Obesity is a growing global health challenge, necessitating effective treatment options beyond lifestyle interventions. This narrative review explores established and emerging pharmacotherapies for weight management, including parenteral agents like Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Setmelanotide, and Tirzepatide, as well as peroral medications such as Phentermine, Phentermine/Topiramate, Bupropion/Naltrexone, Orlistat, and Metformin. Newer treatments like Cagrilintide and Bimagrumab show promise for enhancing weight loss outcomes. Parenteral GLP-1 receptor agonists demonstrate superior efficacy compared to traditional peroral medications, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most common. Artificial intelligence presents intriguing opportunities to enhance weight loss strategies; however, its integration into clinical practice remains investigational and requires rigorous clinical validation. While current anti-obesity medications deliver significant benefits, future research must determine the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of AI-driven approaches. This includes exploring how AI can complement combination therapies and tailor personalized interventions, thereby grounding its potential benefits in robust clinical evidence. Future directions will focus on integrating AI into clinical trials to refine and personalize obesity management strategies.

Frankincense is obtained from the tree, which belongs to the Bowellia family. Frankincense is found in China, India, Middle-East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and different parts of Africa. Incisions are given on the tree trunk to obtain the gum, which hardens to form frankincense. It has been used as a traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, infection, tuberculosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, wounds, gingivitis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. Frankincense gum is used for its aromatic properties and fragrance. Frankincense contains essential oils, gum resins, alcohol, and water-soluble resins. The chemical compounds present in the natural product and their yield depend on various factors such as geographical location, the surface area of the wood, climatic conditions in which it is grown, the age of the tree, and the methods of collection. Among the active compounds, unique pentacyclic triterpene acids such as boswellic acid (BA) are present. The phytochemicals include β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid (ABA), 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) form the major components. BA possesses anti-inflammatory action due to its control of cytokine production. The active compounds in frankincense act on 5-lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase, thereby producing an anti-inflammatory effect. We discuss the role of frankincense on the integumentary, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and immune systems with special emphasis on the molecular basis of action and signaling pathways. Recent approaches in therapeutics by designing new nanoformulations of frankincense may be beneficial for better drug delivery to the desired site, help in controlled release, increase solubility and bioavailability, and reduce toxicity.

Chronic and postoperative wounds remain challenging to manage, with high risks of infection, delayed healing and increased costs. Manuka honey offers antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and tissue‐regenerative properties through methylglyoxal, phenolic compounds, high sugar content and low pH. The main objective is to review the mechanisms, clinical outcomes and applications of Manuka honey in wound care. A narrative review of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar identified studies on surgical site management, graft or flap bed preparation, chronic wounds and novel delivery systems, prioritising randomised controlled trials and high‐quality observational data. Results have shown that Manuka honey demonstrates broad‐spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, supports non‐traumatic debridement and modulates inflammation to promote granulation and re‐epithelialisation. Clinical studies show reduced bacterial load, faster healing and improved comfort in surgical and chronic wounds. Operative uses include pre‐grafting bed conditioning, adjunctive treatment for infected wounds and integration with negative pressure wound therapy. Emerging delivery approaches, such as bioengineered honey–collagen dressings and nanofibrous scaffolds, show promise for enhancing postoperative outcomes. To conclude, Manuka honey is a versatile and promising adjunct in modern wound care management. Standardised application protocols and robust, high‐quality surgical trials are urgently needed to confirm its effective role in perioperative clinical practice.

The renal vessels are known to exhibit variations in different populations. The present retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the radiological anatomy of renal arteries and veins in the Omani population. Computed tomography angiography scans were used to assess diameter, laterality, and vascular branching patterns in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis between 1 January 2023, and 31 December 2024. Normal CT angiograms of cases performed for vascular pathology screening, renal transplant workup, or trauma evaluation with normal findings were included. Measurements included diameters, anatomical course, and vascular variations in the renal arteries and veins. Accessory renal arteries were defined as any additional arteries arising from the aorta supplying the kidney, regardless of the entry point. The mean diameters of the right and left renal arteries were significantly higher in males (p = 0.020 and 0.026, respectively). The right renal vein was significantly larger in females (p = 0.020). Accessory renal arteries were identified in 24.22% (n = 31 patients), including two cases with unilateral double accessory arteries. The right and left RA diameters were 4.51 ± 0.91 mm and 4.95 ± 0.98 mm, respectively, both significantly larger in males (p = 0.020 and 0.026). Supernumerary renal veins were observed in 21 patients; retroaortic and circumaortic left RVs were found in seven and one case(s), respectively. Venous variations were present in 17.2% of the Omani subjects. The findings may enhance preoperative planning, especially in renal transplantation and urologic surgery, by increasing awareness of anatomical variants. This region-specific dataset supports the development of optimized imaging protocols and surgical strategies for better patient care.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by sudden cardiomyocyte death due to impaired blood supply and remains a leading cause of mortality despite advances in management. Aloe vera, a plant rich in over 75 bioactive compounds, including vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, and anthraquinones, has been widely used in traditional medicine and modern healthcare. Increasing evidence supports its cardioprotective potential through multiple mechanisms. Aloe vera and its derivatives have demonstrated antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory effects relevant to MI pathophysiology. Compounds such as aloe-emodin, emodin, aloin, barbaloin, and selenium-enriched polysaccharides have been shown to modulate pathways including Nrf2/HO-1, TGF-β/SMAD, ERK, ferroptosis inhibition, ionic pump activity, and microRNA regulation. These molecular effects translate into reductions in oxidative damage, apoptotic signaling, inflammatory cytokine release, calcium imbalance, and creatine kinase/LDH leakage, while preserving myocardial structure and function in preclinical models. Collectively, preclinical studies suggest the potential cardioprotective effects of Aloe vera-derived preparations and compounds; however, robust clinical evidence in myocardial infarction is lacking, and their therapeutic relevance remains uncertain.

Dumping syndrome (DS) is a known complication following bariatric surgery, caused by rapid gastric emptying into the small intestine. It presents in two forms: early dumping, with gastrointestinal and vasomotor symptoms occurring within 30-60 min after meals; and late dumping, which arises 1-3 h postprandially due to reactive hypoglycaemia. Standard management includes dietary changes and medications, but tolerability and long-term efficacy are variable. Recently, interest has grown in using natural products and nutritional compounds as adjuncts or alternatives. Fibre-rich foods, sugar substitutes, and medicinal plants may delay gastric emptying, reduce glucose spikes, or modulate gut hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP. Several phytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids have demonstrated promise in reducing DS symptoms, especially in late dumping. Functional foods may enhance satiety, slow carbohydrate absorption, and improve glycaemic control. Although most data are from preclinical or limited clinical studies, natural compounds appear to be well-tolerated and safe, offering potential advantages over standard pharmacological agents. This review summarises emerging evidence on the role of natural products in managing DS, their mechanisms of action, and their clinical relevance in post-bariatric care. The findings aim to support translational metabolic care and provide practical guidance for clinicians and dietitians managing DS in diverse patient populations.