Search

Rationale: Liver fibrosis is a critical stage in the progression from liver injury to cirrhosis or tumor formation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown certain effectiveness in treating liver fibrosis. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) studies regarding this topic., Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess medical staff's KAP toward liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and TCM treatment, and to explore the association between KAP scores and demographic factors., Methods: Demographic information and KAP scores were collected through a self-administered questionnaire., Results: A total of 262 questionnaires were collected, with 155 (69.82%) females and a mean age of 32.83 ± 8.17 years. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 15.99 ± 4.58, 22.69 ± 4.11, and 23.09 ± 3.36, respectively. Working in a teaching hospital (OR = 3.562, 95% CI: 1.214-10.448) was independently associated with adequate knowledge. Knowledge score (OR = 1.104, 95% CI: 1.026-1.186) was independently linked to a positive attitude. Knowledge (OR = 1.263, 95% CI: 1.166-1.368) and attitude score (OR = 1.105, 95% CI 1.010-1.198) were independent predictors of proactive practice. Pathway analysis revealed that knowledge positively affected attitude (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.30, p < 0.001), and attitude directly influenced practice (β = 0.22, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Medical staff demonstrated adequate knowledge, a negative attitude, and proactive practices regarding liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and TCM treatment. Targeted educational programs, interdisciplinary training, and awareness campaigns should be implemented to improve attitudes and promote proactive patient care., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Piperine is a major pungent substance and active component of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) and long pepper (Piper longum Linn.). Both plants are used worldwide as household spices and condiments. They are also used as important ingredients in folklore medicine in many Asian countries. Therefore, it is of interest to study antimutagenic effects of piperine. In this study, its influence on chromosomes was investigated in rat bone marrow cells. Male Wistar rats were orally administered piperine at the doses of 100, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight for 24 hours then challenged with cyclophosphamide at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection. Twenty-four hours thereafter, all animals were sacrificed and bone marrow samples were collected for chromosomal analysis. The results demonstrated that piperine at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight gave a statistically significant reduction in cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal aberrations. In conclusion, piperine may have antimutagenic potential. The underlying molecular mechanisms now require attention.