Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

We reported recently that the elevated plus maze is a good tool for evaluating cognitive and motor functional changes in gamma-irradiated rats as a model for new drug evaluation and monitoring. The capacity of Garcinia kola to mitigate radiation-induced brain injury is currently unknown. We therefore assessed the effects of the neuroprotective medicinal plant Garcinia kola, on the cognitive and motor changes in this murine model of acute radiation syndrome. Wistar rats exposed once to an ionizing dose of Tc99m-generated Gamma radiation were treated with an ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of G. kola seeds (content of 100 mg/kg of extract) for 9 weeks. Cognitive and motor function indicators were assessed in the elevated plus maze in these animals and compared with irradiated control groups (vitamin C- and vehicle-treated groups) and the non-irradiated control rats. The irradiated control group displayed cachexia, shaggy and dirty fur, porphyrin deposits around eyes, decreased exploratory activity, reduced social interactions and a loss of thigmotaxis revealed by a marked decrease in rearing episodes and stretch attend posture episodes close to the walls of elevated plus maze closed arm, an increased central platform time, and decreases in open arm time and entries. This group further displayed a decrease in head dips and grooming episodes. Treatment with G. kola, and in a lesser extent vitamin C, significantly prevented the body weight loss (P < 0.001) and mitigated the development of elevated plus maze signs of cognitive and motor affections observed in the irradiated control group (P < 0.05). Altogether, our data suggest for the first time that G. kola seeds have protective properties against the development of cognitive and motor decline in the acute radiation syndrome-like context. Future studies are warranted to characterize the molecular mechanisms and neuronal networks of this action.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant psychological and social distress worldwide. We investigated fear and depression among adults in Cameroon during different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: An online survey was conducted in Cameroon from June–December 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data and information regarding COVID-19 history were obtained. Fear and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Responses were clustered in weeks to better appreciate their evolution over time.Results: Overall, 7381 responses from all ten regions of Cameroon were analysed (median age: 30 years, 73.3% male). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10) was 8.4%, and that of high fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S scores ≥19) was 57.4%. These rates were similar across genders, age-groups, and region of residence. While mean weekly PHQ-9 scores remained fairly stable throughout the study period (range: 2.53 – 3.21; p=0.101), mean FCV-19S scores were highest during the early weeks but decreased significantly thereafter (from 20.31 to 18.34; p <0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that having a postgraduate degree, a history of quarantine, flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, and higher FCV-19S scores were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, while obtaining COVID-19 information from various sources reduced the odds for depression. Conclusion: Depression amidst the COVID-19 crisis is less prevalent in Cameroon than in other countries. Prompt and widespread dissemination of adequate COVID-19 information may reduce the risks for depression by dispelling fear and anxiety among Cameroonians.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant psychological and social distress worldwide. We investigated fear and depression among adults in Cameroon during different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods An online survey was conducted in Cameroon from June–December 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data and information regarding COVID-19 history were obtained. Fear and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Responses were clustered in weeks to better appreciate their evolution over time. Results Overall, 7381 responses from all ten regions of Cameroon were analysed (median age: 30 years, 73.3% male). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) was 8.4%, and that of high fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S scores ≥19) was 57.4%. These rates were similar across genders, age-groups, and region of residence. While mean weekly PHQ-9 scores remained fairly stable throughout the study period (range: 2.53–3.21; p = 0.101), mean FCV-19S scores were highest during the early weeks but decreased significantly thereafter (from 20.31 to 18.34; p <  0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that having a postgraduate degree, a history of quarantine, flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, and higher FCV-19S scores were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, while obtaining COVID-19 information from various sources reduced the odds for depression. Conclusion Depression amidst the COVID-19 crisis is less prevalent in Cameroon than in other countries. Prompt and widespread dissemination of adequate COVID-19 information may reduce the risks for depression by dispelling fear and anxiety among Cameroonians.

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Background: Experimental models are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases to develop novel therapeutics. The neuropathology and clinical signs of acute radiation syndrome resemble those of neurodegenerative conditions. We characterized elevated plus maze (EPM) indicators of cognitive and motor impairment in rats exposed to brain-damaging doses of gamma radiation to develop a model for neurological component of the acute radiation syndrome. Materials and Methods: Technetium 99 m was administered once through tail vein to male Wistar rats to reach an absorbed dose of Gamma radiation of 667 mGy (66.7Rad). Animal performance in the EPM was assessed every 14 days. Rats were observed for 9 weeks for the occurrence of systemic and neurological signs. Comparisons were done between irradiated and nonirradiated rats, and in each group with baseline performance. Results: EPM indicators of cognitive and motor impairment, anxiety, and depression were observed concomitantly and increased with the severity of acute radiation syndrome-like systemic and neurological signs. Alterations in EPM indicators appeared 3 weeks postirradiation and their severity increased with time. Notably, arm transitions and the distance covered in the maze were decreased (−56.71% and −73.62%, P < 0.001), as well as open arm entries and time spent in open arms (−77.78% and −76.19%, P < 0.05) and the indicator of thigmotaxis rearing (−92.45, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that irradiated rat performance in the EPM paradigm reflects disease severity and could be used to perform both acute and subchronic pharmacological studies in acute radiation syndrome-like diseases in rats.

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Introduction: Improved Traditional Medicines (ITMs), a recent concept by the World Health Organization (WHO) was introduced to promote the rational use of herbal medicine for primary health care in developing countries. The ITM by WHO andAIPO have categorized into 4 categories with respect to the quality of the active ingredient. However, this category needs more research in finding a greater variety of acceptable dosage forms. There is a need to account for formulation and process variables in these dosage forms to maintain product properties hence performance of plant extract, ensuring consistent quality. One of the methods to account for formulation and process variables is by using the Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. Objective: The main objective of this work was to optimize the formulation of a category 2 Improved Traditional Medicine containing Mangifera indica L. stem bark aqueous extract using Design of Experiments. Methods: Mangifera indica L. stem bark was collected and identified at the National herbarium. It was dried, ground and the powder used for extraction using digestion method using water as solvent (at 70°C). Phytochemical screening was done on the extract. The extract then proceeded unto pharmaceutical development. The formulation optimization of Mangifera indica aqueous stem bark extract (MIABE) started with the definition of the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) that was expected for the final product; which is an orodispersible tablet that will facilitate patient compliance and promote a rapid disintegration. These QTPPs formed the basis of the Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) which were identified (as hardness, disintegration time and mass uniformity) and used for all experiments. The experimental part was divided into 2 main manufacturing processes; direct compression and wet granulation techniques. Each process was investigated for drug product optimization.  A risk assessment was undertaken to identify the formulation variables that impact product quality. For direct compression, a 32 full factorial Design of Experiment (DoE) was used to investigate the effect of superdisintegrant (25%) and lubricant level (0.25-5%) on powder flow characteristics. For wet granulation, a 22 full factorial DoE was used to investigate the effect of superdisintegrant (2-5%) and binder (5-10%) on flow properties and tablet properties. Results: The design and evaluation of the formulations in this study resulted in successful formulation optimization of an Improved Traditional Medicine. DoE proved to be an excellent method to optimize formulations of ITMs, providing several tools that increase a much better understanding of the formulation and manufacturing process. Further studies on this formulation DoE are needed to evaluate the effect of more process variables (compression force and speed) and more formulation variables such as palatability. Conclusion: Optimization models were developed for the various responses (disintegration time, wetting time and hardness) showing the influence of formulation variables on these responses. Therefore, the formulation optimization of a category 2 ITM containing Mangifera indica L. stem extract using Design of Experiment is a suitable approach to save time, money and improve drug product understanding.