1
|
Aloke C, Obasi NA, Aja PM, Emelike CU, Egwu CO, Jeje O, Edeogu CO, Onisuru OO, Orji OU, Achilonu I. Combating Lassa Fever in West African Sub-Region: Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Viruses 2023; 15:146. [PMID: 36680186 PMCID: PMC9864412 DOI: 10.3390/v15010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a rodent-borne disease that threatens human health in the sub-region of West Africa where the zoonotic host of Lassa virus (LASV) is predominant. Currently, treatment options for LF are limited and since no preventive vaccine is approved for its infectivity, there is a high mortality rate in endemic areas. This narrative review explores the transmission, pathogenicity of LASV, advances, and challenges of different treatment options. Our findings indicate that genetic diversity among the different strains of LASV and their ability to circumvent the immune system poses a critical challenge to the development of LASV vaccines/therapeutics. Thus, understanding the biochemistry, physiology and genetic polymorphism of LASV, mechanism of evading host immunity are essential for development of effective LASV vaccines/therapeutics to combat this lethal viral disease. The LASV nucleoprotein (NP) is a novel target for therapeutics as it functions significantly in several aspects of the viral life cycle. Consequently, LASV NP inhibitors could be employed as effective therapeutics as they will potentially inhibit LASV replication. Effective preventive control measures, vaccine development, target validation, and repurposing of existing drugs, such as ribavirin, using activity or in silico-based and computational bioinformatics, would aid in the development of novel drugs for LF management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinyere Aloke
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Maduabuchi Aja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Ishaka P.O. Box 71, Uganda
| | - Chinedum Uche Emelike
- Department of Physiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Olamide Jeje
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Chuks Oswald Edeogu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Olalekan Olugbenga Onisuru
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Obasi Uche Orji
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Ikechukwu Achilonu
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Egwu CO, Aloke C, Chukwu J, Agwu A, Alum E, Tsamesidis I, Aja PM, Offor CE, Obasi NA. A world free of malaria: It is time for Africa to actively champion and take leadership of elimination and eradication strategies. Afr Health Sci 2022; 22:627-640. [PMID: 37092107 PMCID: PMC10117514 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v22i4.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global burden of malaria seems unabated. Africa carries the greatest burden accounting for over 95% of the annual cases of malaria. For the vision of a world free of malaria by Global Technical Strategy to be achieved, Africa must take up the stakeholder's role. It is therefore imperative that Africa rises up to the challenge of malaria and champion the fight against it. The fight against malaria may just be a futile or mere academic venture if Africans are not directly and fully involved. This work reviews the roles playable by Africans in order to curb the malaria in Africa and the world at large.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- Medical Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010 Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chinyere Aloke
- Medical Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010 Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Chukwu
- World Health Organization, United Nations House Plot 617/618 Central Area District PMB 2861 Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Anthony Agwu
- Biochemistry Department, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, P.M.B. 053 Ebonyi State Nigeria
| | - Esther Alum
- Biochemistry Department, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, P.M.B. 053 Ebonyi State Nigeria
| | - Ioannis Tsamesidis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 54124 Greece
| | - Patrick M Aja
- Biochemistry Department, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, P.M.B. 053 Ebonyi State Nigeria
| | - Christian E Offor
- Biochemistry Department, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, P.M.B. 053 Ebonyi State Nigeria
| | - Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Medical Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010 Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aloke C, Egwu CO, Aja PM, Obasi NA, Chukwu J, Akumadu BO, Ogbu PN, Achilonu I. Current Advances in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2436. [PMID: 36289697 PMCID: PMC9599361 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) underscores a rising epidemic orchestrating critical socio-economic burden on countries globally. Different treatment options for the management of DM are evolving rapidly because the usual methods of treatment have not completely tackled the primary causes of the disease and are laden with critical adverse effects. Thus, this narrative review explores different treatment regimens in DM management and the associated challenges. A literature search for published articles on recent advances in DM management was completed with search engines including Web of Science, Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, using keywords such as DM, management of DM, and gene therapy. Our findings indicate that substantial progress has been made in DM management with promising results using different treatment regimens, including nanotechnology, gene therapy, stem cell, medical nutrition therapy, and lifestyle modification. However, a lot of challenges have been encountered using these techniques, including their optimization to ensure optimal glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure modulation to minimize complications, improvement of patients' compliance to lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions, safety, ethical issues, as well as an effective delivery system among others. In conclusion, lifestyle management alongside pharmacological approaches and the optimization of these techniques is critical for an effective and safe clinical treatment plan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinyere Aloke
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Nigeria
| | - Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Maduabuchi Aja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 53, Nigeria
| | - Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Nigeria
| | - Jennifer Chukwu
- John Hopkins Program on International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Abuja 900281, Nigeria
| | - Blessing Oluebube Akumadu
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Patience Nkemjika Ogbu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Nigeria
| | - Ikechukwu Achilonu
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Egwu CO, Obasi NA, Aloke C, Nwafor J, Tsamesidis I, Chukwu J, Elom S. Impact of Drug Pressure versus Limited Access to Drug in Malaria Control: The Dilemma. Medicines (Basel) 2022; 9:medicines9010002. [PMID: 35049935 PMCID: PMC8779401 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria burden has severe impact on the world. Several arsenals, including the use of antimalarials, are in place to curb the malaria burden. However, the application of these antimalarials has two extremes, limited access to drug and drug pressure, which may have similar impact on malaria control, leading to treatment failure through divergent mechanisms. Limited access to drugs ensures that patients do not get the right doses of the antimalarials in order to have an effective plasma concentration to kill the malaria parasites, which leads to treatment failure and overall reduction in malaria control via increased transmission rate. On the other hand, drug pressure can lead to the selection of drug resistance phenotypes in a subpopulation of the malaria parasites as they mutate in order to adapt. This also leads to a reduction in malaria control. Addressing these extremes in antimalarial application can be essential in maintaining the relevance of the conventional antimalarials in winning the war against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- PharmaDev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria; (N.A.O.); (C.A.); (S.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria; (N.A.O.); (C.A.); (S.E.)
| | - Chinyere Aloke
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria; (N.A.O.); (C.A.); (S.E.)
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Joseph Nwafor
- Anatomy, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria;
| | - Ioannis Tsamesidis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Jennifer Chukwu
- John Hopkins Program on International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Abuja 900281, Nigeria;
| | - Sunday Elom
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria; (N.A.O.); (C.A.); (S.E.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ajuka Obasi N, Aloke C, Obasi SE, Ogbonnia Egwu C, Clement Famurewa A, Nkemjika Ogbu P. Protective effects of Dialium guineense pulp on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in albino rats. J Appl Biomed 2021; 19:170-178. [PMID: 34907760 DOI: 10.32725/jab.2021.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The numerous challenges and detrimental effects connected with the treatment of peptic ulcers in the world today calls for alternative attention. Ethnomedicinally, Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP) has numerous pharmacological activities. This study investigated the anti-ulcer activities of Dialium guineense pulp on gastric mucosa injury induced with aspirin in albino Wistar rats. DAGP extract was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw (mg per kg of the body weight) per day for 3 or 7 days followed by 400 mg/kg bw oral aspirin administration. Ulcer indices were determined, followed by a biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes using gastric mucosal tissue from the stomach. Student's t-test was used to compare significant differences among groups of animals at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Dialium guineense pulp caused a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the ulcer index in aspirin induced rats. This decrease in ulcer index is dose dependent and 1000 mg/kg bw per day caused the highest decrease in 7 days. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in lipid peroxidation and a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant enzymes activities in the aspirin-induced ulcerated rats. Oral administration of DAGP increased antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased injury in the gastric mucosa in ulcer induced rats. Therefore, this study showed that DAGP exhibited anti-ulcer potential and that the gastrointestinal protection may be through the scavenging action of free radicals by its constituent antioxidants. Thus, Dialium guineense pulp has ameliorative medicinal potential for the curing of gastric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ikwo, Nigeria
| | - Chinyere Aloke
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ikwo, Nigeria
| | - Stella Eberechukwu Obasi
- Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Unwana, Nigeria
| | - Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ikwo, Nigeria.,Paul Sabatier University Toulouse III, Department of Biochemistry, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Patience Nkemjika Ogbu
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ikwo, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|