Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID 19) has plagued the world with about 7,8 million confirmed cases and over 430,000 deaths as of June 13 th, 2020. The knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) people hold towards this new disease could play a major role in the way they accept measures put in place to curb its spread and their willingness to seek and adhere to care. We sought to understand if: a) demographic variables of Cameroonian residents could influence KAP and symptomatology, and b) KAP could influence the risk of having COVID19.A cross-sectional KAP/symptomatology online survey was conducted between April 20 to May 20. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 23. Of all respondents (1006), 53.1% were female, 26.6% were students, 26.9% interacted face to face and 62.8% were residents in Yaoundé with a median age of 33. The overall high score was 84.19% for knowledge, 69% for attitude, and 60.8% for practice towards COVID 19. Age > 20 years was associated with a high knowledge of COVID 19. Women had lower practice scores compared to men (OR = 0.72; 95%CI 0.56–0.92). 41 respondents had ≥3 symptoms and only 9 (22.95%) of them had called 1510 (emergency number). There was no significant difference between KAP and symptomatology. The presence of ≥ 3 symptoms in 4% of respondents (with 56% of them having co-morbidities) supports the current trend in the number of confirmed cases (8681) in Cameroon. The continuous increase in the number of cases and the overall good KAP warrants further investigation to assess the effectiveness of the measures put in place to curb the spread of the disease. Sensitization is paramount to preclude negative health-seeking behaviors and encourage positive preventive and therapeutic practices, for fear of an increase in mortality.

The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic properties of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides L. were evaluated in normoglycemic and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, in order to validate its use in folk medicine. Tested animals were given the aqueous extracts of the plant at the doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg. These doses were tested also on glucose loaded normal male rats (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). Of all the doses, the aqueous extracts at 200 and 300mg/kg showed statistically significant hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activities. For the oral glucose tolerance test, 100mg/kg dose only attenuated significantly the rise of blood glucose in normal fasted rats. Consequently, these results confirmed the hypoglycaemic properties of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides.

Similarity analysis of the phenolic fingerprints of a large number of aqueous extracts of Cyclopia subternata, obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was evaluated as a potential tool to screen extracts for relative bioactivity. The assessment was based on the (dis)similarity of their fingerprints to that of a reference active extract of C. subternata, proven to enhance glucose uptake in vitro and in vivo. In vitro testing of extracts, selected as being most similar (n = 5; r ≥ 0.962) and most dissimilar (n = 5; r ≤ 0.688) to the reference active extract, showed that no clear pattern in terms of relative glucose uptake efficacy in C2C12 myocytes emerged, irrespective of the dose. Some of the most dissimilar extracts had higher glucose-lowering activity than the reference active extract. Principal component analysis revealed the major compounds responsible for the most variation within the chromatographic fingerprints, as mangiferin, isomangiferin, iriflophenone-3-C-β-D-glucoside-4-O-β-D-glucoside, iriflophenone-3-C-β-D-glucoside, scolymoside, and phloretin-3',5'-di-C-β-D-glucoside. Quantitative analysis of the selected extracts showed that the most dissimilar extracts contained the highest mangiferin and isomangiferin levels, whilst the most similar extracts had the highest scolymoside content. These compounds demonstrated similar glucose uptake efficacy in C2C12 myocytes. It can be concluded that (dis)similarity of chromatographic fingerprints of extracts of unknown activity to that of a proven bioactive extract does not necessarily translate to lower or higher bioactivity.

This study investigated the importance of mangrove to dwellers of Ouidah and Grand-Popo Districts, Southern Benin and focused on the medicinal exploitation of mangrove plant species. Data were collected through individual and group interviews on forty respondents. The respondents comprised traditional healers, fishermen, salt preparation specialists and students since medicinal plants harvesting can be done by all categories of the mangrove dwellers. They were required to provide details on mangrove plant species used as medicine details of the plant parts used, the preparation technique and availability of the species. Fourteen species belonging to thirteen genera and eleven families were recorded as medicinal plants in the study area. These species were used by the locals in the region to treat nine diseases and disorders. Malaria was ranked as the most important disease for which mangrove plant species are used. The most important plant parts collected were leaves (64% of plants) and roots (21% of plants). Species such as Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze, Rhizophora racemosa (G. Mey.), Avicennia africana (L.) are on the verge of extinction because of overexploitation of their roots. Long-term conservation strategies of the mangroves are needed.

The study investigated the effect of Musanga cecropioides (MC) water-ethanol stem bark extract on blood glucose level in both hyperglycemic loaded glucose rats and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and evaluated its antioxidant capacity. The Wistar rats were induced diabetes after fasting. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was conducted on normoglycemic rats, and anti-hyperglycemic test on diabetic rats; five groups with five rats each were constituted. Group 1: negative control was treated with vehicle; Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 were treated with increasing water-ethanol extract (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg b.w); Group 5 was the positive control, treated with glibenclamide. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was also evaluated by measuring the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, Total Phenolic Content, Total Flavonoid Content, and radical scavenging activity of water-ethanol stem bark extract. In OGTT the water-ethanol extract of MC, at the dose of 300 mg/kg, significantly lowered the Area under Curve (AUC) induced by glucose. In STZ diabetic rats, the extract significantly lowered the AUC of blood glucose, at all doses. Glibenclamide was more efficient in both OGTT and anti-hyperglycemic test. The MC extract presented relevant antioxidant activity with IC50 = 6.23 mg/mL. Both the Total Phenolic Content and the Total Flavonoid Content increased in a dose-dependent manner. The correlation of DPPH % free radical scavenged and Total Flavonoid Content was positive and statistically significant. MC water-ethanol extract possesses a good antioxidant potential, and could be helpful to lower hyperglycemic state associated with diabetes.