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Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles’ toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.

Type 2 diabetes (adult onset diabetes) is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes cases with insulin resistance and insulin secretion defect. The key goal of anti-diabetic therapy is to increase the development of insulin, immunity and/or decrease the amount of blood glucose. While many synthetic compounds have been produced as anti-diabetic agents, due to their side effects and limited effectiveness, their usefulness has been hindered. This systematic review investigated the bioactive compounds reported to possess activities against type 2 diabetes. Three (3) databases, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were searched for research articles published between January 2010 and October 2020. A total of 6464 articles were identified, out of which 84 articles were identified to be eligible for the study. From the data extracted, it was found that quercetin, Kaempferol, Rosmarinic acid, Cyanidin, Rutin, Catechin, Luteolin, and Ellagic acid were the most cited bioactive compounds, which all falls within the class of polyphenolic compounds. The major sources of these bioactive compounds include citrus fruits, grapes, onions, berries, cherries, broccoli, honey, apples, green tea, Ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, green beans, cucumber, spinach, tea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Aloe vera, Moringa oleifera, tomatoes, potatoes, oregano, lemon balm, thyme, peppermint, Ocimum basilicum, red cabbage, peas, olive oil, and walnut. In conclusion, the data collected in our study indicates that consumption of polyphenolic/flavonoids rich food and vegetables as a routine diet could considerably reduce the risk of T2DM and also benefits insulin sensitivity and other chronic inflammations.

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Annona muricata, a tropical plant which has been extensively used in ethnomedicine to treat a wide range of diseases, from malaria to cancer. Interestingly, this plant has been reported to demonstrate significant antiviral properties against the human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis C virus and dengue virus. Additionally, the bioactive compounds responsible for antiviral efficacy have also shown to be selectively cytotoxic while inhibiting tumorigenic cell growth without affecting the normal cell growth. Annonaceous Acetogenins are a class of bioactive compounds exclusive to the Annonaceae family at which the plant A. muricata belongs. In the current study, we have created a library of Acetogenins unique to the plant, comprising of Annomuricin A, Annomuricin B, Annomuricin C, Muricatocin C, Muricatacin, cis-Annonacin, Annonacin-10-one, cis-Goniothalamicin, Arianacin and Javoricin, for in silico and theoretical evaluations against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in an attempt toward promotion of plant based drug development for the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We found that all the Acetogenins showing in silico spike protein significantly docking with good binding affinities. Moreover, we envision A. muricata Acetogenins can be further studied by in vitro and in vivo models to identify potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals namely (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr)) via consumption of vegetables from selected markets in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Sixteen different vegetable samples comprising of Bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina), Curry leaves (Ocimum basilicum), Scent leaves (Ocimum gratissmum), Water Leaves (Talinum triangulare), Uziza (Piper guineese), Fluted pumpkin (Telferia occidetalis), Okazi (Gnetum africanum), and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Solar Thermo Elemental Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (STEF-AAS). Results obtained were used to estimate the health risk of these heavy metals via consumption of the vegetable samples. The results from the study showed that the heavy metal concentration ranged between 0.016 to 1.387 mg/kg, 0.028 to 1.487 mg/ kg, 0.093 to 3.625 mg/kg and 0.893 to 2.478 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr respectively. The concentration of Pb was below permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO. The concentration of Cd in O. gratissimum and T. triangulare from both markets exceeded the permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO and EC/CODEX. The concentration of Ni in O. gratissimum and T. occidetalis from Kpanshia market exceeded the permissible limit recommended by NAFDAC while Cr from both markets exceeded permissible limit recommended by European community/CODEX. The Hazard Index (HI) values for all the samples under study were greater than (>) 1 which indicates that there is potential health risk to those consuming these vegetables except A. esculentus in Kpanshia market for adults which was less than (<) 1. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) concentrations of Pb in O. gratissimum, T. occidetalis and G. africanum from Kpanshia market and O. basilicum from Swali market, Cd in T. triangulare and O. gratissimum from both markets and Ni in T. occidetalis from Swali market for children only were all greater than 1 which indicates level of concern that the population may be at risk of either Pb, Ni or Cd toxicity. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) concentrations of Pb in O. gratissimum, T. occidetalis and G. africanum all from Kpanshia market, Cd in T. triangulare from both markets, and Ni in all the samples from both markets were all above the permissible tolerable daily intake (PTDI) limit as recommended by EFSA (European Food and Safety Agency) meaning that those who consume this product may be at risk. The results from the present study tends to suggest that consumption of vegetables from both markets under study in Bayelsa state could be one of the contributory factors to the heavy metal burden among consumers due to their frequent consumption.

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