Unmasking diphtheria in Nigeria: A multifaceted approach to tackle outbreaks and improve immunization rates among the Nigerian population-An updated correspondence.

Background and aims: The World Health Organization has recently declared the frequent outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria as a public health concern. Although vaccination efforts have been successful in Nigeria, unfortunately, the recent 2023 outbreak in Nigeria has been nothing short of distressing. Of course, cases of diphtheria incidence are under-reported in Nigeria. This present article aims to proffer a possible multifaceted approach to tackle outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria and improve immunization rates against the disease among the Nigerian population. Methods: In writing this study, literature search was done about diphtheria in Nigeria using the following keywords: "diphtheria, prevalence, vaccination, efforts, challenges, and Nigeria" on PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate within 10 years. Result: This study found that an estimated seven million people remain unvaccinated and are at risk for infection in the country, especially people living in the Northern part of the country. Between the June 30 and August 31, 2023, Nigeria recorded an unusual increase in the number of confirmed cases of diphtheria, where a total of 5898 suspected cases were reported from 59 local government areas in 11 states across Nigeria. The majority (99.4%) of suspected cases of the disease were reported from six states: Kano (1816), Katsina (234), Yobe (158), Bauchi (79), Kaduna (45), and Borno (33). Conclusion: If Nigeria is to emerge beyond these frequent epidemics of diphtheria, the Nigerian government must work on tackling this issue on multiple fronts simultaneously, that is, at the national and international levels, as we believe that these levels would give a holistic way to unmask diphtheria in Nigeria.

Unveiling Nature's potential: Promising natural compounds in Parkinson's disease management.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Although the exact etiology of PD remains elusive, growing evidence suggests a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in its development. Despite advances in pharmacological interventions, current treatments primarily focus on managing symptoms rather than altering the disease's underlying course. In recent years, natural phytocompounds have emerged as a promising avenue for PD management. Phytochemicals derived from plants, such as phenolic acids, flavones, phenols, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, terpenes, alkaloids, and amino acids, have been extensively studied for their potential neuroprotective effects. These bioactive compounds possess a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-aggregation activities, which may counteract the neurodegenerative processes in PD. This comprehensive review delves into the pathophysiology of PD, with a specific focus on the roles of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein malfunction in disease pathogenesis. The review collates a wealth of evidence from preclinical studies and in vitro experiments, highlighting the potential of various phytochemicals in attenuating dopaminergic neuron degeneration, reducing α-synuclein aggregation, and modulating neuroinflammatory responses. Prominent among the natural compounds studied are curcumin, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, and omega-3 fatty acids, which have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in experimental models of PD. Additionally, flavonoids like baicalein, luteolin, quercetin, and nobiletin, and alkaloids such as berberine and physostigmine, show promise in mitigating PD-associated pathologies. This review emphasizes the need for further research through controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of these natural compounds in PD management. Although preclinical evidence is compelling, the translation of these findings into effective therapies for PD necessitates robust clinical investigation. Rigorous evaluation of pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and potential drug interactions is imperative to pave the way for evidence-based treatment strategies. With the rising interest in natural alternatives and the potential for synergistic effects with conventional therapies, this review serves as a comprehensive resource for pharmaceutical industries, researchers, and clinicians seeking novel therapeutic approaches to combat PD. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of these natural phytocompounds may hold the key to improving the quality of life for PD patients and moving towards disease-modifying therapies in the future.

Use of Selective Alternative Therapies for Treatment of OCD.

About 40% of the people with the obsessive-compulsive-disorder do not experience the desired outcome after the existing treatment, and its several side effects were reported. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alternative drugs and assess the possibility of their use as treatment options for obsessive-compulsive-disorder. The Scientific databases PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Directory of Open Access Journals, MedRxiv and BioRxiv, were searched from inception to March 2022, using appropriate search strategies for each drug and following the Prisma guidelines 2020. Studies were selected according to the already set criteria and assessed for bias. Data were extracted, and descriptive and continuous data were analyzed and presented as frequency/percentage and mean. A total of 16 observational and interventional studies were included for data extraction. The studies focused on four drugs, Psilocybin (n=4), Cannabis (n=7), Nicotine (n=3), and Morphine (n=2), that were used to test out their effect on OCD symptoms. Overall, the majority of the studies showed promising results by documenting a reduction in Y-BOCS scores. However, few subjects, specifically those using nicotine or Cannabis, did not affect their condition or self-reported worsening symptoms. Few side effects were also noticed. This systematic review found that the drugs mostly showed a positive response. All Psilocybin and morphine users, 88.2% and 74.1% of the nicotine and Cannabis users, respectively, reported experiencing the positive effect of these drugs, indicating that these drugs have the potential to be used in the management of OCD. However, further research is required in this arena to thoroughly understand the mechanism of action by which these drugs produce their therapeutic effect. Policies to destigmatize and encourage clinical trials with these drugs are crucial for exploring the use of these drugs as a treatment option for OCD.

Therapeutic Potential of Different Natural Products for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

A high incidence of dementia (60-80%) and a high rate of memory loss are two of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which affects the elderly. Researchers have recommended that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Indian medicines can be used to prevent and cure AD. Several studies have linked neuroinflammation linked to amyloid-ß (Aß) deposition in the brain to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. As a result, more research is needed to determine the role of inflammation in neurodegeneration. Increased microglial activation, cytokine production, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) all play a role in the inflammatory process of AD. This review focuses on the role of neuroinflammation in neuroprotection and the molecular processes used by diverse natural substances, phytochemicals, and herbal formulations in distinct signaling pathways. Currently, researchers are focusing on pharmacologically active natural compounds with the anti-neuroinflammatory potential, making them a possible contender for treating AD. Furthermore, the researchers investigated the limits of past studies on TCM, Indian Ayurveda, and AD. Numerous studies have been carried out to examine the effects of medicinal whole-plant extracts on AD. Clinical investigations have shown that lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids have anti-inflammatory, antiamyloidogenic, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant properties. This review summarizes information about numerous medicinal plants and isolated compounds used in the treatment of AD and a list of further references.