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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public health concern globally, and more so in developing countries like South Africa where it is characterized by an alarmingly high prevalence. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of the disease in this region. This review explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and T2DM in the context of South Africa by providing an in-depth analysis of the specific mitochondrial factors influencing T2DM. Furthermore, it explores South Africa's unique demographic and epidemiological landscape characterizing its increased susceptibility to T2DM. Understanding the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and T2DM is of paramount importance in developing tailored prevention and treatment strategies. A need for further research to elucidate the intricate mechanisms behind this relationship, ultimately aiming to mitigate the diabetes burden in South Africa and beyond is highlighted.

Background. Naringenin has shown great promise in the realm of cancer therapeutics, demonstrating excellent cytotoxic action toward cancer cells and the enhanced effects of radiation therapy in vitro. However, the medicinal value of naringenin is severely limited clinically by poor bioavailability. Thus, multiple drug-delivery strategies for overcoming this limitation have been developed, of which liposomes are considered the most suitable due to their amphiphilic, modifiable, and biocompatible characteristics. In this study, we investigated the role of naringenin and liposomal-delivered naringenin as adjuncts to radiotherapy in the MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell line in vitro. Materials and Methods. Liposomal-naringenin was synthesized by thin-film hydration and extrusion and was characterized by spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. The effects of free-from naringenin and liposomal-naringenin were evaluated toward MDA-MB-231 cell viability when combined with varying doses of radiation. Additionally, cell growth patterns, morphology, and colony formation were evaluated. Results. The analysis demonstrated IC50 values of 387.5 and 546.6 µg/ml for naringenin and liposomal-naringenin, respectively. Naringenin and liposomal-naringenin significantly lowered cell viability, proliferation, and colony formation dose-dependently, as compared to radiation in isolation. Conclusion. The findings presented herein concur with previous accounts of the radiosensitizing potential of naringenin and further highlight the considerable biomedical application of liposomal-naringenin within the realm of radiotherapy.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), considered one of the most common metabolic disorders, has dramatically increased and resulted in higher rates of morbidity and mortality around the world in the past decade. It is well known that insulin resistance in target tissues and a deficiency in insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristics of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was the bio-evaluation of compounds isolated from three selected plant species: namely, Salvia africana-lutea, Leonotis ocymifolia, and Plectranthus madagascariensis, for their glucose-uptake ability. Methanolic extracts were produced from the aerial parts of each plant. Compounds were identified using different spectroscopic techniques. The glucose-uptake ability of each compound was then evaluated in mammalian cells using 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate. The cytotoxicity of each compound was established via the MTT assay. Chromatographic purification of the three plant species yielded sixteen pure terpenoids. Compounds 1 (p = 0.0031), 8 (p = 0.0053), and 6 (p = 0.0086) showed a marked increase in glucose uptake, respectively. Additionally, 1, 4, and 6 exhibited cytotoxicity toward mammalian tissue with a decrease in cell viability of ~70%, ~68%, and ~67%, respectively. The results suggested that several compounds demonstrated a marked increase in glucose uptake, while two of the compounds exhibited signs of cytotoxicity. It may, therefore, be suggested that these compounds be considered as potential candidates for novel plant-derived alternative therapies in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.