Chamazulene carboxylic acid (1) is a natural profen with anti-inflammatory activity and a degradation product of proazulenic sesquiterpene lactones, e.g., matricin. Both 1 and proazulenes occur in chamomile (Matricaria recutita), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and a few other Asteraceae species. It was isolated in improved yields, characterized physicochemically, and found to be an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, but not of cyclooxygenase-1. It had anti-inflammatory activity in several animal models with local and systemic application. When human volunteers were given matricin orally, plasma levels of 1 were found to be in the micromolar range. Matricin was converted to 1 in artificial gastric fluid, but not in artificial intestinal fluid. Matricin and the yarrow proazulenes are proposed to be anti-inflammatory through conversion to 1. Intriguingly, the biological activity of the natural compound 1 was found because of its similarity to fully synthetic drug substances. This is the reverse process of the common lead function of natural compounds in drug discovery.

Zinc deficiency, obesity and stunting can be observed together in some developing countries. Moreover, zinc deficiency may enhance fat deposition and decrease lean body mass. In term of health, adequate absorbable zinc in food is essential for human health and growth. On the other hand, zinc deficiency affects children's physical growth and deteriorates health status and increases the risk and severity of a variety of infectious diseases. The aim of the study is to assess zinc nutritional status among early adolescents in the Gaza Strip-Palestine. Methods: A cross sectional study had been performed on 296 adolescents aged 12 -15 years old. Three areas in the Gaza Strip were chosen randomly. Systematically, pupils of 7 th , 8 th and 9 th grades were selected. Height and weight measures were taken. Questionnaires including dietary habit and physical activities of pupils were collected in addition to serum zinc level measure. Results: The overall prevalence of serum zinc deficiency among adolescents was 42.5%. Zinc deficiency was more prevalent among the females (47.7%) than the males (37.2%). The overall prevalence of high body mass index was 29%. The overall prevalence of stunting was 7.6%. The stunted males (8.8%) were more prevalent than the females (6.4%). Forty-nine percent of the females live in sedentary life style, whereas 55% of the males practiced active and very active leisure physical activity. The females were less consuming of meat, eggs and milk than the males. Serum zinc level is associated positively with consumption of meat, BMI for age, stunting and physical activities. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency is prevalent among adolescents. Serum zinc level was affected positively by consumption of animal food sources. Zinc deficiency is associated positively with the life style characteristic of adolescents in the Gaza Strip.

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Background: Antacids are frequently used as over-the-counter (OTC) medications to reduce symptoms of dyspepsia and to neutralize stomach acidity. Evaluation of antacids efficacy depends on in vitro testing like acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and acid neutralization potential (ANP). The purpose of this study was to examine ANC, ANP, and other characteristics of commercially available antacid formulations (both liquid and solid formulations) in the Gaza Strip. Methods: Both liquid (n=2) and solid (n=4) antacid formulations were acquired from the Gaza Strip’s central community pharmacies. Preliminary antacid test (PAT) was carried out to determine if the tested formulation is classified as antacid. The general monograph <301> in USP34/NF29 was used for the estimation of ANC, while ANP was investigated using Rossett Rice procedure. Both tests were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of antacid. In addition, cost effectiveness per formulation and statistical analysis test of data were calculated. Results: All formulations were classified as antacids because they all passed the PAT test (pH of antacid-HCl over 3.5). The ANC of antacids (n=6) varied from 8.74±0.37 to 29.14±0.84 mEq per minimum labeled dose (MLD). The ANC/MLD ratios for solid formulations were higher than those of liquid formulations. No statistically significant difference in ANC/MLD between the two groups was estimated (P˃.0.05). ANP test - the time duration during which an antacid formulation maintains pH above 3.5 - ranged from 43 to 90 minutes. According to this study liquids were inefficient in acid neutralization and expensive as a result. Conclusions: The ANC and ANP results indicated the better neutralizing efficacy and duration of solid antacids in comparison to liquids. A1 and A2 formulations– calcium and magnesium salt based solid antacids had the most appropriate properties in terms of efficacy, onset and duration of neutralizing activity. Antacids in the form of chewable tablets were the most cost-effective formulations. It is recommended to examine more batches of the same antacids and to add ANC data on the label of antacids.