Self-medication and Anti-malarial Drug Resistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): A silent threat

Background Malaria is a global infectious (vector-borne: Anopheles mosquitoes) disease which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Among all its parasitic (protozoan: Plasmodium sp.) variants, Plasmodium falciparum (PF) is the most virulent and responsible for above 90% of global malaria deaths hence making it a global public health threat. Main context Despite current front-line antimalarial treatments options especially allopathic medications and malaria prevention (and control) strategies especially governmental policies and community malaria intervention programs in SSA, PF infections remains prevalent due to increased antimicrobial/antimalarial drug resistance caused by several factors especially genetic mutations and auto(self)-medication practices in SSA. In this article, we focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the largest SSA country by bringing perspective into the impact of self-medication and antimalarial drug resistance, and provided recommendation for long-term improvement and future analysis in malaria prevention and control in SSA. Conclusions Self-medication and anti-malarial drug resistance is a major challenge to malaria control in DRC and sub-Saharan Africa, and to achieve sustainable control, individual, community and governmental efforts must be aligned to stop self-medication, and strengthen the health systems against malaria

Dataset on biochemical inhibiting activities of selected phytochemicals in Azadirachta indica L as potential NS2B–NS3 proteases inhibitors

The anti-NS2B–NS3 proteases activities of Azadirachta indica L. were investigated via the data obtained from selected bioactive compounds from Azadirachta indica L. The work was investigated using insilico approach and the series of computational software were used to execute the task. The software used were Spartan 14, material studio, Padel, Pymol, Autodock tool, Autodock vina and discovery studio. The obtained descriptors from 2D and 3D of the optimized compounds were screened and they were used to develop QSAR model using material studio software. Also, biological interaction between the selected bioactive compounds from Azadirachta indica L. and NS2B–NS3 proteases (PDB ID: 2fom) were accomplished using docking method and the calculated binding affinity as well as the residues involved in the interaction were reported. More so, the ADMET features for [(5S,6R,7S,8R,9S,10R,11S,12R,13S,17R)-17-(2,5-dihydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)-11,12-dihydroxy-6‑methoxy-4,4,8,10,13-pentamethyl-1,16-dioxo-6,7,9,11,12,17-hexahydro-5H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-7-yl] 3-methylbut-2-enoate (Compound 6) and (10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-[1-(3,4-dihydroxy-5,5-dimethyloxolan-2-yl)ethyl]-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-1,2,5,6,9,11,12,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one (compound 12) with lowest binding affinity were investigated and reported

Development of functional polyurethane-cenosphere hybrid composite coatings from ricinus communis seed oil

The usage of castor seed oil (CSO) as a sustainable and non-toxic biodegradable substitute for non-eco-friendly petroleum-based chemicals must be considered. This renewable feedstock (seed oil) is vital for developing polymeric organic coatings. This report investigates the one-spot synthesis of castor seed oil, 1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl) propane (cross-linker), Isophorone diisocyanate, and cenosphere nanoparticles incorporated within the polymer matrix. The hybrid coatings were characterised using FT-IR, NMR, FESEM, and XRD. The FT-IR spectrum showing the presence of absorption peaks at 1350 cm-1, 1102 cm-1, and 1000 cm-1, which represent the (Al=O), (SiO-Si), and (AlO4) functional groups, respectively confirms the modifications carried out on the cenosphere fly ash nanoparticles. The thermal stability of the synthesised composites was evaluated on a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The TGA thermograms showed improved thermal stability as the percentage composition of CFA material increased in the coating system. The antimicrobial activity indicates that the PU-CFA composite bettered resistance toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli