The current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) poses a threat to global health owing to its high rate of spread and severe forms of respiratory infection. The lack of vaccines and antivirals prevents clinical strategies against the disease, creating an emerging need for the development of safe and effective treatments. Strategies for vaccine development include complete vaccines against viruses, subunits, and nucleic acids, but are still in their early stages. Studies carried out to date on possible SARS-CoV2 drug targets highlight glycoprotein S, Mpro (main protease or protease type 3C), and a member of the transmembrane serine protease II families (TMPRSS2). However, due to the pandemic state, priority is given to marketed drugs. These include chloroquine (CQ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), nitazoxanide, remdesivir, Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV / r), in addition to treatment with convalescent plasma. But, therapeutic specific effects against SARS-CoV2 have not yet been verified. Most of the information obtained about treatment is based on preliminary and limited studies. We conclude that, at this time of emergency, the search for new therapies is more urgent due to the need to save lives. Thus, we point out as interesting targets for future more specific research: glycoprotein S, Mpro, and TMPRSS2.

After the invasion, evidence of manipulation by the parasite in host cells is not fully understood. In the brain, during acute infection tachyzoites are mainly observed in glial cells;⁶ while in chronic infection cysts are more commonly seen in neurons.⁵ This is probably because neurons, unlike astrocytes and other glial cells, are not efficient at eliminating the parasite and, thus, provides a safe niche where the parasite remains using the host cell during a persistent and chronic infection.⁷

Objective: To identify and describe comparatively the chemical models of the induction of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in rodents most used and that best mimic the pathogenesis in humans. Methods: Based on an integrative review in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, it was investigated which experimental induction models were most cited in articles published from 2004 to 2020, with the descriptors "Colitis/CI", "Colitis model ulcerative" and "Intestinal inflammation model." All empirical articles that addressed one or more inflammation models in rats or mice were included. Results: 239 articles were identified; of these, only ten empirical articles were selected. The most used models were colitis induced by TNBS acid, DSS, and colitis induced by acetic acid (AA). Conclusion: It was possible to identify the most used models to promote the induction of intestinal inflammation in rats, and both models proved to be effective according to the limitations observed in the models described, suggesting the need for new works that use more well-defined protocols and that more fully represent the pathophysiological complexity of the disease.

Recently, some drugs were approved to control Monkeypox (MPX), among them tecovirimat. This was recently approved by regulatory agencies around the world, the paper of Zovi et al entitled Pharmacological Agents with Antiviral Activity against Monkeypox Infection highlight it as safe and effective, although the safety data are still not very robust. In this Comment, we present some theoretical evaluations of its safety, considering that for use in humans it is essential to have a rich scientific literature in the area. After a series of analyses, a potential risk of liver, respiratory and kidney damage was found in addition to carcinogenic potential. Thus, while we agree that there is a need for rapid responses to infection, we reinforce that well-designed and adequately powered studies should not only focus on investigating the pharmacological efficacy of tecovirimat but also demonstrate its safety in humans. Therefore, in this Comment, we present some concerns that may help in formulating a safer treatment for patients infected with Monkeypox virus (MPXV).

The purpose of this work was to evaluate if the antimalarial activity of Bidens pilosa L. root extract could be enhanced by co-spray drying with the pharmaceutical excipients blend of colloidal silicon dioxide:microcrystalline cellulose and β-cyclodextrin. The in vivo antimalarial activity of the products was evaluated in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Acute in vivo and in vitro toxicity in S5 HeLa cells were also carried out. B. pilosa L. root extract was lyophilized and used as a control. The spray-dried preparations enhanced the survival of the infected mice compared to the lyophilized crude root extract. The Bidens extract formulations were able to inhibit up to 71% of the growth of the parasite in the lowest tested dose, being about five times more active than the crude extract, thus showing significant partial antiplasmodial activity. The dried preparations did not show signals of toxicity in both the in vitro and in vivo assays. The results showed strong evidence that the co-spray drying of B. pilosa root extract with the selected pharmaceutical excipients might stabilize the bioactive compounds and enhance its antimalarial activity compared with the lyophilized crude extract.