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Many known purification systems have failed in the removal of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and there is no known natural degradation process. PFAS are a group of synthetic fluoroorganic compounds that have a unique dual nature of both lipophobic and hydrophobic, as well as high-energy chemical bonds that make them pervasive in the environment. Currently, these compounds receive less attention; however, they pose serious health problems. Studies have shown PFAS's dispersion pathways, health concerns, and suggestions for their removal in soil and water, but there is still limited information on the natural or subjective degradation of the compounds. Several technologies, such as phytoremediation, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and photolysis, have been demonstrated to remove PFAS. However, these techniques come with their challenges and drawbacks, especially in the complete removal of the compounds. Thus, this overview described the pathways and mechanisms of some PFAS, including biotransformation pathways of 6:2 FTOH, biotransformation and degradation pathways of 8:2 FTOH, and fragmentation pathways for PFOA, PFOS, and 8:2 FTOH, degraded by the Phanerochaete chrysosporium fungus. Furthermore, this study suggests that the integration of plants and fungi into constructed wetland technology holds promise for effective PFAS removal.

Pelargonium quercifolium is an aromatic herb with a strong resinous scent. It is used traditionally to treat heart disease, hypertension, stress, rheumatism, combat hidden hunger, and inhibit HIV-1. The present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity, anti-HIV, antioxidant nutrients and anticancer potentials of the ethanol extract of P. quercifolium. In this study, high-resolution ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-D AD), xCELLigence real-time cell analyser single plate (RTCA-SP), MTT assays and luciferase-based assay were employed to elucidate the phytochemicals, cytotoxicity, anti-HIV, antioxidant nutrients and anticancer metabolites in P. quercifolium. Results show that the characterized metabolites in P. quercifolium most of which were flavonoids, phenolic derivatives, alkaloids and coumarins could arrest cancer cell proliferation and inhibit HIV infection given the high level of cytotoxicity of the tested plant extract. It was also observed and reported for the first time, the nutrient profile of P. quercifolium is higher than most vegetables consumed as a staple food. This study underpins the potential of using anticancer and antiviral metabolites from leaf extract of P. quercifolium as a pharmacological option.

The morbidity caused by parasite worms on susceptible hosts is of great concern and studies were carried out to explain the mechanism of infection, prevalence, host-parasite interaction and resistance of the parasite to treatment. This review elucidates the prevalence of parasitic worm infections; which is on the increases with the increase in the world population, global warming, poor standard of living particularly in troubled regions and developing nations. The neglect of the disease coupled with the resistance of these parasites to the few available drugs becomes a huge challenge that influences global disease burden. Helminths infections pose a life threat and increase the disability-adjusted life year (DALYs) of the poor and vulnerable people. On the other hand, exploration of medicinal plants as an alternative source of treatment against drugs resistance helminths, attract insufficient attention. This review focused on providing a general overview of the prevalence of helminths, host-parasite interactions, the resistance of helminths and the medicinal plants used to treat helminthic infections.