Obesity, a major risk factor for immunity and severe outcomes of COVID-19.

An influenza-like virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for COVID-19 disease and spread worldwide within a short time. COVID-19 has now become a significant concern for public health. Obesity is highly prevalent worldwide and is considered a risk factor for impairing the adaptive immune system. Although diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and renal failure are considered the risk factors for COVID-19, obesity is not yet well-considered. The present study approaches establishing a systemic association between the prevalence of obesity and its impact on immunity concerning the severe outcomes of COVID-19 utilizing existing knowledge. Overall study outcomes documented the worldwide prevalence of obesity, its effects on immunity, and a possible underlying mechanism covering obesity-related risk pathways for the severe outcomes of COVID-19. Overall understanding from the present study is that being an immune system impairing factor, the role of obesity in the severe outcomes of COVID-19 is worthy.

Evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties of seeds of Momordica charantia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the in vivo (analgesic, antidiarrheal, neurological, and cytotoxic) and in vitro (antioxidant, antimicrobial, thrombolytic and anthelmintic) activity of different fractions of methanolic extract of Momordica charantia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant property was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay, while antimicrobial activity was examined against three Gram (+) and one Gram (-) bacteria. Thrombolytic and anthelmintic activities were evaluated by using human blood serum and by recording paralysis and death time in earthworm, respectively. Cytotoxic activity was investigated in brine shrimp nauplii. Analgesic and antidiarrheal activities were evaluated in Swiss albino mice and neurological effect was evaluated by open field and Elevated plus-maze test (EPM). RESULTS: All fractions (n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform) possess significant (p<0.05) cytotoxic activity. In case of thrombolytic activity, the highest concentration of methanolic extract produced a remarkable percentage of clot lysis (46.12%). The concentration of 1000 µg/ml produced a significant antibacterial activity against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative E. coli. Aqueous fraction at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, was found to show promising analgesic activity. In case of antidiarrheal and anthelmintic activity, plant extract showed dose-dependent activity. Methanolic extract and its fractions failed to produce any neurological effect in both methods. CONCLUSION: The overall results of the study tend to suggest that the methanolic extract and its fractions have promising pharmacological activities.