Search

Objectives The purpose of this study is to assess patients’ knowledge regarding statin–grapefruit interactions, to identify any pertinent demographic characteristics that may influence knowledge of this drug–food interaction, and to identify preferred patient sources of health information. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from statins users about the awareness regarding drug interaction with foods. Self-administered questionnaires have been distributed to collect data from statins users regardless of the type and the reason they administer these medications. Respondents were statins users visiting the King Fahd Hospital’s outpatient clinic (KFHU) and community pharmacies in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Key findings Our study revealed that 62% of statin users never heard about the statin–grapefruit interaction. Only 11% have correctly recognized the interaction effect. Only 11, 21 and 6% of users have reported that they often/always received information on drug–food interaction from pharmacists, physicians and nurses, respectively. Users aged above 60 years had lower awareness than those aged Conclusions The majority of statin users have never heard about their interaction with food. Geriatrics, low-income and less educated patients had a lower level of awareness compared with their counterparts. Many patients may end up discontinuing their medications because of that interaction and the consequent side effects. Pharmacists are requested to play their expected role in providing adequate patient counselling to help improve patients’ awareness regarding safety concerns of statins medication.

AIMS Cyanobacteria are immense sources of several pharmacological active compounds such as flavonoids and carotenoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The potential therapeutic effect of two novel cyanobacterial isolates, Cronbergia siamensis (KY296358.1) and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides (KU212886.1), against hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced oxidative stress damage in the rat model was determined in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS In vitro antioxidant activity of the two studied isolates was evaluated by radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing power. The possible prophylactic activity of S. aphanizomenoides (KU212886.1) against H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress in the rat model was assessed in vivo. Serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were measured for the liver functions in redox rats. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, oxidized glutathione, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were assessed as oxidative stress markers. The effect of S. aphanizomenoides on the transcripts level of superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes in the rat's liver tissues was measured using qRT-PCR. Oral administration of S. aphanizomenoides extract in low and high doses (100, 200 mg kg-1 b.w) resulted in significant improvement in biochemical parameters of liver functions and oxidative stress markers. Also, the endogenous antioxidant defence enzymes and the expression of their related genes (Mn/SOD, CAT) were upregulated. Immunohistochemistry of Caspase-3, an apoptotic marker, showed potent amelioration in the liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS The novel isolate S. aphanizomenoides proved in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity against redox rat model. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This isolate provides a new source of pharmacological compounds with great importance in pharmacological and medical fields.