The aim of this study was to examine the use of bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids and mercury for skin lightening among higher secondary school students in central Sudan. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted at 19 different girls' schools. A total of 1187 young students aged 16-19 years old were randomly selected and approached, using a well-structured questionnaire. The main outcome measure was a number of epidemiological factors per abusers. Results revealed that, 55.4% of the respondents misused this product, whilst 51.6% of girls used cosmetics to lighten their skin for 1-3 years with skin irritations prevalence of 3.3%, and the face was reported as main application site (35.4%). In conclusion, the lack of health awareness and ignorance was the main causative factor, whilst education, competent authorities awareness and prescriptions restrictions were highly recommended.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition and cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. In the present study, the molecular hybridization tool was adopted to obtain six Schiff bases of isatin and adamantane-1-carbohydrazide (18–23). Then, their anticonvulsant activity was evaluated using pentylenetetrazole- (PTZ-) induced seizure model using phenobarbitone as a positive control. Our findings showed that compounds 18–23 provided significant protection against PTZ-induced seizure, and maximum activities were associated with compound 23. Moreover, all investigated compounds increased the latency of induced convulsion and reduced the duration of epilepsy with compound 23 being the best. Interestingly, most of the synthesized molecules showed reduction in neurological symptoms and severity of the seizure. Molecular docking studies suggest GABA-A receptor as a potential target, and in silico ADME screening revealed that the pharmaceutical properties of compound 23 are within the specified limit. Thus, compound 23 was identified as a promising candidate that warrants further drug discovery processes.

Medicinal plants contain phytochemical components of pharmaceutical importance, and Trema orientalis MeOH extracts are believed to have potential antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. This investigation explores the phenolic, antioxidant, and anticancer property of the methanol extracts of aerial parts of T. orientalis. The total polyphenol content (TPC) and the total flavonoid contents (TFC) were determined following standard methods. In vitro antioxidant property was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Cytotoxicity experiments were performed against eight cell lines and one fibroblast cell using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. The antimicrobial activity assay was performed using the agar-diffusion method. Individual phenolic acids identified by GC/MS were examined in silico to estimate their drug likeness based on their structures. TPC and TFC were the highest in the leaf extract, with the strongest radical scavenging activity against ABTS (84.43%) and DPPH (79.60%) radicals. The highest cytotoxicity activity was exhibited by leaf (IC50 = 2.256 ± 0.85 μg/mL) and twig (2.704 ± 1.31 μg/mL) extracts against the HCT116 cell line, followed by bark (3.653 ± 0.05 μg/mL) and leaf (3.725 ± 0.30 μg/mL) extracts against the HT29 cell line. Clonogenicity resulted in a clear decrease of colony formation by HCT116 cells, suggesting a dose-dependent mode. In silico investigation suggested that phenolic acids detected have non-drug-like properties. Extracts showed antimicrobial inactivity.

The aim of this study was to verify the pharmacological effect(s) of the Fagonia cretica linn (Zygophyllaceae) ethanolic extract and to determine the mechanism(s) underlay its action using isolated rabbit intestine. The cumulative dose-response curves of the Fagonia cretica extract and standard adrenaline were constructed using different doses ranged (10 -3 -10 2 µg/ml), and (10 -9 -10 -5 M) alone, and in the presence of a single dose of a blocker, then the values of EC 50 , E max and pA 2 were determined as mean ± S.E.M, and compared statistically. The adrenergic non-selective blockers, phentolamine and propranolol in concentrations of (10 -8 and 10 -5 M) were used to elucidate the exact mechanism mediating the relaxant effect of the ethanolic extract of Fagonia cretica linn. respectively. This effect was mediated through both α and β adrenoceptors, whilst there is no participation of direct muscle relaxant in mediating the relaxant effect of the plant extract. More detailed studies were recommended to deeply investigate and confirm these findings by using other techniques.

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The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is useful for biocultural conservation, preserving the diversity of plants, and drug development. The present study was carried out to compile and document the knowledge and uses of plants in Al Baha Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 81 knowledgeable informants of different sexes, ages, and status levels were randomly selected and interviewed. The majority of the informants (63%) were > 60 years old. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively described using different quantitative indices [family importance value (FIV), use value (UV), and informant consensus factor (ICF)]. The fidelity level (FL), rank order priority (ROP), and relative popularity level (RPL) were determined for the plants (42 species) mentioned by at least three informants. A total of 97 plants belonging to 91 genera and 44 families were reported. The most commonly used parts were fruits (30.7%) and leaves (25.4%), whereas the most frequently used modes of preparation were maceration (24.7%) and direct application (23.3%). Most of the cited plants (49.5%) were traditionally used for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, whereas a few plants (6.2%) were used for the treatment of reproductive disorders. The most ethnobotanically important families were Lamiaceae (FIV = 0.35) and Apiaceae (FIV = 0.33). The highest UV was represented by Zingiber officinale (0.086) followed by Commiphora myrrha and Trigonella foenum-graecum (0.074). The level of agreement among the interviewees was remarkably high (ICF = 0.65–0.93) for plants that had the ability to cure infectious diseases. A low level of agreement (ICF = 0.33–0.48) was observed among the informants towards plants that were used to treat gastrointestinal tract, reproductive, hematological, and central nervous system disorders. There was a total and absolute disagreement (ICF = 0) among the informants regarding the plants that were used to treat renal, endocrine system, oncological/immunological, rheumatic, orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and inflammatory disorders. Six of the plants which were cited by three informants or more had a high healing efficacy (FL = 100) and forty species attained ROP values of 50 or above. Out of the 42 plants, 20 species were grouped as popular (RPL = 1), and the remaining plants (22 species) were unpopular (RPL < 1). Curcuma longa, which showed the highest ROP value (100), was used to enhance immunity. In conclusion, various plant species in Al Baha province were used by the local communities for the treatment of different health problems. The documentation of these plants could serve as a basis for further scientific research and conservation studies.