Secondary Metabolites Isolated from Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua and Their Anti-Malarial, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulating Properties—Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: A Review

peer reviewedThere are over 500 species of the genus Artemisia in the Asteraceae family distributed over the globe, with varying potentials to treat different ailments. Following the isolation of artemisinin (a potent anti-malarial compound with a sesquiterpene backbone) from Artemisia annua, the phytochemical composition of this species has been of interest over recent decades. Additionally, the number of phytochemical investigations of other species, including those of Artemisia afra in a search for new molecules with pharmacological potentials, has increased in recent years. This has led to the isolation of several compounds from both species, including a majority of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and polyphenols with varying pharmacological activities. This review aims to discuss the most important compounds present in both plant species with anti-malarial properties, anti-inflammatory potentials, and immunomodulating properties, with an emphasis on their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties. Additionally, the toxicity of both plants and their anti-malaria properties, including those of other species in the genus Artemisia, is discussed. As such, data were collected via a thorough literature search in web databases, such as ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Google scholar, PubMed, Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical databases, up to 2022. A distinction was made between compounds involved in a direct anti-plasmodial activity and those expressing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities or anti-fever properties. For pharmacokinetics activities, a distinction was made between compounds influencing bioavailability (CYP effect or P-Glycoprotein effect) and those affecting the stability of pharmacodynamic active components

A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18–65 years)

Abstract Background In respect of the WHO’s commendation to incorporate traditional medicine (TM) in health care, the Cameroon government wants to promote the use of the traditional medicine and is resolute on encouraging the treatment of patients with alternative medicine from traditional sources. This study explores the use of herbal tea by Cameroonian adults to prevent or treat diseases and the socio-demographic determinants of tea use among participants. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 307 Cameroonian adults (18–65 years) randomly selected within 4 hospitals and 4 communities in the Centre and Southwest regions of Cameroon between 04/01–20/04/2022, using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaires. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between variables. Results Over four-fifth (89.3%) of participants had taken herbal teas at least once within the last 2 years prior to the survey, and most participants used the teas for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 (67.9%), malaria (59.7%) and typhoid fever (35%). Most respondents took the teas warm (75%), and the treatment dosage used by most respondents (51%) was “one glass in the morning and evening for one to two weeks”. The teas taken by 70% of users had bad or bitter taste and 52.2% of them were uncomfortable with the bad taste. However, the majority of users completed their treatment dosage (72%), 90.5% of them were willing to use teas for treatment if prescribed in health facilities in future, and 90.1% were in support that herbal teas should be prescribed in hospitals. There was no significant association (p ≥ 0.05) between sociodemographic characteristics of participants and herbal tea use. However, the major motivating factor for acceptability of herbal tea use was treatment effectiveness (52.7%). Conclusion There is high prevalence of herbal tea use among adults Cameroonians in the studied settings in the Centre and Southwest regions of Cameroon, with a positive opinion and willingness to use teas if prescribed in health facilities. Authorities must ensure the effectiveness and safety of traditional medicine served in health facilities, to enhance compliance and adequate use

ACCESS TO MEDICINES STRATEGIES OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CONTROL PROGRAMME IN CAMEROON

Objective: Access to cancer drugs is a public health concern in low and middle-income countries. In Cameroon, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) faces various obstacles to ensure accessibility of cancer drugs. This research aims to analyse the strategies implemented by the NCCP to ensure drugs selection and supply chain management,and  obstacles encountered at the central level. Methodology: A qualitative cross-sectional situational analysis was carried out at the NCCP and the National Essential Medicines Supply Central (NEMSC)in Yaounde. For this purpose, tape-recorded interviews were conducted with key informants using two interview guides. After transcription, the verbal data were kept in a textual corpus and rendered in verbatim. The content analysis was done manually on the basis of a dimension matrix. SPSS version 20 was used to determine descriptive parameters like frequencies and means. Results: 47% of the drugs retained were part of the National list of essential medicines. The NEMSC ordered 13 princeps. Among these, 35% had generics on the market. In logistics chain management, drug needs estimation and supply planning were based on approximation. As there was no sure information trackability and coordination between actors, not ensured. Also, a monitoring and evaluation plan had not been put in place. Furthermore, the only source of funding was the Government through the annual budget line. Limited financial resources allocated to supply was the main bottle neck, due to the high cost of the therapies and the ever-increasing demand. This resulted in a long stock-out(up to 15 months) for all the drugs and complete unavailability for others, like morphine, despite its great palliative care demand. Conclusion: There are many challenges around cancer drugs accessibility in Cameroon. Therefore it is an urgent need to strengthen drug provision services within the NCCP.                      Peer Review History: Received: 4 September 2021; Revised: 10 October; Accepted: 4 October, Available online: 15 November 2021 Academic Editor:  Dr. Ali Abdullah Al-yahawi, Al-Razi university, Department of Pharmacy, Yemen, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.  Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, [email protected] Dr. Muhammad Zahid Iqbal, AIMST University, Malaysia, [email protected] Similar Articles: EVALUATION OF CURRENT SCENARIO OF CANCER DISEASE AT CHATTAGRAM IN BANGLADESH TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE - LONG TERM FOLLOW UP OF 75 CASE

Knowledge about Asymptomatic Malaria and Acceptability of Using Artemisia afra Tea among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey

peer reviewedMalaria is the most widespread endemic disease in Cameroon, and asymptomatic Plas- modium (gametocyte) carriers (APCs) constitute more than 95% of infectious human reservoirs in malaria endemic settings. This study assesses the knowledge of asymptomatic malaria (ASM) among health care workers (HCWs) in health facilities (HFs) in the Centre Region of Cameroon and the acceptability of using Artemisia afra tea to treat APCs. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 100 HCWs, in four randomly selected HFs in the Centre Region, in the period of 1–20 April 2022, using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with knowledge. More than seven in eight (88%) respondents were aware of the existence of ASM, 83% defined ASM correctly, 75% knew how it was diagnosed, 70% prescribe ACTs for APCs, and 51.1% were informed about ASM transmission. The professional category of HCWs was significantly associated with their knowledge of the existence and transmission of ASM, and longevity of service was associated with knowledge of transmission (p < 0.05). Two-thirds (67%) of respondents knew about Artemisia afra tea, 53.7% believed that it was effective in treating ASM, and 79% were willing to prescribe it if authorized. There was a fair level of knowledge of ASM among HCWs in the study settings