https://www.pagepress.org/medicine/idhm <p><strong>Infectious Diseases and Herbal Medicine</strong> (IDHM) is an international, Open Access, peer-reviewed, authoritative journal providing basic and applied research. The Journal publishes original research reports, editorials, letters to the editor, rapid communications, case studies and reviews articles focusing on all aspects of infectious disease and herbal medicine including geographic, seasonal, and other risk factors that influence the transmission, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, management, and prevention of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi, and identifies global trends that have the potential to result in major epidemics.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Welcome to Infectious Diseases and Herbal Medicine:<br />a message from the Editor-in-Chief</h2> <p>Welcome to the online-only, international, Open Access, peer-reviewed journal, <strong>Infectious Diseases and Herbal Medicine</strong> (IDHM). The journal focuses on all aspects of infectious disease and herbal medicine including geographic, seasonal, and other risk factors that influence the transmission, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, management and prevention of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, and identifies global trends that have the potential to result in major epidemics. This journal examines the current role of herbal medicine in infectious disease. Plant chemicals are useful for infection control and with the increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to standard therapies, the alternative treatments are being re-explored with some urgency.</p> <p>IDHM publishes original articles, reports, editorials, letters to the editor, rapid communications, case studies, and reviews, providing a venue for integrated and global approaches to infectious and herbal medicine. Our audience might be veterinary and medical scientists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacology specialists, virologists and public health researchers among others.</p> <p>It is an honor for me to lead this new journal, also given the wide breadth of this rapidly-evolving field. Since a single person cannot handle the whole editorial process alone, a small and selected group of Associate Editors has been appointed, and I would like to thank them for what will come. Similarly, I would like to thank PAGEPress Publications for supporting me through this thrilling new journey.</p> <p>I look forward to working with all of you in your role as authors, reviewers or editors. As Editor-in-Chief, I welcome suggestions, discussions and thoughts from authors and readers to help me understand and address any concerns about the Journal. Our online platform allows easy submission and fair peer-review in line with the principles of Open Access publishing. With the cooperation of the Editorial Board and all of you, I do hope that the journal quality and recognition will grow significantly. I am sure you will join me in my goal of working to make IDHM a great international journal.</p> <p><strong>Dr. Faham Khamesipour</strong><br /><em>Founder and Editor-in-Chief</em></p> PAGEPress Scientific Publications, Pavia, Italy en-US Infectious Diseases and Herbal Medicine 2724-5284 <p><strong>PAGEPress</strong> has chosen to apply the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License</strong></a> (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.</p> https://www.pagepress.org/medicine/idhm/article/view/328 <p>To describe the kidney's response to specific substances, such as dangerous compounds and pharmaceuticals, the term "nephrotoxicity" is employed. When the body is subjected to toxins or medications, nephrotoxicity is among the most prevalent side effects. Numerous medical treatments, including anti-cancer medicines, antibiotics, and some Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), can cause nephrotoxicity. This review discusses a variety of drugs that can preserve the kidneys. The nephroprotective qualities of natural substances, medicinal plants, and dietary components have been examined. Medicinal plant chemicals have a significant role in pharmaceutical research. A wide range of herbs has been shown to have nephroprotective effects. Treatment of renal calculi, prevention of diabetic nephropathy, and reduction in tubular damage were all achieved. Plant-based therapies contain phytochemicals that have nephroprotective properties. Plants with nephroprotective activities have been reported on cisplatin, gentamicin, adriamycin, and urolithiasis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester assists in nephrotoxicity and free radicals radical scavenging activity, which may be utilized to prevent and treat kidney damage. In the end, investigating traditional medicines from Bangladesh that contain kidney-protecting plants is an intriguing new avenue of inquiry that could lead to effective new therapies for renal illnesses. Maintaining kidney health and enhancing the lives of countless people is only possible with further investigation into the beneficial effects of plants on renal function. However, it is crucial to find a middle ground between ancient practices and evidence-based modern medicine, stressing the importance of making educated decisions and following expert guidance to guarantee uncompromised kidney health.</p> Shafiul Azam Zishan Md. Ishtiaque Uddin Jannatul Naima Sadab Ibban Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2023-09-12 2023-09-12 4 1 10.4081/idhm.2023.328 https://www.pagepress.org/medicine/idhm/article/view/291 <p>The most commonly cultivated vine cactus in the Cactaceae family is normally Hylocereus undatus, which would be native to Mexico and America. It is commonly referred to as "dragon fruit" or "pitaya." Additionally, it goes by the name "buahnaga," which means "dragon fruit." In addition to their attractive color, Hylocereus undatus fruits are popular around the world due to their abundance of polyphenolic components and their antioxidant activity. Due to the characteristics, degree of production, and financial benefits of the pitahaya fruit, a member of the Hylocereus genus, more land has been planted in agriculture during the past two decades. Stalks, fruits, and flowers from the plant are used in food and film.</p> Dhanashree D. Mande Manoj R. Kumbhare Ajay R. Surana Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2023-09-13 2023-09-13 4 1 10.4081/idhm.2023.291 https://www.pagepress.org/medicine/idhm/article/view/313 <p>COVID-19 emerged as a public health emergency of international concern in 2019 and spread globally. The spectrum of the diseases varied from asymptomatic to severe, even resulting in mortality. Gender and pre-existing co-morbidities were identifiable risk factors. Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases pose a risk of severe infections and manifestations. The vulnerability was due to ACE 2 receptors, thereby enhancing the entry and subsequent multiplication of the virus. Immune responses acted as the two-way sword, with cytokine storms posing a risk of severe complications. COVID-19 is also associated with long-term effects varying from neuropsychiatric to other complications. Mutations are expected to pose a challenge in the future. The second wave was also related to fungal infections due to varied causes like side effects of treatment and opportunistic infection due to immune suppression from using steroids. Naturopathy is also expected to work wonders. However, scientific and evidence-based results are required. COVID combat requires a multi-level approach. Nutrition and strict adherence to health and hygiene are essential preventive strategies.</p> Shah Mohammad Abbas Waseem Syed Haider Husaini Mehdi Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2023-09-04 2023-09-04 4 1 10.4081/idhm.2023.313 https://www.pagepress.org/medicine/idhm/article/view/345 <p>Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic viral infection caused by the Monkeypox Virus (MPXV), which may spread person-to-person directly. It is currently being treated with previously intended drugs for smallpox or other diseases caused by the orthopoxvirus, such as tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir. The smallpox vaccination is also the treatment for MPX, consisting of Immune Globulin (IG) combined with human plasma. However, this type of vaccine may cause several neurological adverse events such as headache, pain, vertigo, dizziness, and non-serious limb paresthesia. Up to the present, there are no available treatments, Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) may be a good choice for specifically targeting the MPXV because it is a non-invasive approach without side effects. The strategy is according to the principle of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and its photodynamic action of curcumin for the research process on MPX. Why do we apply PDT with "curcumin" as a Photosensitizer (PS) against MPX, and is this a possible choice?</p> Siu Kan Law Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2023-09-12 2023-09-12 4 1 10.4081/idhm.2023.345