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Background: The transition from high school often coincides with impact on emotional eating (EE), potentially leading to disruptions in eating patterns. Even though, the impact of EE on patterns of eating behavior among Saudi female university students is not fully investigated. Aim: To assess the impact of EE on patterns of eating behavior among Saudi female University students. Methods: A total of 359 female students (King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) participated in a cross-sectional study. Data was collected using online questionnaire including general characteristics, Emotional Eating Questionnaire (EEQ) and Eating Behavior Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ). Results: 41.2% of participants were categorized as somewhat emotional eaters with a mean EEQ score of 13.80±6.84. EE was positively associated with eating out, frequent snacking, consumption of sweets and biscuits, and meal skipping (p<0.05). Additionally, EBPQ score was positively correlated with weight/BMI (r=0.28, r=0.29) while negatively correlated with adherence to low-fat diet (r=- 0.30, r=-0.26). Significant association between EEQ scores and BMI (p<0.001), with increased emotional eating score among overweight/obese individuals. Conclusion: Female university participants exhibited somewhat emotional eating tendencies, highlighting the complexity of the interaction between different parameters. These findings underscore the importance of addressing EE behaviors and its subsequent impact on dietary patterns; and promoting healthier dietary habits among Saudi female university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phytoestrogens are non-estradiol molecules categorized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which means they can alter the hormonal equilibrium and cause reproductive problems. Studies suggested Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) possible use as alternative to hormone replacement therapy in ovarian hypofunction patients. Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) contains phytoestrogen steroids and isoflavonoids. The purpose of this research was to examine the estrogenic effects of H. sabdariffa and S. officinalis aqueous extracts on male reproductive hormones and testicular histology and function. Methods: Three groups of six male rats each were utilized as follows: control (distilled water), H. sabdariffa (500 mg/kg aqueous extract), and S. officinalis (500 mg/kg aqueous extract). Blood, epididymis. Testis and serum samples were gathered after 30 days for biochemical analysis, sperm characteristics, and histological evaluations. Results: Compared to the control and S. officinalis groups, H. sabdariffa caused a significant reduction in body weight (BW) and percent BW gain (%BWG). Relative to the control rats, the two extracts dramatically reduced testicular weight, sperm motility, concentration, and viability while raising abnormalities. Furthermore, the herbal extract groups demonstrated a significant decrease in blood testosterone levels while increasing serum prolactin, FSH, and LH levels. Consumption of both herbs also caused testicular histological changes such as degenerated seminiferous tubules, with a diminished number of mature spermatozoa in the tubular lumen, reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the presence of exfoliated cells in the tubular lumen. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the aqueous extracts of H. sabdariffa and S. officinalis may negatively impact male fertility. However, more research is needed to validate these findings and investigate the mechanistic components of these impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis are the primary inducers of Methotrexate (MTX)-induced mucositis. This research aimed to determine whether apocynin (APO) could protect against MTX-induced mucositis. The antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic actions of APO in this model will be evaluated. The experiment was performed on 32 rats. A single dose (20 mg/kg) of MTX was injected i.p. to induce intestinal mucositis. APO was given orally once per day at a dose of 100mg/kg (five days prior to and five days following an MTX injection). APO safeguarded the histological structure of the duodenal mucosa, as observed by the conserved histology of goblet cells (villi and crypts). APO mitigated oxidative stress by reducing intestin MDA and raising GSH, SOD and GST, also suppressing NF-κB mRNA expression. Intestinal content of proinflammatory cytokines was reduced in APO-treated MTX rats, with downregulation of proinflammatory iNOS and upregulation of anti-inflammatory PPAR-γ proteins. The intestinal mucosa of rats treated with APO and MTX displayed weekly positive immune staining for cleaved caspase-3. APO upregulate the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 mRNA and down regulate the proapoptotic Bax and Puma mRNA in the duodenal mucosa. The results indicate the possibility of using APO as a novel therapeutic agent to prevent MTX-induced mucositis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural biometabolites of plants have been reported to be useful in chronic diseases including diabetes and associated complications. This research is aimed to investigate how the biometabolites of Lasia spinosa methanol stem (MEXLS) extract ameliorative diabetes and diabetes-related complications. MEXLS was examined for in vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidiabetic effects in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model, and its chemical profiling was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The results were verified by histopathological examination and in silico ligand-receptor interaction of characterized natural biometabolites with antidiabetic receptor proteins AMPK (PDB ID: 4CFH); PPARγ (PDB ID: 3G9E); and mammalian α-amylase center (PDB ID: 1PPI). The MEXLS was found to show a remarkable α-amylase inhibition (47.45%), strong antioxidant action, and significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), urea, uric acid, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), liver glycogen, creatinine kinase (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increase in serum insulin, glucose tolerance, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Rat's pancreas and kidney tissues were found to be partially recovered in histopathological analyses. Methyl α-d-galactopyranoside displayed the highest binding affinity with AMPK (docking score, −5.764), PPARγ (docking score, −5.218), and 1PPI (docking score, −5.615) receptors. Data suggest that the MEXLS may be an exciting source to potentiate antidiabetic activities affirming a cell-line study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently pomegranate is used in traditional medicine for its pharmacological properties. Consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits can improve the human health mainly because of their high contents of beneficial phytochemicals and other micronutrients. Pomegranate has multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer actions. Ellagic acid is a major compound of pomegranate which is naturally existing in many kinds. It has also been found in raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, pecans, walnuts, green tea, pomegranates, and blueberries. Recently, numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of ellagic acid and pomegranate juice in the treatment of prostate cancer, diabetes, melasma, ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage, endotoxemia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction, dental disorders, diabetes, and idiopathic central precocious puberty. The therapeutic effect of ellagic acid and pomegranate juice could be due to the clinically evidenced antioxidant activities. In conclusion, ellagic acid may be used as a therapy or adjuvant therapy for the treatment of many illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Vitis vinifera ethanol seed extract (SE) on pancreatic function markers associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Methods: Non-diabetic rats (n = 12) were divided into 2 groups (GRPs); GRP1 served as the control, and GRP2 was administered orally with V. vinifera SE (500 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were divided into 2 GRPs; GRP3 served as the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and GRP4 diabetic rats received V. vinifera SE (500 mg/kg). Blood was collected at the end of 4 weeks, and serum glucose and lipid profile were measured using colorimetric enzymatic kits. Serum insulin, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Histopathological alterations in pancreas were determined, while omentin-1 mRNA expression was investigated using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: V. vinifera SE protected pancreatic function in diabetic rats. V. vinifera SE significantly increased serum insulin and HDL (p < 0.001), besides significantly decreasing serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL (p < 0.001). Pathological studies also showed that V. vinifera SE preserved the pancreatic β cells' shape, size, and cell population in the diabetic GRP. The extract significantly decreased serum IL-1β levels in diabetic rats (p < 0.001). Besides, the data demonstrated a significant up-regulation in omentin-1 mRNA expression in diabetic rats treated with V. vinifera SE. Conclusion: V. vinifera SE has anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties in streptozotocin-induced rat model. The underlying mechanism of action might be a decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β) and increase in omentin mRNA. Clinical trials are required to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclosporine A is one of the most widely used drugs in organ transplant and oncology patients. But its use is accompanied by many toxicities. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of Costus afer (C. afer) leaf extract on cyclosporine A-induced testicular toxicity. This study was carried out on 40 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, C. afer, cyclosporine A and cyclosporine A+ C. afer groups. The investigations include genital weight, sperm count and characters, serum luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone, testicular tissue contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Besides, a histopathological examination of testicular tissue stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) was performed. Cyclosporine A+ C. afer group showed a significant increase in the genital weight, serum testosterone, sperm count, motility and viability. Besides, the extract significantly decreased testicular content of MDA and increased SOD, CAT and GSHPx. C. afer coadministration significantly decreased serum LH and sperm abnormalities and protected against testicular histopathological alterations. The extract showed a protective effect against testicular toxicity associated with cyclosporine A and that was through an antioxidant mechanism., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)