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آلاء أبو عودة

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​​​​​​​​Plants Secondary Metabolites as Blood Glucose-Lowering Molecules

Authors : ​

Abstract : Recently, significant advances in modern medicine and therapeutic agents have been achieved. However, the search for effective antidiabetic drugs is continuous and challenging. Over the past decades, there has been an increasing body of literature related to the effects of secondary metabolites from botanical sources on diabetes. Plants-derived metabolites including alkaloids, phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, stilbenoids, saponins, tannins, polysaccharides, coumarins, and terpenes can target cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, they can grant protection to pancreatic beta cells from damage, repairing abnormal insulin signaling, minimizing oxidative stress and ​inflammation, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibiting carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Studies have highlighted many bioactive naturally occurring plants’ secondary metabolites as candidates against diabetes. This review summarizes the current knowledge compiled from the latest studies published during the past decade on the mechanism-based action of plants-derived secondary metabolites that can target various metabolic pathways in humans against diabetes. It is worth mentioning that the compiled data in this review will provide a guide for researchers in the field, to develop candidates into environment-friendly effective, yet safe antidiabetics.

Keywords : Diabetes; secondary metabolites; alkaloids; flavonoids; coumarins; insulin signal

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​​​​​Middle East Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Diabetes: A Review

Authors : ​

Abstract : Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated.

Keywords : antidiabetic plants; natural products; hyperglycemia; plant extracts

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Complementary and alternative medicine use for weight management among females in Jordan: a community-based survey

Authors : ​

Abstract : Background: The relationship between obesity and various chronic diseases is well documented. In Jordan, the prevalence of overweight (30.0%) and obesity (38.8%) among females is on the rise, encouraging many adults to rely on alternative health care methods to manage their weight. Aims: We explored the status of complementary and alternative medicine use for weight management among adult females in Jordan and the possible relationship between complementary and alternative medicine use and body mass index. Methods: An interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the use and safety of complementary and alternative medicine for weight management from 858 wome​n in 2015. Responses were coded and analysed using SPSS, version 20. Results: Around 40% of the respondents reported using some form of complementary and alternative medicine for weight management. Commercial dietary supplements (31.2%), herbal remedies (26.7%) and folk remedies (18.0%) were commonly used. Green tea and fibre tablets were the most widely used herbal supplements. Logistic regression analysis indicated that overweight participants are more frequent complementary and alternative medicine users compared to obese. Relatives and friends were the main sources of information about complementary and alternative medicine. Only 31.9% of women believed that complementary and alternative medicine modalities were safe; around half believed they were not safe during pregnancy (52.5%) and lactation (48.0%). Only 49.7% were aware of side-effects and 41.5% of drug interactions. Conclusion: This study revealed that complementary and alternative medicine is often used for weight management. Awareness of the safe use of complementary and alternative medicine with other medications and during pregnancy and lactation should be addressed.

Keywords : alternative medicine, dietary supplements, weight management, women, Jordan

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Causes of hypoglycemia ( Book chapter)

Authors : ​

Abstract : Blood glucose levels may vary during the day. When this variation goes below a specific limit, hypoglycemia occurs. Hypoglycemia is often associated with reductions in quality of life and even the risk of death. Moreover, hypoglycemia is correlated with physical and/or psychological morbidity. It is usually a result of the complex interaction between hyperinsulinemia and the compromised physiological and behavioral responses attempting to reduce glucose levels. Nevertheless, several conditions can cause hypoglycemia, both in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Mutually, diabetic and nondiabetic hypoglycemia is common in terms of several medications, alcohol ingestion, critical illnesses, and non-B cell tumors.

Keywords : drug-induced hypoglycemia, nondiabetic hypoglycemia, drug-induced hypoglycemia, diabetes, hypoglycemia

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​​​​​Antibiotic—Lysobacter enzymogenes proteases combination as a novel virulence attenuating therapy

Authors :Ghadeer Suaifan, Diana Abdel Rahman, Ala’ Abu-Odeh, Fahid Abu Jbara, Mayadah Shehadeh, Rula M. Darwish ​

Abstract :Minimizing antibiotic resistance is a key motivation strategy in designing and developing new and combination therapy. In this study, a combination of the antibiotics (cefixime, levofloxacin and gentamicin) with Lysobacter enzymogenes (L. enzymogenes) bioactive proteases present in the cell- free supernatant (CFS) have been investigated against the Gram-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli O157:H7). Results indicated that L. enzymogenes CFS had maximum proteolytic activity after 11 days of incubation and higher growth inhibitory properties against MSSA and MRSA compared to E. coli (O157:H7). The combination of L. enzymogenes CFS with cefixime, gentamicin and levofloxacin at sub-MIC levels, has potentiated their bacterial inhibition capacity. Interestingly, combining cefixime with L. enzymogenes CFS restored its antibacterial activity against MRSA. The MTT assay revealed that L. enzymogenes CFS has no significant reduction in human normal skin fibroblast (CCD-1064SK) cell viability. In conclusion, L. enzymogenes bioactive proteases are natural potentiators for antimicrobials with different bacterial targets including cefixime, gentamicin and levofloxacin representing the beginning of a modern and efficient era in the battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Keywords :antibacterial, proteases, staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic resistance

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Knowledge, practice and attitude associated with SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant among adults in Jordan

Authors :Ghadeer Suaifan, Ala’ M. Abu-Odeh, Fahid Abu Jbara, Mayadah Shehadeh, Rula Darwish ​

Abstract :COVID-19 infection is a global pandemic health emergency. This contagious disease was caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‑2 (SARS‑CoV-2) which is mutating over time. In 2021, the Delta variant became the most dominant transmissible form. During the crisis, human practice and knowledge were critical in the overall efforts to encompass the outbreak. A cross-sectional, web-based approach was conducted among adults in Jordan to quantify knowledge, attitude, and practices towards SARS-CoV-2 (Delta variant). This research was carried out between 15th April and 15th of May 2021. The study questionnaire consisted of four sections including the participant’s demographics, knowledge, practices and attitude. Comparative evaluation of responses was accomplished using a scoring system. Respondents who scored above the mean score (60%) on the item measured were categorized as knowledgeable, having a positive attitude, and good practices. Participants were allocated to one of the three groups; medical, non-medical and others (unemployed and housewives). Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 software. A variance test to assess the statistical difference between groups was used. Pearson’s chi-squared test was applied to compare the variables and identify significant predictors. Of the participants, 308 (66%) were in the age group of 18-25yrs, 392 (84.1%) females, 120 (25.8%) employed and 346 (74.2%) unemployed. The principle source of knowledge was social media (291, 62.4%). Interestingly, participants had adequate overall knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 22.6 (± 0.19), 20.6 (± 0.19), and 21.3 (± 0.18) for the medical, the non-medical and the others group, respectively. Also, participants showed a positive attitude and good practices towards SARS-CoV-2 (Delta variant). The mean practice score for medical, the non-medical and the others groups was 7.35 (± 0.25), 7.38 (± 0.24), 7.35 (± 0.24) and the mean attitude score was 10.8 (± 0.16), 9.4 (± 0.21), 9.5 (± 0.22), respectively. The studied groups generally had good knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices about SARS-CoV-2 (Delta variant). This was expected due to the authorities’ successful management of the pandemic and the high educational level of the Jordanian society, bearing in mind the economic and social impact of COVID-19 disease.

Keywords : SARS CoV2, COVID19, social media, psychological attitudes.

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Medicinal plants of Jordan: Scoping review

Authors :Ala’ Abu-Odeh, Leen Fino, Ghadeer Al-Absi, Dalal Alnatour, Mohanad Al-Darraji, Mayadah Shehadeh, Ghadeer Suaifan ​

Abstract :Jordan is rich in the flora of ethnobotanical importance. This scoping review aims to highlight the ethnopharmacological value of Jordanian medicinal plants using the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of one hundred twenty-four articles published between 2000 and 2022 obtained from PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases were included in this review. These plants own several classes of secondary bioactive metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenes. Jordanian plants exhibited potential therapeutic activity against various tumors, bacterial infections, elevated blood glucose levels, hyperlipidemia, platelets aggregation disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. Phytochemicals’ biological activities depend on their structures, parts used, methods of extraction, and evaluation model. In conclusion, this review highlights the need of researching Jordan’s abundant naturally occurring medicinal plants and their phytochemicals as novel lead molecules in drug discovery and development. Studying active phytochemicals for disease treatment will help develop drugs for safe treatment and cure in the future.

Keywords :Jordan, Medicinal plants, phytochemicals, cancer, diabetes, antimicrobials

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​​​​​Causes of hypoglycemia

Authors : Ala’ Abu-Odeh, Dalal Alnatour and Leen Fino​

Abstract :Blood glucose levels may vary during the day, when this variation goes below a specific limit, hypoglycemia occurs. Hypoglycemia is often associated with reductions in quality of life and even the risk of death. Moreover, hypoglycemia is correlated with physical and/or psychological morbidity. It is usually a result of the complex interaction between hyperinsulinemia and the compromised physiological and behavioral responses attempting to reduce glucose levels. Nevertheless, several conditions can cause hypoglycemia, both in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Mutually, diabetic and non-diabetic hypoglycemia is common in terms of several medications, alcohol ingestion, critical illnesses, and non-B cell tumors.

Keywords : hypoglycemia, diabetes, drug-induced hypoglycemia, nondiabetic hypoglycemia

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​​​​​Research Title :Assessment of Bee Products Use among Jordanian Community: Folkloric Practice vs. Evidence-Based Literature

Authors : Ala’ Abu-Odeh, Leedia AbuelShayeb, Laith Al-Shdifat,Manal Ayyash, Haneen Aldabet, Saif Alislam Alamleh, Mayadah Shehadeh, Ghadeer Suaifan ​

Abstract :Background: There is a limited number of investigations on consumer behaviors and applications of various bee products within the Jordanian population. The study aims to explore the use of different bee products among Jordanians and to assess the claimed usage against evidence-based pharmacological studies. Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted using a structures questionnaire created on Google Forms. This study employed a cross-sectional, web-based design to evaluate the use of bee products utilizing the platform for data collection. The survey link was distributed via social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) and shared through the personal networks of the research team to collect data. Results: The study revealed that honey is primarily used as a prophylactic measure against upper respiratory tract disorders (48.3%) and for immune stimulation and allergy protection. The survey revealed that 52.9% of respondents used bee products in conjunction with their medications. Furthermore, 23.0% of the participants discontinued their medications and relied solely on bee products. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that Jordanian participants utilized different bee products primarily for preventive and therapeutic purposes, emphasizing the growing awareness and recognition of the medicinal properties of bee products within Jordanian society. The use of bee products is supported by numerous international studies. However, there is a lack of local research in this area. It is well known that Phyto-constituents can vary significantly from one geographical area to another, so local studies are warranted. Furthermore, consumers should be informed about the potentially harmful interactions between bee products and conventional medications

Keywords :Bee products, Honey, Propolis, royal jelly, Beeswax, pharmacological activity.

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