Therapeutic Application of Pineapple: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Ananas comosus L. (Family Bromeliaceae) is a plant innate to South America and has been cultivated in various world regions. Plant parts have traditionally been used to treat various ailments like cancer, diabetes mellitus, bacterial infection, Covid 19 infection, inflammation, arthritis, asthma, malaria, cardiovascular disease, and burn as debridement agents. The pineapple contains nutrients, including vitamin C, iron, potassium, and protein. It also contains flavonoids, carotenoids, tannins, polyphenols, and alkaloids. METHODS: An extensive literature search was conducted on Ananas comosus, using three scientific databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The keywords in this paper were combined to form a search strategy. Ananas comosus and pineapple were the main criteria for judging abstracts, titles, and keywords. In the full text of the paper, the secondary judgment criteria included mentioning "therapeutic potential" or "pharmacological activities". Among the 250 references in the compiled bibliography, there are original articles, books, and web addresses dating back to 2001 to 2023. A review of articles was conducted after abstracts and titles were screened, and 61 duplicate articles were deleted. In this paper, information is provided on the therapeutic potential and pharmacological actions of ananas comosus and its bioactive compounds. RESULTS: In this review, therapeutic potential of A. comosus has been mentioned. The current review intends to explain an updated comprehensive overview of the versatile plant's use and its clinical trials. CONCLUSION: The plant has gained enormous perspective and increasing consideration for treating various diseases. The therapeutic potential of pineapple, its compound, extracts, and their mode of action are discussed briefly. Also, clinical trials are emphasized which are in great demand and need further in-depth investigation in the future.

Racial Disparities in the Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and in Getting Needed Medical Care.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected minorities in population rates of infection, hospitalization, and mortality. However, little is known about the broader racial disparities in fears and perceptions about the pandemic and getting treated. OBJECTIVE: To examine disparities in perceived risks of COVID-19 and getting medical care. METHODS: Using the nationally representative Stanford University School of Medicine Coronavirus Attitudes and Behaviors Survey fielded in May of 2020, we examine racial and ethnic disparities in eight measures on the perceived risks of COVID-19. We use regression analysis to risk adjust perceptions controlling for 10 socioeconomic, demographic, and health variables. RESULTS: Black respondents were 15 percentage points more likely than White respondents to believe the pandemic would not end by Summer 2020 (92% vs 77%, p < .01), and were 19 percentage points more likely than any other race to feel a need to protect their family from COVID-19 (81% vs 62%, p < .01). Latinx respondents were 10 percentage points more fearful than White respondents of catching COVID-19 in public places (55% vs 45%, p < 0.01). Black respondents were 20 percentage points more likely than White respondents to think they would need medical care if infected (71% vs 51%, p < .01), and 18 percentage points more likely to think they would need to be hospitalized (59% vs 41%, p < .01). The proportion of Black respondents believing that the hospital would not have enough capacity to treat them if infected with COVID-19 was 12 percentage points higher than White respondents (41% vs 29%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Disparities in the COVID-19-related perceived risks and mistrust in healthcare across racial and ethnic groups existed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we enter into a post-COVID New Normal, new policies must ensure that the causes of this widespread fear and distrust in the healthcare system are understood and reversed.