Background Mobile health (mHealth) app use is a major concern because of the possible dissemination of misinformation that could harm the users. Particularly, it can be difficult for health care professionals to recommend a suitable app for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) education and self-monitoring purposes. Objective This study aims to analyze and evaluate the contents as well as features of COVID-19 mobile apps. The findings are instrumental in helping health care professionals to identify suitable mobile apps for COVID-19 self-monitoring and education. The results of the mobile apps’ assessment could potentially help mobile app developers improve or modify their existing mobile app designs to achieve optimal outcomes. Methods The search for the mHealth apps available in the android-based Play Store and the iOS-based App Store was conducted between April 18 and May 5, 2020. The region of the App Store where we performed the search was the United States, and a virtual private network app was used to locate and access COVID-19 mobile apps from all countries on the Google Play Store. The inclusion criteria were apps that are related to COVID-19 with no restriction in language type. The basic features assessment criteria used for comparison were the requirement for free subscription, internet connection, education or advisory content, size of the app, ability to export data, and automated data entry. The functionality of the apps was assessed according to knowledge (information on COVID-19), tracing or mapping of COVID-19 cases, home monitoring surveillance, online consultation with a health authority, and official apps run by health authorities. Results Of the 223 COVID-19–related mobile apps, only 30 (19.9%) found in the App Store and 28 (44.4%) in the Play Store matched the inclusion criteria. In the basic features assessment, most App Store (10/30, 33.3%) and Play Store (10/28, 35.7%) apps scored 4 out of 7 points. Meanwhile, the outcome of the functionality assessment for most App Store apps (13/30, 43.3%) was a score of 3 compared to android-based apps (10/28, 35.7%), which scored 2 (out of the maximum 5 points). Evaluation of the basic functions showed that 75.0% (n=36) of the 48 included mobile apps do not require a subscription, 56.3% (n=27) provide symptom advice, and 41.7% (n=20) have educational content. In terms of the specific functions, more than half of the included mobile apps are official mobile apps maintained by a health authority for COVID-19 information provision. Around 37.5% (n=18) and 31.3% (n=15) of the mobile apps have tracing or mapping and home monitoring surveillance functions, respectively, with only 17% (n=8) of the mobile apps equipped with an online consultation function. Conclusions Most iOS-based apps incorporate infographic mapping of COVID-19 cases, while most android-based apps incorporate home monitoring surveillance features instead of providing focused educational content on COVID-19. It is important to evaluate the contents and features of COVID-19 mobile apps to guide users in choosing a suitable mobile app based on their requirements.

Liquid crystal (LC) dosage forms, particularly those using lipid-based lyotropic LCs (LLCs), have generated considerable interest as potential drug delivery systems. LCs have the physical properties of liquids but retain some of the structural characteristics of crystalline solids. They are compatible with hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds of many different classes and can protect even biologicals and nucleic acids from degradation. This review, focused on research conducted over the past 5 years, discusses the structural evaluation of LCs and their effects in drug formulations. The structural classification of LLCs into lamellar, hexagonal and micellar cubic phases is described. The structures of these phases are influenced by the addition of surfactants, which include a variety of nontoxic, biodegradable lipids; these also enhance drug solubility. LLC structure influences drug localization, particle size and viscosity, which, in turn, determine drug delivery properties. Through several specific examples, we describe the applications of LLCs in oral and topical drug formulations, the latter including transdermal and ocular delivery. In oral LLC formulations, micelle compositions and the resulting LLC structures can determine drug solubilization and stability as well as intestinal transport and absorption. Similarly, in topical LLC formulations, composition can influence whether the drug is retained in the skin or delivered transdermally. Owing to their enhancement of drug stability and promotion of controlled drug delivery, LLCs are becoming increasingly popular in pharmaceutical formulations.

BackgroundMangifera pajang Kosterm is a plant species from the mango family (Anacardiaceae). The fruits are edible and have been reported to have high antioxidant content. However, the detailed phytochemical studies of the plant have not been reported previously. This study investigates the phytochemicals and biological activities of different parts of Mangifera pajang.MethodsThe plant samples were extracted with solvents of different polarity to obtain the crude extracts. The isolated compounds were characterized using spectroscopic methods. The extracts and isolated compounds were subjected to cytotoxicity tests using human breast cancer (MCF-7), human cervical cancer (HeLa) and human colon cancer (HT-29) cells. The free radical scavenging activity test was conducted using the DPPH assay. Antimicrobial activity tests were carried out by using the disc diffusion method.ResultsPhytochemical investigation on the kernel, stem bark and leaves of Mangifera pajang led to the isolation of methyl gallate (1), mixture of benzaldehyde (2) and benzyl alcohol (3), mangiferonic acid (4), 3β-hydroxy-cycloart-24-ene-26-oic acid (5), 3β,23-dihydroxy-cycloart-24-ene-26-oic acid (6), lupeol(7) lupenone(8), β-sitosterol(9), stigmasterol(10), trans-sobrerol(11) and quercitrin (12). Crude ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the kernel indicated strong cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 and HeLa cells with IC50 values of less than 10 μg/mL, while petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the stem bark showed strong to moderate activity against MCF-7, HeLa and HT-29 cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 5 to 30 μg/mL. As for the antimicrobial assays, only the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the kernel displayed some inhibition against the microbes in the antibacterial assays. The kernel extracts showed highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of less than 10 μg/mL, while the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaves displayed only weak activity in the DPPH assays.ConclusionsPhytochemical investigations on various parts of Mangifera pajang have identified terpenoids and a flavonol derivative as major constituents. Bioassay studies have indicated that the crude extracts and isolated compounds have potential as naturally-derived anticancer and antimicrobial agents, besides possess high free radical scavenging activity.

BackgroundHordeum vulgare L. (HV or barley) is used by traditional healers to treat various inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, without the knowledge of pharmacologic rationale behind its actions. This study was designed to explore the potential scientific mechanism(s) that could explain the use of Hordeum vulgare in traditional medicine as a treatment for various inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.MethodsA crude extract and its three fractions were prepared from HV and screened for the inhibition of platelet aggregation and various metabolites of cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism as well as for its effects on certain antioxidant enzymes. Platelet aggregation was monitored using turbidometric principle, AA metabolism through radioimmunoassay and antioxidant enzymes by commercial kits using spectrophotometer.ResultsResults show that HV exhibited activities against all human platelet agonists used except adenine diphosphate, and inhibited both COX and LOX pathways of AA metabolism. It also elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). However, these activities were distributed in various fractions of HV. Aqueous fraction was most potent in elevating SOD activity; chloroform fraction had concentrated compounds responsible for COX inhibition while n-hexane seems to possess compounds responsible for LOX inhibition as well as the only fraction enhancing the activity of GPx.ConclusionsThese results suggest the likely mechanisms responsible for observed anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects of HV in traditional medicine.

Chalcones have been well examined in the extant literature and demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. A detailed evaluation of the purported health benefits of chalcone and its derivatives, including molecular mechanisms of pharmacological activities, can be further explored. Therefore, this review aimed to describe the main characteristics of chalcone and its derivatives, including their method synthesis and pharmacotherapeutics applications with molecular mechanisms. The presence of the reactive α,β-unsaturated system in the chalcone’s rings showed different potential pharmacological properties, including inhibitory activity on enzymes, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, and anti-filarial activity. Changing the structure by adding substituent groups to the aromatic ring can increase potency, reduce toxicity, and broaden pharmacological action. This report also summarized the potential health benefits of chalcone derivatives, particularly antimicrobial activity. We found that several chalcone compounds can inhibit diverse targets of antibiotic-resistance development pathways; therefore, they overcome resistance, and bacteria become susceptible to antibacterial compounds. A few chalcone compounds were more active than conventional antibiotics, like vancomycin and tetracycline. On another note, a series of pyran-fused chalcones and trichalcones can block the NF-B signaling complement system implicated in inflammation, and several compounds demonstrated more potent lipoxygenase inhibition than NSAIDs, such as indomethacin. This report integrated discussion from the domains of medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and diverse pharmacological applications, particularly for the development of new anti-infective agents that could be a useful reference for pharmaceutical scientists.