Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global public health problem that has affected the globe in different ways. There is little information published on the challenges and lessons learnt in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic in Zambia. Objective: To establish Zambia’s response, lessons and the challenges experienced in the fight against COVID-19. Results: Since the emergence of COVID-19, Zambia has experienced three waves, with the third wave being the most severe. The Zambian govern ment responded positively and effectively to all three pandemics with the help of cooperating partners. Zambia adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prevention methods such as hand hygiene, masking up in public, physical distancing, avoiding crowded areas and staying at home to prevent the further spread of the disease. Additionally, surveillance of COVID-19 was strengthened, which led to the early detection of cases. Besides, there has been a strong call for all Zambian adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a way of controlling the epidemic. However, since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programs, there has been a high level of vaccine hesitancy, causing Zambia to fall below the 10% of the adult population required to be vaccinated. Conclusion: The Zambian government put in place effective strategies in the fight against COVID-19. However, a lack of resources, misinformation, myths and vaccine hesitancy posed challenges in the fight against COVID-19 in Zambia. There is a need for continuous public education and sensitization on COVID-19 and the importance of vaccinations.

Abstract Background: Traditional medicine has employed Azadirachta indica to treat a variety of ailments. However, there is little information on the use of this plant in Zambia. Objective: To evaluate the phytochemicals and antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts against Escherichia coli. Materials and Methods: This was a laboratory-based experimental study in which ethanol and water were used for extraction by maceration. Phyto chemical analysis was then done on the leaf extract. Using the disc diffusion method, varying concentrations of A. indica aqueous and ethanolic extracts were used to test the antibacterial activity of A. indica against Escherichia coli. The sensitivity of the tested microorganisms to aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts was shown by zones of inhibition after incubation. Results: The phytochemical screening of the A. indica leaves revealed the presence of phenolics and tannins in both the ethanol and aqueous extract. Saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids were only present in the aqueous extract. While steroids were only present in the ethanol extract. The antibacterial activity of A.indica leaves extract was determined by zones of inhibition which showed that both aqueous and ethanol extracts had activity against E. coli. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was determined at 10 mg/mL for the aqueous extract and 20 mg/mL for the ethanol extract. The zones of inhibition in creased with concentration. Conclusion: The extracts of A. indica displayed antibacterial activity against E. coli in a dose-dependent manner. Comparatively, the aqueous extract produced better antibacterial properties against E.coli than the ethanolic extract.

Abstract An increase in oxidative stress plays a key role in neurotoxicity induction and cell death, which leads to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is a common anthocyanin and shows antioxidant activity in neuronal cells. Silent information regulator 2-related protein 1 (Sirt1) regulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of C3G on Sirt1 in neuronal cells remain unclear. This study evaluated the effect of C3G on Sirt1 expression and activity in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. In the study, C3G increased the expression of Sirt1 and Sirt1 activity in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, C3G increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, a vital transcription factor for regulating the expression of antioxidant genes, as well as antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. Moreover, C3G protected SH-SY5Y cells from oxidative stress. These results suggest that C3G decreased oxidative stress-induced cell injury by increasing the expression of Sirt1 and other antioxidant factors. Therefore, C3G might merit further investigation for use in attenuating the progress of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Background: The disposal of unused and expired medications has been a concern in many countries in that, the pharmaceutical waste enters the ecosystem and eventually causes a negative impact on human health and environment. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by students in the private medical universities in Lusaka of Zambia. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted over a period of 8 weeks among 391 respondents from three private universities in Lusaka. Respondents were polled using semi structured questions that focused on their knowledge, attitudes, and disposal practices for unused and expired drugs. In order to analyze data, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was utilized. Results: The mean age of the participants was 23 years (SD: ±3). Out of the 391 participants, 320 (81.8%) knew about medicine waste and 391 (100.0%) responded that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicine poses a threat to human health and can harm the environment. The drug-take-back system was unknown to a vast percentage of the respondent 371 (94.9%). The majority 274 (70.1%) of respondents had unused medicine stored at home, with antibiotics 215 (56.0%) and analgesia 111 (28.4%) being the most prevalent types of drugs kept in the households. The most commonly used disposal practice for unused 126 (32.2%) and expired medicines 274 (70.1%) was throwing them in household garbage. Only 27 (6.9%) and 30 (7.7%) reported returning unused and expired medicines to the nearest pharmacy respectively. The majority of respondents believed the risk stemmed from the presence of an undesired drug in the home, the potential for harm to children, a lack of proper information on safe disposal practices, and the necessity for a take-back program. Conclusions: The majority of the study participants used unsafe methods to dispose of unused and expired medicine. However, most of the participants acknowledged that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicines is a public health problem and proposed the need to introduce drug take-back programs in the communities.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the potential mechanism of Xinyi San in treating nasal polyposis through network pharmacology. Methods: We Screened the active components and targets of Xinyi San by TCMSP database, and disease targets through GeneCards database. We constructed “disease-single drug-component-target” network through software Cytoscape 3.7.2 and constructed PPI network through STRING database. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment were analyzed to predict its mechanism. Results: We got 162 components, 69 therapeutic targets, 88 GO items and 135 pathways. The main pathways include Lipid and atherosclerosis, Chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, Hepatitis B, Human cytomegalovirus infection, etc. Conclusion: This study preliminarily revealed the active components, targets and pathways of Xinyi San in treating nasal polyposis.

Abstract Joint pain is a real public health problem. According to recent studies, it is increasingly common in sub-Saharan Africa and represents a cause of greater loss of working days than accidents, heart disease and infections. The aim of this study was to study the pharmacochemical and therapeutic evidence of ten (10) plants used in the management of joint pain by traditional health practitioners in Ouagadougou. We conducted a meta-analysis of the data from December 2018 to September 2019. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ten (10) plants retained the maximum consensus internationally. Trichilia emetica Vahl (35.25%), Guiera senegalensis J.F.G.mel. (31%), Calotropis procera (Ait) Ait.F. (28.29%) and Crescientia cujete L. (25.12%) had more than 25% internationally reliability for their effects on joint pain. The structural analogy between conventional drugs and the molecules found in these plants has been confirmed. Additional studies should be carried out in order to improve and secure the use of these plants, which represent a prominent option in the therapeutic offer.

Abstract Tinospora cordifolia (Wild) Hook, local name: Guduchi/Amrita; English: Indian Tinospora, Hindi: Giloya/Gulancha, belongs to the family of Menispermaceae and is found in abundance in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and China, the plant is a spreading and mounting shrub with a lot twisting branches. T. cordifolia is used in Ayurveda medicinal system and has numerous therapeutic properties. This article summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties found within the plant. The review will provide a scientific basis of its use in Ayurveda and is an informative database on an ethno-pharmacologically important medicinal plant for future researchers.

Abstract Polysubstance (combinations of substances) abuse and overdose deaths now surpass mono-substance abuse and overdose deaths. Several international and governmental organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), several of the Institutes of the NIH (National Institutes of Health), Regulators, and Enforcement Agencies, among others, track and provide a valuable source of statistical information about drug (prescription and illicit) (mis)use and overdose. The information is disseminated free to stakeholders and the general public for use. Although the numeric presentations of the data are helpful and adequate for professionals, the non-expert and the visual learner often find visual representation more clear and more compelling. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to present polysubstance use and overdose using visual maps of the available data. This article considers the opioids.