In silico pharmacokinetic and therapeutic evaluation of Musa acuminata peels against aluminium chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in adult BALB/c mice.

East Africa (Musa spp.), notably Musa acuminata, "Matooke" a staple and economically important food in the region. Here, 12 selected M. acuminata peels extract (MAPE) bioactive compounds were studied for hepatoprotective potentials in aluminium chloride-induced hepatoxicity in adult BALB/c mice. GC-MS analysis was used to identify active components of MAPE. In silico estimation of the pharmacokinetic, the GCMS-identified compounds' toxicity profile and molecular docking were compared with the standard (Simvastatin) drug. Hepatotoxicity was induced using aluminium-chloride treated with MAPE, followed by biochemical and histopathological examination. Twelve bioactive compounds 2,2-Dichloroacetophenone (72870), Cyclooctasiloxane 18993663), 7-Hydroxy-6,9a-dimethyl-3-methylene-decahydro-azuleno[4,5-b]furan-2,9-dione (534579), all-trans-alpha-Carotene (4369188), Cyclononasiloxane (53438479), 3-Chloro-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6,7a-dimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4H-furo[2,3-c]pyridin-2-one (536708), Pivalic acid (6417), 10,13-Octadecadienoic acid (54284936), Ethyl Linoleate (5282184), Oleic acid (5363269), Tirucallol (101257), Obtusifoliol (65252) were identified by GC-MS. Of these, seven were successfully docked with the target proteins. The compounds possess drug likeness potentials that do not inhibits CYP450 isoforms biotransformation. All the docked compounds were chemoprotective to AMES toxicity, hERGI, hERGII and hepatotoxicity. The animal model reveals MAPE protective effect on liver marker's function while the histological studies show regeneration of the disoriented layers of bile ducts and ameliorate the cellular/histoarchitecture of the hepatic cells induced by AlCl3. The findings indicate that MAPE improved liver functions and ameliorated the hepatic cells' cellular or histoarchitecture induced by AlCl3. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism action and toxicological evaluation of MAPE's chronic or intermittent use to ascertain its safety in whole organism systems.

Evaluation of Rational Drug Use Based on WHO/INRUD Core Drug Use Indicators in a Secondary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Uganda.

Purpose: Rational drug use (RDU) promotes safe, efficient, and cost-effective utilization of medicines in hospital settings. The aim of this study was to assess rational drug use based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) core drug use indicators. Patients and Methods: This prospective, descriptive, hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending the Outpatient Department of a secondary care hospital located in the Sheema District of Western Uganda. A total of 450 prescriptions were prospectively collected from eligible patients and subjected to evaluation by using the WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators (prescribing, patient care, and health-facility indicators). Results: The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was found to be 3.2 (optimal value=1.6-1.8). The percentages of drugs prescribed by their generic name (90.48%) and from the Essential Medicine List (96.23%) were close to the WHO reference (100%). The percentage of antibiotics (66.22%) and injections (25.22%) per encounter exceeded the WHO standards (antibiotics=20.0-26.8; injections=13.4-24.1). Among the patient-care indicators, the average consultation time (5.41 minutes), average dispensing time (131.03 seconds), percentage of medicines dispensed (76.11%), percentage of medicines adequately labeled (59.74%), and percentage of patients with dosage knowledge (49.50%) did not meet the WHO reference. Facility indicators such as the percentage of key medicines available in the stock (66.67%) did not conform to the WHO optimal value. The hospital made the EML hundred percent available to all practitioners. Conclusion: The study concludes that the prescribing, patient care, and health facility indicators at Sheema District Secondary Care Hospital deviate from the optimal values recommended by the WHO. Therefore, this study indicates a need for improvement on these indicators and a requirement for the ongoing educational initiatives focused on rational drug prescribing, dispensing, and patient use in order to comply with the standards set by the WHO.

Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women attending primary health centers: An active-surveillance study.

Introduction: Vaccine safety is a major barrier to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine by pregnant women. To bring confidence among pregnant women towards vaccine intake, there is a need to synthesize evidence on safety profile of vaccination. Objective: To assess adverse events (AEs) following COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women. Materials and methods: A vaccine safety surveillance was conducted at 2 rural primary health centers (PHC) located in Anantapur District, India. A total of 420 pregnant women were monitored for AEs following COVID-19 vaccination for a period of 30 min and followed for 1 month for late reactions through telephonic interviews. All AEs were subjected to causality and severity assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to represent adverse events. Results: The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women was 64.4%. A total of 420 pregnant women received 670 vaccine doses (Covishield = 372, Covaxin = 298) against COVID-19. Majority of vaccine intake was observed during the second trimester. The incidence rate of AEs following the COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women was 93.8%, and the majority include injection site pain (28.4%, 29.6%), fever (25.5%, 19.0%), myalgia (8.21%, 12.3%), and malaise (13.6%, 8.4%). Most AEs notified are probable and mild in nature. Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women was 64.4%. A 30 days incidence rate of AEs following COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women was 93.8%, with the most common mild events like injection site pain, and fever. A further follow-up cohort study by taking an adequate sample size was recommended to capture fetal-maternal outcomes.

Introducción: La seguridad de la vacuna es una barrera importante para la adopción de la vacuna COVID-19 por parte de las mujeres embarazadas. Para llevar confianza entre las mujeres embarazadas hacia la ingesta de vacunas, es necesario sintetizar la evidencia sobre el perfil de seguridad de la vacunación. Objetivo: Evaluar los eventos adversos (EA) después de la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en mujeres embarazadas. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo una vigilancia de la seguridad de las vacunas en dos centros rurales de atención primaria de salud (PHC) ubicados en el distrito de Anantapur, India. Un total de 420 mujeres embarazadas fueron monitoreadas para detectar EA después de la vacunación COVID-19 durante un período de 30 minutos y seguidas durante un mes para detectar reacciones tardías a través de entrevistas telefónicas. Todos los EA se sometieron a una evaluación de causalidad y gravedad. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas para representar los eventos adversos. Resultados: La tasa de aceptación de la vacuna COVID-19 entre las mujeres embarazadas fue del 64,4%. Un total de 420 mujeres embarazadas recibieron 670 dosis de vacunas (Covishield = 372, Covaxin = 298) contra COVID-19. La mayoría de la ingesta de vacunas se observó durante el segundo trimestre. La tasa de incidencia de EA después de la vacuna COVID-19 entre las mujeres embarazadas fue del 93,8%, y la mayoría incluye dolor en el lugar de la inyección (28,4%, 29,6%), fiebre (25,5%, 19,0%), mialgia (8,21%, 12,3%) y malestar general (13,6%, 8,4%). La mayoría de los EA notificados son de naturaleza probable y leve. Conclusión: La tasa de aceptación de la vacuna COVID-19 entre las mujeres embarazadas fue del 64,4%. Una tasa de incidencia de EA a 30 días después de la vacunación contra COVID-19 entre las mujeres embarazadas fue del 93,8%, con los eventos leves más comunes como dolor en el lugar de la inyección y fiebre. Se recomendó un estudio de cohorte de seguimiento adicional mediante la toma de un tamaño de muestra adecuado para capturar los resultados maternos fetales.

Elucidation of chemical profiles and molecular targets of Mondia whitei leave fractions bioactive as novel therapeutics: an in vitro and in silico assay.

BACKGROUND: Mondia whitei root is often used in Africa as a local therapeutic agent for libido enhancement. The fractions of the M. whitei leaves (MWL) lack chemical characterization of their bioactive components and possible molecular targets. We characterized and investigated its molecular target as therapeutic agents in an in vitro and in silico assay. Mineral compositions, antioxidant, and GC-MS characterization were studied. The cytotoxicity effect was measured on HeLa and HT-29 cells by MTT assay. In silico potential inhibitors of Cathepsin B (CathB) as a cancer biomarker were determined. RESULTS: The flame photometry produced marked Na+ and K+. GC-MS revealed eighteen bioactive components. The fractions (chloroformic 47.00, ethanolic 45.52, and aqueous 40.13) of MWL caused a higher inhibition ratio compared to standards. The MWL showed a significant cytotoxic effect on the treated cell lines at concentrations of 150 and 200 µg/ml and 100, 150, and 200 µg/ml for HT-29 and HeLa cells, respectively. Ten bioactives (MWL 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 18) showed potential inhibition of CathB with binding affinities of -4.40 to -8.3 Kcal/Mol. However, MWL 4, 9, 14, and 17 which have higher binding affinities (-6.7, -7.1, -8.2, and -8.3, respectively) than the standard inhibitor (-6.5) were the lead molecules. CONCLUSION: These chemical profiles and potential molecular targets unraveled in this study propose that MWL has a promising anticancer activity.

Low concentrations of monosodium glutamate (MSG) are safe in male Drosophila melanogaster.

OBJECTIVE: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been marred by a lot of controversy on its safety. In a majority of experimental studies, administration of the compound has been parenteral, and yet little is known about MSG safety consumed as a food supplement. In this study, we assessed the effects of low concentrations of MSG on the activity of hydrogen scavenging, catalase activity and climbing as well as lifespan in male Drosophila melanogaster over a 30 days period since this has been sparsely studied. RESULTS: No significant differences were associated with MSG at 5%, 1%, 0.2%, 0.04% on hydrogen peroxide scavenging, negative geotaxis and lifespan in W1118 male D. melanogaster. Significant differences were found in 5% MSG on catalase activity, showing that high MSG concentrations would affect tissue health in male D. melanogaster. MSG consumed as a food supplement would be safe at concentrations below 5% MSG.