Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima (J. L. Stewart ex Brandis) Rech. F. is a valuable medicinal plant used in south Asian communities for the treatment of asthma, diarrhea, diabetes, liver diseases, fever, pain and inflammation. This review critically evaluates the available information on P. integerrima's ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, and so forth, books and theses were used to find relevant information about P. integerrima using keywords such as "Pistacia integerrima," "P. integerrima," "Ethnopharmacology," "Phytochemistry," "Traditional uses". A number of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities have been reported; however, the most promising and attractive activity observed was its role in Alzheimer, diabetes, convulsions, cancer, asthma, diabetes, diarrhea and as an immunomodulatory, analgesic and antiinflammatory. In addition, Pistagremic acid exerted anti-Alzheimer's activity based on a hitherto unknown mechanism through interference with the amyloidogenic pathway. Most of the pharmacological activities were linked with traditional uses. A range of compounds have been reported from P. integerrima extracts including triterpenes, volatile oils, flavonoids, fatty acids, phenolic, phytosterols, tannins and oligosaccharides as well as unknown triterpenes and flavonoids. Pistagremic acid, a novel triterpene, was attributed to most of the activities. in vivo toxicological studies in animal suggested a toxic dose of 1,500 mg kg −1 , for its methanolic extract. All reported pharmacological activities were carried out in vitro and a gap in research, that is, preclinical and clinical investigation exists. Its outstanding activity as an antiglycating agent is the most promising and a so far unique activity and needs further evaluation. In-depth research and clinical trials on human subjects in order to investigate P. integerrima pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy and safety are crucial next steps.

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Atropa belladonna (AB), commonly known as deadly nightshade is a poisonous plant which contains several alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine etc. Any deliberate as well as unintentional ingestion of AB fruits, roots or leaves may result toxicity. Aim of the study: This study aims to present the clinical uses of atropine alongwith the adverse effects and toxicity associated with the use of atropine in the form of conventional or as herbal medication. A retrospective (2003-2017) literature was searched in various databases such as web of science, PubMed, google scholar, Scopus, E-Resource Portal of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University etc. using the keywords i.e. AB, clinical uses of AB, adverse effects and cases reported with AB. Ten (10) cases met the eligibility criteria where the toxicity was mostly associated with the use of AB fruit, tablets and AB contaminated drinks. Major symptoms observed in these cases were related to Anticholinergic syndrome (ACS); tachycardia, dilated pupils, confusion, fl ushed dry skin, hallucinations and seizures in some cases alongwith a toxic megacolon. Furthermore, the treatment protocol used widely for ACS consisted of; gastric lavage and the use of Physostigmine as an antidote (antagonizes the central as well as peripheral toxicity of atropine). AB fruit revealed a vital role as anticholinergic drug, mydriatic agent and as an antidote for OP poisoning, however, its use deprived of medical supervision or in a large quantity, it may cause severe toxicity.

Cancer treatments are known for their life-threatening toxicities attributed to their low selectivity; hence, new therapeutic approaches are being developed as alternatives. Among those approaches is the DNA repair mechanism, where its inhibition results selectively in the death of cancerous cells. Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) is one of the enzymes involved in the repair of damaged DNA. The inhibition of PARP shows to be a promising approach for effective targeted treatment of cancer, especially in tumours with pre-existing Homologous-Repair (HR) defects (i.e., BRCA). Nicotinamide, which is one of the PARP catalytic products, was the first identified PARP inhibitor (PARPi). The first FDA-approved PARPi was Olaparib in 2014 for the treatment of BRCA mutated advanced ovarian cancer. Several clinical trials have been conducted to further improve PARPi. However, there are some concerns related to drug resistance, PARPi sensitive-tumour identification, and toxic accumulation of PARPi. This report will review the uses of PARPi, drug design and development of PARPi from past to present, current issues, and prospective plans.