Abstract: Maesobotrya barteri is widely used in Nigerian ethnomedicine to treat diabetes, arthritis, and infections. The methanol and aqueous leaf extracts' phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potentials were evaluated using standard procedures. At the same time, the enzyme inhibitory activity of methanol extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase in rats was also investigated. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing power (FRAP), and the metal chelating activity. Phytochemical screening of methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides. Total phenolics and flavonoids of the extracts ranged from 0.04 to 3.18 mg of GAE/g and from 27.70 to 57.70 mg of QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant analysis showed IC50 values of DPPH (192.95, 196.04, and 17.19 µg/mL) and FRAP (30.48, 37.64, and 38.15 µg/mL) for the methanolic extract, aqueous extract, and ascorbic acid, respectively. Assessment of the methanolic extract against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in rats at doses of 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg using starch, sucrose, and maltose as substrates, with acarbose as a reference drug, it significantly reduced blood glucose levels (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that M. barteri leaf extract has antioxidant properties and inhibits both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in rats, likely due to the phytochemicals present in the extract. Show less...

Abstract: Vitamins are essential for many bodily functions and must be obtained through food or supplements. Community pharmacists play an active role in educating patients about vitamins and supplements, guiding their safe use, and helping avoid potential drug-vitamin interactions. This study employed a cross-sectional design, targeting Libyan community pharmacists in Tripoli between August and November 2024, to assess their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and opinions regarding vitamin supplements. The selected participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, and the collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice, and opinion. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 200 pharmacists who participated, more than half were female (118, 59%), and over two-thirds (139, 69.5%) held a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences as their highest qualification. Nearly two-thirds (130, 65%) had less than five years of work experience. Based on their self-assessment, 95 (47.5%) of the pharmacists felt moderately confident in their knowledge of vitamin supplements. Notably, the majority of community pharmacists scored above average in all four domains: knowledge (122, 61%), attitude (142, 71%), practice (126, 63%), and opinion (150, 75%). A significant negative correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (p < 0.05). Regarding the dispensing of vitamins without a prescription, 71 (35.5%) of community pharmacists usually dispensed them to 50% of their patients, with adult patients (136, 68%) being the largest age category. Additionally, 78 (39%) of pharmacists relied on laboratory test results before dispensing. Focused educational initiatives aimed at enhancing pharmacists' understanding and improving their dispensing practices are necessary. Show less...

Abstract: This study explored the safety and antidiabetic potential of a hydroalcoholic extract of Praecitrullus fistulosus fruits, along with qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. The antidiabetic effect was evaluated using in vitro methods, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, as well as an in vivo high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Molecular docking studies were conducted to identify phytochemicals responsible for the antidiabetic effects. The fruit extract exhibited maximum inhibition of 52.06% and 58.10% for α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, respectively, at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The extract also demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) and dose-dependent antidiabetic effect at oral doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in the tested animals. In silico analysis revealed that α-tocopherol exhibited the best docking pose, with a docking energy of -8.2 kcal/mol. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of Praecitrullus fistulosus contains phytochemicals effective in controlling glucose levels. This study also validates the traditional use of Praecitrullus fistulosus fruits in managing diabetes. Show less...