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Appraising the Bioactivity Potentials of Eco-Friendly Synthesized Metallic Nanoparticles
Published in Akinola Rasheed Popoola, Emeka Godfrey Nwoba, James Chukwuma Ogbonna, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Nwadiuto (Diuto) Esiobu, Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim, Benjamin Ewa Ubi, Bioenergy and Environmental Biotechnology for Sustainable Development, 2022
Mike O. Ojemaye, Anthony I. Okoh
Protozoan parasites (genus: Plasmodium) are usually transmitted when infected Anopheles mosquitoes bite humans and cause malaria. There are different species of Plasmodium that cause disease and include Plasmodium vivax, which is widespread, and Plasmodium falciparium, which causes most deaths. Other known Plasmodium species include Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium knowlesi. In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a big health challenge, which has had dire consequences on most economies. In spite of huge global efforts to combat malaria through improved control interventions and enhanced funding for research on malaria, malaria deaths have continued to increase (Kojom et al., 2019). The development of resistance against artemisinin loci by P. falciparum, which was also encountered with previously used antimalarial drugs like sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine, has been a major setback to malaria prevention and elimination efforts globally. One of the diverse strategies for the development of new antimalarial drugs is the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles from plants and microorganisms. Reports from our group have shown that these green synthesized metallic nanoparticles, e.g. AgNPs and AuNPs, are very potent against P. falciparum parasite (Larayetan et al., 2019; Okaiyeto et al., 2019, 2020).
Pyrimidines
Published in Mihai V. Putz, New Frontiers in Nanochemistry, 2020
Nicoleta A. Dudaş, Mihai V. Putz
The pyrimidine core exists in the structure of many compounds that have been tested for their biological and pharmacological properties, some of them being approved as drugs or pesticides. Among them we can mention (Figure 41.5): veronal (barbital/barbitone) which was the first hypnotic-sleeping drug, synthesized and used for the first time by Fisher and von Mehrin in 1903; thiamylal with sedative, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects, used as a strong but short acting sedative; minoxidil – an antihypertensive, vasodilator used in the treatment of alopecia; 2-thiouracil and propylthiouracil – for treatment of hyperthyroidism; pyrimethamine with sulfadoxine (a sulphonamide) – for treatment of malaria, toxoplasmosis; bacimethrin, trimethoprim – antibacterial agents, antibiotics; 5-iododeoxy-uridine, arabinoside (Ara-A), acyclovir cidofovir – antiviralagents; flucytosine – an antifungal agent; 5-fluorouracil, tegafur, uramustine, cytarabine (Ara-C), gemcitabine – used to treat various types of cancer; pyrimidifen – an acaricide and insecticide; fenarimol–fungicide properties; bromacil, nicosulfuron–herbicides (Fischer & von Mering, 1903; von Angerer, 2007; Lackie, 2010; Daintith, 2008; Jain et al., 2006; Panneer Selvam et al., 2012, 2013; Dudhe et al., 2011; Wilhelmus, 2015; Wood, 2013; Vencill, 2002; Herbicide Classification, 2013; FDA, 2005; Dudaş & Putz, 2014).
Antimalarial and Other Antiparasitic Drugs
Published in Richard J. Sundberg, The Chemical Century, 2017
Resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine was first noted in the 1950s and was wide-spread by the 1970s. A combination of two drugs, sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, then became the first line therapy. Mefloquine was introduced in the 1970s, but resistance developed fairly quickly. Current treatments include a combination of atovaquone and proguanil or combinations including artemisinin or derivatives. Chloroquine-resistant to P. vivax is somewhat less wide-spread, although it is high in some areas, particularly Indonesia and New Guinea. There have been reports of resistance to artemisinin in Cambodia. This is viewed with grave concern, because artemisinin and its derivatives are currently the most reliable antimalarial drugs available. The WHO has undertaken efforts to contain the resistance, in particular recommending against continued use of the artemisinins as monotherapies.11
Protective effects of some Nigerian indigenous antimalarial plants on placental malaria related pathological damages and pregnancy outcomes in murine model
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2020
Ayodele S. Babalola, Olufunmilayo A. Idowu, Kehinde O. Ademolu, J. Olukunle, A. Rahman Samson
The placental sequestration of P. falciparum (placental malaria) leads to the colonization of parasitized erythrocytes in the intervillous space. Placental malaria has long been regarded as a major complication of malaria during pregnancy. Placental malaria is a big problem in sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight (LBW), stillbirth and preterm delivery. Studies have suggested that Plasmodium parasites can evade the placenta barrier, leading to mother-to-child transmission of malaria, (a condition known as congenital malaria) [1,2]. Studies in Africa have shown that at least 7–10% of newborns have malaria parasite-infected placentas, and a significant part of the transmission of parasites from the mother to the child occurs in utero [3,4]. Despite the devastating effect of placental malaria, the main choice of prevention is through the use of intermittent preventive treatment with Sulphadoxine pyremethamine (IpT-Sp). However, the truth is that malaria parasites are currently developing resistance to IpT-Sp. Recently, exploration of natural products of plant sources have been the center of focus to detect a new, safer and more effective bioactive compounds with medicinal properties [5]. The use of medicinal plants in the treatment and prevention of malaria have been on a rise in various parts of the world. One of the aims of this study is to explore the potential of some known antimalarial plants in preventing placental malaria.
QuEChERS-based analysis and ecotoxicological risk of select antibiotics in dumpsite leachates, hospital wastewater and effluent receiving water in Ibadan, Nigeria
Published in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2022
Akinranti S. Ajibola, Tobiloba E. Awoyemi, Oluwadamilare T. Fasogbon, Gregory O. Adewuyi
Despite the advantages of QuEChERS extraction method, no earlier work had investigated its applicability for the determination of sulfonamides and trimethoprim antibiotics in dumpsite leachates. Moreover, studies on the determination of antibiotics in dumpsite leachates and hospital wastewater are currently limited in Africa, including Nigeria. Recently, fluoroquinolone antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were determined in wastewater from Nigerian hospital wastewater treatment plants.[5,30] To the best of authors’ knowledge, the occurrence and ecotoxicological risk of sulfonamides and trimethoprim in dumpsite leachates and hospital wastewater in Nigeria have not been investigated, till date. It is therefore of vital importance to research into the occurrence of these antibiotics in dumpsite leachates and hospital wastewater in Nigeria, with a view to assessing their potential ecotoxicological risks. Apart from its usage as an antibiotic, sulfadoxine (a sulfonamide) is widely used as sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine formulation in Nigeria to treat and prevent malaria,[31] a disease which poses a significant public health challenge in Nigeria.[32] Furthermore, sulfadoxine, sulfamethazine and trimethoprim were previously detected in sewage sludge from Nigerian hospital wastewater treatment plants.[24] As a result, the presence of sulfadoxine, sulfamethazine and trimethoprim antibiotics in the Nigerian aquatic environment is anticipated, and these antibiotics were selected for investigation in this study.