ABSTRACT
Oils from animal sources have been used for centuries in the management of diseases. This research was conducted to screen the ex vivo and in vivo toxicity of quail egg yolk oil (QEYO) extracts and assess their effects on the management of hypertension in rats. QEYO was extracted using gentle heating (GH) and n-hexane (NHN). The extracts were subjected to toxicity testing using the hen's egg test on chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) and bovine corneal histology test. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity (28 days) were evaluated in rats. Hypertension was induced in rats by administering 80 mg/kg of Nω-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) per day for 28 days. Treatments commenced on the 14th day; Nifedipine at 30 mg/kg and 1 mL of distilled water were administered as positive and negative controls. Blood pressure (BP), lipid profiles, and oxidative stress markers were quantified. No irritation was observed using the HET-CAM test in the egg treated with both extracts. Bovine corneal histology showed no lesions in all treated groups. No signs of toxicity were observed in either acute or sub-chronic toxicity studies. A significant reduction in blood pressure was observed in rats treated with the extracts (p < 0.05). Changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLPs), and high-density lipoproteins (HDLPs) were not significant compared to the control (p > 0.05). Oxidative stress markers (SOD and CAT) increased significantly in the treated groups compared to the control, while the malondialdehyde levels decreased (p < 0.05). QEYO was safe in both ex vivo and in vivo studies and can be said to have the potential to lower blood pressure as well as cardio-protective effects in hypertensive rats. This research provides evidence based on which QEYO could be used safely as an adjuvant therapy in eye drops and cosmetics and can be considered an effective choice for preventing hypertension.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Vaccination is a biological process that improves immunity level of an individual towards certain diseases. Vaccination is generally given to all newborn and kids. Most countries oblige their citizens to be vaccinated as early as new-born age. The aim of this research is to study the perception on vaccination intake and the associated factors that lead to its refusal among parents in east coast and west coast peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Primary data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and were distributed to assess the study objectives. Total 240 questionnaires were distributed equally in west coast and east coast study area. Questionnaire consists of demographic data, perception aspects and factors that may lead to the negative perceptions. Results: There is significant association between perception and religion, education level and side effect factor in east coast with majority of the respondents are Muslims (40.83%) while there is no significant association between education level and side effect factor (p>0.1) in west coast with majority of respondents are Muslims (51.67%) too. This study found that perception regarding vaccination is influenced by the religion restrictions in east coast of peninsular Malaysia and not in west coast region. The other factors associated with vaccination refusal varies according to education level, and regional basis. Conclusion: Most of the respondents who have negative perception regarding vaccination are from East Coast region as they are more prone into Islamic teachings. All the possible factors of vaccination refusal are accepted by the respondents but varies in its prevalence as the leading factor determined that caused the vaccination refusal are religion restriction and the least percentage for the factor is time restriction.
