Obesity is a triggering factor for diabetes associated with insulin resistance. In individuals who are obese, higher amounts of non-esterified fatty acids, glycerol, hormones, and pro-inflammatory cytokines that could participate in the development of insulin resistance are released by adipose tissue. Besides, endoplasmic reticulum stress, adipose tissue hypoxia, oxidative stress, lipodystrophy, and genetic background have a role in insulin resistance. However, no effective drug therapy was developed for type 2 diabetes mellitus targeting these physiological factors. This is might be due to a lack of agreement on the comprehensive mechanism of insulin resistance. Therefore, this review assesses the cellular components of each physiologic and pathophysiologic factors that are involved in obesity associated insulin resistance, and may encourage further drug development in this field.

Background Zehneria scabra is one of the folklore plants of Ethiopia frequently used for external wound treatment in humans. Nevertheless, pharmacological investigations have not been performed to substantiate activity of the plant extract in wound healing. Hence, this study attempted to explore the activity of leaf extract of Z. scabra in wound healing using a mice model. Materials and Methods The air-dried leaf from Z. scabra was pulverized and extracted with 80% methanol and prepared with 5% and 10% extract ointments. An acute dermal toxicity study of the extract was conducted in female mice by observing the signs of toxicity. Then 5% and 10% (w/w) ointments of the extract were applied topically to investigate their wound healing activity in incision and excision wound models. Parameters such as wound contraction, period of epithelialization, and tensile strength were determined. Results Upon the application of 10% w/w extract ointment, no signs of dermal toxicity were observed in mice. Both 5% and 10% (w/w) extract ointment formulations increased percentage wound contraction and tensile strength, and shortened the epithelialization period. Conclusion The findings of this study collectively showed that the leaf extract of Z. scabra possessed significant wound healing activity, upholding the folkloric use of the experimental plant.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) that spreads quickly in the world. Considering the impact of this pandemic, researchers have been racing to understand the peculiar nature of the virus and the pathogenesis of the disease to uncover possible drug targets, effective therapeutic agents, and vaccines. Accordingly, numerous drug targets are identified by scientists. Among them, structural glycoproteins, virulence factors, host-specific receptors and enzymes, nonstructure proteins, the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/ STAT) signaling pathway, and pro-inflammatory cytokines are discussed herein. This review summarizes the promising drug targets for COVID-19, and highlights antiviral strategies which depend on molecular interactions between viral small molecules and host biologic machinery for repurposing the available clinical drugs. In addition, it gives a strong rational basis for the ongoing discovery of new drugs and vaccines.

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