While communicable diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, malaria, and tuberculosis have continued to pose greater threats to the public health system in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it is now apparent that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus are undoubtedly adding to the multiple burdens the peoples in this region suffer. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes (90-95%), exhibiting an alarming prevalence among peoples of this region. Its main risk factors include obesity, rapid urbanization, physical inactivity, ageing, nutrition transitions, and socioeconomic changes. Patients in sub-Saharan Africa also show manifestations of beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. However, because of strained economic resources and a poor health care system, most of the patients are diagnosed only after they have overt symptoms and complications. Microvascular complications are the most prevalent, but metabolic disorders and acute infections cause significant mortality. The high cost of treatment of T2DM and its comorbidities, the increasing prevalence of its risk factors, and the gaps in health care system necessitate that solutions be planned and implemented urgently. Aggressive actions and positive responses from well-informed governments appear to be needed for the conducive interplay of all forces required to curb the threat of T2DM in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the varied ethnic and transitional factors and the limited population data on T2DM in sub-Saharan Africa, this review provides an extensive discussion of the literature on the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, complications, treatment, and care challenges of T2DM in this region.

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Acetylated N-xyloside of 1-naphthylamine (K8A) has been shown to be more potent than 2-deoxy-D-glucose in lung cancer cells and has therapeutic potential for further drug development. In this paper we evaluate and report cytotoxicity, pharmacokinetic, physicochemical and medicinal properties of this D-Xylose derivative (K8A) as a lead anticancer agent with greater therapeutic potential than 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). 2-DG has been in clinical trials for treatment of solid tumors and other types of cancer. We demonstrate using virtual tools that K8A has better "drug-likeness" than 2-DG and does not violate any Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, Egan or Muegge rules. On the other hand, 2-DG violates Ghose and Muegge rules. A "BOILEDegg evaluation", predicts that K8A has higher gastrointestinal absorption (HIA) than 2-DG and is not effluxed by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Additionally, K8A does not penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB) and is not a substrate of most Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Importantly, K8A did not show false positive alert from PAINS screening enabling us to narrow down and rule out false targets. Importantly, K8A is more potent than 2-DG in H1299 and A549 lung cancer cells.

We investigated the potential toxicities associated with the sub-acute ingestion of transformer mineral oil (TMO) at a heated low dose (HLD-50 mg/kg), heated high dose (HHD-500 mg/kg) and unheated high dose (UHD-500 mg/kg) in Wistar rats. There were increases in red blood cells and haemoglobin levels in HHD females and UHD males respectively versus control. The serum total proteins, albumin, and creatinine of the HHD females showed a significant increase versus control. The HHD males and UHD groups showed significant increase in liver malondialdehyde versus control. The livers of HHD groups had bile duct proliferation while those of HLD females and UHD groups showed focal areas of periportal chronic inflammation. HHD groups had kidneys with mild chronic inflammation and the HHD and UHD groups showed small intestines with chronic inflammation. In conclusion, sub-acute oral administration of TMO induced various degrees of dermal, haematological, hepatic, renal and small-intestinal toxicities in rats.

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