Effect of Apium Graveolens (Celery) Seed Extract on Serum Uric Acid Level of Hyperuricemic Rats and its Comparison with Allopurinol

Background: Plant derived medicines are widely used in traditional culture all over the world. Objectives: To determine the effect of Celery Seed Extract (CSE) on uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats and to compare the effect of allopurinol and CSE. Methods: It was an animal experimental research study. Group A served as negative control whereas Group B served as positive control. CSE was given orally to three groups of rats (C, D, and E). One hour prior to administration of CSE; potassium oxonate was injected intraperitoneally in all groups except negative control to induce hyperuricemia. Similarly, group F was given allopurinol one hour after injection of potassium oxonate. Blood samples were collected for uric acid estimation. Results: It was found that administration of both CSE (group C, D, E) and allopurinol (group F) significantly lowered serum uric acid levels (p<0.001) as compared to positive control (group B). Serum uric acid lowering effect of both drugs CSE and allopurinol was found to be statistically significant on day 3rd and day 7th and was almost comparable. Conclusions: Celery seed extract significantly reduces serum uric acid levels in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats and its uric acid lowering effect was comparable with that of allopurinol.

The Impact of Islamic Financial Products Quality, Customer Knowledge and Religiosity on Perceived Value and Customer Satisfaction in Sme Sector of Pakistan

This study examines the effect of the quality of Islamic financial services and customer knowledge on perceived value and customer satisfaction, with religiosity playing a moderating role. We particularly focus on Pakistan’s small and medium-sized enterprise sector. We develop our hypotheses based on a detailed review of the literature on select variables. A series of questionnaires allow cross-sectional data collection from 511 customers using Islamic financial services within the small and medium-sized enterprise sector. The Pearson’s correlation tests the direction and effectiveness of different variables. A regression analysis examines the direct relationship among variables, while a bootstrapping method analyses the indirect relationships (mediation and moderation). The results reveal that product quality and customer knowledge directly affect perceived value and customer satisfaction. Further, the perceived value of Islamic financial products/services positively affects customer satisfaction. The results of the indirect hypotheses reveal that product knowledge and product/service quality are mediated through the perceived value of their effect on customer satisfaction. All relationships are tested for the interaction of religiosity, revealing significant results. As per the moderation analysis, higher religiosity of customers leads to more positive perception of the products/service, and thus higher customer satisfaction. These results could be useful for financial product development and for the State Bank of Pakistan’s growth of Islamic financial services.