DOI: 10.3897/folmed.67.e152506

Authors: Ravishtaashini Vanitha, Franziska Abelein, Kalina P. Stoyanova

Abstract: Introduction: Malaria is a significant global health problem, predominantly affecting the tropical regions. Aim: This study aims to analyze trends in imported and non-travel-related malaria cases reported in European countries from 2013 to 2022. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed based on the Malaria Annual Epidemiological Reports of European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), supplemented with information from regional parasitological reports and relevant scientific publications. Results: Over the past decade, more than 70,000 cases of malaria have been reported in Europe with an average notification rate of 1.011 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence (8,662) registered in 2019 and the lowest (2,480) in 2020 reflect travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most cases (99.81%) are classified as imported. Among non-travel-related cases, local transmission is confirmed in 45.19%, 17.31% are hospital-acquired infections, 15.38% are classified as airport malaria, and 18.27% remained cryptic. Conclusion: Malaria remains a significant health risk in Europe due to persistent patterns of travelling and increasing immigration. The possibility and actuality of non-travel-related distribution should increase the vigilance of medical professionals against this severe, life-threatening disease.

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DOI: 10.3897/folmed.64.e59492

Authors: Sachin Parmar, Rakesh Prajapati, Manisha Kalarias

Abstract: Introduction: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (Cucurbitaceae) is a traditional vegetable plant, popularly known as bottle gourd (English) and lauki (Hindi). It is a climbing herb characterized with a number of therapeutic properties. Traditionally Lagenaria siceraria (LS) fruits were used for their cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, diuretic, and purgative effects, but there is very little scientific data available on its neuroprotective potential. Aims: The present study aimed to assess the neuropharmacological profile of the sterol-enriched chloroform fraction of methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruits in animal experimental models. Materials and methods: Neuropharmacological screening was conducted in specific reported animal models. Adult Wistar albino rats were subjected to behaviour despair test and elevated plus maze test. Thiopental-induced sedation, locomotor activity, and rota rod test were conducted on Swiss albino mice. Similarly, pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in Swiss albino mice were performed to evaluate the anti-epileptic potential. Results: The results of the study demonstrated that the anxiolytic activity of phytocompound-enriched chloroform fraction of methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruits (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg per os) was characterized by increased time spent in and increased number of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze prototype as compared to the control group (p<0.001). Chloroform fraction (100-400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed the dose-dependent significant reduction in duration of immobility (p<0.001) in the behaviour despair test. Similarly, the chloroform fraction was found to exert a significant reduction in motor co-ordination (p<0.001) and prolongation of thiopental-induced sleeping time (p<0.001) during the animal studies. Moreover, the test fraction significantly increased (p<0.001) the onset of myoclonic seizures in pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions model as well as in the maximal electroshock-induced seizures model at all three dose levels selected. Interestingly, the chloroform fraction neither produced any overt motor dysfunction nor any kind of extra pyramidal symptoms in any of the animal models during pharmacological screening. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the fraction showed presence of saponins, phytosterols, terpenoids, fats, and trace amount of polyphenolic compounds. HPTLC fingerprinting analysis was also carried out. Conclusions: This is the first study exploring the neuroprotective potential of Lagenaria siceraria fruits by showing the anxiolytic, anti-depressant, sedative, and anti-epileptic-like activities, confirming the traditional claims. Future prospectus and investigations will give emphasis on isolation of the bioactive phytocompounds and their precise mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective activities.

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DOI: 10.3897/folmed.63.e58995

Authors: Sandip N. Badeliya, Pankaj P. Kapupara, Navneet F. Chauhan, Ishan I. Panchal

Abstract: Malaria, a life-threatening disease, is caused by parasitic single-celled microorganisms. It is specifically transmitted by the anopheles female mosquito of the Plasmodium family. There are a lot of drugs available in the market to treat this life-challenging disease. Chloroquine, a cheaper molecule that is available worldwide, is one of them. Drug resistance has been observed with chloroquine as well as with some other quinine derivatives and with artemisinin derivatives in the southeast region of Asia in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam country since 1957. After 1970, the drug resistance has been further increased and it has been expanded in several localities of India. Also, antimalarial agents, particularly chloroquine, have so many side effects such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, appetite loss, deprivation of hearing, skin color change, baldness, reduced body weight, and seizures. Furthermore, this drug cannot be given to pregnant women. Hence, it is the right time to design and develop newer antimalarial agents so that this kind of drug resistance, as well as side effects of the drugs, can be overcome.

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DOI: 10.3897/folmed.63.e55300

Authors: Vishvraj V. Devmurari, Poojaben P. Patel, Rajeshreeba A. Jadeja, Cameykumari P. Bhadaniya, Priti P. Aghara, Anilkumar S. Patel, Satishkumar D. Tala, Mahesh M. Savant, Kartik D. Ladva, Pankajkumar B. Nariya

Abstract: Aim: To extract and identify the non-polar entities from the leaves of Carica papaya, a plant used for medicinal purpose as folk medicine.Materials and methods: Petroleum ether extract of the Carica papaya leaves was used for this study. Saponification process and methylation process was performed to separate fatty acids and unsaponifiable matters. Phytochemical constituents were separated using chemical process and separated fractions were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).Results: The chemical composition of the steroids, triterpenoids and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in leaves of Carica papaya, which were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 15 fatty acid components were identified in saponifiable matter, from unsaponifiable portion 2 steroids (campesterol, β- or γ-sitosterol), 1 triterpene (squalene), and 1 diterpene (phytol) were identified.Conclusions: The results indicate that the extract is rich in non-polar compounds. In this study, GC-MS method is at the central focus for identification of these phytoconstituents. The current method can be used for direct analysis of non-polar entities of plant material.

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