Assessment of antiarthritic potential of Asparagus dumosus using formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritic models in rats via modulation of oxidative stress biomarkers and mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF-α and COX-2.

Medicinal plants play a pivotal role in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases including arthritis. Despite the traditional use of Asparagus dumosus in arthritis, it has not been studied yet for its effectiveness in arthritis. This study was aimed to explore the antiarthritic potential of A. dumosus in formaldehyde and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats. Body weight, arthritic index, hepatic oxidative stress, hematological, biochemical and inflammatory markers were assessed using ELISA, whilst qRT-PCR studies were carried out for the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF-α and COX-2 genes. GCMS and HPLC analysis were performed to identify the secondary metabolites of A. dumosus. From day 8 to 28 post-administration of formaldehyde and CFA, oral administration of A. dumosus (600, 300 and 150 mg/kg) showed a noteworthy improvement (p < 0.001) in the body weights, immune organ weights, serum levels of rheumatoid (RA) factor, C-reactive protein, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in arthritic rats similar to the effect of piroxicam and methotrexate. Subsequently, the administration of A. dumosus to formaldehyde and CFA-challenged rats, caused a marked decrease (p < 0.001) in the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, OPG, RANKL, TNF-α and COX-2 genes in treated rats. Likewise, when assessed for antioxidant potential, A. dumosus produced a pronounced (p < 0.001) reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, whilst a dose-dependent (p < 0.001) increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was recorded. GCMS profiling of A. dumosus presented benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-, 1-decanol and undecane as plant compositions, whereas HPLC fingerprinting displayed quercetin, benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-, gallic acid and cinnamic acid as plants constituents. These results depict that A. dumosus possesses anti-arthritic effect mediated possibly through attenuation of arthritic indices, chronic inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers along with down-regulation in the mRNA expression of arthritic candid genes.

Measuring vaccination willingness in response to COVID-19 using a multi-criteria-decision making method.

The pandemic COVID-19 is continued to the massive burden of morbidity and mortality while disrupting economies and societies all over the world. At an earlier stage, wearing a face mask, social distancing, and hand hygiene were suggested to limit the transmission of this infection. The WHO, CDC, and other governing bodies were doing an effort to develop the coronavirus vaccine. Now COVID-19 vaccines are available to protect people against the coronavirus. People are hesitant about whether to receive a vaccination or do not to vaccinate. This study was aimed to analyze the COVID-19 vaccination willingness level of the general public of Pakistan to manage the COVID-19 disease. A multi-criteria decision-making method known as an analytical hierarchical method was applied to determine the COVID-19 vaccination willingness level of the public. The significant determinants of COVID-19 vaccination willingness were cues to action, perceived benefits, positive attitude, government recommendation, as well as perceived stress scoring high weights to the vaccination. Determinants of willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine were individual decision, vaccine origin, adapting to change, and perceived barriers high obstacles to vaccinating. The determinants relating to the COVID-19 vaccine may help to increase the uptake of the vaccination program. The government may need communication campaigns to reinforce the benefits of the vaccine.