In vitro antiviral activity of peptide-rich extracts from seven Nigerian plants against three non-polio enterovirus species C serotypes.

Background: As frequent viral outbreaks continue to pose threat to public health, the unavailability of antiviral drugs and challenges associated with vaccine development underscore the need for antiviral drugs discovery in emergent moments (endemic or pandemic). Plants in response to microbial and pest attacks are able to produce defence molecules such as antimicrobial peptides as components of their innate immunity, which can be explored for viral therapeutics.

Methods: In this study, partially purified peptide-rich fraction (P-PPf) were obtained from aqueous extracts of seven plants by reverse-phase solid-phase extraction and cysteine-rich peptides detected by a modified TLC method.

Molecular identification, and activities of (macro-fungus) as an antidiabetic agent.

Mushrooms are cherished as sources of food, nutrients and medicine. Inadequate data on the identity and medicinal properties of many wild Nigerian mushrooms has limited their utilization. This work was carried out to identify and authenticate a puffball mushroom using molecular tools and investigate its antidiabetic properties.