A mini review on the prospects of Fagara zanthoxyloides extract based composites: A remedy for COVID-19 and associated replica?

Studies are still being conducted to find a sustainable and long-lasting solution to the lethal consequences of the feared virus characterized as coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and its accompanying pathogenic replication, which pose a serious threat to human survival in the wake of its broad distribution. Since its emergence, researchers have investigated synthetic approaches in search of a dependable vaccine or treatment and curtail the spread of the virus and also enhance the health of a patient who has been affected. Unfortunately, the infection is yet to be entirely eradicated in many parts of the world. Despite the introduction of synthetic pharmaceuticals like remdesivir and derivatives of chloroquine, plant extracts may be an alternative reliable strategy that could successfully combat the operation of the virus. Herein, we investigated the prospects of fagara zanthoxyloides lam. (rutaceae) (syn. zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides), a well-known medicinal tree whose extracts have demonstrated success in treating many microbiological and viral-related infections. The distinctive plant extracts contain several bioactive phytochemicals with promising biological activity with minimal or no side effects and are being researched for a variety of applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medicinal industries. Consequently, in this review, we examined the crude extracts from the Fagara species and suggested that careful consideration should be given to its independent use or combination with other bioactive molecules, such as biopolymers and nano-metallic composites, to combat the terrifying Covid-19 virus and its associates. © 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston 2023.

The Role of Nanoparticles as Nanocarriers for the Controlled Release of some Potential Existing Antiviral Drugs for SARS-CoV-2 Management: A Review

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared the outbreak and spread of the new strain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS--CoV-2) a global pandemic. In this regard, a lot of scientific investigations and clinical trials on some existing antiviral and antibiotic drugs have been ongoing to combat this menace. Method(s): In the past, conventional drug therapy has shown irregular drug distribution, poor solubil-ity, and low permeability to target cells, organs, and tissues. However, Chloroquine, Hydrox-ychloroquine Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, etc. have attracted several investigations in mono-therapeutic approaches and a combination of therapy have shown promising effects in reducing viral loading in some SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Nevertheless, the advent of nanomedicine has triggered serious attention on drug-loaded nanoparticle as nanocarriers to deliver bioactive drug molecules to target organs with increased circulation and controlled release. Therefore, the application of nanoparticles as nanocarriers for the controlled release of antiviral drugs would improve the ease of drug administration and care of patients admitted at various health care facilities world-wide. Conclusion(s): Owing to their small sizes, biocompatibility, and high encapsulation properties, nano-particles can be utilized as potential nanocarrier of antiviral drugs for the SARS-CoV-2 management at a reduced cost with minimal side effect in the body system. In addition, some noticeable concerns on the ongoing management of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in developing nations have been presented for concerted attention.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

Impact of Pharmaceutical Waste Generation and Handling on Environmental Health in Developing Countries: COVID - 19 Pandemic in Perspective!

AJOL Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world as a global mishap due to its wide-spreading across different nations. As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase daily, there will be a great need for the delivery of pharmaceutical palliatives to developing nations for them to manage the situation. Most pharmaceutical supplies used in many developing countries such as test kits and protective suits are a complex mixture of toxic and non-degradable compounds that are improperly disposed into open dump sites. The increase in Covid-19 cases and strategic attention to grapple will lead to multiple waste generation problems, thereby posing another health risk if not properly handled and disposed. In this review, we have highlighted the composition, categories, and hazards associated with pharmaceutical wastes and also appraised the current disposal practices and recommended some appropriate disposal methods of these associated wastes

Chitosan-drug encapsulation as a potential candidate for COVID-19 drug delivery systems: A review

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and other health organizations around the world have coordinated the flow of information and given out preventive directives measures and guidelines to reduce the impact and spread of the disease. Meanwhile, bodies of scientists and researchers around the world are still working ceaselessly to study the virus, mode of transmission mechanisms, and are rapidly developing therapeutic antiviral drugs and vaccines. Thus, the urgent need for the fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable composite materials as drug delivery vehicles for the efficient loading, targeted delivery, and controlled release of antiviral drugs to the target site is been inspired. Therefore, this review highlights the antimicrobial and antiviral activities of chitosan as well as the potency of a combined therapy via electrostatic/hydrogen bonding encapsulation onto the WHO suggested clinical trial drugs and possible chelation with metal ions to form new improved antiviral compounds as promising agents for targeted drug delivery. © 2020, Turkish Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Food security and safety concerns in animal production and public health issues in Africa: A perspective of COVID-19 pandemic era.

The impact of COVID-19 on food security can best be understood from the downturn on agricultural and other related economic activities which were almost brought to a total halt during the pandemic. The restriction of movement/lockdown policy instituted by various governments heavily affected local and national food production as farmers could not go to their farmlands. More so, there was price gouging on raw food items as local farmers were reducing cultivation and harvest because of their safety. The lockdown also affected the transportation of food products from farms and local companies to the market and across inter-state/province borders. Additionally, many human infections traceable to disease outbreak from animal origin suggest a great risk of exposure to infectious agents by live animal farmers. In combating this menace, local food production needs to be encouraged more, while measures should be put in place to facilitate farmer's participation in government regulations on enforcing biosecurity, health standards, disease monitoring, and surveillance practices.

L'impact de la COVID-19 sur la sécurité alimentaire peut être mieux compris à partir du ralentissement des activités agricoles, et autres activités économiques connexes, qui ont été presque totalement interrompues pendant la pandémie. La restriction des déplacements et le verrouillage institué par les différents gouvernements ont fortement affecté la production alimentaire locale et nationale, les agriculteurs ne pouvant plus se rendre sur leurs terres. De plus, les prix des produits alimentaires bruts ont été réduits, car les agriculteurs locaux ont réduit leurs cultures et leurs récoltes en raison de leur sécurité. Le blocage a également affecté le transport des produits alimentaires des fermes et des entreprises locales vers le marché et au-delà des frontières entre les États et les provinces. En outre, de nombreuses infections humaines, dont on peut retracer l'origine animale, suggèrent un grand risque d'exposition des éleveurs d'animaux vivants à des agents infectieux. Pour lutter contre cette menace, il convient d'encourager davantage la production alimentaire locale, tout en mettant en place des mesures visant à faciliter la participation des agriculteurs aux réglementations gouvernementales relatives à l'application de la biosécurité, des normes sanitaires, du suivi des maladies et des pratiques de surveillance.