The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) axis is indispensable in the process of angiogenesis and has been implicated as a key driver of tumor vascularization. Consequently, several strategies that target VEGF and its cognate receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, have been designed to treat cancer. While therapies targeting full-length VEGF have resulted in an improvement in both overall survival and progression-free survival in various cancers, these benefits have been modest. In addition, the inhibition of VEGFRs is associated with undesirable off-target effects. Moreover, VEGF splice variants that modulate sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis have been identified in recent years. Cues within the tumor microenvironment determine the expression patterns of these variants. Noteworthy is that the mechanisms of action of these variants challenge the established norm of VEGF signaling. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of some of these variants has been observed in several cancers. Herein, developments in the understanding of the VEGF/VEGFR axis and the splice products of these molecules, as well as the environmental cues that regulate these variants are reviewed. Furthermore, strategies that incorporate the targeting of VEGF variants to enhance the effectiveness of antiangiogenic therapies in the clinical setting are discussed.

To determine the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI) and antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of 12 traditional medicinal plants used in the treatment of neurological disorders. AChEI activity was determined spectrophotometrically using the Ellman's colorimetric method. Antioxidant activity was carried out by determining the ability of the extracts to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. The levels of total phenols, flavonoids and flavonols were determined quantitatively using spectrophotometric methods. AChEI was observed to be dose-dependent. Lannea schweinfurthii (L. schweinfurthii) (Engl.) Engl. and Scadoxus puniceus (S. puniceus) (L.) Friis & I. Nordal. root extracts showed the lowest IC(50) value of 0.000 3 mg/mL for the ethyl acetate extracts while Zanthoxylum davyi (Z. davyi) (I. Verd.) P.G. Watermann had the lowest IC(50) value of 0.01 mg/mL for the methanol extracts in the AChEI assay. The roots of Piper capense (P. capense) L.f., L. schweinfurthii, Ziziphus mucronata (Z. mucronata) Willd., Z. davyi and Crinum bulbispermum (C. bulbispermum) (Burm.f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick. showed noteworthy radical scavenging activity and good AChEI activity. Five plants show good antioxidant and AChEI activity. These findings support the traditional use of the plants for treating neurological disorders especially where a cholinesterase mechanism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved.

Aging is an inevitable process for all living organisms. During this process reactive oxygen species generation is increased which leads to the activation of hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase, which can further contribute to skin aging. Four southern African medicinal plants; Clerodendrum glabrum, Schotia brachypetala, Psychotria capensis and Peltophorum africanum, were investigated to assess their anti-aging properties.

Aloe. (Lilliaceae) has long been used as a remedy in many cultures. Aloe. products, which include the latex, gel, and whole leaf, are used, among other reasons, as laxatives, in creams for skin ailments, and as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, respectively. The heterogeneous nature of Aloe. products may contribute to the diverse biological and therapeutic activities that have been observed. Variations in the composition of Aloe. can result in products with different chemical and physical properties, making the comparison of products difficult. In this article, the chemistry, uses, pharmacological activity, and toxicity of Aloe. gel, latex, and isolated compounds are reviewed. This article is confined to literature pertaining to Aloe vera. (L.) Burm.f. (also known as A. barbadensis. Miller) and Aloe ferox. Miller since they are the most widely used species both commercially and for their therapeutic properties.