The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is useful for biocultural conservation, preserving the diversity of plants, and drug development. The present study was carried out to compile and document the knowledge and uses of plants in Al Baha Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 81 knowledgeable informants of different sexes, ages, and status levels were randomly selected and interviewed. The majority of the informants (63%) were > 60 years old. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively described using different quantitative indices [family importance value (FIV), use value (UV), and informant consensus factor (ICF)]. The fidelity level (FL), rank order priority (ROP), and relative popularity level (RPL) were determined for the plants (42 species) mentioned by at least three informants. A total of 97 plants belonging to 91 genera and 44 families were reported. The most commonly used parts were fruits (30.7%) and leaves (25.4%), whereas the most frequently used modes of preparation were maceration (24.7%) and direct application (23.3%). Most of the cited plants (49.5%) were traditionally used for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, whereas a few plants (6.2%) were used for the treatment of reproductive disorders. The most ethnobotanically important families were Lamiaceae (FIV = 0.35) and Apiaceae (FIV = 0.33). The highest UV was represented by Zingiber officinale (0.086) followed by Commiphora myrrha and Trigonella foenum-graecum (0.074). The level of agreement among the interviewees was remarkably high (ICF = 0.65–0.93) for plants that had the ability to cure infectious diseases. A low level of agreement (ICF = 0.33–0.48) was observed among the informants towards plants that were used to treat gastrointestinal tract, reproductive, hematological, and central nervous system disorders. There was a total and absolute disagreement (ICF = 0) among the informants regarding the plants that were used to treat renal, endocrine system, oncological/immunological, rheumatic, orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and inflammatory disorders. Six of the plants which were cited by three informants or more had a high healing efficacy (FL = 100) and forty species attained ROP values of 50 or above. Out of the 42 plants, 20 species were grouped as popular (RPL = 1), and the remaining plants (22 species) were unpopular (RPL < 1). Curcuma longa, which showed the highest ROP value (100), was used to enhance immunity. In conclusion, various plant species in Al Baha province were used by the local communities for the treatment of different health problems. The documentation of these plants could serve as a basis for further scientific research and conservation studies.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition and cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. In the present study, the molecular hybridization tool was adopted to obtain six Schiff bases of isatin and adamantane-1-carbohydrazide (1823). Then, their anticonvulsant activity was evaluated using pentylenetetrazole- (PTZ-) induced seizure model using phenobarbitone as a positive control. Our findings showed that compounds 1823 provided significant protection against PTZ-induced seizure, and maximum activities were associated with compound 23. Moreover, all investigated compounds increased the latency of induced convulsion and reduced the duration of epilepsy with compound 23 being the best. Interestingly, most of the synthesized molecules showed reduction in neurological symptoms and severity of the seizure. Molecular docking studies suggest GABA-A receptor as a potential target, and in silico ADME screening revealed that the pharmaceutical properties of compound 23 are within the specified limit. Thus, compound 23 was identified as a promising candidate that warrants further drug discovery processes.

This work aimed at assessing the phenolic content, antioxidant and cytotoxicity capacities of methanol extracts obtained fromTagetes minuta,Euphorbia granulataandGalinsoga parvifloramedicinal plants. Standard spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were used for chemical analysis. Established antioxidant and cytotoxicity assays were adopted for biological activity assessment. In silico screening for the individual phenolic acids was performed using molecular docking techniques.E. granulatashowed a significantly high level of polyphenols. Highest level of flavonoid and tannin contents were detected inGalinsoga parviflora. Ten phenolic acids were identified and quantified via GC–MS in all extracts, and p-Hydroxybenzoic was the most dominant acid (70 µg/g) inT. minutawhile gallic was the predominant acid (73 µg/g) inE. granulata. Extracts showed higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species scavenging activities and exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide inhibition values. The strongest cytotoxic activity was exhibited byT. minutaextract on A2780 cell line. The cytotoxic activity ofG. parvifloraextract was highly significant against all cancer cells. Extract ofE. granulatashowed best activity towards MCF7 and A2780 cell lines and was less active against HT29 cell line. In silico data revealed that caffeic acid had the lowest value of binding energy and high ligand efficiency ratios against the selected target receptors, comparable to the standards. Methanol extracts of the targeted plants showed promising antioxidant and anticancer activities which could be attributed to presence of different phenolic phytochemicals. Further work is required for determining the active compounds and their mode of action.

Virtual simulation-based learning has opened a vista for surmounting ethical issues with the use of animals in compliance with one of the ‘3Rs’ in ethical principles for animal use, which is ‘replacement.’ It's effective in terms of time, place, and cost. For instance, the time for drug application in cancer models would be less with virtual simulations, and the cost of maintenance and update of the software is less than that of breeding and feeding experimental animals. This paper examines the effects of utilizing a virtual computer tool simulating real pharmacology laboratory equipment in the second semester of a large-scale basic medical course. We looked at the theories of education and instructional designs and used them to develop a virtual computer lab that could help our students meet the intended learning outcomes. We analyzed, developed, implemented, and finally evaluated the students' reactions (at the Kirkpatrick level) using a self-administered questionnaire with responses on a three-point Likert scale. Feedback was obtained from 60 out of 82 (73.2 %) level 4 medical undergraduate students of both sexes, 39/60 (65%) were from the male section of the college. Sixty percent of the students admitted that the software is simple. Sixty percent agreed that it was good. Fifty-seven percent denied previous exposure to the simulation lab. Fifty-two percent reported that the practical lab's content was good, 53.3% rated the achievement of the practical objectives as good, 48.3% rated the practical enforcement of theoretical knowledge as good, 61.7% estimated getting realistic results, 48.3% agreed that the simulation lab encourages formulating a live experiment to test the hypothesis, and 51.7 % decided that the time framework was long. Thirty-eight percent appreciated the learning experience, and 45% felt that it should be repeated elsewhere. Students from the female section opted to record different determinations. The experience of using the virtual computer lab as part of the teaching program in pharmacology confirms the educational value of simulation. By adding a flexible reliable teaching method, we believe it served as a valuable tool for assisting teaching and learning in our context. Moreover, it is perceived as favorable by a good number of our students.

Human louse Pediculus humanus is a cosmopolitan obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasite causing pediculosis and transmitting many bacterial pathogens. Control of infestation is difficult due to the developed resistance to insecticides that mainly target GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors. Previous work showed that Pediculus humanus humanus (Phh) GABA receptor subunit resistance to dieldrin (RDL) is the target of lotilaner, a synthetic molecule of the isoxazoline chemical class. To enhance our understanding of how insecticides act on GABA receptors, two other GABA receptor subunits were cloned and characterized: three variants of Phh-grd (glycine-like receptor of Drosophila) and one variant of Phh-lcch3 (ligand-gated chloride channel homolog 3). Relative mRNA expression levels of Phh-rdl, Phh-grd, and Phh-lcch3 revealed that they were expressed throughout the developmental stages (eggs, larvae, adults) and in the different parts of adult lice (head, thorax, and abdomen). When expressed individually in the Xenopus oocyte heterologous expression system, Phh-GRD1, Phh-GRD2, Phh-GRD3, and Phh-LCCH3 were unable to reconstitute functional channels, whereas the subunit combinations Phh-GRD1/Phh-LCCH3, Phh-GRD1/Phh-RDL, and Phh-LCCH3/Phh-RDL responded to GABA in a concentration-dependent manner. The three heteromeric receptors were similarly sensitive to the antagonistic effect of picrotoxin and fipronil, whereas Phh-GRD1/Phh-RDL and Phh-LCCH3/Phh-RDL were respectively about 2.5-fold and 5-fold more sensitive to ivermectin than Phh-GRD1/Phh-LCCH3. Moreover, the heteropentameric receptor constituted by Phh-GRD1/Phh-LCCH3 was found to be permeable and highly sensitive to the extracellular sodium concentration. These findings provided valuable additions to our knowledge of the complex nature of GABA receptors in human louse that could help in understanding the resistance pattern to commonly used pediculicides. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Human louse is an ectoparasite that causes pediculosis and transmits several bacterial pathogens. Emerging strains developed resistance to the commonly used insecticides, especially those targeting GABA receptors. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance, two subunits of GABA receptors were cloned and described: Phh-grd and Phh-lcch3. The heteromeric receptor reconstituted with the two subunits was functional in Xenopus oocytes and sensitive to commercially available insecticides. Moreover, both subunits were transcribed throughout the parasite lifecycle.