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Abstract Background Diabetes is a leading health disorder and is responsible for high mortality rates across the globe. Multiple treatment protocols are being applied to overcome this morbidity and mortality including plant-based traditional medicines. This study was designed to investigate the ethnomedicinal status of plant species used to treat diabetes in District Karak, Pakistan. Materials and methods A semi-structured survey was created to collect data about traditionally used medicinal plants for diabetes and other ailments. The convenience sampling method was applied for the selection of informants. The collected data was evaluated through quantitative tools like frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV). Results A total of 346 local informants were selected for this research. Out of them, 135 participants were men and 211 participants were women. Overall 38 plant species belonging to 29 plant families were used to treat diabetes. The most dominant plant family was Oleaceae having 11 species. Powder form (19%) was the most recommended mode of preparation for plant-based ethnomedicines. Leaves (68%) were the most frequently used parts followed by fruit (47%). The highest RFC was recorded for Apteranthes tuberculata (0.147). The maximum FL was reported for Apteranthes tuberculata (94.4) and Zygophyllum indicum (94.11) for diabetes, skin, and wounds. Similarly, the highest UV of (1) each was found for Brassica rapa, Melia azedarach, and Calotropis procera. Based on documented data, the reported ailments were grouped into 7 categories. The ICF values range between 0.89 (diabetes) to 0.33 (Cardiovascular disorders). Conclusion The study includes a variety of antidiabetic medicinal plants, which are used by the locals in various herbal preparations. The species Apteranthes tuberculata has been reported to be the most frequently used medicinal plant against diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended that such plants be further investigated in-vitro and in-vivo to determine their anti-diabetic effects.

Objectives: The research sought to determine the prevalence of patients and cancer-related risk factors associated with late toxicity. Methods: Fifteen individuals with non-metastatic prostate cancer who had radiation were included in cross-sectional research. The research was conducted at the Baghdad Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Centre in the Baghdad Medical City Complex, Iraq. The study took place from December 2022 to May 2022. The data were acquired retrospectively via a thorough examination of medical records. The study examined the variables of age, residency (address), smoking habits, TNM staging, histopathology, grades, GS, initial PSA concentration, ADT, treatment modality, dose of RT, risk group, and adverse effects including diarrhoea, pain, dysuria, anaemia, retention, haematuria, lymphedema, incontinence, urgency, sexual dysfunction, PTV95%, and OAR constraints doses. Results: In this study, several adverse effects after RT were recorded. The overall mean PTV of 95% was 93.5 ± 6.57 (median=94%), ranging from 80% to 99.9%. Old age patients were significantly more suffered from diarrhoea (OR=3.33; p=0.046) and dysuria (OR=5.5; p=0.037). Stages of the tumour, either II or III/IV, were a significant risk for pain (OR= 10; p=0.015) and sexual dysfunction (OR=2; p=0.02). High PSA levels significantly enhanced dysuria development (OR=2.5; p=0.05). A high dose of RT was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction (OR=2.8; p=0.04). Extensive PTV95% coverage can affect considerably the risk of diarrhoea (OR=3.6; p=0.033), pain (OR=3.6; p=0.033) and dysuria (OR=4; p=0.023). Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first investigation conducted in Iraq to assess the number of patients and the risk variables associated with cancer that contribute to delayed toxicity. Advanced stages, high PSA levels, high GS levels, and the presence of comorbidities characterise prostatic adenocarcinoma in Iraqi individuals. These patients are in the high-risk category because of their old age and smoking habits. Delayed Gastro-Intestinal (GIT) and Genito-Urinary (GUT) toxicities are anticipated to occur only with high doses of Radiation Therapy (RT). Old age, advanced stage, high PSA level, and extensive RT PTV 95% coverage considerably increase the likelihood of developing late toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]