The aim of this mini-review was to collect data obtained from various studies carried out by different authors concerning the phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of Annona senegalensis (Annonaceae). This review has been compiled using references from major databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct and Google scholars. An extensive survey of literature revealed that A. senegalensis is a good source of health promoting secondary metabolites such as terpenoic acids (kaurenoic acid) among others that could have many wonderful applications (like antisickling properties).Traditionally, the plant is used as stimulant, pain reliever etc. whereas the plant possess beneficial effects such as anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, Antidiarrheal, anti-inflamatory, anti-parasitic, anticonvulsant, antimalarial, anti-trypanosomal, antisnake venom and Antinociceptive and many other medicinal properties. The results of the present review of literature makes A. senegalensis an interesting candidate for advanced anti-sickle cell anemia investigations such as erythroid differentiation and fetal hemoglobin induction effects of this plant using K562 cell lines as model system.

Background Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide and constitutes the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study was thus designed to identify new natural compounds from Malagasy medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer. Methods In silico analyses by molecular docking to model ligand–protein interactions, and by SwissADME and ADMET webservers to establish the pharmacokinetic profile of the four investigated compounds in interaction with the angiogenesis target protein HIF-1α/breast cancer (PDB ID: 3KCX) and human androgen receptor/prostate cancer (PDB ID: 1E3G) were performed. Results The docking results show that the HIF-1α receptor has the best binding energy when it interacts with compound 1 (1′,4-dihydroxy-2,3′-dimethyl-1,2′-binapthyl-5,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 8.49 kcal/mol) followed by compound 3 [(E)-5,6-dimethyl-2-(2-methyl-3-(prop-1-enyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene: -8.43 kcal/mol], compound 2 (6′-ethoxy-1′3′-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1,2′-binaphthyl-2,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 7.80 kcal/mol) and compound 4 (methyl 10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,12b,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,12b,13,14,14a,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxylate: − 7.63 kcal/mol). The receptor 1E3G displayed poor binding affinity energy to all tested compounds with energy value above − 11.99 kcal/mol (co-crystal). Based on the H-bonding interaction, ligands 1 and 2 displayed a good pharmacophore profiles to both protein targets 3KCX and 1E3G. Ligand 3 does not interact with the selected receptors via hydrogen bonds. The pharmacokinetic profile of these phyto-compounds revealed that they are orally active and safe. They were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated previously by our team using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (LC/MS/NMR). Conclusions The ligands 1 and 2 can be considered as hits since in addition to their thermodynamic stability with the receptors; they presented a good pharmacokinetic profile and could thus be useful as an alternative therapy in breast and prostate cancer. This study offers a strong potential in developing new, cost-effective, and safe plant-based natural drugs against cancer.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it was reported a rare association in a patient, of two genetic diseases namely sickle cell anemia and diabetes which have a common denominator that is to make patients susceptible to infections. They constitute a serious public health problem in Africa. Given the difficult and limited management of these diseases, the use of Traditional Medicine and medicinal plants can be an effective alternative. The leaves of both Gymnanthemum coloratum and Terminalia ivorensis were collected in 2014 in Kinshasa city and Gbadolite city (Nord Ubangi province) respectively and were selected through chemotaxonomic approach. The bacterial strains used for assessing the antibacterial were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and mice for the antidiabetic activity. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of total polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, linked quinones, saponins, leucoanthocyanins, alkaloids and anthocyanins. The organic extracts of G. coloratum and T. ivorensis showed an antisickling activity. Only S. aureus was sensitive to the leaves of T. ivorensis (MIC < 62.5 µg.mL -1 ) and G. coloratum (MIC ≤ 250 µg.mL -1 ) while no effect was observed on E. coli. The mean values for glycemia in treated and untreated mice after 2 hours were 62±14.3 mg.dL -1 (Glibenclamide 20 mg.Kg -1 ) and 70.4±16.6 mg.dL -1 (ethyl acetate extract of T. ivorensis 500 mg.Kg -1 ). To our knowledge, it is for the first time that the antisickling activity of G. coloratum and T. ivorensis is reported thus validating the chemotaxonomic approach used as a criterion for selecting these two plants. It is also for the first time that anti-hyperglycaemic activity of T. ivorensis is reported.

The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge on Simian Orthopoxvirosis or Monkeypox in 180 people (129 males and 51 females) using the stratified probability sampling method. The majority of the respondents were (are): 35-50 years old (45.00%), with secondary education (43.33%), farmers (40.56%) and married (80.00%). The disease appears every year, thus demonstrating its endemic nature (98.33% of the respondents); 58.3% of the respondents said that the disease appears very often during the dry season, on the contrary, 40% of the respondents said that the disease appears during the rainy season. However, 1.7% of respondents said that the disease occurs every other season. The majority of respondents (81.1%) said that the cause of the disease is the consumption of bush meat, followed by wild vegetables (3.3%), fish (2.8%), livestock (2.2%) and caterpillars (1.7%) respectively. 65.2% of the respondents use Manihot esculenta to treat the disease locally, and followed by the leaves and wine of Raphia sese (13%), Morinda morindoides (13%) and Myrianthus arboreus (8.7%). Between January 17 and September 10, 2020, 40 cases of monkey pox were admitted to HGR of Businga (Maximum age: 42 years, minimum age: 1 year, average age: 13.3 years). 28 patients were male and 12 female. It is therefore advisable that surveillance be organized in wild animals and bush meat exposed on the market to ensure that they are not contaminated with Monkeypoxvirus. It is thus needed to establish a veterinary laboratory in Nord-Ubangi Province.

Aims: The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of victims and stakeholders on environmental disasters occurring in Businga territory. Study Design: This research employed a descriptive study design whereby the characteristics of respondents were described. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Bodangabo, Businga and Karawa sectors of Businga territory in Nord-Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo between January 2016 and December 2017. Methodology: A survey was conducted on 150 respondents among the victims and stakeholders in the prevention and management of environmental disasters in three sectors of Businga territory to whom the semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Results: The findings show that 54% of environmental disasters originate from bushfire and 46% from floods. The bushfire is more evident in the area of Bodangabo and Karawa, while the flood is noticed in the area of Businga precisely in the city, because the ¾ is largely crossed by streams (Likpolo, Lokame, Legbala, Mongala). Thus, 80% of disaster victims are not satisfied with the support. However, 96% of respondents denied the provincial government's contribution, 92% confirmed the total absence of the environmental disaster prevention policy, and 88% confirmed the inefficiency of disaster prevention mode in Businga territory. With regard to the period of onset of disasters, it is clear from this survey that the floods are sporadic and occurring every two or three years compared to the bushfire which is manifested every year. 68% of the difficulties are due to lack of awareness due to insufficient financial resources and 32% to the shortage of qualified personnel for the prevention and management of these disasters. Conclusion: The lack of a policy of prevention and management of environmental disasters both at the provincial and local levels is at the base of this high frequency. Therefore, it is relevant that a provincial body responsible for alerting and advocating to the stakeholders involved in the prevention and management of environmental disasters, to settle in all Businga sectors. Furthermore, it is necessary to install the early warning system as tool of disaster prevention.