Potential of Malawi's medicinal plants in Covid-19 disease management: A review

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered an international pandemic that has led to significant public health problems. To date, limited evidence exists to suggest that drugs are effective against the disease. As possible treatments are being investigated, herbal medicines have shown potential for producing novel antiviral agents for the COVID-19 disease. Aim This review explored the potential of Malawi's traditional medicinal plants for the management of COVID-19. Methods:The authors searched on PubMed and Google scholar for medicinal plants that are used in Malawi and published in openly available peer reviewed journals. Plants linked with antiviral treatment, anti-COVID-19 activity or COVID-19 symptoms management were targeted. These included activity against pneumonia, inflammation, cough, difficulty in breathing, pain/aches, fever, diarrhoea, rheumatism, fatigue, asthma, immunocompromised and cardiovascular diseases.Results:11 studies were found with 306 plant species. 127 plant species had at least one COVID-19 related pharmacological activity. Of these plant species, the number of herbal entities used for each indication was: pain/aches (87), fever (2), pneumonia (9), breathing/asthma problems (5), coughing (11), diarrhoea (1), immunosuppression (8), blood issues (10), fatigue (2), heart problems (11), inflammation (8), rheumatism (10) and viral diseases (12). Thirty (30) species were used for more than one disease and Azedarachta indica topped the list (6 of the 13 COVID-19 related diseases). The majority of the species had phytochemicals known to have antiviral activity or mechanisms of actions linked to COVID-19 and consequent diseases' treatment pathways.Conclusion:Medicinal plants are a promising source of compounds that can be used for drug development of COVID-19 related diseases. This review highlights potential targets for the World Health Organization and other research entities to explore in order to assist in controlling the pandemic.

Diabetics’ Views Concerning the Safety and Efficacy of Herbal Medicines: A Qualitative Study

Introduction:Diabetics have been known as potential to consume herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) to control their diabetes. HDSare taken widely despite limited scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy.Methods:This qualitative study aimed to shed light on diabetic patients’ experiences and perceptions of HDS to identify any perceived benefit or harm.Results:The findings provided two main themes concerning patients’ experiences of HDS use: Perceived beneficial experiences and perceived harm experiences. Most patients indicated experiencing benefits from HDS use.Conclusion:It is essential to understand patients’ perceptions and appreciate their experiences in order to support them when choosing appropriate CAM treatments and avoid any harm resulting from their lack of knowledge or erroneous notions about such treatments. Many more pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to examine the efficacy and safety of popular HDS.

Study on in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Pair of Euphorbia humifusa Willd. and Portulaca oleracea L / 中国药师

Objective:To study the in vitro antimicrobial activity of traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. . Methods: The antibacterial effect in vitro of the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair and the single herb of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. was studied on staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli and pseudo-monas aeruginosa by the 2-fold dilution method and the broth micro-dilution method in a 96-well plate. The minimum inhibitory con-centration ( MIC) , minimum bactericidal concentration ( MBC) and the diameter of inhibition zone were determined. Results:The ex-perimental strains showed the different sensitivity among the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair and the single herb. The antibac-terial and bactericidal activity of the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair was the most obvious(P<0. 05). As the temperature in-creasing, the antibacterial activity of all water extract on different experimental strains changed. The results of MIC and MBC showed that the effects of water extract on escherichia coli were strongest, that of stapphylococcus aureus were secong, ant that of pseudomonas aeruginosa were relatively weak. Conclusion:The traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. has antibacterial and bactericidal activity in varying degrees on the experimental strains with some differences, and the changes in the application forms of traditional Chinese medicines has great influence on the antibacterial and bactericidal ability.

Variations in antioxidant and indole alkaloid status in different parts of two varieties of Catharanthus roseus / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

AIM To evaluate the antioxidant potential and indole alkaloid variations in different parts of two varieties (rosea and alba) of Catharanthus roseus. METHODS The antioxidant potentials were examined in terms of non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules studied were ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and reduced glutathione. The estimated antioxidant enzymes were superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The analyses were carried out in the field-collected samples. The antioxidant and alkaloid profiles were estimated from roots, stems, leaves, flowers and pods. RESULTS The roots and stems had higher antioxidant content when compared with other parts of the plant. The lowest content was found in flowers and pods. The rosea variety was good performer in terms of antioxidant and alkaloid contents. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in leaves when compared with other parts. But indole alkaloid content was found to be higher in the roots of rosea variety. CONCLUSION The pink-flowered rosea variety of Catharanthus roseus is more suitable for cultivation in terms of antioxidant and alkaloid contents.

The Survey for the Actual Condition of Drug Medication and Development of Health Care Cost Associated with Toxic Liver Injury in Korean; A Multicenter Study for the Detection and the Development of Nationwide Reporting System of Toxic Liver Injury / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: In Korea, interests in health and health care costs have been increased along with the increase of mean survival rate and income level. The aim of this study is to investigate the actual condition of drug medication and burden of health care cost. METHODS: A total of 1,434 subjects in four tertiary medical centers were enrolled in this study. The questionnaires were obtained between March 2005 and September 2005. Based on this information, the actual condition of drug medication and health care cost were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 55.0+/-11.4 years (16-87 years). The male and female ratio was 1.74:1. The subjects with drug medication except for doctor's prescription are presently 26.6% and were 40.9% in the past. Traditional medicine (39.6%) and health food (29.9%) are more frequently used than herbal medicine (5.8%) and medical supplies (4.2%) now. In the past, herbal medicine (14.6%) was more frequently used compared with the present. The side effects of drug medication were developed in 90 subjects (7.5%). The total mean health care costs were 895,000 won/year, the herbal medicine, 834,000 won/year, the health food, 950,000 won/year, and the traditional medicine, 324,000 won/year. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the subjects with other drug medications without doctor's prescription were as high as ever. The frequency of the use of the herbal medicine was decreased. However, the frequency for the use of the health food and traditional medicine have relatively increased. The side effects and additional large amounts of health care costs were occurred.