Trend and pattern of using herbal medicines among people who are aware of their diabetes mellitus: results from National STEPs Surveys in 2005 to 2011 in Iran

Use of herbal medicine related to anxiety and depression in the general population of southeast Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased anxiety/depression and changes in people's health behaviors. This study aimed to investigate health beliefs regarding using herbal medicine and its associated factors among Iranians. A cross-sectional study on the general population in Birjand (southeast Iran) was conducted using a survey questionnaire (an online platform for creating questionnaires, available at https://porsline.ir/) consisting of demographic characteristics and beliefs toward herbal medicine use, as well as a telehealth and hospital anxiety and depression scale questionnaire to address anxiety and depression disorders. All statistical analysis was done with SPSS software version 18, and a p-value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. The study included 619 participants with a mean age of 36.58±10.74 and a female rate of 61%. The overall use of herbal medicine was 385 (62%), 170 (28%) for prevention, 12 (2%) for treatment, 170 (28%) for relaxation, and 191 (31%) for other reasons. Using herbal medicine for relaxation (p=0.010) and prevention (p=0.02) was significantly associated with less anxiety, while using herbs for the treatment of COVID-19 had an association with no family history of Coronavirus infection (p<0.001). The majority of participants used herbal medicine for different purposes for COVID-19, and this health behavior had a relationship with anxiety/depression and family history of COVID-19. This study's findings would be useful to researchers and policymakers in improving health beliefs and behaviors during the other pandemic in Iran.

Psychometrics of the questionnaire on the intention to use medicinal plants in patients with type 2 diabetes based on the developed theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND

Using medicinal plants as a complementary medicine in patients with diabetes with the aim of controlling the disease and managing its complications is increasing worldwide. Despite the widespread use of these types of drugs, the reasons for their use have not been investigated based on the theory of planned behavior. The present study was conducted with the aim of psychometrics of the questionnaire on the intention to use medicinal plants in patients with type 2 diabetes based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, as many as 622 diabetic patients, referring to Yazd Research Center for Diabetes, were selected and included in the study by convenience sampling method based on the inclusion criteria defined for the study in 2022. The researcher's data collection tool was a questionnaire developed based on the TPB. Data analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis method using Smart PLS software (partial least squares structural equation modeling [PLS-SEM]) was used to confirm the structure of the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The questions of TPB constructs were examined using convergent validity criteria (AVE = 0.57-0.74) and discriminant validity using the Fronell-Larcker criterion and were confirmed. The reliability of TPB constructs was also measured within the approved range (rhoC = 0.86-0.95). Using the PLS-SEM algorithm approach, there is a significant relationship between the constructs of abstract norm (β =0.44, P < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (β =0.25, P < 0.001), and attitude (β =0.1, P = 0.006) with intention; the construct of abstract norm was recognized as the most important predictor of intention in using medicinal plants.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this questionnaire emphasize the importance of perceived norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitude in the inclination of patients with diabetes toward the use of herbal medicines. Thus, this tool can be used to measure diabetic patients' intention for using medicinal plants.

Efficacy of cinnamon supplementation on glycolipid metabolism in T2DM diabetes: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Background: Cinnamon is a spice used in cooking and in large quantities as a medical complement with hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering properties. The potential pharmacological mechanisms underlying cinnamon's anti-diabetic properties and its active ingredients have not been adequately determined. The current meta-analysis aims to systematically review the potential pharmacological mechanisms underlying the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficacy of cinnamon administration and summarize clinical recommendations of cinnamon and its active ingredients. Method: Relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were identified through a literature search that spanned the years January 2005 to April 2022. Retrieve electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. To obtain standardized mean differences (SMDs), continuous outcomes were pooled and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) were provided. Categorical outcomes were aggregated to calculate relative risks (RRs) and were accompanied by 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was measured using the Cochrane Q-test and I² statistics, with a p < 0.05 considered as substantial heterogeneity. If I² was less than 50%, a fixed effect model was employed; otherwise, a random effect model was used. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the origins of heterogeneity. Publication bias was retrieved by means of a funnel-plot analysis and Egger's test. The data were analyzed using revman (V.5.3) and stata (V.15) software packages. Results: These 16 RCTs included a total of 1,020 patients who were followed for a duration ranging from 40 days to 4 months. According to the current meta-analysis results, glycolipid levels in diabetic individuals who received cinnamon were significantly improved as compared to those who got placebo (All p < 0.05). An adverse effect was only detected in one patient. Conclusion: These findings imply that cinnamon has a significant influence on lipid and glucose metabolism regulation. An even more pronounced effect was observed in patients with HbA1c of 8%. The results of this study suggested that cinnamon may be utilized as hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering supplement in clinical settings with a guaranteed safety profile.Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42022322735].