The scarcity of novel and effective therapeutics for the treatment of cancer is a pressing and alarming issue that needs to be prioritized. The number of cancer cases and deaths are increasing at a rapid rate worldwide. Doxorubicin, an anticancer agent, is currently used to treat several types of cancer. It disrupts myriad processes such as histone eviction, ceramide overproduction, DNA-adduct formation, reactive oxygen species generation, Ca²⁺, and iron hemostasis regulation. However, its use is limited by factors such as drug resistance, toxicity, and congestive heart failure reported in some patients. The combination of doxorubicin with other chemotherapeutic agents has been reported as an effective treatment option for cancer with few side effects. Thus, the hybridization of doxorubicin and other chemotherapeutic drugs is regarded as a promising approach that can lead to effective anticancer agents. This review gives an update on hybrid compounds containing the scaffolds of doxorubicin and its derivatives with potent chemotherapeutic effects.

Consumption of aphrodisiacs is a common practice in South Africa. Hence, determining the levels of trace metals as potential pollutants is necessary to protect consumers’ health. The current study reports a health risk assessment due to metals in aphrodisiacs collected from herbal markets in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Samples were digested using microwave-assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the concentrations of common metals (Na, K, Mg, and Ca) were within the guideline limits for human consumption, while the trace metals (Ni, Cr, Co, As, Cd, and Pb) were above the limits, recording values of 0.132–0.268, 0.209–0.308, 0.224–0.405, 0.0884–0.230, 0.0402–1.11, and 0.146–0.207 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The source of the trace metals was traced to the tap water probably collected from dilapidated buildings where the water systems are ailing. A strong correlation for metals with similar sources was observed, notably for Pb and Cd that leach from water pipes. The aphrodisiacs had low consumption rates, and the health risk assessment gave a hazard quotient of 0.225 as a total for all studied metals. The group of aphrodisiacs investigated in the current study therefore poses minimal health risks and can be consumed without fear of metal contamination. More inclusive studies are, however, needed to have a better understanding of aphrodisiacs with the aim of potentially commercializing them like the other commercialized herbal concoctions currently distributed in South African markets and pharmacies.