Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to infect both humans and animals. However, the evidence of intertransmission of coronavirus between humans and companion animals is still a debatable issue. There is substantial evidence that the virus outbreak is fueled by zoonotic transmission because this new virus belongs to the same family of viruses as SARS-CoV associated with civet cats, and MERS-CoV associated with dromedary camels. While the whole world is investigating the possibility about the transmission of this virus, the transmission among humans is established, but the interface between humans and animals is not much evident. Not only are the lives of human beings at risk, but there is an equal potential threat to the animal world. With multiple reports claiming about much possibility of transmission of COVID-19 from humans to animals, there has been a significant increase in the number of pets being abandoned by their owners. Additionally, the risk of reverse transmission of COVID-19 virus from companion pets like cats and dogs at home is yet another area of concern. The present article highlights different evidence of human-animal interface and necessitates the precautionary measures required to combat with the consequences of this interface. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have suggested various ways to promote awareness and corroborate practices for helping people as well as animals to stay secure and healthy.

Traditional Indian medical practices (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and homeopathy) are a vast reservoir of knowledge about medicinal plants. The promising pharmacological properties of these plants have paved the way for developing therapy against novel Coronavirus (CoV) infection. The current review will summarize published works of literature on the effects of traditional Indian medicinal plants against acute respiratory infection (COVID‐19, SARS, Influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus infection) and registered clinical trials of traditional Indian herbal medicines in COVID‐19. The current study aims to comprehensively evaluate the data of traditional Indian medicinal plants to warrant their use in COVID‐19 management. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched along with different clinical trial databases. A total of 22 relevant traditional Indian medicinal plants (35 relevant studies) were included in the current study having potential antiviral properties against virus‐induced respiratory illness along with promising immunomodulatory and thrombolytic properties. Further, 36 randomized and nonrandomized registered clinical trials were also included that were aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal plants or their formulations in COVID‐19 management. The antiviral, immunomodulatory, and thrombolytic activities of the traditional Indian medicinal plants laid down a strong rationale for their use in developing therapies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The study identified some important potential traditional Indian medicinal herbs such as Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamomum cassia, Cydonia oblonga, Embelin ribes, Justicia adhatoda, Momordica charantia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Camphor, and Kabusura kudineer, which could be used in therapeutic strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

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AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurological disease that rapidly progresses from mild motor symptoms to severe motor paralysis and premature death. There is currently no cure for this devastating disease; most ALS patients die of respiratory failure generally within 3–5 years from the onset of signs and symptoms. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic in nature, with no clear associated risk factors. It is reported that ALS is a complex and multifaceted neurodegenerative disease. Less is known about the key factors involved in the sporadic form of the disease. The intricate pathogenic mechanisms that target motor neurons in ALS includes oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, mitochondrial damage, protein aggregation, glia and neuroinflammation pathology, defective axonal transport, and aberrant RNA metabolism. Despite aggressive research, no therapy has been yet proven to completely reverse the core symptoms of the disease. Riluzole is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence so far proven to be successful against ALS and may prevent progression and extend life for a few months or so. This article provides a novel understanding in key findings of pathogenesis and interventions currently under investigation to slow disease progression in ALS.