Synergistic Effect of Donepezil and Neurotropic B Vitamins on Dysregulated Antioxidant, Inflammation and Neurotransmitter Status in Aluminium Chloride-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats.

Combination therapy offers a promising advantage because they target multiple pathways involved in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of donepezil and each of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B1 on aluminium chloride (AlCl)-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Fifty-four rats were divided into nine groups of six.

Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Response and Drug Efflux Transporters Upregulation as Possible Mechanisms of Resistance in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a groundbreaking approach involving the induction of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) within tumors through visible light activation of photosensitizers (PS) in the presence of molecular oxygen. This innovative therapy has demonstrated success in treating various cancers. While PDT proves highly effective in most solid tumors, there are indications that certain cancers exhibit resistance, and some initially responsive cancers may develop intrinsic or acquired resistance to PDT.

The Wellbeing of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Era in Public Primary Health Facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa.

As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) continued to provide uninterrupted health care service delivery; therefore, this disproportionately affected their wellbeing. Our study explored the wellbeing of HCWs during the COVID-19 era in public health facilities in the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa. A qualitative study was conducted among twenty (20) HCWs through face-to-face in-depth interviews (IDIs) in the form of semi-structured interviews, audiotapes, and transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed with NVivo version 10.

A Systematic Review on Cardiometabolic Risks and Perinatal Outcomes among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been shown to cause metabolic changes in people living with HIV (PLWH), predisposing them to cardiometabolic disease (CVMD). However, such evidence is less established in pregnant women living with HIV (pWLWH) on ART. Pregnancy-induced cardiometabolic risks (CMR) can predispose to unfavourable pregnancy outcomes and further persist in the postpartum period, resolve, and recur in subsequent pregnancies, or emerge as newly diagnosed chronic diseases of ageing.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Statin Treatment in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy.

The rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections globally is alarming. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life among this group of patients, ARTs are associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Moreover, virally suppressed patients still experience immune activation associated with HIV migration from reservoir sites.

A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Activities of Pachypodol: A Bioactive Compound of an Aromatic Medicinal Plant Pogostemon Cablin Benth.

As is well known, plant products have been increasingly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. By combining conventional techniques and modern methodology, the future of phytomedicines appears promising. (patchouli) is an important herb used frequently in the fragrance industries and has various therapeutic benefits.

Okra ameliorates hyperglycaemia in pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical evidence.

Despite the use of available pharmaceutical drugs, high rates of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular disorders are alarming. This calls for alternative therapies that can attenuate these complications. Therefore, we investigated the beneficial effects of okra on glycaemic control in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Pinostrobin alleviates testicular and spermatological damage induced by polystyrene microplastics in adult albino rats.

Background: Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) have become major environmental pollutants that adversely effects multiple organs specifically testicles. Pinostrobin (PN) is an important flavonoid which, shows several pharmacological potentials.

Purpose: The current study was designed to elucidate the mitigative effects of PN against PS-MPs induced testicular toxicities in rats.

Phytochemical-Stabilized Platinum-Decorated Silver Nanocubes INHIBIT Adenocarcinoma Cells and Enhance Antioxidant Effects by Promoting Apoptosis via Cell Cycle Arrest.

(1) Background: The increasing use of silver and platinum bimetallic nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer presents significant advances in biomedical applications due to their extraordinary physicochemical properties. This study investigated the role of aqueous phytochemical extract in stabilizing platinum nanodots-decorated silver nanocubes (-Pt@AgNPs) for enhancing antioxidant activities and their mechanism. (2) Methods: UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the formed -Pt@AgNPs.

Medicinal uses, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, and the molecular mechanisms of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) plant extracts: A review.

Punica granatum L (pomegranate) is one of the Mediterranean medicinal plants that has been used for generations in treating ulcers, diarrhea, and male infertility. Increasing evidence has revealed that pomegranate possesses myriads of pharmacological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, anti-fibrotic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and other effects. Consumption of pomegranate could be used to improve gut microbiota, and therefore prevent obesity and diabetes.

Ginger from Farmyard to Town: Nutritional and Pharmacological Applications.

Ginger () is one of the most widely used natural products consumed as a spice and medicine for treating diabetes, flatulent intestinal colic, indigestion, infertility, inflammation, insomnia, a memory booster, nausea, rheumatism, stomach ache, and urinary tract infections. To date, over 400 bioactive components, such as diarylheptanoids, gingerol analogues, phenylalkanoids, sulfonates, monoterpenoid glycosides, steroids, and terpene compounds have been derived from ginger. Increasing evidence has revealed that ginger possesses a broad range of biological activities, especially protective effects against male infertility, nausea and vomiting, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and other effects.

Evaluation of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay performance in sputum samples with various characteristics from presumed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Shiselweni region, Eswatini.

Background: Tuberculosis is a global health concern and has become more complex to diagnose due to mutations in the causative agent, . In a setting with high TB prevalence, having a rapid and accurate diagnosis may reduce the rate of infections. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay in sputum samples from suspected tuberculosis patients.

Advances in Nanoparticle Delivery System for Erectile Dysfunction: An Updated Review.

Introduction: The use of current available treatment for male erectile dysfunction (ED) has some limitations that are related to efficacy and adverse effects. Nanotechnology has been used as a new tool in medicine to improve these limitations and new medications potentially to alleviate and cure ED.

Aim: To review the currently literature on new nano medications for ED based on scientific and clinical studies, efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action, and to identify gaps for future research.

Body Roundness Index, A Body Shape Index, Conicity Index, and Their Association with Nutritional Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South African Rural Young Adults.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the association of Body Roundness Index (BRI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), and Conicity Index with nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors in South African rural young adults.

Methods: The study included a total of 624 young adults aged 21-30 years from the Ellisras rural area. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure (BP), and biochemical measurements were measured.

Promising role of medicinal plants in the regulation and management of male erectile dysfunction.

Male erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to incompetency to reaching and retaining adequate penile tumescence for sexual intercourse. Over 152 million men globally suffer from ED and by 2025, the number of affected individuals is anticipated to be around 322 million. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies such as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, alprostadil, penile prosthesis surgery, and hormonal replacement are available for management and recuperation of ED.

Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Review.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that majorly affects the endocrine gland, and it is symbolized by hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance owing to deficient insulin secretory responses and beta cell dysfunction. This ailment affects as many as 451 million people worldwide, and it is also one of the leading causes of death. In spite of the immense advances made in the development of orthodox antidiabetic drugs, these drugs are often considered not successful for the management and treatment of T2DM due to the myriad side effects associated with them.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors among Rural Bapedi Women in Sekhukhune Area, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

The study investigated the prevalence of hypertension and identified risk factors in the Bapedi women of Sekhukhune area. Fifty (50) women diagnosed with hypertension and receiving treatment from local clinics were recruited. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used.