Effectiveness of audio-visual and print media intervention on knowledge of cervical health among rural women in Southern India.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer health education programmes are not accessible to rural women in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed at assessing the health literacy about cervical cancer amongst the rural women in Udupi district, southern India, before and following intervention using audio-visual aid/face-to-face interactive sessions versus pamphlets alone. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 166 women participated in the study. Participant groups were allocated into two interventional (Experimental/Control) groups. Participants in the experimental group received education through the video followed by face-to-face interaction with a health educator while those in the control group received a pamphlet. A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge about numerous risk factors, Pap smear test and treatment of cervical cancer (pre- and post-intervention test). The findings are presented as frequencies and percentages. Paired responses were compared for individual questions using McNemar test and P < 0.05 was fixed as statistically significant. RESULTS: Former to the intervention, 13.5% and 19.1% in the experimental and control groups, respectively, felt that personal hygiene was important to prevent cervical cancer. Both the groups had very limited knowledge regarding risk factors (93.6%; 94%), symptoms (96.3%; 97.6%) and knowledge that Pap smears can reduce the risk of cervical cancer (91.7%; 93.9%). The change in knowledge pre-and post-intervention in both groups increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Intervention with face-to-face interactive sessions showed a positive impact on knowledge regarding cervical cancer. These findings indicate both methods can be effective in providing health education in the community.

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed extract modulates biochemical and histomorphological changes in therapeutic model of high-fat diet-fed ovariectomized rats.

This study investigates the therapeutic effect of petroleum ether fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (PE-TFG) seed extract in ovariectomized rats fed with high-fat diet. Rats were randomly grouped into sham ovariectomy (S.OVX), ovariectomy + high-fat diet (OVX + HFD), and treatment groups. The blood samples were collected, and lipid profile, glucose, hepatic markers, and inflammatory markers were estimated. Liver, kidney, and common carotid artery were isolated for histopathological observations. Liver samples were tested for antioxidant, oxidative stress markers, mRNA expression of adiponectin, and PPAR-γ. PE-TFG treatment significantly decreased total cholesterol (18%), LDL (20%), hepatic markers (28%), leptin (17%), TNF-α (21%), and increased mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ. There was also micro- and macro-hepatic steatosis, inflammation in the liver, deteriorated tubules in the kidney, and increased tunica intima and media thickness of the common carotid artery. These pathological alterations were reversed with PE-TFG administration. This impact might be linked to phytoestrogens and other components in PE-TFG such as diosgenin, phenols, and flavonoids. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03707-8.

Prophylactic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed extract on inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in high-fat-fed ovariectomized rats.

Background and aim: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds (TFG) are used as spices in Indian cuisine. In Indian traditional medicine, TFG is used to treat diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and postmenopausal conditions. Pathophysiology of postmenopausal diseases involves low-grade systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prophylactic effect of petroleum ether fraction of TFG-extract (PE-TFG) on inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes in ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats) fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Experimental procedure: OVX female Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. Three weeks after ovariectomy, rats were randomized in different groups and administered PE-TFG, atorvastatin, diosgenin, 17ß-estradiol for 12 weeks along with HFD. The sham-operated rats (S.OVX) were fed with a standard pellet diet. At the end of 12-weeks, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were used to estimate lipid profile, glucose, hepatic markers, TNF-α, and leptin. Liver, kidney, and common carotid artery were isolated for testing oxidative stress markers, mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ, and histopathological changes. Results: Administration of PE-TFG significantly decreased (P < 0.05) total cholesterol, LDL, hepatic markers, leptin, TNF-α and improved mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in HFD-fed OVX-rats. Further, micro and macro hepatic steatosis, inflammation, glomerular hypertrophy, degenerated tubules in kidney, increased tunica intima, and media thickness of common carotid artery and the pathological changes were not significant upon PE-TFG administration compared to S.OVX-rats. Conclusion: PE-TFG protects cellular inflammation and metabolic alternations in HFD-fed OVX-rats and thus can be explored further in postmenopausal diseases as a prophylactic agent.

Modulation of inflammatory markers by petroleum ether fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed extract in ovariectomized rats.

This study evaluates the modulation of inflammatory markers by petroleum ether fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (PE-TFG) seed extract in ovariectomized rats. The HPTLC method was used for standardization and to quantify the diosgenin in PE-TFG. For testing PE-TFG in rats, the total duration of treatment was 12-weeks, and the rats were sacrificed on week 12. The tissue samples such as blood, liver, heart, and aorta were isolated for testing inflammatory markers such as adiponectin, leptin, PPAR-γ, TNF-α, lipid profile, hepatic markers, antioxidants, and oxidative stress markers. The PE-TFG treatment decreased the elevation of total cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, and ALT. Upon PE-TFG treatment, there was a significant increase in adiponectin and PPAR-γ mRNA expression. Leptin and TNF-α were normal after treatment with PE-TFG seed extract. Further, micro-steatosis of hepatocytes marked glomerular hypertrophy in the kidney and increased thickness of tunica intima and media of common carotid artery was reversed after treatment with PE-TFG. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. is a curative plant used to treat inflammatory conditions like diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, arthritis, cancer, and digestive disorders. In our study, PE-TFG supplementation has a protective effect on OVX-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ, hepatic steatosis, and decreased thickness of tunica intima and media of common carotid artery.

Dose-dependent effects of fenugreek seed extract on the biochemical and haematological parameters in high-fat diet-fed rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to assess the effects of fenugreek seed extract on various biochemical and haematological parameters in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n = 6): 1) control rats, 2) HFD-fed control rats 3) rats fed with HFD and fenugreek (FG) seed extract at doses of 200 mg/kg/day, 300 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks. Blood was collected to examine the biochemical and haematological parameters using a veterinary blood cell counter; blood indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC, red blood cell distribution width, haemoglobin (Hb) levels, haematocrit, and platelet counts were measured. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min at room temperature to obtain serum for the estimation of lipid profiles, and aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. RESULTS: Rats fed with FG at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day showed a significant increase in the red blood cell count, Hb levels, haematocrit, and MCV, and a significant decrease in the lymphocyte count. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats from the HFD control group, compared to those in the normal control group, but decreased significantly in rats fed with 400 mg/kg/day of FG. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that FG seed extract exhibits hypolipidaemic activity and significantly improves the activity of hepatic enzymes, and the blood counts and indices in rats with HFD-induced obesity.

Oxidative stress in sepsis in children.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Information on oxidative damage during sepsis in children is not available, we undertook this study to assess the levels of certain antioxidants in blood of children with sepsis. METHODS: Study group had 38 children with sepsis (<5 yr) and 39 age-and sex-matched controls admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Red cell glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and plasma vitamin C were estimated by standard techniques. RESULTS: There was no significant change in erythrocyte GSH, SOD and TBARS levels in sepsis when compared to controls. This may be due to the adaptive response of the body to combat the oxidative stress. However, plasma vitamin C levels were significantly reduced in patients aged one year one month to five years which may be due to active phagocytosis and due to its role as a free radical scavenger. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings show that children affected by sepsis probably adapt to the free radical toxicity induced by this condition. Further studies need to be done on a larger sample to confirm the findings.