Artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with machine learning (ML) has been rapidly incorporated into pharmaceutical discovery and development. We reviewed 53 publications from 2018-2026 to summarize current applications of AI/ML in drug discovery. AI and ML have potential to impact every step of the drug development pipeline and have already shown to drastically reduce time frames for developing therapeutics. Specific deep learning models such as graph neural networks and transformers have shown promise in de novo molecular generation, molecular property prediction, and target recognition. Accurate protein structure prediction using AlphaFold allows for exploration of drug-target binding. De novo drug design with reinforcement learning allows for targeted design of molecules with desired properties. Machine learning models for QSAR provide more accurate toxicity predictions and ADMET profiling to avoid potential failures during drug development. However, current limitations include lack of interpretability, data limitations, and lack of regulatory approval. According to a review of recent literature, AI has the potential to decrease the time required for drug discovery from years to months and lower the cost of drug development. This review discusses recent advances, successful clinical examples, and opportunities for artificial intelligence/machine learning in drug discovery.

Background: Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is a rare, delayed complication of cranial irradiation characterized by subacute, potentially reversible neurological deficits and distinctive imaging features. Its diagnosis is particularly challenging in patients with metastatic brain disease, where clinical and radiological findings overlap with tumor progression, radiation necrosis, and seizure-related phenomena. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 43-year-old male with stage IV ALK-positive non-small-cell lung adenocarcinoma with extensive brain metastases who developed acute global aphasia and altered mental status following multiple courses of cranial irradiation, including stereotactic radiosurgery, and whole-brain radiation therapy in addition to subtotal resection of a frontal brain lesion. The patient had prolonged systemic disease control with sequential ALK inhibitors but experienced repeated intracranial progression requiring multimodal local therapies. During an acute neurological deterioration in November 2025, neuroimaging demonstrated extensive post-radiation and metastatic changes, and the differential diagnosis included tumor progression, radiation necrosis, and focal status epilepticus. Given the clinical context and imaging limitations, SMART syndrome was suspected. High-dose intravenous corticosteroids led to partial neurological improvement, supporting the diagnosis of radiation-induced cortical dysfunction. Conclusion: This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of SMART syndrome in patients with advanced metastatic brain disease and cumulative radiation exposure.

Background: Proper treatment of wounds is crucial, as untreated wounds can potentially become fatal. Ethnomedicinal herbs possess the ability to heal wounds without causing any adverse consequences, unlike chemical medications which are increasingly associated with negative effects. Hydrogels are highly promising and extensively employed in the realm of biomedicine. Hydrogel dressings have made tremendous advancements in their ability to reduce inflammation, effectively addressing many clinical problems encountered in efforts to enhance wound healing. Lupeol, a triterpene phytoconstituent, is present in numerous fruit plants and medicinal plants that have been extensively researched for its potential in treating various ailments, including skin wounds. Objective: The aim of present investigation is to assessed the wound healing efficacy of lupeol loaded hydrogel. Method: A hydrogel was synthesized by combining Carbopol 934 with HPMC polymers in a 1:1 ratio. The wound healing potential was assessed using both the excision and incision models, as well as by measuring the hydroxyproline content. Result: The excision wound study demonstrated that the H1 formulation including lupeol exhibited a substantial outcome that was comparable to the usual treatment. The duration of epithelization was determined to be 18 days. The incision wound model demonstrated that the tensile strength of H1 was much greater than the standard. The current study determined that the hydroxylproline content of formulation H1, which contains lupeol, was measured to be 43.52 +0.42, which is comparable to the standard. Conclusion: The exploration has demonstrated that the formulation has the ability to enhance the activity of wound healing. The discovery indicated that lupeol promotes the formation of new blood vessels, the expansion of fibroblast cells, and the production of cytokines and growth factors that are essential for the process of wound healing.

The population of the East Region of Cameroon lives around the forest and shares precious knowledge about the medicinal plants they possess against diseases such as COVID-19 as the role of ethno-medicine may have favored resilience against the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa. The objective of this study was to identify medicinal plants used against Covid-19 by the local population through their knowledge of COVID-19 in the East Region of Cameroon. The sociodemographic profile, information on COVID-19, the medicinal plants used against COVID-19 and the symptoms were determined. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from November 2025 to February 2026 across twenty-five (25) villages on 500 respondents. Demographically, a large proportion of the population were men (61.6%), most of whom were non-workers (70.2%), with a dominant age group of 41 to 50 years (35%). Seventy-one percent of the population claimed to know the means of transmission, with "shaking hands with an infected person" being the most cited (41%). Meanwhile, 67% claimed to know the symptoms, with "cough" being the most mentioned (47.4%). Regarding prevention, 68.4% knew of modern prevention methods, with 24.4% favoring social distancing. 52% of the surveyed population stated they had not contracted Covid-19 (with or without testing confirmation). Majority of the population preferred traditional medicine for their health care but only 20.6% of the respondents mentioned traditional treatments against COVID-19 which may be due to the fact that only 28.6% of the respondents had a good knowledge about COVID-19. Alstonia boonei De Wild. emerged as the most used medicinal plant in traditional Covid-19 treatments by the local population, with a citation frequency of 9%. This study sheds light on how local populations perceive, adopt, and adhere to public health crisis measures.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose metabolism that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of MetS has risen worldwide due to sedentary lifestyles, urbanization, and dietary changes. Early identification of its clinical characteristics and predictors in hospital-based populations is important for effective prevention, timely diagnosis, and appropriate management of associated health complications. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and predictors of metabolic syndrome among adults attending a hospital-based healthcare facility. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Ibn Sina Diagnostic & Consultation Center, Uttara, from June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 226 adult participants were included. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, clinical measurements, and laboratory records. Variables included age, gender, BMI, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among 226 participants, the mean age was 42.6 ± 11.8 years, with 56.6% males. Metabolic syndrome was present in 86 (38.1%) individuals. The highest prevalence occurred in the 41–50 years group (30.2%). Overweight and obesity were observed in 40.7% and 24.8% respectively. Hypertension affected 51.3% participants. Abdominal obesity (46.0%) and low HDL (41.6%) were common components. Smoking (30.1%) and physical inactivity (68.1%) were notable lifestyle risk factors.

Clear cell variants of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) are extremely uncommon. Identification, accurate diagnosis and deciding appropriate therapy for such variants are of clinical significance as they have aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. A 54 years old male patient presented to emergency room (ER) on March, 2023 with history of gross painless hematuria and urine frequency for the past two weeks. Pre and postcontrast CT scan images from the patient’s initial assessment were performed and showed mass-like wall thickening of the urinary bladder wall at the trigone. Cystoscopy revealed a bulging bladder lesion on the trigone of the bladder, followed by complete transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) accordingly, complete resection was done. Histopathologically, the morphology and submitted immunostain slides showed strong positivity for CK7 and P63 which favor the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma, clear cell subtype, the carcinoma extensively invades lamina propria and the carcinoma extensively invades muscularis propria.

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants for obstetric purposes is common in rural areas of Morocco. Some species may have uterotonic effects or pose risks during pregnancy, but local data remain limited. Objectives: To document the prevalence and characteristics of plant use to induce labor in the province of Taza, to identify the species and modes of preparation, to describe reported complications, and to analyze associated sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to November 2024 among pregnant or breastfeeding women attending health centers in the province of Taza. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered by midwives and analyzed with SPSS v.21 (descriptive statistics; Pearson’s chi-square test for education level; Spearman’s rank correlation for age; significance threshold p < 0.05). Results: Of the 102 participants, 37.3% reported using plants to induce labor, accounting for 58 distinct recipes. The most frequently cited species were Cinnamomum verum J (cinnamon; 25 cases), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme; 14 cases), Matricaria chamomilla L (chamomile), and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek). Preparations were mainly in the form of infusions and decoctions, with a few cases involving abdominal massage. Reported complications included uterine hemorrhage, intense contractions, rapid labor progression, and three spontaneous abortions associated with the consumption of cinnamon and/or fenugreek. Use was predominantly non-medicalized (94.3%), with family and social networks being the primary source of information (94.3%). The practice was significantly associated with lower educational level (χ² = 22.503; p < 0.001) and showed a negative correlation with age (rho = −0.485; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of plants to induce labor is frequent in Taza and is often practiced without medical supervision, potentially exposing women to obstetric risks. There is a need to strengthen community health education, systematically screen for traditional practices during antenatal consultations, and undertake targeted pharmacovigilance studies.