Introduction: Estradiol benzoate is widely used to mimic dysmenorrhea in mice, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation during menstruation. Since curcumin is a potent natural antioxidant, it presumably decreases dysmenorrhea and oxidative stress during menstruation. This study aims to investigate the effect of curcumin on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in estradiol benzoate-induced dysmenorrhea in mice. Methods: Forty mice were randomly grouped into five groups. The first three groups were treated with curcumin twice a day with 100 mg/kg (Dys+Cur100), 200 mg/kg (Dys+Cur200), and 400 mg/kg (Dys+Cur400) in corn oil. The next two groups were treated with either 100 mg/kg ibuprofen (Dys+Ibu) or corn oil as placebo (Dys). Oxytocin was used to induce a writhing response to pain in mice. On day 11, blood serum was taken for examination of SOD and MDA concentration in mice. Results: Significant differences were observed between the SOD concentration in the Dys+Cur100 vs. Dys group (p < 0.05). The MDA concentration did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Although the antioxidant effect of curcumin failed to lower the MDA concentration, it succeeded in elevating the SOD concentration in mice treated with 100 mg curcumin. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity of curcumin improved SOD levels but not MDA levels in dysmenorrhea-induced mice, highlighting the indirect effect of curcumin on dysmenorrhea treatment.

Objectives: During the second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surge, cases increased sharply due to low awareness and compliance with measures to limit disease spread. Health literacy (HL) is an important component of public health initiatives, and schools are potential sources of health education to increase HL via the presentation of COVID-19 educational modules. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved an online questionnaire administered to students from 5 high schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, Indonesia, 6-7 weeks after the start of government-issued directives restricting public gatherings. We collected data on each respondent’s age, gender, parental education, and socioeconomic variables. HL was determined by the Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents. We additionally measured their attitudes and behaviors related to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The students were asked if they watched the COVID-19 module at school, their feelings about vaccination, and preferred online sources of COVID-19-related information. Results: Most of the 432 respondents had viewed COVID-19 modules at school. Module exposure was associated with significantly higher total and domain-specific HL and more positive attitudes toward government-issued COVID-19 restrictions on travel and public gatherings (p<0.05). However, behaviors to prevent COVID-19 spread and vaccine acceptance were not associated with module exposure. Most students chose social media as their source of COVID-19-related information. Conclusions Schools can provide information to increase adolescents’ HL and the public’s support for health initiatives to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19.