The Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) proves effective in managing various bleedings, particularly in surgical and dental procedures. This study assesses ABS efficacy endoscopically by less-experienced endoscopists for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGB). Between 2016 and 2021, our hospital\'s Gastroenterology Department Endoscopy Unit conducted a retrospective data analysis of 653 patients who underwent endoscopy for NVUGB. The study included 202 patients who underwent endoscopic interventions performed by endoscopists with less than 3 years of experience. Based on the method used for endoscopic hemostasis, we classified those treated with ABS (either alone or as a second method) as group 1. In contrast, we classified patients treated with non-ABS hemostatic methods into Group 2. The study included 202 patients, with 96 (47.52%) in Group 1 and 106 (52.48%) in Group 2. All patients in Group 1 achieved bleeding control, while 4 patients in Group 2 initially did not achieve bleeding control; however, bleeding control was subsequently established following ABS administration. After 1 month of follow-up, mortality occurred in 3 out of 202 patients (1.48%), and all these cases were in Group 2. There is a significant difference in the need for blood transfusion between the groups (P < .001). Regarding the bleeding source, bulbus ulcer and gastric cancer were more prevalent in Group 2. On the other hand, although statistical significance was not reached in the comparison of rebleeding rates between groups, numerically, a higher incidence of recurrent bleeding was observed in Group 2 (Group 1: 3 [3.1%], Group 2: 8 [7.5%]; P = .167). Additionally, a similar relationship was noted among intensive care admissions (Group 1: 5 [5.2%]; Group 2: 7 [6.6%]; P = .675). In the group that used ABS, there were significantly higher rates of hypotension, tachycardia, syncope, and the need for transfusion than in the other group. In medical practice, this distinction often stems from the shared preference of clinicians to use ABS as a salvage method in cases of more severe bleeding. Considering all the findings, it is evident that using ABS through endoscopy in cases of NVUGIB significantly improves procedural success, irrespective of the endoscopist\'s experience level.

BACKGROUND: Ginger, a potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant remedy, is a potential therapeutic option for COVID-19. However, there was not enough clinical evidence about ginger and COVID-19. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ginger on clinical and paraclinical features in outpatients with COVID-19.
METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, the outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive ginger (1000 mg 3 times a day for 7 days) or placebo. The primary outcome was viral clearance after the end of the intervention. Oxygen saturation (SPO2), body temperature, respiratory rate (RR), hospital admission, and the incidence of adverse events were also assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 84 patients (42 in the ginger and 42 in the control groups) were randomized. The viral clearance was not statistically improved in the ginger group (41.6%) compared to the placebo group (42.8%). The findings indicated that SPO2, body temperature, and RR had no significant difference between the groups at the end of the intervention. The imaging finding indicated pulmonary infiltrate significantly reduced on the 7th day of the intervention in the ginger group. The percentage of patients with SPO2 <96% in the ginger group decreased over the study compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the need for hospital admission and the incidence of adverse drug events were not different between the groups over the follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS: Ginger had no significant impact on the clinical and paraclinical parameters of patients. However, this intervention demonstrated a safe profile of adverse events and reduced pulmonary infiltrate.
BACKGROUND: The trial was registered as IRCT20200506047323N1.

BACKGROUND: Toxicity and resistance to chemotherapy used to treat leishmaniasis are increasing. Research on natural plant compounds has revealed their antileishmanial effects on certain Leishmania organisms. This review aimed to estimate the pooled IC50 values of medicinal plants with promising antileishmanial activity in Ethiopia.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to locate potential studies. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals and gray literature in university repositories before April 1, 2022, which included a full-length study reporting the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ethiopian medicinal plants that were written in English were included. Conference proceedings, review articles, letters to the editor, and correspondence were excluded. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the GIVIMP critical appraisal tools. Heterogeneity between studies was verified using Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test statistics, and the effects were checked using Egger statistical test at a level of significance. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled IC50 of the medicinal plants.
RESULTS: Six articles that were conducted in Ethiopia that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a total of 62 in vitro experiments, were reviewed. The aggregated mean IC50 for medicinal plants in Ethiopia was 16.80 (95% CI: 12.44, 21.16) and 13.81 (95% CI: 13.12, 14.50) µg/mL for antipromastigote and antiamastigote activity, respectively. Aqueous was the significant preparation with IC50 of 0.53 (0.34, 0.73) µg/mL against promastigote and 0.98 (0.20, 1.76) µg/mL against the amastigote stage.
CONCLUSIONS: This review indicated that the pooled mean of IC50 for Ethiopian medicinal plants against promastigotes and amastigotes was relatively low and showed better efficacy. This strongly suggests the need to focus on antipromastigote and antiamastigote medicinal plants in Ethiopia for the development of antileishmanial drugs. It is necessary to identify their active components, and their potential toxic effects can lead to the production of well-tolerated and safe drugs for leishmaniasis. The high heterogeneity is the limitation of this study.
BACKGROUND: The review has been registered at Prospero with identification number CRD42022343543.

This study aimed to produce water-soluble oat extract enriched with mango peel flour (MPF) as a source of active compounds and to use this ingredient as a partial substitute for whole milk in Greek yogurt (GY) for its nutritional enrichment. Enriched water-soluble oat extracts (EWSOE) were produced with different concentrations of MPF (0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%) and characterized in relation to pH, titratable acidity, soluble proteins and total phenolics. Three GY formulations were prepared by partially replacing whole milk with EWSOE and the best formulation (in relation to sensory analyzes and phenolics compounds) was selected for storage study, chemical characterization, and sensory acceptance testing. MPF addition increased soluble proteins and total phenolics in EWSOE. GY formulations prepared with EWSOE had similar sensory scores. During storage, GY prepared with EWSOE containing 2% MPF exhibited changes in pH and titratable acidity and a reduction in total phenolics. Color parameters, cholesterol, and fatty acid composition did not change over 21 days of storage. The major fatty acids in GY were oleic and palmitic acids. The selected product had low lactose content (1.2%), achieved satisfactory sensory acceptance in relation to the evaluated attributes, and had lipid (~6.19%) and protein (~3.96%) contents within regulatory requirements. Additionally, EWSOE is a valuable ingredient in GY preparation, offering beneficial nutritional and functional properties.

OBJECTIVE: Blackberries are rich in polyphenols and are a human health food continuously consumed to improve health and reduce diseases caused by aging. Herein, we evaluated the effects of daily blackberry administration before and after transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils.
METHODS: Blackberry extract (BBE) was orally administered twice a day for two weeks to protect against ischemic events during continuous administration. On the seventh day after administration, the bilateral common carotid arteries were transiently occluded for 5 min. To verify its therapeutic effect, BBE was administered after ischemia using a similar protocol without pre-administration. In both experiments, the number of viable neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was assessed seven days after ischemic treatment.
RESULTS: The number of neurons in the group treated with BBE before ischemia was higher than that in the group treated with distilled water (p = 0.0601), and similar to that in the control group. In the BBE administration experiments after ischemia, the number of neurons was significantly reduced compared to that in the control group (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Continuous BBE intake is expected to prevent or ameliorate ischemic events such as transient cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) extract has several health benefits and anti-obesogenic effects. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the medicinal properties attributable to HS would prevent or mitigate bladder changes induced by obesity in an experimental model.
METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were submitted to one of four different dietary interventions (12 animals each): G1, standard diet and water (controls); G2, standard diet and HS tea; G3, a palatable high-fat diet and water; and G4, high-fat diet diet and HS tea. The animals were monitored for body weight, feed, and water and tea intake, according to the allocated group. After 16 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and the levels of creatinine, inflammatory cytokines, testosterone, cholesterol, triglycerides, and electrolytes were evaluated. In addition, histopathological analysis of the animals\' bladder was performed.
RESULTS: Groups receiving HS (G2 and G4) showed decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1α. HS tea was able to reduce low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels in the G2 group compared to other groups. Only in the G3 there was a significant increase in the body weight when it was compared the 12th and 16th weeks. Leptin was shown to be elevated in the groups that received a high-fat diet. There was a significant decrease in the muscle fibers thickness and in the total collagen count in G4 bladder when compared with G1 and G3.
CONCLUSIONS: HS has an anti-inflammatory role, can reverse hyperlipidemia in rats, and reduced deleterious effects of obesity on these animals\' bladder.

In this study, biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Senna auriculata flower extract for antibacterial activities was reported. The silver spectra compared to the plant extract show a rightward shift in AgNP peaks, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. The absorption band at 302 nm and the disappearance or shift of other peaks further confirm the synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the AgNPs synthesized with S. auriculata extract have an average crystallite size of 25 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results exhibited a polydispersed, spherical shape with sizes ranging from 70 nm, in clear contrast to the electron microscope image that showed their spherical shape. When examining the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) image, a specific set of lattice planes was correlated with a specific spot. A histogram of AgNP particle size distribution can be seen. AgNPs were tested against four different strains of bacteria for their antibacterial effectiveness, including gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus), as well as gram positive bacteria (S. aureus, d. Bacillus subtilis), at various concentrations of AgNP. The results of in vitro experiments indicate that AgNPs containing S. auriculata flowers inhibit amylase well. At two concentrations, ~16.03% and ~70.99%, AgNPs inhibit the reaction at low and high concentrations, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a significant global health crisis due to its resistance to conventional therapies and lack of specific molecular targets. This study explored the potential of Eriocephalus racemosus (E. racemosus) as an alternative treatment for TNBC. The cytotoxic properties and high-resolution respirometry mitochondrial activities of E. racemosus against the MDA-MB 231 TNBC cell line were evaluated.
METHODS: Hexane solvent and bioactive fraction extractions of E. racemosus were performed, while mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling was used to identify the phytochemical constituents of the extracts. The extracts were further tested against MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells to determine their cytotoxicity. The mode of cell death was determined using flow cytometry. The activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were assessed using a multiplex activity assay kit. Glycolytic activity and High-resolution respirometry measurements of mitochondrial function in the MDA-MB 231 cell line were conducted using the Seahorse XFp and Oroboros O2K.
RESULTS: Metabolite profiling of E. racemosus plant crude extracts identified the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, and unknown compounds. The extracts demonstrated promising cytotoxic activities, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 12.84 µg/mL for the crude hexane extract and 15.49 µg/mL for the bioactive fraction. Further, the crude hexane and bioactive fraction extracts induced apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, like the reference drug cisplatin (17.44%, 17.26% and 20.25%, respectively) compared to untreated cells. Caspase 3 activities confirmed the induction of apoptosis in both cisplatin and the plant crude extracts, while caspase 8 and 9 activities confirmed the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Increased levels of glycolytic activity were observed in the hexane crude extract. High-resolution respiratory measurements showed elevated mitochondrial activities in all mitochondrial states except for complex-IV activity.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings support further exploration of E. racemosus as a potential therapeutic agent for TNBC, offering a promising avenue for the development of targeted treatments with minimal adverse effects.

Various seeds, including sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seeds, are sources of different bioactive compounds. They can show anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antibacterial, antioxidant, or other biological properties in in vitro and in vivo models. Our preliminary in vitro results have demonstrated that the extracts from raw (no thermal processing) and roasted (thermally processed) sea buckthorn seeds have antioxidant potential and anticoagulant activity. However, it was unclear which compounds were responsible for these properties. Therefore, in continuation of our previous study, the extracts were fractionated by C18 chromatography. Phytochemical analysis of three fractions (a, b, and c) from raw sea buckthorn seeds and four fractions (d, e, f, and g) from roasted sea buckthorn seeds were performed. Several in vitro assays were also conducted to determine the antioxidant and procoagulant/anticoagulant potential of the fractions and two of their major constituents-isorhamnetin 3-O-β-glucoside7-O-α-rhamnoside and serotonin. LC-MS analyses showed that serotonin is the dominant constituent of fractions c and f, which was tentatively identified on the basis of its HRMS and UV spectra. Moreover, fractions c and f, as well as b and e, contained different B-type proanthocyanidins. Fractions b and e consisted mainly of numerous glycosides of kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. The results of oxidative stress assays (measurements of protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and thiol groups oxidation) showed that out of all the tested fractions, fraction g (isolated from roasted seeds and containing mainly dihexoses, and serotonin) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to assess the role of the combination of design techniques of the engineered substrates, and the effect of encapsulating Marjoram (Origanum Majorana L.) into the matrix network was studied. To this end, PVA-PEG matrices were designed through 3 techniques of freeze-thaw (FT), the combination of both methods of freeze-drying and freeze-thawing(FT-FD), and ternary technique(freeze-drying,freeze-thawing,cross-linking(FT-FD/CL)), by combining equal volume ratios of both polymers. The results indicated the ternary technique can provide better physicochemical properties(porosity: 96%, lower degradation rate, higher modulus) compared to FT and FT-FD methods. Afterward, encapsulation of Marjoram-extracted bio-actives in the matrix network designed with the ternary technique demonstrated that the increase in the extract concentration up to 3% can increase encapsulation efficiency. The encapsulation also caused a more cohesive network by better bonding between functional groups in herbal biomolecules and polymer chains of the matrix. Mass transport mechanisms and release kinetics of matrix-encapsulated bio-actives indicated a deviation from Fickian diffusion and the release by diffusion and swelling process. Biologically, matrix-loaded herbal carbohydrate(Epi-alpha-Cadinol) improved fibroblast adhesion and distribution on the substrate surface, and led to the better synthesis of collagen fibers, especially in 3% herbal extract, and antibacterial activities owing to the controlled release of sesquiterpenoids and N-Acetyl-L-proline.