Aphthous ulcers are very common disorders among different age groups and are very noxious and painful. The incidence of aphthous ulcer recurrence is very high and it may even last for a maximum of 6 days and usually, patients cannot stand its pain. This study aims to prepare a buccoadhesive fast dissolving film containing Corchorus olitorius seed extract to treat recurrent minor aphthous ulceration (RMAU) in addition to clinical experiments on human volunteers. An excision wound model was used to assess the in vivo wound healing potential of Corchorus olitorius L. seed extract, with a focus on wound healing molecular targets such as TGF-, TNF-, and IL-1. In addition, metabolomic profiling using HR-LCMS for the crude extract of Corchorus olitorius seeds was explored. Moreover, molecular docking experiments were performed to elucidate the binding confirmation of the isolated compounds with three molecular targets (TNF-α, IL-1β, and GSK3). Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant potential of C. olitorius seed extract using both H₂O₂ and superoxide radical scavenging activity was examined. Clinical experiments on human volunteers revealed the efficiency of the prepared C. olitorius seeds buccal fast dissolving film (CoBFDF) in relieving pain and wound healing of RMAU. Moreover, the wound healing results revealed that C. olitorius seed extract enhanced wound closure rates (p ≤ 0.001), elevated TGF-β levels and significantly downregulated TNF-α and IL-1β in comparison to the Mebo-treated group. The phenotypical results were supported by biochemical and histopathological findings, while metabolomic profiling using HR-LCMS for the crude extract of Corchorus olitorius seeds yielded a total of 21 compounds belonging to diverse chemical classes. Finally, this study highlights the potential of C. olitorius seed extract in wound repair uncovering the most probable mechanisms of action using in silico analysis.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy. The disease is on the rise worldwide with deleterious consequences on the fetus, mother, and children. The study aimed to review the role of lifestyle in the prevention of GDM. We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and Google Scholar from the first published article up to December 2021; articles were eligible if they were controlled trials, prospective cohorts, and case–control. Out of 5559 articles retrieved, 66 full texts were screened, and 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. (6 studies assessed the effects of diet, and 13 were on exercise). The dietary intervention showed significant positive effect on GDM, odd ratio = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.56–84, P-value for overall effect = 0.002. The DASH diet was better than Mediterranean Diet (odd ratio, 0.71, 95% CI, 68–74, P-value < 0.001). Regarding exercise, no significant prevention was evident on GDM, odd ratio, 0.77, 95% CI, 0.55–1.06, P-value = 0.11. However, a significant prevention of gestational diabetes was found when the exercise was mild-moderate (odd ratio = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.53–80, P < 0.0001) and started in the first trimester (odd ratio, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.43–0.75, P < 0.0001. No significant effect was found when the exercise was vigorous (odd ratio = 1.09, 95% CI, 0.50–2.38, P = 0.83) and started during the second trimester of pregnancy (odd ratio, 1.08, 95% CI, 0.65–1.80, P = 0.77. Diet and early mild-moderate exercise were effective in GDM prevention. Exercise during the second trimester and moderate-vigorous were not. Further studies assessing the type, duration, and frequency of physical activity are needed.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasites affecting humans in diverse populations caused by T. gondii. This study aims to systematically review and analyze the prevalence of T. gondii infection among various population categories in Saudi Arabia. Our search was done in five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science to find the relevant studies from inception to November 2023. The pooled prevalence of toxoplasmosis among the total population living in Saudi Arabia was estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis approach, and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was utilized for this analysis. Our study included 30 case–control and retrospective studies published from 1994 to 2023 involving 20,699 patients from different regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Various cities were included, such as Al-Ahsa, Najran, Riyadh, Arar, Mecca, al Khobar, Mushait, Tabuk, jazan, Hail City, Almadinah Almunawwarah, AL-Ahsa, and Abha; 27 reported outcomes related to IgG seroprevalence, revealing an overall toxoplasmosis prevalence of 27.5% in Saudi Arabia. Fifteen studies that measured IgM seroprevalence found an overall toxoplasmosis prevalence of 2.2%. Specifically for pregnant women, IgG seroprevalence was 28%. Among different age categories, the highest toxoplasmosis prevalence was observed in the group aged 31–45 years, reaching 32.5%, while the lowest prevalence was in the 10–20 years category at 19.3%. Regarding gravidity, the grand multi-gravida group exhibited the highest prevalence at 32.9%, with an upper limit of 47.8%. Furthermore, individuals who consumed freshwater demonstrated a higher incidence than those drinking bottled water, with respective prevalence rates of 33.5% and 29.4%. In conclusion, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia is lower than the global average, with significant variations across different age groups, water sources, and dietary habits. Targeted educational programs and public health interventions are essential to raise awareness and reduce the risk of T. gondii infection. Future research should focus on improving study quality and exploring the broader implications of toxoplasmosis on public health in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction affects approximately 29% of the population and has a profound impact on quality of life. It frequently follows upper respiratory tract infections and lacks effective pharmacological treatments. Vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator that increases intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate, is approved for heart failure and has potential neuro-modulatory effects relevant to olfactory processing. Objective: This pilot study investigates the efficacy of oral vericiguat in improving olfactory function in patients with persistent anosmia following upper respiratory tract infections. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 88 participants with post-infectious anosmia were assigned to receive either placebo (n = 44) or vericiguat (4 mg, twice daily; n = 44) for 12 months. Olfactory function was assessed monthly using the Sniffin’ Sticks test, measuring Threshold (T), Discrimination (D), and Identification (I) scores. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni corrections. Results: At baseline, all olfactory scores were similar between groups. In the vericiguat group, T scores increased from 3.84 ± 0.19 to 4.65 ± 0.20 (P = 0.003), D scores from 8.25 ± 0.65 to 9.20 ± 0.86 (P = 0.008), and I scores from 7.34 ± 0.72 to 8.62 ± 0.79 (P = 0.008). No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Between-group differences became statistically significant for D at month 4 (P < 0.05), T at month 6 (P < 0.05), and I at month 7 (P < 0.05). However, the mean total TDI improvement in the vericiguat group (+ 3.19) did not reach the clinical threshold of 5.5 points. Conclusion: Vericiguat significantly improved olfactory threshold, discrimination, and identification scores compared to placebo. These findings highlight its potential as a pharmacological option for olfactory dysfunction, although the clinical magnitude of benefit remains below the established threshold. Further studies should explore mechanisms and broader clinical applications. Trial registration: DFM-IRB00012367–23-07-008.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction significantly impacts daily life, affecting safety, appetite, and sensory enjoyment. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are essential for odor detection, but environmental exposure can lead to dysfunction. Regeneration of these neurons is crucial for maintaining olfactory function, and elevated calcium levels in nasal mucus are linked to this dysfunction. Objective: The study evaluated chitosan nasal gel for persistent olfactory dysfunction lasting over 6 months, focusing on ORNs regeneration and reduced calcium levels in nasal mucus. Methods: A randomized, double-blind trial included 215 participants with persistent olfactory dysfunction lasting over 6 months. Participants were divided into two groups: 116 received nasal chitosan gel, and 99 received a control sodium chloride gel. Over 3 months, 11 participants in the chitosan group and 9 in the control group were lost to follow-up. Olfactory function was assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test, and calcium levels were measured before and after treatment. Results: Patients treated with chitosan nasal gel showed an increased composite threshold, discrimination, identification (TDI) score, indicating improved olfactory function. Discrimination and identification scores improved, while threshold scores showed no significant change. Notably, while the total TDI score improved by 4.55 points, it did not reach the threshold for clinical significance (5.5 points). Furthermore, chitosan nasal gel significantly reduced calcium levels in nasal secretions compared to the control group. No improvement was observed in the placebo group, likely due to the strict inclusion criteria targeting individuals with treatment-resistant olfactory dysfunction persisting over 6 months. Conclusion: This small-scale pilot study highlights the potential of chitosan nasal gel to improve specific domains of olfactory dysfunction and reduce nasal calcium levels. However, further studies with larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm these preliminary findings.