Human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection present a significant impact on women's health globally, especially in immunocompromised individuals. HIV-induced immunosuppression promotes the persistence of high-risk HPV infection and increased the progression to cervical cancer. The aim of this systematic review was to assessed the impact of HPV/HIV co-infection on the prevalence and distribution of HR-HPV genotypes, the level of immunosuppression and expression of cervical cancer biomarkers. The article selection method for this review was based on the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. The total of eighty-four (84) articles from standard electronic databases mainly Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus were extracted and reviewed. The articles were published in English between 2008 and 2024 and comprised a total of 80023 participants. The HR-HPV genotypes reported across various studies include HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 70, 73, and 82. Among HIV positive individuals, the most common circulating HR-HPV genotypes were HPV16, 18, 45, 35, and 58, accounted for 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, and 8% of cases, respectively. Approximately 29.1% and 30.0% of patients had CD4 counts of 200–400 cells/L and 300–400 cells/L, respectively. The most commonly reported cervical cancer biomarkers were p16INK4a and Ki-67, according to the analysis. The findings indicate high prevalence of multiple HR-HPV genotypes among HIV positive individuals, indicating the impact of HPV/HIV co-infection on immunosuppression and persistence of HPV infection. The expression of cervical cancer biomarker such as p16INK4a and Ki-67 emphasized target screening and early detection strategy in high-risk population. However, there was no direct impact of HPV/HIV co-infection reported on these biomarkers and required to be studied more especially in people living with HIV. ◦ An analysis revealed a significant occurrence of high-risk HPV genotypes, namely HPV16, 18, and 45, among women who had HIV. ◦ In comparison to HIV-negative women, HIV-positive women had a higher probability of experiencing persistent HPV infections and more severe cervical lesions. ◦ Significant correlations were seen between CD4 levels and the occurrence of high-risk HPV infections, suggesting the involvement of immunosuppression in the persistence of HPV. ◦ Cervical cancer biomarkers reported across various studies were p16INK4a and Ki-67, despite these biomarkers reported there was no established direct impact of HPV/HIV co-infection to indicate aggressive disease development. ◦ The results suggest the need for implementation of focused screening and vaccination programs for cervical cancer in populations at high risk, particularly among women who are HIV-positive.

Background Network pharmacology and molecular docking have emerged as important in modern herbal drug discovery, offering systems-level understanding into phytochemical interactions and therapeutic mechanisms. This review aimed to evaluate the application of integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking in herbal medicine research Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2010 and August, 2025. Eligible studies included both network pharmacology and molecular docking in medicinal plants, botanical formulations, or isolated phytochemicals. Screening and selection followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data were extracted on study characteristics, computational platforms, biological validation strategies, phytochemical profiles, protein targets, and mechanistic pathways. Results 36 studies met the eligibility criteria. Publications increased significantly after 2020, with most originating from Asia, particularly China (55.6%) and India (25.0%). Majority (61.1%) employed purely in silico pipelines, while 22.2% combined computational and in vitro validation, and 16.7% incorporated in vivo models. Flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and luteolin accounted for most docked phytochemicals. Key molecular targets included ESR1, EGFR, AKT1, TNF, CASP3, and PTGS2, aligning predominantly with cancer, inflammatory, and metabolic pathways. Key signaling cascades PI3K-Akt, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin were consistently reported. Almost half of the studies (47.2%) integrated molecular dynamics simulations, while ADMET screening was reported in 71.4% of cases. Conclusion This review demonstrates that integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking have become foundational in herbal medicine research and growing with advances in computational biology. These approaches reveal multi-target mechanisms supporting the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals, yet translational progress is constrained by inconsistent pipelines. Strengthening validation frameworks, broadening phytochemical discovery beyond common flavonoids, and enhancing global research participation will be essential to accelerate clinically relevant herbal drug development.

Maize ( Zea mays L .) is a significant cereal plant, which due to its nutritious content especially dietary energy and nutrients, is globally significant or rather important. Its nutritive status does not just end with macronutrients but it stretches to cover nutrient status that promotes health-giving micronutrients and phytochemicals. This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in maize nutrient profiling and highlight current challenges in optimizing its nutritional potential across global food systems. A huge number of literature search was performed using the databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar in English published from 2010 to 2024, peer peer-reviewed articles. Search terms were “Zea mays nutrition,” “maize macronutrients,” “maize micronutrient biofortification,” and “phytochemicals in maize”. The study inclusion criteria included empirical or review data on maize nutritional quality, bioavailability, and impacts on human health. The maize is mostly carbohydrates, where the most part of them constitute starch, a considerable amount of protein as well as low levels of lipids located in the germ. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and the biofortified varieties have an enhanced level of lysine, tryptophan and provitamin A. Maize is a source of crucial B vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc, and magnesium, yet their intake is lower because of the impediments of antinutrient compounds such as phytates. In addition, it is rich in healthy phytochemicals including ferulic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids that have antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Maize is an essential food and nutrition security crop. It is necessary to provide more genetic and agronomic efforts to increase its nutritional quality to help fight hidden hunger and lead to better health of the global population.

HIV remains a major global health challenge with antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively suppressing viral replication. However traditional ART does not eliminate viral reservoirs and is limited by systemic toxicity, long-term adherence burdens, and incomplete tissue penetration. These limitations highlight an important scientific problem in the inability of conventional ART to achieve durable remission or cure. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems have emerged as a transformative approach to address these limitations by improving drug solubility, stability, and targeted delivery to infected cells and viral sanctuaries such as the brain, lymphoid organs, and gastrointestinal mucosa. Different nanocarrier platforms including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and lipid-based vesicles enable both passive and active targeting strategies. Functionalization with ligands such as antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and sugar moieties enhance cellular uptake, reduces off-target effects, and optimizes pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Controlled-release formulations extend drug half-life and reduce dosing frequency, supporting long-acting regimens. Beyond drug delivery, nanoparticles also facilitate immunomodulatory therapies, therapeutic vaccines, and advanced gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR–Cas9. The convergence of nanotechnology, mRNA platforms, and artificial intelligence-driven drug development represents a paradigm shift toward individualized and precision HIV treatment. Despite these advances, significant translational challenges remain, including nanotoxicity, long-term safety, large-scale GMP manufacturing, regulatory barriers, and cost-effectiveness. Addressing these barriers is essential to unlock the full potential of nanoparticle-based strategies and translate them into equitable and sustainable clinical solutions. Graphical

Background Maize ( Zea mays L. ) is a significant cereal crop, which, due to its nutritious content, especially in terms of dietary energy and nutrients, is globally important. Its nutritive status does not just end with macronutrients, but it also encompasses nutrient status that promotes health-giving micronutrients and phytochemicals. Objective This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in maize nutrient profiling and highlight current challenges in optimizing its nutritional potential across global food systems. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024 in English. Search terms included “Zea mays nutrition,” “maize macronutrients,” “maize micronutrient biofortification,” and “phytochemicals in maize”. Studies included both empirical and review papers reporting on maize nutritional quality, bioavailability, and impacts on human health. Results Maize is composed primarily of carbohydrates, with starch as the dominant fraction, alongside moderate protein and low lipid content concentrated in the germ. Biofortified varieties, including Quality Protein Maize (QPM), provide enhanced levels of lysine, tryptophan, and provitamin A. Maize also supplies essential B vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium; however, their bioavailability is reduced by antinutrients like phytates. In addition, maize is shown to be rich in phytochemicals, including ferulic acid, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which exhibit antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Conclusion Maize is more than a staple food crop; it is an indispensable crop for global food and nutrition security. However, challenges such as low bioavailability due to antinutritional factors limit its full nutritional potential. Therefore, strengthening genetic and agronomic interventions to improve its nutritional quality is essential to address hidden hunger and enhance population health worldwide.