Plant-based Treatment Research Articles

Phytoextraction Options.

Wastewaters often contain an array of economically valuable elements, including elements considered critical raw materials and elements for fertilizer production. Plant-based treatment approaches in constructed wetlands, open ponds, or hydroponic systems represent an eco-friendly and economical way to remove potentially toxic metal(loid)s from wastewater (phytoextraction). Concomitantly, the element-enriched biomass represents an important secondary raw material for bioenergy generation and the recovery of raw materials from the harvested plant biomass (phytomining). At present, phytoextraction in constructed wetlands is still considered a nascent technology that still requires more fundamental and applied research before it can be commercially applied. This chapter discusses the different roles of plants in constructed wetlands during the phytoextraction of economically valuable elements. It sheds light on the utilization of plant biomass in the recovery of raw materials from wastewater streams. Here, we consider phytoextraction of the commonly studied water pollutants (N, P, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr) and expand this concept to a group of rather exotic metal(loid)s (Ge, REE, PGM) highlighting the role of phytoextraction in the face of climate change and finite resources of high-tech metals.

A review on plants possesses anti tubercular activity

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease condition that mainly affects the lungs, and the responsible bacteria is . Over 4,000 people each day die from this disease, which also claims 1.2–1.5 million lives annually and has infected 1.7–2 billion individuals globally. The literature review was conducted by studying the research papers and review articles concentrating on the traditional plants having “Antituberculosis activity or anti-mycobacterial activity”, in electronic databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The available synthetic therapy for tuberculosis treatment includes first-line treatment of five drugs namely “Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, and Streptomycin. The synthetic drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis result in hepatotoxicity and also cause resistance against bacteria, resulting in MDR TB and XDR TB. Plant-derived drugs have potent activity against tuberculosis bacteria also they give hepatoprotective activity, unlike the synthetic drugs with no resistance against the bacteria. Medicinal plant products are good alternatives to allopathic medicine with fewer side effects and with less chances of resistance. Because polyherbal formulation act by different mechanisms to inhibit the growth of bacteria. More research is required to explore the plant-based treatment of TB.

Exploring the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Phytoremediation for Environmental Restoration: A Review

The debate on the applicability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of phytoremediation as a plant-based treatment to clean the environment is intensifying. Phytoremediation is the application of plants, microbes, nutrients, and/or agronomic techniques to soil, sediment, and water resources to contain or neutralize contaminants. Phytoremediation serves multiple goals, including soil stabilization, erosion control, and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Plants can absorb, translocate, transform, and immobilize hazardous metals, thereby lowering their toxicity and environmental concentration. This process is widely used in industry nowadays due to being both cost-effective and ecologically friendly. However, there is no denying that each process has its own pros and cons. There is no perfect process. Thus, this review aims to provide researchers of environmental science with a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Harnessing Nature's Gifts: Salix nigra and Its Potential for Combating Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes various liver complications, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and steatosis, and finally progresses toward hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study aimed to explore the antiviral activity of the traditional Pakistani medicinal plant Salix nigra (S. nigra) known as black willow against the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The anti-HCV activity of S. nigra was established against stable Hep G2 cell lines expressing the HCV NS3 gene. Various plant-derived compounds with anti-HCV activity were identified, making phytotherapy a promising alternative to conventional treatments due to their cost-effectiveness and milder side effects. The two extraction methods (Maceration and Soxhlet) and four solvents (n-hexane, methanol, ethyl acetate, and water) were used to obtain crude extracts from S. nigra. Cytotoxicity testing showed that methanol (CC50 25 μg/mL) and water (CC50 30 μg/mL) extracts were highly toxic, while ethyl acetate and n-hexane (CC50 > 200 μg/mL) extracts were nontoxic at low concentrations (10-50 μg/mL), making them suitable for further anti-HCV investigations. Stable transfection of the NS3 gene was successfully performed in Hep G2 cells, creating a cellular expression system for studying virus-host interaction. The ethyl acetate extract of S. nigra exhibited significant inhibition of NS3 gene expression (mRNA and protein levels). The phytochemical analysis of S. nigra was also performed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. The phytochemical analysis identified several polyphenolic substances in the extracts of S. nigra. Our results concluded that the extracts of S. nigra have significantly reduced the expression of the NS3 gene at mRNA and protein levels. These findings contribute to the global efforts to combat hepatitis C by offering plant-based treatment options for HCV management.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and inflammation: natural product-derived treatments-a review of the last ten years.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Stimulant medication is the main pharmacological treatment for ADHD. However, the traditional pharmacological treatments may have significant side effects; therefore, non-pharmacological approaches are needed. Thus, there has been growing interest in alternative herbal treatments. The aim of this review was to comprehensively assess the current evidence for plant-based treatment of ADHD in human and animal models, as well as their ability to modulate the inflammatory process. This study was an integrative review of the current evidence for the plant-based treatment of ADHD. The research involved using literature available on PubMed and Scopus databases. Spontaneously hypersensitive rats treated with baicalin exhibited significant reductions in locomotion, increased spatial learning skills, and increased levels of dopamine in the striatum. Supplementation with Sansonite improved memory and attention capacity. In human studies, Ginkgo biloba significantly improved the symptoms of inattention and reduced memory impairment. In studies conducted using Korean Red ginseng, Klamath, and Crocus sativus L., the patients showed significant improvements in symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the identified plants modulate the inflammatory process through pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, Th cells, Toll-like receptor 4, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. All the studies included in this review focused on plants with demonstrated potential against inflammatory processes, positioning them as promising candidates for ADHD treatment, due to their potential to attenuate or even prevent neuroinflammatory mechanisms.

Recent Advances in Natural Plant-based Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

Review Recent Advances in Natural Plant-based Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Peixun Yang 1,3,4, Minxuan Liu 2,3,4, Xiaoxue Fan 3,4, Xinzhuang Zhang 3,4, Liang Cao 3,4, Zhenzhong Wang 3,4, and Wei Xiao 3,4, * 1 Kanion School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue Qixia District, Nanjing 210046, China 2 School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue Qixia District, Nanjing 210046, China 3 National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Jiangning Industrial City, Economic and Technological Development Zone of Lianyungang, Lianyungang 222001, China 4 Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Jiangning Industrial City, Economic and Technological Development Zone of Lianyungang, Lianyungang 222001, China * Correspondence: xw_kanion@163.com ( Wei Xiao) Received: 23 March 2023 Accepted: 10 May 2023 Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CDV) is the primary cause of death in the world, and myocardial ischemia (MI) is one of the high-risk CVDs. The myocardial blood supply must be restored as soon as possible to reduce the mortality risk, however, reperfusion itself paradoxically leads to further death of cardiomyocytes and increases the infarct size; this is known as myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). The pathological mechanism of MIRI is complex, and current research mainly focuses on oxidative stress, dysfunctional mitochondrial energy metabolism, Ca 2+ overload, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs) and the inflammatory response. This review briefly summarizes the mechanism of MIRI, and natural plant product (NPP) components proven to ameliorate MIRI and their related signaling pathways. NPPs can alleviate MIRI by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, ERs, Ca 2+ overload and mitochondrial function maintenance. This review will deepen our understanding of how NPPs reduce MIRI and the future value of NPPs in cardio-protection.

Emerging evidence on Monkeypox: resurgence, global burden, molecular insights, genomics and possible management.

An outbreak of monkeypox (encoded enveloped double stranded DNA), resurgence and expansion has emerged in early 2022, posing a new threat to global health. Even though, many reports are available on monkeypox, still a comprehensive updated review is needed. Present updated review is focused to fill the research gaps pertaining to the monkeypox, and an extensive search was conducted in a number of databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Although the disease usually progresses self-limiting, some patients require admission for kidney injury, pharyngitis, myocarditis, and soft tissue super infections. There is no well-known treatment available yet; still there has been a push for the use of antiviral therapy and tecovirimat as a promising option when dealing with co-morbidities. In this study, we mapped and discussed the updates and scientific developments surrounding monkeypox, including its potential molecular mechanisms, genomics, transmission, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, vaccines, treatment, possible plant-based treatment along with their proposed mechanisms. Each day, a growing number of monkeypox cases are reported, and more cases are expected in the near future. As of now, monkeypox does not have a well-established and proven treatment, and several investigations are underway to find the best possible treatment from natural or synthetic drug sources. Multiple molecular mechanisms on pathophysiological cascades of monkeypox virus infection are discussed here along with updates on genomics, and possible preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Extracts of Selected South African Medicinal Plants Mitigate Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae remains a global health threat due to its alarming rates of becoming resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, identifying plant-based treatment options to target this pathogen's virulence factors is a priority. This study examined the antivirulence activities of twelve plant extracts obtained from three South African medicinal plants (Lippia javanica, Carpobrotus dimidiatus, and Helichrysum populifolium) against carbapenem-resistant (CBR) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive K. pneumoniae strains. The plant extracts (ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, and water) were validated for their inhibitory activities against bacterial growth and virulence factors such as biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, curli expression, and hypermucoviscosity. The potent extract on K. pneumoniae biofilm was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), while exopolysaccharide topography and surface parameters were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Chemical profiling of the potent extract in vitro was analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results revealed a noteworthy minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for the C. dimidiatus dichloromethane extract at 0.78 mg/mL on CBR- K. pneumoniae. L. javanica (ethyl acetate) showed the highest cell attachment inhibition (67.25%) for CBR- K. pneumoniae. SEM correlated the in-vitro findings, evidenced by a significant alteration of the biofilm architecture. The highest EPS reduction of 34.18% was also noted for L. javanica (ethyl acetate) and correlated by noticeable changes observed using AFM. L. javanica (ethyl acetate) further reduced hypermucoviscosity to the least length mucoid string (1 mm-2 mm) at 1.00 mg/mL on both strains. C. dimidiatus (aqueous) showed biofilm inhibition of 45.91% for the ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae and inhibited curli expression at 0.50 mg/mL in both K. pneumoniae strains as observed for H. populifolium (aqueous) extract. Chemical profiling of L. javanica (ethyl acetate), C. dimidiatus (aqueous), and H. populifolium (aqueous) identified diterpene (10.29%), hydroxy-dimethoxyflavone (10.24%), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (13.41%), respectively, as dominant compounds. Overall, the ethyl acetate extract of L. javanica revealed potent antivirulence properties against the studied MDR K. pneumoniae strains. Hence, it is a promising medicinal plant that can be investigated further to develop alternative therapy for managing K. pneumoniae-associated infections.

Plant-Based Treatment of Helminths in Calves

This study examines the indigenous plant practices for the treatment of helminths in cattle among settled agro-pastoralist in Ogun and Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was a pretest-posttest design. Three sets of helminth-infected cattle were each exposed to herbal treatment (Indigenous plant concoction (Group A, n=6), alverticine drug (convectional helminthic drug (Group B, n=6) orally for 1-14 days while the control group (Group C, n=6) were untreated. Faecal egg count was obtained using the Modified Mac Master and saturated salt solution technique and data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures. The significant effect of treatment on FEC count across the four days of treatment (p < 0.05) as the FEC count significantly decline across from day 1 - 4 for both the herbal than the conventional treatment groups while the control group remains chronically infected with the helminths till 12th week. FEC count significantly decline faster for convectional drug group (FEC count cleared on 2nd day) compared to the herbal group (FEC count cleared on 4th day) (p < 0.05). Cows exposed to herbal drug significantly (90.36±4.780) had better weight gain than those exposed to conventional treatment (85.65±7.405) while there was significant weight loss observed in the control group (76.68 ±6.435) at the 12th week. The study concludes that herbal concoctions based traditional knowledge of medicinal plants were efficacious in the treatment of helminths infestation. It is therefore recommended that regular control measure should be practiced and agro-pastoralist needed to be educated in proper usage of anti-helminths drugs and its administration.

Identification of a Novel Anti-HIV-1 Protein from Momordica balsamina Leaf Extract.

Our lab investigates the anti-HIV-1 activity in Momordica balsamina (M. balsamina) leaf extract. Traditional Senegalese healers have used M. balsamina leaf extract as a part of a plant-based treatment for HIV/AIDS infections. Our overall goal is to define and validate the scientific basis for using M. balsamina leaf extract as a part of the traditional Senegalese treatment. As an initial characterization of this extract, we used activity-guided fractionation to determine the active ingredient's solubility and relative size. We found that M. balsamina leaf extract inhibits HIV-1 infection by >50% at concentrations of 0.02 mg/mL and above and is not toxic over its inhibitory range (0-0.5 mg/mL). We observed significantly more antiviral activity in direct water and acetonitrile extractions (p ≤ 0.05). We also observed significantly more antiviral activity in the aqueous phases of ethyl acetate, chloroform, and diethyl ether extractions (p ≤ 0.05). Though most of the antiviral activity partitioned into the aqueous layers, some antiviral activity was present in the organic layers. We show that the active agent in the plant extracts is at least 30 kD in size. Significantly more antiviral activity was retained in 3, 10, and 30 kD molecular weight cutoff filters (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, most of the antiviral activity passed through the 100 kD filter (p ≤ 0.05). Because the active anti-HIV-1 agent presented as a large, amphiphilic molecule we ran the purified extract on an SDS-page gel. We show that the anti-HIV-1 activity in the leaf extracts is attributed to a 30 kDa protein we call MoMo30. This article describes how MoMo30 was determined to be responsible for its anti-HIV-1 activity.

Bovine Mastitis: Causes and Phytoremedies

Mastitis is a highly frequent chronic ailment with inflammation in the udder of the milking cows. The causative agents are mostly microbes. It is economically prominent contamination of lactating cows resulting in reduced milk production. The disease is diagnosed by chemical, physical and nutritional changes in the milk and pathological changes in the milk glands. Prevention measures for the disease can be taken by proper and timely sanitation of the cowshed through and time again disinfection of the teat, mechanized milking process, etc. The application of bactericidal drugs generates resistant varieties of microbes that cross the allopathic boundary. In this regard, an attempt is taken to focus the plant-based pharmacopoeia. Medicinal plants are traditionally used to cure various diseases as they are comparatively accessible to administer orally in different forms and can be along with fodder. Keeping the above facts in view, the present review deals with different types of mastitis, causative pathogens, detection and diagnosis, and effective plant-based treatment process available to date.

A Review of Medicinal Plants of the Himalayas with Anti-Proliferative Activity for the Treatment of Various Cancers.

Simple SummaryDrugs are used to treat cancer. Most drugs available in the market are chemosynthetic drugs and have side effects on the patient during and after the treatment, in addition to cancer itself. For instance, hair loss, loss of skin color and texture, loss of energy, nausea, infertility, etc. To overcome these side effects, naturally obtained drugs from medicinal plants are preferred. Our review paper aims to encourage the study of anticancer medicinal plants by giving detailed information on thirty-three medicinal plants and parts that constitute the phytochemicals responsible for the treatment of cancer. The development of plant-based drugs could be a game changer in treating cancer as well as boosting the immune system.Cancer is a serious and significantly progressive disease. Next to cardiovascular disease, cancer has become the most common cause of mortality in the entire world. Several factors, such as environmental factors, habitual activities, genetic factors, etc., are responsible for cancer. Many cancer patients seek alternative and/or complementary treatments because of the high death rate linked with cancer and the adverse side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Traditional medicine has a long history that begins with the hunt for botanicals to heal various diseases, including cancer. In the traditional medicinal system, several plants used to treat diseases have many bioactive compounds with curative capability, thereby also helping in disease prevention. Plants also significantly contributed to the modern pharmaceutical industry throughout the world. In the present review, we have listed 33 medicinal plants with active and significant anticancer activity, as well as their anticancer compounds. This article will provide a basic set of information for researchers interested in developing a safe and nontoxic active medicinal plant-based treatment for cancer. The research will give a scientific foundation for the traditional usage of these medicinal herbs to treat cancer.

Sustainable Upcycling of Mushroom Farm Wastewater through Cultivation of Two Water Ferns (Azolla spp.) in Stagnant and Flowing Tank Reactors

Nowadays, the increase in the wastewater generated from the mushroom cultivation sector has become a serious environmental pollution concern. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the efficiency of two water ferns (Azolla pinnata and A. filiculoides) in phytoremediation of mushroom farm wastewater (MFW) under stagnant and flowing tank reactor systems. For this, the laboratory scale experiments were conducted using five treatments, i.e., control (absolute borewell water), S50 (15 L borewell water + 15 L MFW: stagnant mode), S100 (30 L MFW: stagnant mode), F50 (15 L borewell water + 15 L MFW: flowing mode), F100 (30 L MFW: flowing mode), separately for both Azolla spp. After 15 days, A. pinnata and A. filiculoides significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the physicochemical parameters of MFW such as pH (18.87 and 18.56%), electrical conductivity (EC: 80.28 and 78.83%), total dissolved solids (TDS: 87.12 and 86.63%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD: 90.63 and 89.90%), chemical oxygen demand (COD: 86.14 and 85.54%), and total Kjeldahl’s nitrogen (TKN: 84.22 and 82.44%), respectively, in F100 treatment. Similarly, the highest growth and biochemical parameters of Azolla spp. were also observed while using absolute MFW treatment in a flowing tank reactor system. Moreover, out of the two tested growth kinetic models, the logistic model showed better fitness to the experimental data and prediction of critical growth parameters compared to the modified Gompertz model. The findings of this study are novel and suggest sustainable upcycling of MFW using plant-based treatment techniques with the production of high-quality Azolla spp. biomass.

Potential Applications of Land Treatment Systems for Disinfectant-Rich Wastewater in Response to the COVID-19 Health Protocol: A Narrative Review

Introduction: The use of antiseptics and disinfectants in daily health protocols has a consequence of changing the quality of wastewater to be toxic to microbes. As a result, microbiological wastewater treatment has the potential to not be processed properly. To solve the problem of disinfectant-rich wastewater, a plant-based treatment method can be useful, the implementation of which is a land treatment system for wastewater.
 Materials and Methods: The data collection method was carried out through the Mendeley Reference Manager, searching for articles online, and placing the terms “land treatment system”, and “disinfectant-rich wastewater”. The selected articles were up-to-date and had a significant relationship between the two terms.
 Results: This sanitation system can be a stretch of land and/or a pond of water, on which plants can grow and process. Normal concentrations of disinfectants for microbial elimination had no negative effects on the growth of various types of plants. Plants continue to live in the stress of water rich in disinfectants, as a condition of their ability to treat wastewater. The involvement of various wastewater treatment media makes evapotranspiration dry bed and evapotranspiration wet bed or wetland ponds capable of processing various pollutants. This approach can be implemented for on-site and off-site sanitation system.
 Conclusion: In this context, under conditions of enrichment of disinfectants in wastewater during the COVID-19 era, the land treatment system becomes feasible to solve the problem of changing the quality of wastewater.

The Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants against Obesity and Arthritis: A Review.

Obesity is a significant health concern, as it causes a massive cascade of chronic inflammations and multiple morbidities. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are chronic inflammatory conditions and often manifest as comorbidities of obesity. Adipose tissues serve as a reservoir of energy as well as releasing several inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) that stimulate low-grade chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, fatty liver disease, oxidative stress, and chronic kidney diseases. Dietary intake, low physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic and environmental factors can influence obesity and arthritis. Current arthritis management using modern medicines produces various adverse reactions. Medicinal plants have been a significant part of traditional medicine, and various plants and phytochemicals have shown effectiveness against arthritis and obesity; however, scientifically, this traditional plant-based treatment option needs validation through proper clinical trials and toxicity tests. In addition, essential oils obtained from aromatic plants are being widely used as for complementary therapy (e.g., aromatherapy, smelling, spicing, and consumption with food) against arthritis and obesity; scientific evidence is necessary to support their effectiveness. This review is an attempt to understand the pathophysiological connections between obesity and arthritis, and describes treatment options derived from medicinal, spice, and aromatic plants.

Preparation and Evaluation of Topical Gel Containing Aloe Vera Exudate

Background:Aloe vera is known as a miracle plant belonging to the Lily (Liliaceae) family, The exudate of Aloe vera is utilized as a natural drug as it can be used for many medicinal purposes. Aims: The present work has been undertaken with the aim to prepare a topical gel containing Aloe vera exudate and to evaluate its physical properties in addition to its anti-microbialpotency in light of the orientation towards plant-based treatment for being more acceptable and preferred in the belief that they are safer with fewer side effects than synthetic ones. Aloe vera has been proved its great medicinal and cosmetic benefits. Materials and Methods: Two sets of gel formulas were prepared; the first set containing carbopol-934 (F1-F4) and the second set containing carboxymethylcellulose (F5-F10) with varied concentrations to achieve the best formula that has been selected according to various physicochemical evaluations; like homogeneity, transparency, appearance, consistency, color, odor, pH, phase separation and others. The selected formula was further subjected to in vitro study for its anti-microbial activity. Results and Discussion: There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in physical parameters between the two sets of formulas except in pH. Results showed that (F2) containing 1.5% m/v carbopol-934 is considered the promising formula which showed better physicochemical properties and exhibited good anti-microbial activity against both (E.coli) and (Staphylococcus aureus). Conclusion and recommendations: The selected formula (F2) of Aloe vera exudate could be considered as a suitable medicinal herbal candidate for treatment of topical bacterial infections. In addition, it is recommended to use higher concentration of antioxidants to preserve the stability of the product, also it is recommended to add water soluble fragrance (perfume) for better odor.

Flavonoids and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Cascade: A Potential Crosstalk in Anticancer Treatment.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A slight decline in mortality has been noted, but the currently available treatment options did not give an expected outcome and are associated with several side effects resulting a substantial economic burden. The advent of plant-based treatment is rising because of its ease of use, ready availability, cost-effectiveness, and low/no toxicity. In recent years, flavonoids with their diverse physico-biological properties have gained the scientific community's attention for the treatment of various forms of cancer. Different flavonoids, especially, flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol, fisetin, and isorhamnetin), flavanones (hesperidin and naringin), and anthocyanins, have shown potent anticancer activities affecting various signaling cascades. Among those, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is widely known to play a significant role in different physio-cellular activities, which triggers malignant transformation and is considered a key target for anticancer compounds. This pathway plays a vital role in regulating the cell cycle, metabolism, survival, and proliferation. The flavonoids exhibit their anticancer activity via different molecular pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR. In the current piece of paper, our focus is to underpin the action of the above-mentioned flavonoids against different cancers, mainly covering in-vitro data, through PI3K/Akt/mTOR targeting.

Malaria in West Cameroon: An Assessment of the Populations’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

<i>Background</i>: Malaria remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon. Children under 5 years old and pregnant women are most burdened. A few studies have been carried out on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of patients towards malaria in this country. <i>Objective</i>: We aimed at evaluating the level of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards malaria in Western Cameroon. <i>Method:</i> We conducted a cross-sectional survey, using a semi-opened questionnaire in two Cameroonian’s hospitals in April 2018. We analyzed our collected data with Chi square test through SAS software (version 9.4). P-values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. <i>Result</i>: Of 691 participants, 55.14% (381/691) defined malaria as a parasitic disease, 100% mentioned the mosquito as the transmission vector and 89.15% (616/691) mentioned blood stream as transmission route. The most preventive method used by the participants was mosquito nets. The use of malaria treatment was associated with the level of income and the fact of consultation of a health care practitioner the month preceding the survey. About 72.4% (501/691) of respondents took antimalarial treatment without consultation or medical prescription. Among patients who spent less than 8000XAF (12Euro) for treatment during their last episode of malaria, 70.1% (101/144) used a plant-based treatment. <i>Conclusion</i>: Participants had good knowledge and attitudes towards malaria. However, practices were not the best. These results highlight the problem of self-medication, which might lead to some resistance against antimalarial treatment in the future.

Thinking outside the Box: Could there be a Plant-Based Treatment for Coronavirus Infections? A Review of the Literature

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a viral pathogen that first emerged in Wuhan, China in 2002 and has spread to 202 countries (as of March 28, 2020) [1]. Despite the fact that the 2005 SARS-CoV pandemic infected over 8,500 people, and caused over 800 deaths with billions of dollars in economic loss worldwide, as of 2015 there were still no clinically approved antiviral drugs, vaccines or monoclonal antibody therapies to treat SARS-CoV infections [2]. Antiviral medications that have been used to treat or control other viral infections have been ineffective and therefore, it is imperative to consider alternatives to current antiviral treatment options for this disease. Essential oils (EO) and their isolated compounds, (terpenes, terpenoids and aromatic compounds) have been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens including bacteria, viruses and fungi [3]. The mechanism of action of EO’s is linked to 100’s of chemical compounds per plant extract, and the fact that they are lipophilic, easily passing through viral cell walls. The presence of nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized within the EO render the EO impervious to the defenses of pathogens. The permeability eventually results in the death of pathogenic cell as leakage of critical molecules and ions occurs destroying the cell [4].

Andrographolide is an Alternative Treatment to Overcome Resistance in ER-Positive Breast Cancer via Cholesterol Biosynthesis Pathway

Oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is one of the common forms of breast cancer affecting women worldwide. ER-positive breast cancer patients are subjected to anti-oestrogen therapy such as selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Recently, the emergence of resistance to anti-oestrogen treatment is under intensive focus. The different mechanisms postulated to explain the occurrence of resistance in ER-positive breast cancer treatment include the loss of ER function and the crosstalk between signalling pathways in cancer cells. Recent literature highlighted that the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway acts as a novel mechanism underlying resistance to oestrogen deprivation. The present study aimed to highlight the role of cholesterol biosynthesis in anti-oestrogen treatment resistance, putatively suggesting an alternative plant-based treatment using andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata. The hypolipidaemic effect of andrographolide can be utilised to prevent the resistance in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer contributed by cholesterol biosynthesis.