Crohn`s disease. Increasing trend in Saudi Arabia.

We attempted, through systematic review to explore the epidemiology and risk factors of Crohn's disease (CD) with special attention to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We selected articles that contained population-based, epidemiological, and clinical character studies of CD. We collected data concerned with the prevalence, demographic features, and the possible etiology of CD that might explain its emergence in KSA.

Antioxidant activities for superoxide dismutase in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: In this study, we aimed to determine the levels of antioxidant activity for superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) to investigate their contribution to tissue injury in CD.

Methods: Forty-two patients with CD and 38 matched healthy subjects (control group) were recruited. SOD enzymatic activity was measured by purely chemical system based on NAD(P)H oxidation.

Emerging inflammatory bowel disease in saudi outpatients: a report of 693 cases.

Background/aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology and considered traditionally as a disease of the western world. Recently, rising trends have been observed in countries previously known to have a low prevalence and incidence. The aim of this study is to collect epidemiological data on IBD outpatients and to add data from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the available IBD literature.

Spices, herbal xenobiotics and the stomach: friends or foes?

Spices and herbal remedies have been used since ancient times to treat a variety of disorders. It has been experimentally demonstrated that spices, herbs, and their extracts possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, lipid-lowering, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antimutagenic and anticancer activities, besides their gastroprotective and anti-ulcer activities. Despite a number of reports on the toxicity of herbs and spices, they are generally accepted as safer alternatives to conventional therapy against gastric ulcers.