Predicting phytochemical diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) across eco-climatic zones and elevation in Uttarakhand using Generalized Additive Model

The present study uses a systematic approach to explore the phytochemical composition of medicinal plants from Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. The phytochemical composition of medicinal plants was analyzed based on (i) the presence of different chemical groups and (ii) bioactive compounds. The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) analysis was used to predict the occurrence of chemical groups and active compounds across different eco-climatic zones and the elevation in Uttarakhand. A total of 789 medicinal plants represented by 144 taxonomic families were screened to explore the phytochemical diversity of the medicinal plants of Uttarakhand. These medicinal plant species are signified in different life forms such as herbs (58.86%), shrubs (18.24%), trees (17.48%), ferns (2.38%), and climbers (2.13%). The probability of occurrence of the chemical groups found in tropical, sub-tropical, and warm temperate eco-climatic zones, whereas active compounds have a high Probability towards alpine, sub-alpine, and cool temperate zones. The GAM predicted that the occurrence of species with active compounds was declining significantly (p < 0.01), while total active compounds increased across elevation (1000 m). While the occurrence of species with the chemical group increased, total chemical groups were indicated to decline with increasing elevation from 1000 m (p < 0.000). The current study is overwhelmed to predict the distribution of phytochemicals in different eco-climatic zones and elevations using secondary information, which offers to discover bioactive compounds of the species occurring in the different eco-climatic habitats of the region and setting the priority of conservation concerns. However, the study encourages the various commercial sectors, such as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, chemical, food, and cosmetics, to utilize unexplored species. In addition, the study suggests that prioritizing eco-climatic zones and elevation based on phytochemical diversity should be a factor of concern in the Himalayan region, especially under the climate change scenario.

Herbal Supplements as Treatment Options for COVID-19: A call for Clinical Development of Herbal Supplements for Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Threats in Sub-Saharan Africa

The advent of Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) distorted health systems of many countries. Efforts have been made to either develop new treatment solutions such as vaccines or repurpose previously adopted drugs. Challenges in accessing available treatment, inadequate, non-existent, or overstretched healthcare facilities, long COVID disease, cultural practices and beliefs about vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, availability, accessibility and perceived safety of herbal supplements seem to be major factors propelling individuals to use herbal supplements. Published reports advocating for clinical development of herbal supplements for COVID-19 and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are sparse. This paper aims to review the pathogenesis of COVID-19, use of herbal products during the pandemic and make case for clinical development of herbal supplements through the adoption of modern and acceptable technologies and research processes.

This was a scoping review. Database searches of Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate among others were performed using related keywords to identify relevant journals and lists of primary articles. Clinical trial databases:-Clinicaltrial.gov, Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) and WHO international clinical trial registry (ICTRP) were reviewed to extract data.

The use of herbal supplements during COVID-19 was not only peculiar to individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa, but a global practice. Herbal supplements recommended to manage COVID-19 have not been validated using clinical trials. Available data showed that the number of herbal supplements undergoing clinical trial for COVID-19 indication in Africa was low.

The availability of medicinal plants in Sub-Saharan Africa if well explored has great potentials to address various emerging and re-emerging viral diseases confronting the region. The economic potential of clinically validated herbal supplements are huge, and tapping into this opportunity created by preference of population to herbal supplement could increase export of herbal supplement and gross domestic product (GDP) of respective countries in Africa.

Can Probiotics, Particularly Limosilactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus UCO-25A, Be Preventive Alternatives against SARS-CoV-2?

COVID-19, an infection produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in humans, has rapidly spread to become a high-mortality pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus characterized by infecting epithelial cells of the intestine and lungs, binding to the ACE2 receptor present on epithelial cells. COVID-19 treatment is based on antivirals and antibiotics against symptomatology in addition to a successful preventive strategy based on vaccination. At this point, several variants of the virus have emerged, altering the effectiveness of treatments and thereby attracting attention to several alternative therapies, including immunobiotics, to cope with the problem. This review, based on articles, patents, and an in silico analysis, aims to address our present knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, its symptomatology, and the possible beneficial effects for patients if probiotics with the characteristics of immunobiotics are used to confront this disease. Moreover, two probiotic strains, L. fermentum UCO-979C and L. rhamnosus UCO-25A, with different effects demonstrated at our laboratory, are emphasized. The point of view of this review highlights the possible benefits of probiotics, particularly those associated with immunomodulation as well as the production of secondary metabolites, and their potential targets during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Potential of Quinine Sulfate for COVID-19 Treatment and Its Safety Profile: Review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently the largest and most serious health crisis in the world. There is no definitive treatment for COVID-19. Vaccine administration has begun in various countries, but no vaccine is 100% effective. Some people are not protected after vaccination, and there are some groups of people who cannot be vaccinated therefore, research on COVID-19 treatment still needs to be done. Of the several drugs under study, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are quite controversial, although they have good activity against SARS-CoV-2, both drugs have serious side effects. Indonesia with its wealth of natural ingredients has one potential compound, quinine sulfate (QS), which has the same structure and activity as CQ and HCQ and a better safety profile. The aim of this article was to review the potential of QS against the SARS-Cov-2 virus and outline its safety profile. We conclude that QS has the potential to be developed as a COVID-19 treatment with a better safety profile than that of CQ and HCQ.