Predictors of antibiotic use in pregnant women attending Najran University Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of antibiotic use by pregnant women in Najran, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 125 women aged 18 to 45 with a full-term pregnancy participated from October to December 2019. Age, order of current pregnancy, body mass index (BMI), history of miscarriage, and comorbidity were used to estimate antibiotic use. RESULTS: The majority were Saudis (67.2%), aged 30-35 (39.2%) years, with no history of miscarriage (53.6%), second order of pregnancy (26.4%), and going through weeks 20-25 of pregnancy (21.6%). A total of 26.4% of pregnant women had antibiotic prescriptions in the study population. Pregnant women under 30 years were less likely to receive antibiotics. CONCLUSION: The results found an association between maternal age, order of pregnancy and antibiotic use during pregnancy. An association was observed between maternal BMI and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions after antibiotic use. In addition, a history of miscarriage was negatively associated with the use of antibiotics during pregnancy. These predictors of antibiotic administration have the potential to serve as general health indicators and to direct preventative strategies aimed at increasing the rational use of antibiotics.

Protective effect of Agave americana Linn. leaf extract in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Natural plants always provide core compounds for new drug development. In the present life and food style, inflammatory bowel disease has become common and needs a lead compound for its drug development. AIM: To evaluate the effect of Agave americana Linn. leaf extract in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats based on its traditional anti-inflammatory use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were pretreated with A. americana leaf extract in the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. daily for 7 days. On 8(th) day, 2 ml of 4% v/v acetic acid in saline was instilled into rats' rectum. Prednisolone was used as standard drug and it was administered on the day of acetic acid instillation and continued for 3 days. Extract treatment was continued till 11(th) day. Body weight, ulcer score, colonic muscle contraction, antioxidant activity and histopathology were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using Parametric one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's posttest. RESULTS: A. americana have retained total body weight significantly (P < 0.01) and decreased colon weight/length ratio. Extract have shown a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in ulcer scores, myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidase activity. Further, extract have shown significant improvement in colonic muscle contraction, histopathology of colon etc., which is comparable with standard drug. CONCLUSION: A. americana possess protective effect against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.