Background: Self-medication is a global public health practice conventionally dominated by analgesics, antipyretics and antimicrobials, yet the demographic structure of this behaviour and its association with information sources remain poorly characterised in Nigerian community pharmacy settings. Objective: To determine the prevalence, patterns and demographic correlates of self-medication among community pharmacy clients in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with particular attention to analgesic use and headache as the leading drug category and indication, respectively. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 554 adult clients of community pharmacies in Yenagoa LGA, selected through stratified random sampling and interviewed using a structured, supervisor-validated questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, self-medication practice, drug categories, indications and information sources were analysed descriptively; Pearson's chi-square tests, supplemented by Cramér's V as a measure of effect size, were used to test associations between socio-demographic variables and drug category, indication and information source. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Of the 554 respondents, 327 (59.0%) reported self-medicating in the preceding six months. Analgesics (‘pain killers’) were the most frequently self-medicated drug category (30.9%), ahead of antibiotics (13.5%), antimalarials (10.1%), and cold/flu preparations and antidiarrhoeal agents (8.6% each). Correspondingly, headache was the leading self-reported indication (26.3%), ahead of body pain (16.5%), cough and common cold (14.1%) and fever (13.1%). Social media was the leading information source underlying self-medication (33.9%), ahead of personal knowledge (31.5%) and advice from a doctor or pharmacist (17.4%). Drug category was strongly associated with gender (χ²=298.20, df=13, p<0.001, Cramér's V=0.955), and indication was strongly associated with age band (χ²=767.31, df=27, p<0.001, Cramér's V=0.884). Conclusion: Analgesic self-medication for headache, reinforced substantially by social media rather than professional advice, is the dominant self-medication pattern in this community pharmacy population. Targeted pharmacist counselling on safe analgesic use, strengthened point-of-sale limits on over-the-counter analgesic quantities, and public health messaging that engages social media as an information channel are warranted.
Glucagon occupies an unusual position in clinical endocrinology. The same 29-amino-acid peptide serves as a provocative agent for pituitary function testing, as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia, as a continuous infusion in hyperinsulinaemic states of infancy, and, through receptor co-agonism, as a component of the newest generation of cardiometabolic drugs. These applications have developed in parallel, largely within separate literatures, and the assumptions that underpin them have rarely been examined together. This review evaluates the evidence accumulated over approximately a quarter of a century on the glucagon stimulation test and on therapeutic glucagon across the paediatric and adult lifespan, with particular attention to the derivation, transportability and validity of diagnostic cut-points. Evidence was identified through structured searching of biomedical and bibliographic sources and appraised for design adequacy, reference-standard quality, sample size, assay dependence and generalisability. Three findings dominate the synthesis. First, the growth hormone cut-point for the glucagon stimulation test is not a fixed biological threshold but a function of dose regimen, adiposity, glucose tolerance, age and assay calibration; the widely used threshold of 3 µg/L overdiagnoses deficiency in overweight adults, and the proposed alternative of 1 µg/L rests on small validation cohorts. Second, the corticotroph read-out from the same test performs considerably less well than the somatotroph read-out, and several independent series show a broad indeterminate zone in which the test cannot classify patients reliably. Third, therapeutic glucagon has been transformed by stable ready-to-use formulations and by the analogue dasiglucagon, with randomised evidence in severe hypoglycaemia, congenital hyperinsulinism and post-bariatric hypoglycaemia, although comparative effectiveness data and long-term paediatric safety data remain sparse. Priorities include multicentre cut-point validation stratified by body mass index and assay platform, harmonised cortisol thresholds, and adequately powered comparisons between glucagon formulations in real-world hypoglycaemia.
Background: Immune-mediated diseases impose substantial clinical and socioeconomic burdens, while prolonged use of conventional immunosuppressive agents may be associated with serious adverse effects. Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, but its interaction with FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12) remains insufficiently characterised. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the binding interaction of fisetin with FKBP12 and to assess its predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties in comparison with tacrolimus. Method: The three-dimensional structure of FKBP12 was prepared for molecular docking, while fisetin and tacrolimus were selected as ligands. Docking analysis was performed using AutoDock version 4.2.6. Drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic behaviour, and toxicity-related parameters were predicted using SwissADME and pkCSM. Results: Fisetin interacted with three FKBP12 binding sites, with predicted binding energies of −8.15, −7.92, and −5.62 kcal/mol. Tacrolimus showed corresponding binding energies of −10.29, −8.44, and −8.43 kcal/mol. Fisetin formed hydrogen-bond and hydrophobic interactions with several amino acid residues, including ARG18, GLU60, ALA64, PHE15, ARG13, and THR85. It showed no violation of Lipinski’s rule of five and had higher predicted gastrointestinal absorption than tacrolimus. No Ames toxicity, hERG inhibition, hepatotoxicity, or skin sensitisation was predicted for fisetin, although inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 was indicated. Conclusion: Fisetin demonstrated plausible binding to FKBP12 and a comparatively favourable predicted ADMET profile. These findings provide preliminary computational support for further investigation, although biochemical, cellular, and in vivo validation is required before its immunomodulatory potential can be confirmed.
Digital health programmes are commonly monitored through separate clinical, operational and financial reporting systems. This fragmentation obscures whether a programme that is technically delivered and operationally adopted also improves patient outcomes, distributes benefits equitably and produces affordable, sustainable value. This critical narrative review examines how integrated use of the three data domains can strengthen project governance, implementation learning and benefits realisation. Literature published from 1 January 2005 to 1 June 2026 was identified through accessible scholarly indexes, citation searching and verification against authoritative bibliographic records. Evidence from learning health systems, health informatics, process mining, implementation science, economic evaluation and project governance was appraised and synthesised thematically. The evidence indicates that integration improves observability: it can connect workflow changes, resource use and clinical consequences, expose bottlenecks and unintended effects, and support earlier corrective action. Interoperability standards, common data models and integrated repositories are enabling conditions, but technical linkage alone does not produce decision-ready evidence. Reliable interpretation also requires aligned denominators and time windows, traceable provenance, explicit causal assumptions, baseline or counterfactual comparisons, benefit ownership and governance capable of reconciling conflicting objectives. Clinical measures are often incomplete or weakly attributable; operational measures may reward throughput without reflecting outcomes; and financial measures frequently omit implementation burden, opportunity costs, maintenance and the distribution of costs and benefits. Consequently, evidence that integrated data directly cause superior long-term programme outcomes remains limited, despite stronger evidence for improved measurement, learning and operational control. An evidence-informed programme model is proposed in which technical outputs are linked sequentially to implementation outcomes, clinical and service outcomes, financial value, equity and sustainability. Future research should test this model prospectively across multiple sites using standardised measures, patient- or episode-level cost-outcome linkage, causal evaluation designs and explicit assessment of equity and organisational burden.
Concentration measurements of drugs and their metabolites in biological matrices underpin regulatory decisions on safety, efficacy and labelling, and the technical requirements governing those measurements were, for three decades, set regionally. Guideline M10 of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, adopted at Step 4 in May 2022, replaced the principal regional texts with a single harmonised standard covering chromatographic and ligand binding assays for chemical and biological drugs. Four years of implementation experience now exist, yet the literature describing that experience has not been critically synthesised. This review appraises what harmonisation of the written standard has and has not achieved in practice. Adoption across regulatory authorities was staggered rather than simultaneous, and a substantial regulatory population remains outside the harmonised text. Convergence is asserted mainly through workshop reports, closed industry forums and annual white papers, with almost no primary quantitative evidence comparing regulatory outcomes before and after adoption. Four fault lines recur: cross-validation is mandated without an acceptance criterion; incurred sample reanalysis retains a fixed sampling burden whose diagnostic yield appears low; provisions for endogenous analytes and surrogate matrices have required substantial post hoc elaboration by professional bodies; and partial validation and method transfer remain under-specified for multi-site programmes. The exclusion of biomarkers and immunogenicity assays has produced a harmonisation paradox in which a guideline that disclaims these applications is nonetheless directed as their validation template in at least one region. The uniform criterion architecture, largely inherited rather than re-derived, is increasingly challenged by proposals for context-of-use-driven validation. The evidence base is concentrated in a small number of overlapping author networks and geographical regions, is predominantly consensus-based, and provides weak support for strong claims in either direction. Priorities for research include regulator-side outcome data, statistically justified acceptance criteria, and prospective evaluation of context-of-use frameworks.
Child undernutrition remains a major public health challenge in many developing countries, including Rwanda, where environmental and climatic factors can adversely affect maternal and child health. This study analyzes the impact of in utero exposure to weather shocks on the nutritional outcomes of children under five years of age in Rwanda. The findings indicate that adverse weather conditions experienced during pregnancy are associated with poorer nutritional indicators among children, highlighting the importance of climate-resilient health and nutrition interventions. The study provides evidence for policymakers to strengthen maternal and child nutrition programs in the context of increasing climate variability. This study investigated the association between in utero exposure to weather shocks and nutritional outcomes among children under five years in Rwanda. The study used nationally representative data from the 2019–2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) combined with Climate Physical Risk Index (CPRI) indicators to assess the effects of prenatal exposure to climatic shocks on child nutrition. The analytical approach included the use of multivariable Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regression models, which controlled for key socioeconomic and demographic factors such as maternal education, household wealth, child sex, residence, household size, and region. The study analyzed data from 3,821 children under five years of age using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regression models. Nutritional outcomes were measured using Height-for-Age Z-score (HAZ), Weight-for-Age Z-score (WAZ), Weight-for-Height Z-score (WHZ), and binary indicators for stunting, underweight, and wasting. The findings revealed that exposure to High Temperature Days (HTD) during gestation significantly reduced Height-for-Age Z-scores and increased the probability of stunting among children. The effects were more pronounced among male children and those residing in rural areas. Household wealth, maternal education, and place of residence significantly influenced child nutritional outcomes. Children from wealthier households and mothers with higher educational attainment demonstrated better nutritional outcomes compared to children from poorer households. The findings highlighted the importance of integrating climate-sensitive nutrition and maternal health interventions into Rwanda’s public health policies. These results emphasize the need for strengthened climate adaptation strategies within maternal and child health programs to mitigate the long-term effects of prenatal weather shocks on child development. The study concluded that climate change and prenatal weather shocks posed a significant threat to child growth and development in Rwanda.
Natural products remain a cornerstone of drug discovery, providing structurally diverse bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential. Their incorporation into nanomedicine, either as active pharmaceutical ingredients or functional excipients, has expanded rapidly due to their ability to improve solubility, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. However, a fundamental assumption persists in current research: phytochemicals are typically treated as discrete, chemically uniform, and molecularly dispersed prior to nanoparticle formulation. This reductionist view overlooks the inherent complexity of natural extracts, which exist as multicomponent and dynamically interacting systems. In this work, we propose a hypothesis that challenges this assumption by introducing the concept of pre-nanoparticle molecular organization (PNMO). We suggest that phytochemicals in crude or semi-purified extracts undergo intrinsic self-aggregation and supramolecular assembly before nanoparticle fabrication. These assemblies are governed by non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, hydrophobic forces, and electrostatic interactions, resulting in pre-formed molecular clusters. We argue that PNMO critically influences key nanoparticle characteristics such as size distribution, morphology, colloidal stability, and drug loading efficiency, as well as downstream biological performance. Neglecting this pre-formulation state may lead to inconsistencies in physicochemical characterization, poor reproducibility, and challenges in quality control. Moreover, PNMO may alter biodistribution, cellular uptake, and therapeutic outcomes, complicating structure–activity relationship analyses. By integrating principles from supramolecular chemistry and nanomedicine, this review highlights PNMO as an essential yet overlooked design parameter. Its systematic characterization and control may enable more reproducible formulations and facilitate the rational development and clinical translation of phytochemical-based nanotherapeutics.
Background and Aim: Light at night (LAN) and methamphetamine (Meth) are emerging environmental and pharmacological stressors implicated in neuroendocrine and reproductive dysfunction. This study investigated the independent and combined effects of LAN and Meth on reproductive hormone profiles, cortisol levels, estrous cyclicity and histological integrity of the ovaries and uterus in female Albino Wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty-four adult female Albino Wistar rats (120–150 g) were randomly assigned into four groups of six (n = 6). Group A (control) received normal saline under a standard 12:12-hour light-dark cycle. Group B (LAN) was exposed to 24-hour continuous light for 28 days. Group C (Meth) received methamphetamine at 5mg/kgbw orally for 28 days under standard light-dark conditions. Group D (LAN + Meth) received both exposures simultaneously. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol were measured using ELISA. Estrous cycles were monitored through vaginal smear cytology. Ovarian and uterine tissues were weighed and examined histologically. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post hoc LSD at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Significant reductions in LH were observed in all treated groups compared to control (F= 8.039, p ≤ 0.05). FSH levels decreased significantly in Groups B and C, while Group D showed a significant increase compared to Group C (p ≤ 0.05). Estrogen levels were significantly elevated in the LAN group, whereas progesterone changes were not significant. Serum cortisol was significantly suppressed in all treated groups, with the greatest reduction in Meth-exposed rats. Estrous cycles showed progressive irregularity in all treated groups. Histology revealed mild degenerative and inflammatory changes, most notable in the LAN group, with largely preserved architecture overall. Conclusion: LAN and Meth disrupt hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis function and stress hormone regulation, with LAN producing more pronounced endocrine and histological alterations.
The utilisation of digital twins in conjunction with predictive analytics has seen a marked rise in its promotion for applications in personalised patient monitoring, treatment planning and service optimisation. Nevertheless, the extent to which these claims are substantiated by real-world healthcare evidence remains uncertain. To map empirical applications of these technologies and summarise their impacts and implementation constraints, a scoping review was conducted using a Population–Concept–Context framework. The review searched MEDLINE/ PubMed and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2015 and 2025. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with most published after 2022. Most were clinical twins spanning cardiovascular, hepatology, diabetes, oncology, and intensive care; one addressed emergency communication operations. Imaging-anchored and hybrid physiological twins achieved the strongest patient-specific validation, while continuous-data twins improved glycaemic control, risk prediction, and therapy optimisation. Acute-care and operational twins showed feasibility and safety gains, but inconsistent effects on efficiency. Barriers clustered around fragmented data standards, missing or noisy inputs, workflow fit, clinician trust, and limited multicentre prospective trials. Predictive digital twins are transitioning from proof-of-concept to early utility. However, scalable impact will depend on interoperable data ecosystems, rigorous staged validation, and human-centred deployment with governance for safety and equity.
Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that may be associated with extra-articular manifestations, including uveitis. Ocular involvement is uncommon in PsA and usually limited to anterior uveitis. Posterior uveitis complicated by serous retinal detachment is rare and potentially sight-threatening. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 52-year-old man with no significant past medical history, followed for psoriatic arthritis fulfilling the CASPAR criteria. The disease was initially well controlled with methotrexate. After several months, he developed unilateral visual impairment. Ophthalmologic examination revealed anterior uveitis (Tyndall 3+) associated with posterior uveitis complicated by serous retinal detachment. Extensive biological and imaging investigations excluded infectious causes. The patient was treated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide followed by infliximab (weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks), leading to marked improvement of both ocular and articular manifestations. Visual acuity improved from 2/10 at presentation to 7/10 at follow-up. Conclusion: This case highlights that psoriatic arthritis–associated uveitis may involve the posterior segment and lead to severe retinal complications. After exclusion of infectious etiologies, anti–TNF-α therapy represents an effective and steroid-sparing treatment option in severe PsA-associated uveitis.
Background: Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiotic biofilms, and adjunctive strategies to chlorhexidine (CHX) are being explored because repeated antiseptic use may be accompanied by undesirable effects. This controlled in vitro study compared 0.12% CHX, Lactobacillus reuteri cell-free supernatant (CFS), and catechin-rich green tea extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Methods: Direct antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar diffusion and broth microdilution assays, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determination. Biofilm-related outcomes were evaluated by crystal violet measurement of biofilm-formation inhibition and viable-count reduction in 24-hour pre-formed biofilms after 60 minutes of exposure. Each condition included three technical replicates in three independent experimental runs. Quantitative data were analysed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-adjusted pairwise comparisons. Results: CHX produced the largest inhibition zones, lowest MIC and MBC values, and greatest viable-count reductions in mature biofilms across all tested species. Green tea extract showed the strongest non-CHX anti-biofilm profile, inhibiting biofilm biomass by 67-72% and producing intermediate log10 CFU reductions of 1.8-2.2 in pre-formed biofilms. L. reuteri CFS demonstrated moderate, species-dependent activity, with the most evident response against P. gingivalis. The main effect of agent was significant for inhibition-zone and biofilm outcomes (p < 0.001), and post hoc testing confirmed the ordered pattern CHX > green tea extract > CFS > vehicle. Conclusions: Within this in vitro model, CHX remained the most potent comparator, whereas green tea extract and L. reuteri CFS showed adjunctive anti-biofilm activity. Further formulation, multispecies biofilm, and host-relevant studies are required before clinical extrapolation.
Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular condition, significantly contributing to global morbidity and mortality. Despite increasing recognition in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, limited context-specific data on its clinical profile and risk factors continues to hinder effective diagnosis and management. Aims: This study describes the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, risk factors, comorbidities, and in-hospital outcomes of patients managed for pulmonary embolism (PE) in a Nigerian cohort. Study Design: This study utilized a retrospective descriptive and analytical design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Internal Medicine, Nisa-Garki Hospital. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of patients admitted to the hospital between April 2020 and September 2025. Methodology: A descriptive analysis was conducted among 62 patients with confirmed PE. Data on demographics, presenting symptoms, risk factors, co-morbidities, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality were collected and analyzed, with stratification by gender. Results: The cohort was predominantly middle-aged, with a mean age of 51.0 ± 14.8 years, and was female-predominant (57%). Breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom (79%), followed by chest pain (45%) and cough (31%), with no significant gender-related differences. Immobilization was the most prevalent risk factor (45%), followed by recent surgery (24%) and previous deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (13%). Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity (35%), while heart failure (19%) showed a marked female predominance. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 13% (8/62), with the highest mortality observed among patients with heart failure (25%) and malignancy (20%). Heart failure demonstrated the strongest association with mortality (crude OR 3.4), although it was not statistically significant due to the small number of events. The mean hospital stay was 15.5 days, with longer stays among females and among patients with heart failure or immobilization. Overall survival was 87%. Conclusion: In this cohort, PE predominantly affected middle-aged adults, with modifiable risk factors, particularly immobilization, being highly prevalent. Heart failure emerged as the principal determinant of mortality and prolonged hospitalization, likely reflecting reduced cardiopulmonary reserve.
Introduction: Paediatric hydrocephalus is gradually becoming an emerging public health problem in Africa including Nigeria, largely because of the challenges patients face in accessing comprehensive healthcare, with delayed hospital presentation being predominantly common. This retrospective study assessed the pattern of presentation and outcome of hydrocephalus. Method: It was a 1-year retrospective study of patients with hydrocephalus seen at the Paediatric Department of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital from August 2020 - September 2021. Data was retrieved from the medical files of the patients; and include patients demographics, presenting complaints, examination findings, neuroimage findings, diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the antenatal histories of the mothers were obtained. Data was entered into a proforma and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26.0, descriptive statistics was carried out. Results: The study involved 31 children aged 2 weeks to 12 years. Seventeen (54.8%) were males while 14 (45.2%) were females, giving a male to female ratio of ratio was 1.2: 1. Of the 31 patients, 22 (71.0%) had congenital hydrocephalus while 9 (29.0%) were acquired. Eight (36.4%) of the cases with congenital hydrocephalus were identified prenatally. Aqueductal stenosis was the cause of congenital hydrocephalus in 9 (40.9%), 4 (18.2%) was due to myelomeningocele associated. Post infections accounted for 55.6% of acquired hydrocephalus. Concerning maternal antenatal history, 4 (12.9%) received preconception and periconception folic acid while others commenced after the first trimester. Twelve (38.7%) mothers used alcohol beverages or alcohol based herbal concoctions in their first trimester while 5 (9.7%) had febrile illness in their first trimester. There was delay in hospital presentation and treatment, with the mean age at presentation of 4.25 ± 2.28 months for those with congenital hydrocephalus. Only 14 (45.2%) of the patients received surgical intervention, while 17 (54.8%) patients were lost to follow up. Conclusion: Hydrocephalus is a common presentation in our setting with congenital hydrocephalus as the most common type. Aqueductal stenosis being the leading cause, followed by post meningitis sequalae. Preconception and periconception folic acid use is low, while use of herbal concoction and alcohol consumption in pregnancy is high. Delay in hospital presentation remains a challenge in the management and a lot of patients are lost to follow up.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting populations worldwide, with various treatment approaches. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis among children in Bamenda II subdivision and to evaluate the biological activities supporting the use of aqueous extract of Cassia alata (C. alata) against atopic dermatitis in rats. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 children (5 to 14 years) and the prevalence of AD was determined. The 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) prepared in olive oil and acetone was applied topically to the ears of 8-week-old rats, after which aqueous extract of C. alata was applied for two weeks. The pre-scratching and scratching time were measured, erythema, plasma eosinophil, plasma IgE levels, and plasma TNF-α were all measured. The results of this study showed that a total of 248/300 (82.7%) children were positive for combined reports from both parents and physician-based prevalence and severity of 68/300 (22.7%) of infants with permanent rash on the body, and those kept awake at night by itchy rash at 25/300 (8.3%). Moreover, it is found that C. alata attenuated AD symptoms based on the ear erythema, scratching and pre-scratching time, levels of plasma eosinophil, IgE, and TNF-α. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that C. alata has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD owing to its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.
The pharmaceutical industry faces profound challenges in its quest to develop novel, safe, and efficacious therapeutics. Traditional drug discovery pipelines are characterised by astronomical costs, protracted timelines, and high attrition rates, with the average cost of bringing a new drug to market exceeding two billion US dollars. Artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, has emerged as a transformative force capable of reshaping every stage of the drug discovery and development continuum. This narrative review critically examines the integration of AI technologies across the pharmaceutical pipeline, from target identification and structure-based drug design to de novo molecular generation, absorption–distribution–metabolism–excretion–toxicity (ADMET) property prediction, drug repurposing, and clinical trial optimisation. Landmark advances—including the revolutionary AlphaFold protein structure prediction system, deep learning-enabled antibiotic discovery, generative molecular design platforms, and AI-assisted synthesis planning—are discussed in depth. The review further explores explainability challenges, regulatory implications, and ethical considerations surrounding the deployment of AI in pharmaceutical research. Despite substantial progress, significant hurdles remain, including data quality and availability, model interpretability, and the validation gap between computational predictions and experimental outcomes. This review synthesises current knowledge to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of the art, highlights critical limitations, and outlines promising future directions for AI-driven drug discovery.
Azadirachta indica (neem) is a versatile medicinal plant with potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. This study evaluates its phytotherapeutic potential in modulating SARS-CoV-2 entry and the subsequent pro-inflammatory cascade. Bioactive constituents, including azadirachtin, nimbolide, and quercetin, interact with the viral spike protein and host receptors like ACE2 and Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) to block viral attachment. Furthermore, neem extracts significantly reduce viral replication in human lung cells. By inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, neem helps mitigate the "cytokine storm" and prevents multi-organ dysfunction associated with severe COVID-19. Its antioxidant capacity further protects the vascular endothelium from oxidative stress and tissue damage. While in vitro and in vivo results are promising, clinical trials are essential to confirm the safety and efficacy of neem as an affordable, sustainable adjuvant in evidence-based COVID-19 management.
Background: Family planning is a key component of reproductive health, yet uptake remains suboptimal in Northern Nigeria despite high awareness among women of reproductive age. Women attending antenatal clinics therefore, represent an important target group for family planning interventions because antenatal visits provide an opportunity for counselling and the provision of contraceptives. Aim: This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the uptake of family planning services among women attending antenatal clinics at major health facilities in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a multicentre cross-sectional analytical study conducted among 388 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, between 1 February and 30 June 2025. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from standard reproductive health survey tools, and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Awareness of family planning was high, with 381 (98.2%) respondents reporting awareness, but only 196 (50.5%) had ever used any family planning method. The main source of information was healthcare providers (71.0%). Awareness was highest for pills, injectables, and implants, while implants were the most commonly used method. Most respondents believed family planning improves maternal and child health (81.4%), and 62.9% were willing to use a method after delivery. Fear of side effects was the main barrier (58.8%), followed by spousal influence (20.9%). Age, education, and marital status were significantly associated with uptake (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Awareness of family planning was high, but uptake was lower. The use was influenced by fear of side effects, religion, partner-related factors, and socio-demographic characteristics. Strengthening counselling on method choice and side effects, promoting male involvement, and engaging community and religious leaders may improve uptake.
Background: Inflammation is a protective physiological response to harmful stimuli, but excessive inflammation can contribute to tissue damage and disease. Conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are effective but may produce adverse effects with prolonged use. Flavonoids from plant sources have demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Musa acuminata sap contains bioactive flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin, which may possess therapeutic potential against inflammation. However, their anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan-induced inflammation require further investigation. Aim: This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Musa acuminata sap-derived flavonoids in the carrageenan-induced inflammatory model in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, carrageenan-only, flavonoid-treated (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), and ibuprofen-treated groups. Inflammation was induced using carrageenan, and treatments were administered orally. Paw oedema volume, body weight, white blood cell count, and red blood cell count were assessed using standard methods. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analysed statistically at P < 0.05. Results: Carrageenan significantly (P< 0.05) increased paw oedema and white blood cell count(WBC) compared to the control group. Treatment with Musa acuminata isolated flavonoid (MAIF) significantly (P< 0.05) reduced paw oedema and white blood cell count in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), with the highest dose showing the greatest effect, comparable to ibuprofen. Red blood cell count showed no significant changes across groups. Conclusion: Musa acuminata sap-isolated flavonoid demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity by reducing oedema and leukocyte response without adverse haematological effects. These findings support their potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing inflammatory conditions. Further studies are recommended to confirm their mechanism of action and clinical applicability.
Glioblastoma represents the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor and continues to exhibit significant resistance to standard treatment approaches. Emerging environmental contaminants, such as microplastics, have demonstrated the ability to induce oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction; nevertheless, their influence on glioblastoma progression remains inadequately understood. The study proposed that exposure to microplastics influences the expression of oncogenic genes and leads to oxidative stress-related cytotoxic and proliferative changes in glioblastoma cells. In this study, U87MG cells were subjected to escalating concentrations of microplastics, and various parameters such as proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytotoxicity, tumorsphere formation, and cancer-related gene expression were assessed. The treatment of microplastics led to a dose-dependent rise in ROS production, suggesting notable oxidative stress, which was somewhat mitigated by the antioxidant limonene. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were linked to a rise in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, indicating heightened membrane permeability and cytotoxic effects. Cellular stress and apoptotic signaling were indicated by morphological changes observed after exposure. Proliferation assays indicated a tendency for increased cell growth at elevated concentrations, whereas tumorsphere analysis showed larger sphere sizes, implying improved survival or expansion of mesenchymal-like subpopulations. Gene expression profiling demonstrated a notable increase in the expression of critical oncogenic and stress-related genes, such as PIK3CA, FZD1, TP53, TGFB1, FADD, PTEN, and CDKN2A, suggesting the activation of PI3K/AKT, Wnt, and oxidative stress response pathways. The findings collectively indicate that microplastics serve as modulators of redox homeostasis and oncogenic signaling in glioblastoma cells. Microplastic-induced oxidative stress seems to play a role in changing gene expression, causing cytotoxicity, and promoting tumor-associated characteristics, indicating a possible environmental factor in the progression of glioblastoma. This investigation emphasizes microplastics as a significant element in cancer toxicology and stresses the necessity for additional exploration into their impact on brain tumor biology.
The poor aqueous solubility of emerging drug candidates remains a formidable challenge in pharmaceutical development, directly limiting oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Hydrotropic solubilization has gained significant attention as a versatile, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technique to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic drugs without the need for organic solvents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the fundamental mechanisms underlying hydrotropy, including molecular self-aggregation, complexation, and the role of the Minimum Hydrotropic Concentration in initiating the solubilization process. The discussion categorizes hydrotropic agents into synthetic, natural, and novel classes, highlighting a strategic shift toward biocompatible and green alternatives. Findings from literature revealed recent advances in formulation strategies, such as the development of hydrotropic solid dispersions and mixed hydrotropy: a synergistic approach that achieves multifold solubility enhancement while minimizing individual agent concentrations and potential toxicity. By integrating advanced characterization techniques; including spectroscopic, microscopic, and thermodynamic studies with a critical analysis of regulatory and safety considerations for the commercialization of hydrotropic systems. These insights provide a structural framework for overcoming the solubility barrier and optimizing the delivery of next-generation therapeutic agents using hydrotropes.
