Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common diseases of the immune system that negatively affect general health, quality of life, and social relationships. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate treatment options for these conditions, particularly using herbal remedies. Complementary alternative medicines are extensively used in the treatment of type 1 hypersensitivity-related allergic rhinitis and asthma. There is a dearth of scientific evidence even though the Sri Lankan population uses traditional medical treatments to effectively manage these conditions. Aims and Objectives: To review the evidence-based recommendations for traditional natural plants with scientifically proven anti-allergic rhinitis and asthmatic activity in Sri Lanka. This review focuses on ten selected medicinal plants used by a traditional ayurvedic practitioner in Sri Lanka to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma. The selected 10 plants are: Piper longum, Clerodendrum indicum, Clerodendrum serratum, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Allium cepa, Aegle marmelos, Vitex negundo, Coriendrum sativum, and Curcuma longa. Materials and Methods: Therefore, to provide evidence-based recommendations for these traditional natural plants used, a comprehensive literature survey was carried out using PubMed® (U.S. National Library of Medicine, USA), Google Scholar, and Hinary© (WHO, Switzerland). Studies released between 2006 and 2022 were incorporated after two rounds of evaluation and shortlisting; approximately 450 comprehensive database searches were used to find study articles. Then after evaluating the papers' titles and abstracts and evaluating the relevant complete texts for eligibility, the systematic review comprised 54 empirical investigations. It was carried out independently by two reviewers. Results and Discussion: Herbal plant-based medications have several advantages: they are less expensive, have a long history of use, are better tolerated by patients, and have fewer or no side effects. These plants exert their anti-allergy effects by inhibiting various cytokines and interleukins and decreasing immunoglobulin levels. According to scientific evidence, Clerodendrum indicum, Clerodendrum serratum, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale, Allium cepa, and Curcuma longa are the most studied plants. The plants Vitex negundo, Coriendrum sativum, and Clerodendrum indicum have received the least amount of research of the selected ten plants. Conclusion: These plants exert their anti-allergy effects by inhibiting various cytokines and interleukins and decreasing immunoglobulin levels. In addition, these essential herbal plants can be tested experimentally to treat these common type-1 hypersensitivities linked to allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Nearly 80% of students in higher education worldwide experience psychological stress during their university life due to various stressors. Stress among students can be viewed as the body’s reaction, both neurologically and physiologically, to adapt to new conditions. Stress can lead to poor academic performance and underachievement among students. The present study assessed the levels of perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and their association with socio-demographic factors among a selected group of undergraduates at a higher educational institute. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using stratified random sampling among 393 undergraduates. The data were collected through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a questionnaire to determine the socio-demographic factors. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. The mean age of the sample (n=393) was 22.36±2.33 years. The results showed a mean perceived stress score of 20.72±4.96, indicating moderate perceived stress. The majority of the participants (79.4%) had moderate perceived stress, followed by high stress (12.7%) and low stress (7.4%). There was no significant difference between the stress levels of male and female students. No significant association was observed between perceived stress and socio-demographic factors assessed (age, gender, civil status, residence status, financial status, the program of study, employment prospects) using the chi-squared test. Spearman correlation showed a statistically significant negative correlation between perceived stress levels and general self-efficacy (p<0.001, r = -0.293). Intervention strategies to reduce perceived stress and to improve general self-efficacy should be implemented among the undergraduates. Further studies are needed to understand the factors contributing to stress and their interrelations among undergraduate students. Keywords: Perceived stress, General self-efficacy, Higher education

Objectives: SNV is a single nucleotide change that can occur at any point in the genome. It is regarded as a frequent genetic variant that can result in genetic diseases. Discovering genetic variants in individuals is one of the most essential jobs of genetic research. Researchers genotype SNVs using TaqMan technology, DNA microarray, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and automated sequencing which is expensive and time-consuming. The OPRM1 gene rs1799971 (A118G) has been identified for its association with Opioid use disorder (OUD). The present study focused in developing a single step identification test using Tetra-Primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System-PCR (T-ARMS-PCR) in order to detect the presence of SNV OPRM1 rs1799971 (A118G). The present research was performed to optimize the protocol for the designed four primers and validate using a total of 52 buccal samples from volunteers who are currently under rehabilitation for the drug abuse disorder. Results: The novel assay was successfully designed, tested, and validated using 52 DNA samples. The products of the T-ARMS PCR for rs1799971 contained 395bp as the control band, 186bp as G allele (variant) and 257bp as A allele (wild type) were observed in the gel image. The genotype frequencies for the OPRM1 gene rs1799971 (A118G) were 44% (22/52) of homozygous variant type (GG), 28.9% (15/52) of homozygous wild type (AA) and 28.9% (15/22) of heterozygous (AG). The minor allele (G) frequency was 56.7% and major allele (A) frequency was 43.3%.

Background: Pavetta indica Linn is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family of Rubiaceae. The parts of this plant are used in indigenous clinical practices, especially for treating visceral obstruction, haemorrhoidal pains, rheumatism and eye diseases, and in the preferential treatment of liver disease, pain from piles, urinary infections, and fever. Despite its usage in indigenous clinical practices, there is limited available information on comparative pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, ethnopharmacological data and antioxidant capacity of this herb. Aim: To review and summarize the medicinal properties of Pavetta indica Linn after critically evaluating the published studies reporting and to identify potential research areas from the existing data. Methodology: In the first phase, a comprehensive literature search was carried out in several databases under the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Project for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Results: The plant reported various classes of bioactive compounds with the main components: carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, tannins, proteins and amino acids, phenolic and flavonoids. Extracts of this plant possess multiple pharmacological activities such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and wound healing factors, anti-dementia, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antihelminthic and diuretic properties. Conclusion: This review gives vital information on the traditional uses and, on the other hand, modern discoveries such as phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pavetta indica Linn. The therapeutic value of the plant was discovered based on the information gathered during the review process. As a result, greater research on this plant should be encouraged to identify new useful drugs and therapeutic effects and test using clinical studies.