Immunization crisis may develop due to economic crisis during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis with 61, 149,391 confirmed cases and 370,478 deaths till 29May, 2020 [1]. This pandemic has shattered many economies with an estimated loss of $5.8 trillion to $8.8 trillion globally. This economic loss can result in reduction in funds to World Health Organization. Unfortunately, United States of America (USA) has announced termination of any further funding to WHO which can lead to another global health crisis[2]. As WHO is a voluntary funding based organization its main donor are America, China, Japan, Germany and United Kingdom. Among these USA is the main donor with a contribution of $115.8million alone followed by China $57.4 million, Japan $41million, Germany $29.1 million and UK $21.9 million [3].  America’s termination of funding can put WHO and child health programs in serious crisis. Among many programs run by WHO one of the most important program is immunization of children. Immunization coverage programs  save 2-3 million livesper year causing decline in measles related deaths, eradication of polio, surveillance of rotavirus, BCG and DTaP vaccination in children[4]. It is estimated that during MillenniumDevelopment Goal (MDG) there is overall decline in child related mortalities due to malaria, measles, diarrhea, AIDS and meningitis [5]. Remarkable results are achieved with measles are diarrhea immunization programs causing a decline in death rate by 73% and 80% respectively. According to a study with current success rate diarrhea related deaths can be virtually eliminated by 2030. Another successful program is “End Polio” program which eradicated polio from world except from Pakistan and Afghanistan [4][6]. This termination of funds to WHO can waste all previous efforts in developing countries. On the other hand despite of all efforts still 19.4 million children did not received prescribed dose of vaccines. Data analysis revealed among these  60% of children belong to 10 developing countries namelyAngola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Viet Nam [4]. These countries mainly rely on foreign funding and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) for child health care programs.

Design, Development and Evaluation of Nanoformulations on Green Matrix for Sustained Drug Release in Cancer Therapy.

In current century, plant-derived polymers have attracted considerable attention because of their various pharmaceutical applications such as diluents, binders, disintegrants in tablets and particularly for sustained drug release system. In present study, efforts was subjected to purify, hydrolyze, modify and biosynthesis of nanoformulations using Cordia myxa gum to document its binder potential in pharmaceutical tablets formulation and anticancer effect. The hydrolysis, modification and biosynthesis of nanoparticles was carried out to remove impurities, roughness, increase thermal stability and to improve the functional properties of biopolymers. Silver nitrate and purified gum C. myxa as reducing agent was used to prepare nanoparticles. All the gum samples (crude, purified, hydrolyzed, modified and biosynthesized nanoparticles) were examined to assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Toxicity, non-mutagenic activity and blood haemolysis was also examined. Characterization of all the forms of C. myxa was carried out using advance techniques like UV/Visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) or zeta sizer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravemetric analysis (TGA) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The binder potential of Cordia myxa gum and all modified forms were studied in paracetamol tablets and was compared with standard hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) being used as synthetic binder. Pure gum and biosynthesized nanoparticles were examined for cytotoxicity (MTT assay) in order to assess their anticancer effect. A549 lung cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were treated with samples. Synthesized spherical nanoparticles were up to 55 nm in size. The UV/visible spectroscopic results revealed an intense peak at 428nm. The highest phenolic contents and % scavenging activity were represented by purified gum (14.71 ± 0.04 mg) and (86.54 ± 0.72) whereas bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli was found maximum in nanoformulation while minimal effect against Staphylococcus aureus and the inhibition zone was calculated up to 42 and 14 mm, respectively. Nano formulated samples also exhibited optimal fungicidal effects against (F. solani & A. niger) and inhibited zones were up to 11.09 and 15.53mm. The consequences of the results portrayed that modifications might be beneficial to food products as an additive. The crude and purified gums with slower release can be used as sustained drug system or release controlling polymer. Pure gum and nanoparticles impart considerable anticancer effect and about 55-60% cell death was observed in MTT assay. Even DNA damage activity was assessed using single cell gel electrophoresis or comet assay that also proved its non-fatality. The current research work explored the cordia myxa for its applications as natural bio-binder, sustained drug delivery system and in cancer therapeutics.