ABSTRACT
Aim: The present work aimed at the utilization of alternative animal models in research. Background: Animal models from a long time played an important role in drug and vaccine development. However, due to the limitation like logistic, scientific and regulatory the need of alternative animal models became the need of the hour. Materials and Methods: Alternative animal models are strategies which basically substitute the live models. During the COVID-19 ongoing pandemic the fast, safe and effective drug and vaccine development became very crucial. However, due to the animal model limitations, the traditional animal model methods seem to become point of hindrance in the development of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. Conclusion: Therefore, there is the need of alternative animal models during this pandemic for enhancing the frequency of clearance of clinical trials of corona vaccines. Hence, in the present article the authors briefly discussed about the animal testing, its limitation, various animal models alternatives and their usefulness during COVID-19. © 2022, Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Artemisia and its allied species have been employed for conventional medicine in the Northern temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia for the treatments of digestive problems, morning sickness, irregular menstrual cycle, typhoid, epilepsy, renal problems, bronchitis malaria, etc. The multidisciplinary use of artemisia species has various other health benefits that are related to its traditional and modern pharmaceutical perspectives. The main objective of this review is to evaluate the traditional, modern, biological as well as pharmacological use of the essential oil and herbal extracts of Artemisia nilagirica, Artemisia parviflora, and other allied species of Artemisia. It also discusses the botanical circulation and its phytochemical constituents viz disaccharides, polysaccharides, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The plants have different biological importance like antiparasitic, antimalarial, antihyperlipidemic, antiasthmatic, antiepileptic, antitubercular, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, antidepressant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, insecticidal, antiviral activities, and also against COVID-19. Toxicological studies showed that the plants at a low dose and short duration are non or low-toxic. In contrast, a high dose at 3 g/kg and for a longer duration can cause toxicity like rapid respiration, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, etc. However, further in-depth studies are needed to determine the medicinal uses, clinical efficacy and safety are crucial next steps.