Anti-COVID-19 potential of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract.

COVID-19 is caused by infection with the "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2″ (i.e., SARS-CoV-2). This is an enveloped virus having a positive sense, single-stranded RNA genome; like the two earlier viruses SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus. COVID-19 is unique in that, in the severe case, it has the propensity to affect multiple organs, leading to multiple organ distress syndrome (MODS), and causing high morbidity and mortality in the extreme case. In addition, comorbidities like age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and its complications, obesity, are risk factors for severe COVID-19. It turns out that a most plausible, simple, single explanation for this propensity for MODS is the pivotal involvement of the vascular endothelium (VE). This is a consequence of the fact that the VE seamlessly connects all the entire vascular bed in the body, thus linking all the target organs (heart, lungs, kidney, liver, brain) and systems. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to hyper-inflammation yielding uncontrolled production of a mixture of cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, acute phase proteins (e.g., C-reactive protein), and other pro-inflammatory substances. In the extreme case, a cytokine storm is created. Displacement of the virus bound to the VE, and/or inhibition of binding of the virus, would constitute an effective strategy for preventing COVID-19. In this regard, the acetone-water extract of the leaf of the Neem (Azadirachta indica) plant has been known to prevent the adherence of malaria parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs) to VE; prevent cytoadherence of cancer cells in metastasis; and prevent HIV from invading target T lymphocytes. We therefore hypothesize that this Neem leaf acetone-water extract will prevent the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the VE, and therefore be an effective therapeutic formulation against COVID-19. It is therefore advocated herein that this extract be investigated through rigorous clinical trials for this purpose. It has the advantages of being (i) readily available, and renewable in favor of the populations positioned to benefit from it; (ii) simple to prepare; and (iii) devoid of any detectable toxicity.

Mutual Pan-African support paradigm to produce scientific evidence of traditional medical practices for use against COVID-19 and emerging pandemics.

Africa is endowed with a profoundly rich and diverse system of plants and other bio-resources out of which, by traditional medicine practice, the people have satisfied their healthcare needs right from antiquity. In contemporary times, it has become necessary to modernize this traditional medical care system via scientific studies. Validation of the efficacy of health-enhancement products and drugs from plants and other bio-resources is predicated on diligent and intensive research accompanied by rigorous and conclusive clinical trials. Africa has eminently qualified human resources but due to the finance-intensive nature of medical research, individual African states on their own cannot fund the level of research desired for dealing with such serious issues as the COVID-19 pandemic. A collaboration among African states guided by a Mutual Pan-African support paradigm (MPASP) is a unique strategy for achieving success in any such a high-impact global project as the use of traditional medicine against COVID-19 and emerging pandemics; and this is hereby advocated.

Emerging and practical food innovations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 2.2

Background Among the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), target 2.2 focuses on ending malnutrition, including stunting, and wasting and overweight among under-5 children by 2030. These conditions increasingly co-exist within communities forming the triple burden of malnutrition, which negatively affects human health and the society, a situation currently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food science innovations are resulting in new approaches that can potentially thwart the triple burden. Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to intensify applied food science and technology research towards addressing all forms of malnutrition. Scope and approach This commentary provides an overview of the current progress on the emerging food innovations for addressing malnutrition. We discussed the existing evidence related to food processing methods, food matrix factors, and nutrient bioavailability in relation to malnutrition. Neglected and underutilized crops were also discussed as a key factor in mitigating the triple burden. Key findings and conclusions With only ten years to the deadline, there has been a slow progress in achieving the SDGs, including target 2.2. While there is a need for basic research, we suggest increased effort in putting existing knowledge into practice, and in closing the gap and increasing collaboration between researchers, the industry, policymakers and consumers. These issues need to be integrated ab initio into research programs. While it is desirable to develop new knowledge, it is crucial to identify constraints affecting the application of existing knowledge in mitigating the triple burden in regions where the prevalence of undernutrition is at its highest.