Modulating Ferroptosis in Aging: The Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products.

Aging is a multifactorial process driven by accumulating cellular damage. Ferroptosis-an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-mediated form of cell death-has emerged as a critical contributor to age-related tissue degeneration. This review synthesizes current evidence linking ferroptosis to key aging hallmarks, including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dysregulated iron metabolism.

In vivo assessment of chronic, genotoxic, and reproductive toxicity of a combination of Termitomyces schimperi (Pat.) R. Heim (Lyophillacea) and kaolin.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Termitomyces schimperi (Pat.) R. Heim (family Lyophyllaceae) is a widely used mushroom in traditional medicine in West Africa, often combined with kaolin, to manage various diseases, including cancers.

Utilization of medicinal hemp: a qualitative analysis of clinicians' perspectives in Ghana.

Background: Previous studies have explored the perspectives of health care professionals on the use of medicinal hemp, but they were mostly situated in high income countries. This study sets out to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of health care professionals regarding the use of hemp in clinical therapy vis-à-vis the legislative framework in Ghana.

Objective: To explore the perspectives of physicians on the use of medicinal hemp and its legalization in Ghana.

The Use of Caffeine Citrate in the Management of Neonatal Apnea in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Rapid Systematic Review.

Background And Aims: Caffeine citrate is an example of a methylxanthine approved for managing apnea of prematurity (AOP). However, there is limited evidence of its use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This rapid systematic review aims to appraise the literature on using caffeine citrate in managing neonatal apnea in LMICs.

Acute Oral Toxicological Profile of Mull. Arg. Aqueous Stem Extract, a Herbal Treatment for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Mull. Arg. is a traditional medicinal plant frequently employed in Ghana for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

Comparative Determination of Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Formulae in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: An Observational Study.

Assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) involves collecting timed urine samples for 24 hours, requiring significant time and resources in the clinical setting. Using predictive GFR formulae to assess renal function may be a better alternative. Our goal was to determine which predictive GFR formula had the highest level of concordance with the GFR that has been measured in a resource-poor setting.

Levels of anti-insulin antibodies in diabetic retinopathy patients: an observational cross-sectional study.

This study evaluated the levels of anti-insulin antibodies (AIAs) and the influence of some antidiabetic medications on AIA in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with retinopathy. An observational cross-sectional study. A lower titer of AIA IgG was observed in the diabetic retinopathy (DR) and DM-only study categories compared with the control group [DR = 86 (5-560), DM-only = 50 (5-500), versus control = 200 (7-565); p = 0.

Medication errors at a diabetes management center in a resource-poor setting.

Background: Medication errors are known to cause adverse drug reactions, hospital admissions and mortality. In most resource-poor settings, medication errors occur but are undocumented.

Objective: This study sought to investigate medication errors in a diabetic clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea treated with artemether-lumefantrine for acute uncomplicated malaria.

Introduction: Limited information exists on any interactions between hydroxyurea (HU) and antimalarials in sickle cell disease (SCD). We evaluated changes in clinical and laboratory parameters among children with SCD on HU therapy treated with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for acute uncomplicated malaria (UM).

Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, pilot study of 127 children with SCD (23, UM; 104, steady state) were recruited from three hospitals in Accra.

Blood C-peptide concentration as a proxy marker of cardiovascular disease: An observational cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of disability and early death in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the current blood tests for CVD diagnosis involve performing about three test profiles; often at additional cost to patients. C-peptide, a cleavage product of proinsulin, is a promising marker that has the potential to serve as a proxy marker for diagnosing CVDs in resource-poor settings.

Biochemical markers of nephrotic syndrome: An observational, cross-sectional study.

Background: Blood protein leakage, especially albumin, into the urine is the hallmark of nephrotic syndrome (NS), which poses a serious public health problem. The absence of albumin prompts the liver to produce more proteins to make up the difference. The therapeutic significance of these additional proteins in NS is not yet fully understood.

Effect of circulating ceramides on adiposity and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes: An observational cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common chronic metabolic disorders in Africa and elsewhere. Accumulation of lipids in the body may be due to an imbalance in the metabolism of lipids, glucose and proteins. Ceramides are a sphingolipid class of lipids that are biologically active and vital in the production of more complex lipids.

Increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Hippocampal Dendritic Spine Density Are Associated with the Rapid Antidepressant-like Effect of Iron-citalopram and Iron-Imipramine Combinations in Mice.

Iron supplementation previously demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in post-partum rats. The present study evaluates the possible synergistic antidepressant effect of sub-therapeutic dose of iron co-administered with citalopram or imipramine in female Institute of Cancer Research mice. Depression-like symptoms were induced in the forced swim (FST), tail suspension (TST), and open space swim (OSST) tests while open field test (OFT) was used to assess locomotor activity.

Pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic evaluation of a newly formulated multiparticulate matrix of levodopa and carbidopa.

Levodopa is routinely co-administered with carbidopa in the management of Parkinson's disease. Although the aforementioned combination therapy is effective, there may be fluctuating plasma levels of levodopa after oral administration. We formulated and evaluated the kinetic characteristics of the chitosan-pectin-based multiparticulate matrix of levodopa and carbidopa.

Efficacy and safety profile of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in COVID-19 management: A narrative review.

Due to the fact that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still prevalent, and current reports show that some parts of the world have seen increase in incidence, it is relevant that health professionals and scientists know about recent or novel trends, especially drug treatments. Additionally, the safety profiles of these drug treatments need to be documented and shared with the public. Some studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids in COVID-19 treatment.

Impact of blood perilipin A levels on obesity and metabolic health.

Objective: Perilipin A is a common protein that coats lipid surfaces preventing them from being exposed to oxidative damage. Researchers have found little consistency in the relationship between perilipin A levels in the blood and body fat. This study was a cross-sectional observational that looked at circulating perilipin A levels and how they relate to metabolic health.

Extract of (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. increased prefrontal cortex dendritic spine density and serotonin and attenuated chlorophenylalanine-aggravated aggressive and depressive behaviors in mice.

Depression-related aggression is linked to serotonin (5-HT) and dendritic spine alterations. Although extract (MOE) has potential for reducing this effect, its specific role remains uncertain. Herein, we evaluated this potential and associated alterations in the brain.

Extract of and its kaurene diterpene, xylopic acid, improve learning and memory in mice.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction, presenting as learning and memory impairment, is a common manifestation in many chronic diseases of the nervous system. Some of these diseases include depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. To date, few drugs or medicinal products have shown ability to improve learning and memory deficits.

Gestational iron supplementation reverses depressive-like behavior in post-partum Sprague Dawley rats: Evidence from behavioral and neurohistological studies.

Background: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects about 9-20% of women after child birth. Reports suggest that gestational iron deficiency can cause a deficit in behavioral, cognitive and affective functions and can precipitate depressive symptoms in mothers during the postpartum period. The present study examined the effect of iron supplementation on depressive behavior during postpartum period in a rat model.

A comparative analysis of pattern and attitude towards self-medication among pharmacy and non-pharmacy students in University of Ghana.

Introduction: self-medication involves the use of medicines without the input of health professionals. Available studies are not entirely conclusive on self-medication among health science versus non-health science university students. The current study therefore sought to investigate relevant aspects of self-medication among pharmacy and non-pharmacy students.

Neonatal Sepsis in a Resource-Limited Setting: Causative Microorganisms and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile.

Background: Empiric treatment of suspected neonatal sepsis must be based on data on setting-specific causative pathogens and their respective susceptibilities to antimicrobials, as well as universal treatment guidelines. This approach will ensure better therapeutic outcomes and reduce mortality.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolated microorganisms responsible for neonatal sepsis in a regional hospital in Ghana.

Bioanalysis of aminoglycosides using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics used in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections. Due to their nephrotoxic and ototoxic potential (narrow therapeutic index), the use of aminoglycoside for clinical indications requires monitoring. The objective of this review was to identify relevant literature reporting liquid chromatographic methods for the bioanalysis of aminoglycosides in both preclinical and clinical settings/experiments.