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Requiring regional or in-country confirmatory clinical trials before approval of drugs already approved elsewhere delays access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries and raises drug costs. Here, we discuss the scientific and technological advances that may reduce the need for in-country or in-region clinical trials for drugs approved in other countries and limitations of these advances that could necessitate in-region clinical studies.

Plant-derived immunomodulators modulate adaptive immune responses to vaccines. The present study aims to investigate the acquired immune responses elicited by live attenuated Salmonella gallinarum vaccine complemented by some herbal extracts. Sixty chicks (one day old) were divided into six groups; Unvaccinated (NEG), Vernonia amygdalina (VA), Garcinia kola (GK), Curcuma longa (CL), Zingiber officinale (ZO), and polyherbal (PH) groups. The NEG group received distilled water, while the other groups were administered live attenuated Salmonella gallinarum vaccine intramuscularly (0.2 mL/bird) at 5 and 9 weeks. Aqueous extracts of the plants were administered singly, and in combination (2 mL/bird orally) at 7 and 11 weeks. At 8, and 12 weeks, circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres were evaluated using haemagglutination (HT) test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell-mediated response was evaluated using the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTHR) test. After primary immunization, IgG titres were significantly higher in the vaccinated groups (0.515 - 0.716) compared to the unvaccinated (NEG) group (0.364). After secondary immunization, there was a boost in the IgG titres, with the PH group exhibiting the highest IgG titre (0.768). The haemagglutination test showed the highest agglutination in the VA group (100%), followed by GK (80%), ZO/PH (60%), and CL (40%). Cell-mediated immunity after 24 h showed an insignificant increase in paw size of the vaccinated chicks, with the CL group showing the highest increase in paw size (3.2%). The results showed that the herbal extracts had immunomodulatory effects with some extracts enhancing the acquired immune responses while others suppressed it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria incidences has been a public health concern and it has increased in recent years because of resistance of the malaria parasite to available antimalarial drugs. This research explored the anti-plasmodial effect of the Cissus populnea matrixed in artemether-lumefantrine against Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The matrixed drug was evaluated for prophylactic, curative, and suppressive effect in Plasmodium berghei mice. The swiss Albino mice were grouped into 4 and were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei intraperitoneally except the naïve group. The matrixed drug significantly inhibited parasitemia in prophylactic, curative, and suppressive infections (p<0.05) (45.75%, 37.75, and 60.99%, respectively). However, a significant decrease in PCV, Hb, RBC and increased total and differential white blood cell count was observed in the mice that were treated with the matrixed tablet formulation for prophylaxis and suppression, but no significant hematological effect was observed in the groups that received the matrixed tablet for curative effect. The histopathological analysis of the matrixed drug on different organs showed no observable damage in any of the organs This study suggests that incorporation of Cissus populnea gum in artemether-lumefantrine based tablets possessed promising antimalarial potential with minimal histological and hematological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant virus nanoparticles (PVNPs) have garnered considerable interest as a promising nanotechnology approach to combat cancer. Owing to their biocompatibility, stability, and adjustable surface functionality, PVNPs hold tremendous potential for both therapeutic and imaging applications. The versatility of PVNPs is evident from their ability to be tailored to transport a range of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapy drugs, siRNA, and immunomodulators, thereby facilitating targeted delivery to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, PVNPs may be customized with targeting ligands to selectively bind to cancer cell receptors, reducing off-target effects. Additionally, PVNPs possess immunogenic properties and can be engineered to exhibit tumor-associated antigens, thereby stimulating anti-tumor immune responses. In conclusion, the potential of PVNPs as a versatile platform for fighting cancer is immense, and further research is required to fully explore their potential and translate them into clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinine hydrochloride (QHCl) has remained a very relevant antimalarial drug 400 years after its effectiveness was discovered. Unlike other antimalarials, the development of resistance to quinine has been slow. Hence, this drug is to date still used for the treatment of severe and cerebral malaria, for malaria treatment in all trimesters of pregnancy, and in combination with doxycycline against multidrug-resistant malaria parasites. The decline in its administration over the years is mainly associated with poor tolerability due to its gastrointestinal (GIT) side effects such as cinchonism, complex dosing regimen and bitter taste, all of which result in poor compliance. Hence, our research was aimed at redesigning quinine using nanotechnology and investigating an alternative route for its administration for the treatment of malaria. QHCl nanosuspension (QHCl-NS) for intranasal administration was prepared using lipid matrices made up of solidified reverse micellar solutions (SRMS) comprising Phospholipon® 90H and lipids (Softisan® 154 or Compritol®) in a 1:2 ratio, while Poloxamer® 188 (P188) and Tween® 80 (T80) were used as a stabilizer and a surfactant, respectively. The QHCl-NS formulated were in the nanosize range (68.60 ± 0.86 to 300.80 ± 10.11 nm), and highly stable during storage, though zeta potential was low (≤6.95 ± 0.416). QHCl-NS achieved above 80% in vitro drug release in 6 h. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed that formulating QHCl as NS resulted in a 5-fold and 56-fold increase in the flux and permeation coefficient, respectively, thereby enhancing permeation through pig nasal mucosa better than plain drug solutions. This implies that the rate of absorption as well as ease of drug permeation through porcine nasal mucosa was impressively enhanced by formulating QHCl as NS. Most importantly, reduction in parasitaemia in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA by QHCl-NS administered through the intranasal route (51.16%) was comparable to oral administration (52.12%). Therefore, redesigning QHCl as NS for intranasal administration has great potential to serve as a more tolerable option for the treatment of malaria in endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance of foodborne pathogens to antibiotics and their ability to form biofilms poses a serious public health burden globally. This study investigated the antibacterial susceptibility pattern and biofilm-forming ability of bacterial isolates from surfaces of minimally processed fruits and vegetables from markets in Southeastern Nigeria. Randomly selected samples of fresh minimally processed watermelon, cucumber, and garden egg were collected and evaluated by standard plate techniques. Pure cultures were identified macroscopically, microscopically, and using biochemical analysis. The antibiotic susceptibility studies were conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on eleven antibiotic discs. The biofilm screening was conducted using Congo Red Agar medium and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was to determine morphological features of biofilm formers. Characterization revealed seventeen probable species of pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility results revealed MTX50 having the least antibacterial activity with percentage susceptibility of 0 and AMP10, the most effective antibiotic on all isolates with percentage susceptibility of 70.41.Salmonella sp. had a mean IZD of 18.67 mm to PEF5 and according to CLSI guidelines, it is said to be resistant to PEF5.All isolates were strong biofilm formers except four which were non- and moderate biofilm formers. SEM micrograph revealed organisms enclosed in an extracellular matrix. The detection of these opportunistic pathogens capable of forming biofilms in freshly minimally processed fruits and vegetable poses a serious risk for consumers because of their bacteria colonization indication ratio and resistance patterns which varied in response to the various antibiotics used. Biofilm formers indicate resistant pathogens as they formed extracellular polymeric matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]