: The global incidence of cancer is on the increase and researchers are prospecting for specific and non-selective therapies derived from the immune system. The killer activating receptors of NK cells are known to be involved in immunosurveillance against tumor and virally-infected cells. These receptors belong to into two main categories namely the immunoglobulin like and C-lectin like families. Though they have different signal pathways, all the killer activating receptors have similar effector functions which include direct cytotoxicity and the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. To transduce signals that exceed the activation threshold for cytotoxicity, most of these receptors require synergistic effort. This review profiles 21 receptors: 13 immunoglobulin-like, 5 lectin-like, and 3 others. It looks critically into their structural uniqueness, role in disease, respective transduction signal pathways and their status as current and prospective targets for cancer immunotherapy. While the native ligands of most of these receptors are known, much work is required in prospecting for specific antibodies, peptides and multi-target small molecules with high binding affinities.

This study was designed to evaluate the protective activities of 4 different Ocimum basilicum L whole plant extracts against acute acetaminophen-induced liver damage in albino rats. A total of 42 rats were divided into 7 groups comprising the control (acetaminophen, water, and silymarin treated) groups and OB-treated (chloroform, diethylether, ethylacetate, and methanol extract) groups. Each treatment group was made up of 6 rats, with 3 replicates of 2 rats each. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected to investigate the activities of liver enzymes, and liver tissue was harvested for histological analysis. Rats pre-treated with OB extracts showed decreased (p<0.05) ALT, AST, and ALP activities when compared with the silymarin-treated and positive control groups. Serum urea decreased (p<0.05) in OB-treated groups compared to the control groups and least (p<0.05) activity was seen in rats pre-treated with diethyl ether and methanol extracts. Rats pre-treated with OB extract (except diethyl ether extract) showed decreased (p<0.05) creatinine activity in comparison with the positive control group. The decreased value of serum total bilirubin and D bilirubin in rats pretreated with OB methanol extract was comparable to those of negative control. Histopathological examination revealed hepatic tissue necrosis in the acetaminophen-induced rats and varying degrees of injury and amelioration in other groups. The results from of all the solvent extracts of OB whole plant suggest significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities with the methanolic extract having higher hepatoprotective activity than the standard, Silymarin, and other solvent extracts.

Background: The pathophysiology of the inflammatory process reveals intricate signaling which includes the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα pathways that could serve as drug targets. Aim: This study determined the effect of the aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium (AEGL) leaves on the expression of IFNγ, IL-10, CD3, and CD56 in rabbits. Materials and Methods: ELISA tests were performed to determine the effect of the AEGL on the expression of a pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFNγ), an anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and CD3 and CD56 cell surface markers in rabbits. Twenty cross-bred male rabbits with an average weight range of 1.0 -1.5 kg were selected. The rabbits were separated into four groups of four rabbits each treated as follows: Grp1 is the untreated control; Grp2 is the treated control; and Grp3, Grp4, and Grp5 were treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of AEGL respectively for 28 days. Results: The AEGL showed its greatest inhibitory effect in Group 4 on IL-10 (118.5 pg/ml), and IFNγ (332 pg/ml) on days 14 and 21 respectively. AEGL also showed the highest inhibition of CD3 expression on days 14 and How to cite this paper: Rowaiye, A.B.,

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<p>The COVID-19 pandemic ravages the globe causing unprecedented health and economic challenges. As the world prospects for a cure, scientists are looking critically at strategic protein targets within the SARS-CoV-2 that have therapeutic significance. One of such targets is the Helicase which is an enzyme that affects all aspects of SARS-CoV-2 RNA metabolism. The aim of this study is to identify small molecules from natural products that have strong binding affinity with and inhibitory activity against an allosteric site (Pocket 26) of SARS-CoV-2 Helicase. Pyrx was used for the <i>in silico</i> molecular docking simulations of SARS-CoV-2 Helicase (QHD43415-12.pdb) against a library of small molecules obtained from edible African plants. Triphenylmethane which had a docking score of -7.4 kcal/mol was chosen as a reference molecule. Virtual screening for oral bioavailability was done based on the molecular descriptors of the compounds as provided by Pubchem. SwissADME, pkCSM, and Molinspiration were used for further screening for molar refractivity, saturation, promiscuity, pharmacokinetic properties, and bioactivity respectively. The Galaxy webserver which uses the GROMACS software was used for the molecular dynamic simulation and analyses. The lead compounds are Gibberellin A12, A20 and A51 obtained from Green peas and the Okra plant. <a>Gibberellin A20 and A51 </a>performed better than the standard. Gibberellin A51 is predicted to show the greatest inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 Helicase. It is recommended that the inhibitory activities of the lead compounds be further investigated.</p>