: The increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and economic development, presents significant individuals, families, challenges and to healthcare systems. These diseases are often linked to lifestyle choices, poor diet, and physical inactivity. As a result, there is growing interest in finding alternatives to synthetic drugs, particularly those derived from medicinal plants. Medicinal plants are known to contain bioactive compounds that offer therapeutic properties with fewer side effects compared to conventional pharmaceuticals. This study explores the cytoprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) and Inula helenium (elecampane) extracts against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells.
The study found that both plant extracts were non-toxic at doses ranging from 1 to 25 µg/mL and promoted cell growth (p<0.01). The results suggest that these extracts support cell survival and exhibit biological activity.
To assess the antioxidant effects, various concentrations of H₂O₂ (10–400 µM) were tested, and 200 µM was found to significantly reduce cell viability. Licorice and elecampane extracts (10 µg/mL and 25 µg/ mL, respectively) enhanced cell viability and reduced oxidative damage. Both extracts significantly reduced cell death compared to the H₂O₂-only group (p<0.01), highlighting their potent antioxidant properties. Conclusion Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Inula helenium extracts demonstrated strong cytoprotective and antioxidant effects, supporting their potential as natural therapeutics for oxidative stress-related conditions.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a biological messenger molecule that plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammation. It has anti-inflammatory effects under physiological conditions but can act as a pro-inflammatory mediator when produced excessively under abnormal conditions. NO is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases affecting the joints, intestines, and lungs. Therefore, compounds that inhibit NO production are considered important for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and are used clinically. The RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage-like cell line is a widely used model for inflammation studies. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is used to activate RAW 264.7 cells and create an inflammation model. Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as licorice, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae family. It has been widely used in traditional medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and hepatoprotective properties. Recent studies have shown that licorice contains bioactive compounds such as glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin, and isoliquiritigenin, which play an important role in inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages induced by LPS. Inula helenium L., also known as elecampane, is a perennial herbaceous plant used as an expectorant, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-helminthic agent in various respiratory diseases. Licorice and Inula helenium are included in Mongolian traditional medicine prescriptions, but their anti-inflammatory effects have not been fully determined, which forms the basis for this research. Aim: To study the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Inula helenium extracts on the production of NO, the end product of inflammation, in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Materials and Methods: The non-toxic dose of the plant extracts was determined in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage-like cell line cultures using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cell line cultures stimulated with lipopolysaccharide was assessed using the Griess method. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS 25.0 software, with the p-value calculated by one-way ANOVA, and the differences between groups were evaluated. Results: In RAW 264.7 cell cultures, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Inula helenium extracts were non-toxic and promoted cell growth at doses ranging from 1 to 25 μg/ml, while a dose of 50 μg/ml was toxic and inhibited cell growth (p<0.01). When the combined plant extracts were applied to cells at doses ranging from 1 to 100 μg/ml, they were also non-toxic and enhanced cell growth, while a dose of 500 μg/ml was toxic and inhibited growth (p<0.001). In terms of nitric oxide production, Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract increased NO production in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared to the control or PBS-treated group. However, Inula helenium extract did not show a dose- or time-dependent effect on NO production. In the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model, licorice extract inhibited NO production at a dose of 30 μg/ml after 12 hours, and further reduced NO production in a dose- and time-dependent manner after 48 hours. Conversely, no significant changes were observed in the Inula helenium extract group at a dose of 25 μg/ml after 48 hours, but a reduction in LPS-induced NO production was observed at a dose of 25 μg/ml after 48 hours. Conclusion Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract alone increased NO production in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It also reduced LPS-induced NO production in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In contrast, Inula helenium extract inhibited LPS-induced NO production at a dose of 25 μg/ml after 48 hours.

Background: E-cigarettes were created in China in 2003 and smoke is produced by the transfer of liquids contained within e-cigarettes into proteins. The WHO has warned of the health effects of e-cigarettes and recommended limiting sales. Mongolia imported a total of 2047 e-cigarettes from 2019-2020 and 2.6 million e-cigarettes by 2021. That's because in the school environment, retail outlets are trading in e-cigarettes. Objective: Study of pupil and student knowledge of e-cigarette use and its effects among pupils. Research Methods: In our study, we found 421 students representing 1304 high school students at 6 high schools in Esenbulag, Altai Province, with 12 years of training, The study was conducted by a closed questionnard of 38 students representing 161 students from MSUT, 151 students representing 962 students from 1st to 6th grade, and a total of 670 youth and students. The results of the study were developed with 24 SPSS applications. Results of the study: 71.8% of participants in the study are high school students in general education, 5.7% are MSUT students and 22.5% are MNUMS students. It found that 12.5% of students surveyed and 11.7% of teens said they smoked e-cigarettes, compared with 11% of teens and students who occasionally smoked e-cigarettes. 47-73% of teens and students who smoke began smoking starting in the 10th to 11th grade, with 21.3-45.5% of the factors affecting e-cigarette use attracting friends, 9.5-13.4% responded that they were household smokers, 6.2-18.1% said they were interested in making others look attractive, while 42.5-62.4% said they knew about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and 46-51.7% were trying to stop e-cigarettes. A study of the source of information on the effects of e-cigarettes found that 40.8-47.9% of people get it from social networks and 14.1-20.4% from TV shows. Conclusions While the vast majority of students and students know about the effects of e-cigarettes, 56.6% of the participants in the overall study smoke e-cigarettes. Information about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes is being taken from social networks by the vast majority of teenagers and young people on campus. Friends have the highest percentage of exposure to e-cigarettes because of the many factors affecting e-cigarettes.

Background: Osteoporotic fractures remain a major concern for public health and the economy. Osteoporosis is a chronic disease characterized by reduced bone density due to genetic, hormonal, mineral, and lifestyle factors. Although often asymptomatic, its primary complication is fractures, which lead to disability and loss of work capacity, impacting individuals, families, and society. In Mongolia, no long-term study has examined bone density changes and fracture risk factors, which forms the basis of this research. Aim: To assess 10-year changes in bone density and identify risk factors for fractures. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Pathophysiology, School of Biomedicine, MNUMS. We have re-enrolled 133 adults from Ulaanbaatar between November 2023 and January 2024, originally part of the ‘Study of some risk and pathophysiological factors of osteoporosis in the Mongolian population’ funded by the Ministry of Health and the Science and Technology Fund of Mongolia. Data collection included questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, bone mineral density assessments using the ‘Sunlight Mini-Omni’ bone sonometer (Beammed, USA) Results: The mean age of participants was 54.4±9.6 years (N=133), with 33.1% (n=44) male and 66.9% (n=89) female. Among the participants, 51.1% had a history of bone fractures, with forearm fractures comprising 10.5% and other types of fractures accounting for 40.7%. The bone fractures was significantly higher among elderly individuals and those diagnosed with osteoporosis (p<0.05). The T-score was significantly lower in the fracture group than in the non-fracture group (p<0.05). Vitamin D deficiency was identified as a significant risk factor for fractures (p<0.05). Conclusion All participants’ bone density has decreased over the decade. Bone fractures are more common in elderly and people with osteoporosis. Inadequate vitamin D intake is a significant risk factor for bone fractures.

Background: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mongolia was reported on November 11, 2020. In response, the government imposed a nationwide lockdown, which significantly impacted the population’s mental health. Heightened levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression during the pandemic altered individuals’ psychological stability and behavior. Personality traits—defined as relatively stable patterns of emotion, cognition, and behavior—play a key role in stress responses and emotional regulation under pressure. Emerging evidence suggests that these psychological factors may influence the immune system’s responsiveness, including vaccine-induced antibody production. Aim: To evaluate the association between post-vaccination antibody responses and personality types following two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Materials and Methods: A total of 738 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca ChAdOx1, n=29; Pfizer-BioNTech, n=119; Sinopharm BBIBP, n=590) and had no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Serum samples were collected 21–28 days after the second dose, and SARS-CoV-2 RBD (S) IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA (Proteintech Inc., USA). Personality types were assessed using a 56-item temperament questionnaire developed by A. Belov, categorizing individuals into classical temperament types (choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic). Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to examine associations between personality types and antibody response. Results: The presence of an antibody response was significantly higher among individuals with a melancholic temperament, and significantly lower among those with a phlegmatic temperament. Furthermore, antibody titers were higher in participants with melancholic and sanguine temperaments and lower in those with a phlegmatic type. Conclusions 1. During the early period following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the antibody response was higher in individuals with a pure melancholic temperament, while it was lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament. 2. After the second dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP COVID-19 vaccine, antibody titers were higher in individuals with pure melancholic and sanguine temperaments, and lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament.