Waquar Ahsan

Studies based on the interaction of metals with proteins resulted in the development of promising metal-based compounds with encouraging medicinal potential. This study was aimed to utilize FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques to analyze the interactions of biologically significant metal ions, such as Al3+, Ni+2, and Cu+, with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Different concentrations of metal ions were interacted with BSA, and the complexes were analyzed using the two techniques. The change in the BSA secondary structure components such as β-sheet, β-antiparallel, α-helix, β-turn, and random coil were analyzed using second derivative resolution enhancement. The FT-IR spectroscopy suggested a marked decrease in the C=O stretching (corresponding to amide I) and C=N stretching (corresponding to amide II) intensities. Interestingly, upon complexation, a marked reduction (22.58–29.03%) in the α-helical component was observed with a considerable increase in the random coil component. The intensity of the absorption peak of BSA obtained using UV was observed to increase consecutively as the concentration of Cu+, Al3+, and Ni2+ ions increased. The binding constants for the BSA-Cu+, BSA-Ni+2, and BSA-Al+3 complexes were calculated to be 3.46 × 104 M−1, 1.28 × 104 M−1, and 2.08 × 104 M−1, respectively. It was concluded that the binding interaction decreased in the order Cu+ > Al3+ > Ni2+. These findings were similar to our previous findings using affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE). Therefore, it can be inferred that the FT-IR and UV techniques might be utilised effectively to assess the metal-protein interaction and can have wide application in routine analysis. These techniques have several advantages in being simple, easy-to-perform, rapid, and affordable over other high-end techniques.

The food chain, through vegetable consumption, is considered to be an important route of heavy metal exposure. Therefore, in this study, heavy metal concentrations in leafy vegetables grown in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia were assessed using an ICP-MS. Lettuce, radish, mint, parsley and jarjir (Arugula) were selected for study and subjected to digestion using HCl. The results indicated that the Fe level was highest in all vegetables, while jarjir was the most contaminated vegetable. However, no tested metal exceeded the maximum permissible limits set by the FAO/WHO and European Committee. The possible health hazards associated with the exposure to metal contaminants via vegetable consumption were evaluated by estimating target hazard quotient (THQ) values, and the results revealed that the vegetables grown in close proximity of Jazan city were the most contaminated and those in Darb the least. However, the daily intakes of all the tested metals were well below the corresponding oral reference doses (RfDs), and the THQ values were less than unity, suggesting that the vegetables grown in the studied region were safe and the heavy metal exposure via vegetable consumption was unlikely to cause adverse effects to the local inhabitants of the region.

Background. CAM is widely accepted for the management of diabetes, and CAM users from many countries showed positive perception towards its use. However, little is known about the perception of individuals with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Objectives. This study was aimed to assess the perception of the individuals with diabetes of Jazan region in Saudi Arabia towards CAM. Methods. An online, anonymous cross-sectional survey was designed and conducted between September 5 and December 31, 2021. Data were collected using 19-item self-report survey from the individuals with diabetes of the Jazan region. Results. A total of 359 validated responses were received. Approximately, 34% of the participants reported using CAM with modern medicine to control diabetes. Most of the participants reported that CAM is affordable, accessible, acceptable, and effective. Of the study sample, 28% reported using herbal medicine to control diabetes. Significantly, higher percentages of CAM users reported media (42% vs 27%) and friends/family (31% vs 27%) as the primary sources of information about CAM as compared to non-CAM users. Individuals who used CAM for diabetes showed significantly more positive perception (β = 2.386; p = 0.001 ) than those who did not use CAM in the adjusted analysis. Similarly, students had a significantly higher positive perception towards CAM (β = 4.121; p = 0.013 ) compared to employed individuals. Conclusion. A quarter of the sample of individuals with diabetes used herbal medicine to control diabetes. Individuals who ever used CAM for diabetes showed positive perception towards CAM. However, there is a need of healthcare workers to be involved in educating the individuals with diabetes and the general public in order to use CAM more effectively and safely.