnaire (86.9 % response rate). 86.4% of the pharmacists suspected some level of abuse or misuse to have occurred. After receiving the questionnaire, the pharmacists reported suspected inappropriate use as encountered during the past three months. Cumulative inappropriate use was reported 1069 times (prescription drugs – 530; non-prescription drugs – 539). The top three inappropriately used prescription-drug categories were gabapentinoids (22.5%), antipsychotics (17.5%) and topical corticosteroids (12.1%). Among non-prescription drugs, cough products (33.2%) ranked first, followed by cold and flu products (29.5%) and first-generation antihistamines (10.8%). The cross tabulations revealed that being in the age range of 26–50 years and being a male was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with abuse/misuse of antipsychotics, antidepressants, gabapentinoids, cough products and first-generation antihistamines. Eye products (Bimatoprost) and skin products abuse/misuse had significant association with female gender (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The results of our study provide crucial information to the healthcare authorities regarding the medications that can be inappropriately used at the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia which necessitates implementation of stringent dispensing regulations. Educational programs can be implemented to increase the awareness among public regarding the harmful effects of inappropriate use of drugs
Synthesis of visible light driven cobalt tailored Ag2O/TiON nanophotocatalyst by reverse micelle processing for degradation of Eriochrome Black T
No full textAn ultra efficient cobalt tailored silver and nitrogen co-doped titania (TiON/Ag2O/Co) visible nanophotocatalyst is successfully synthesized using modified reverse micelle processing. Composition, phase, distribution of dopants, functional group analysis, optical properties and morphology of synthesized materials are investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) based techniques and others. Charge states of titanium (Ti) and silver are explored through core-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our characterization results showed that the synthesized nanophotocatalyst consisted of anatase phased qausispherical nanoparticles that exhibited homogeneous distribution of dopants, large surface area, high quantum efficiency and enhanced optical properties. At lower content of doped Co ions, the TiON/Ag2O responded with extraordinary photocatalytic properties. The cobalt tailored nanophotocatalyst showed remarkable activity against Eriochrome Black T (EBT). Moreover, comparative degradation behavior of EBT with TiON, Ag2O/TiON and Co/Ag2O/TiON is also investigated. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd
Evaluating the contamination susceptibility of groundwater resources through anthropogenic activities in Islamabad, Pakistan: a GIS-based DRASTIC approach
No full textThe problem of access to clean water has been highlighted by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and in areas such as Islamabad, Pakistan, water pollution is more of an immediate concern. The impact of excessive use of fertilizers coupled with improper waste management has harmed aquifers. This necessitates the need for tools to map out regions of concern and assist with clean-up strategies. This paper uses an amalgamation of the DRASTIC model and GIS capabilities to evaluate the contamination threat to aquifers in Islamabad. The model involves seven components: depth to water, recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity, and formulates an index of susceptibility within the range of 275–900. The areas were classified into five categories according to their level of susceptibility: very low (275–400; 22 km2, 2%), low (400–525; 306 km2, 28%), moderate (525–650; 500 km2, 47%), high (650–775; 221 km2, 21%), and very high (775–900; 26 km2, 2%). Twenty-eight of the samples had nitrate concentrations ranging from − 0.72 ppm to 2.8 ppm which helped calibrate the model and did not show a high correlation with the DRASTIC index. This suggests that the contamination was limited and did not originate from widespread sources. The results highlight the importance of focusing measures on high-risk areas, such as Rawal Lake and the National Agricultural Research Center, where risks of contamination are severe. The baseline that the present study has developed is useful in terms of safe groundwater extraction and also offers a workable methodology for urban groundwater management practices in the world. Its usefulness is enhancing policies aimed at protecting clean water resources and reducing the risk of environmental degradation in sensitive areas worldwide. © The Author(s) 2025
Impact of COVID-19 related movement restrictions on the follow-up care visits of adults with chronic conditions: A Saudi Arabian survey study
No full textAims: Lockdown measures implemented during the initial phase of the pandemic resulted in the delay and disruption of healthcare utilization for individuals with chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 movement restrictions on the follow-up care visits of individuals with chronic illnesses. We also assessed the possible reasons patients missed their follow-ups and the potential barriers impeding follow-up during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 397 adults with pre-existing medical conditions participated in an online cross-sectional survey from October to December 2022. The study sample comprised 57 % females and 43 % males, with a mean age of 43 years. A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection.Results: Fifty-five percent of participants reported missing their follow-up during COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 % made emergency department visits due to their missed follow-up appointments. In addition, 24 % experienced complications due to their missed appointments. The mean score on the fear of COVID-19 scale was 17.8 ± 6.5 (SD). For the majority of participants (60 %), pandemic-related restrictions were the predominant barrier to their follow-up visits. Additionally, we found that as individuals’ COVID-19 fear scores increased, the likelihood of missing a follow-up care visit also increased (AOR: 1.067; p-value = 0.001). However, participants who did not perceive COVID-19 pandemic–related restrictions as a barrier were less likely to miss their follow-up visits (AOR: 0.581; p-value = 0.031). Furthermore, those who understood the significance of follow-up care were less likely to miss any of their follow-up visits (AOR: 0.224; p-value < 0.001) than those who had limited understanding of its importance. Conclusion: The results showed that pandemic-related movement restrictions negatively affected attendance at follow-up visits for people with pre-existing health conditions. Initiatives should therefore be undertaken during global public health emergencies to provide medical and psychological support to vulnerable and high-risk groups
Utilization of Psychotropic Medications and Polypharmacy Among Adults in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia
No full textGlobally, there has been a surge in the prevalence of mental health disorders, not excluding Saudi Arabia. The availability of newer psychotropic medications has led to increased prescribing and polypharmacy. In Saudi Arabia, exploration of the knowledge gap between the outpatient use of psychotropic medications and the extent of polypharmacy has been scarce in the literature. This study evaluated the prescription pattern of psychotropic medications and the prevalence of psychotropic polypharmacy among adult patients with behavioral/mental illnesses. The study was conducted in the psychiatric outpatient clinics of five hospitals in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-random sample of adults with behavioral/mental illnesses. Psychotropic polypharmacy was the presence of ≥2 psychotropic medication prescriptions. We conducted multivariable logistic regression models to examine the factors associated with psychotropic polypharmacy. A total of 3.052 adults with a behavioral/mental illness were included in the study. Of these, 74.6% had antidepressant prescriptions. The second most prescribed drug class was antipsychotics (51.9%). Furthermore, 65.3% had psychotropic polypharmacy, and 48.2% had interclass psychotropic polypharmacy. Adults with anxiety and other mood disorders were less likely to engage in psychotropic polypharmacy and interclass polypharmacy use than those with depression. However, adults with schizophrenia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.91; p<0.001) were more likely to engage in interclass polypharmacy use than those with depression. Adults with behavioral/mental illnesses in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia have high rates of antidepressants and antipsychotics use. Additionally, psychotropic polypharmacy is a common prescribing practice, and further evaluation of the safety profile of these combinations is warranted
Migrant workers, migrants, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and refugees - The silent sufferers of the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief review of media reports
No full textLike other vulnerable groups, the pandemic has severely and negatively impacted marginalized groups, including migrant laborers, documented and undocumented migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and asylum seekers. The present study briefly reviewed cases of attempted and completed suicide while also examining their causality among national and international migrant workers, migrants, IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers during the ongoing pandemic. This study utilized retrospective extraction of suicide-related information from earlier published press reports. With regards to COVID-19- related suicides, this method has had widespread acceptability and has previously been extensively used in countries of South-East Asia for reporting suicides in academic journals. The authors located 26 relatively complete details of migrant worker suicides and suicide attempts from India and Singapore and 46 cases of migrant suicides from Malaysia with partially complete details. Lockdown-related health, job, and financial uncertainties coupled with pandemic-related emotional as well as mental stressors were some of the reported reasons for the alleged suicides and suicide attempts. Considering the psychological impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the role of mental health services becomes increasingly important. Governments should take the lead in safeguarding the financial, physical, and mental well-being of all its citizens with special emphasis on the
most vulnerable populations and high-risk groups for the entire period of the pandemic, to avert any unneeded loss of life related to suicides
Migrant workers, migrants, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and refugees – The silent sufferers of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textLike other vulnerable groups, the pandemic has severely and negatively impacted marginalized groups, including migrant laborers, documented and undocumented migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and asylum seekers. The present study briefly reviewed cases of attempted and completed suicide while also examining their causality among national and international migrant workers, migrants, IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers during the ongoing pandemic. This study utilized retrospective extraction of suicide-related information from earlier published press reports. With regards to COVID-19related suicides, this method has had widespread acceptability and has previously been extensively used in countries of South-East Asia for reporting suicides in academic journals. The authors located 26 relatively complete details of migrant worker suicides and suicide attempts from India and Singapore and 46 cases of migrant suicides from Malaysia with partially complete details. Lockdown-related health, job, and financial uncertainties coupled with pandemic-related emotional as well as mental stressors were some of the reported reasons for the alleged suicides and suicide attempts. Considering the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of mental health services becomes increasingly important. Governments should take the lead in safeguarding the financial, physical, and mental well-being of all its citizens with special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations and high-risk groups for the entire period of the pandemic, to avert any unneeded loss of life related to suicides
Psychological impact of COVID-19 restrictions among individuals at risk of exercise addiction and their socio-demographic correlates: a Saudi Arabian survey study
No full textExercise addiction (EA) has been described as a condition of psychological dysfunction characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise patterns, show withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise, and experience numerous conflicts and other negative consequences in their social and professional lives, due to the extremely high volumes of exercise. The main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction among a Saudi Arabian sample of regular exercisers and to investigate possible associations between their inability to exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (due to the closure of public gyms, swimming pools, and health clubs) and depression, anxiety, and loneliness. A total of 388 regular-exercising Saudis participated in an online cross-sectional survey over three months (December to February 2021). The study sample comprised 89.9% (males) and 10.1% (females), with a mean age of 28.59 years (SD ± 6.69). A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection. The prevalence of being at risk of exercise addiction among participants of the present study was 13.1%. Positive significant associations were noted between risk of exercise addiction and depression (r = .41; p < .01), risk of exercise addiction and anxiety (r = .20; p < .01), and risk of exercise addiction and loneliness (r = .17; p < .01). The findings of the present study suggest that those individuals at risk of exercise addiction might also be at an elevated risk of developing negative psychological impact owing to the disruption of the amount of exercise engaged in due to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions and therefore these high-risk individuals should receive appropriate psychological support to help them overcome the negative impact of the ongoing pandemic
Healthcare professionals' awareness, attitudes and practices towards pharmacovigilance and spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A survey study
No full textBackground: Globally, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the foremost cause of morbidity as well as mortality. This necessitates a system of surveillance that can effectively and efficiently monitor the effect of drugs on the general population. The role of pharmacovigilance (PV) is paramount in ensuring drug safety through spontaneous ADR reporting. Methods: Data collection in the current research was carried out by an anonymous, online 36-item self-report questionnaire amongst a sample of 351 working healthcare professionals (HCPs) across different regions of Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The current sample comprised 54.4% males and 45.6% females, having an age range of 26–57 years, and was conducted between August 21 and October 21, 2022. Participants were recruited using the convenience snowball sampling technique. Results: The participants' awareness of PV as well as spontaneous ADR reporting, had a significant association with having <40 years of age (χ2 = 27.40; p < 0.001), being pharmacists (χ2 = 212.20; p < 0.001), with more than five years of experience (χ2 = 40.80; p < 0.001), having Masters (or) Doctorate/Fellowship (χ2 = 171.94; p < 0.001), and having their practice located in an urban area (χ2 = 50.30; p < 0.001). It was also observed that most participants with excellent awareness of PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent attitudes (χ2 = 147.70; p < 0.001). Similarly, it was also seen that almost all (97%) of the study sample with excellent attitudes towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent practices (χ2 = 250.73; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a need for designing and conducting educational programs, providing training and conducting workshops for all the HCPs to improve their awareness towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting while also highlighting the need and importance of having positive attitudes towards spontaneous ADR reporting. Cooperation between different HCPs should be encouraged to improve their practices towards spontaneous ADR reporting
