Assessment of Dispensing Malpractice in Community Drug Retail Outlets in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Simulated Patient Experience.

Background: Pharmacy professionals in community drug retail outlets, as the most accessible personnel for the community, are engaged in consultation and responding to health problems in addition to filling prescriptions. In doing so, different dispensing malpractices are observed and much is not known on the issue in Ethiopia. Objective: The study aimed at assessing dispensing malpractice at pharmacies, drug stores and drug vendors in South Gondar zone. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design with a descriptive approach was applied from April 1 to June 30. The data was collected using the simulated patient method. Seven prescription-only medicines and a diarrheal case were requested during visit. All drug retail outlets in South Gondar zone that were in service during data collection were visited. Results: Almost all prescription-only medications were dispensed without prescription at all community drug retail outlets. Of all the dispensaries, 19 (82.6%) provided a partial dosage regimen of amoxicillin. Presence of fever and pregnancy status were asked about by dispensers in only 8% and 20% of visits for diarrhea, respectively. Medication history was also rarely requested. Medication was dispensed in 80% of visits for diarrhea, all of which included antimicrobials. Oral rehydration salt was considered in only two (10%) dispensaries. Conclusion: Dispensing medications without a prescription is common in community drug retail outlets in South Gondar zone in Amhara Regional State. Our findings also showed that detailed assessments of patients' signs and symptoms are not performed properly by the dispensers to understand the diarrheal case. Training of pharmacy professionals and strict regulatory control are needed.

Evaluation of In Vivo Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Solvent Fractions of Fruits of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae).

Introduction: The solvent fractions of the fruits of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) have not yet been explored scientifically for in vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate in vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of the solvent fractions of the fruit of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) in rats. Method: The crude extract of Argemone mexicana was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. Wound healing activity was evaluated using excision and incision wound models while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models. The fractions were evaluated at 5 and 10% ointments using moist-exposed burn ointment as the standard drug, and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg test doses using aspirin, and dexamethasone as standard drugs for wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. All treatment administrations were made orally for anti-inflammatory activity and applied topically for wound healing activity. Result: The 10% w/w ethyl acetate fraction ointment showed a significant percentage of wound contraction, reduced period of epithelialization, increased amount of fibrosis, neovascularization, and collagen tissue formation (p < 0.01). The ethyl acetate fraction also showed a significant increase in tensile strength (55%; p < 0.01) and (81.10%; p < 0.01) at the tested doses of 5 and 10% w/w ointments, which was comparable to moist-exposed burn ointment. The ethyl acetate fraction also revealed a significant percent edema inhibition (61.41%; p < 0.01), suppression of the exudate (38.09% p < 0.01), and granuloma mass formations (53.47% p < 0.01) at the tested dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Ethyl acetate fraction of Argemone mexicana fruit has significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities which support the traditional claims of the experimental plant.

Role of JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in the Tumorigenesis, Chemotherapy Resistance, and Treatment of Solid Tumors: A Systemic Review.

Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway is a common signaling pathway used to transduce signals from the extracellular to the intracellular (nucleus) upon the binding of cytokines and growth factors to the extracellular domain of specific cell surface receptors. This signaling pathway is tightly regulated and has a multitude of biological functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Besides, the regulated JAK2/STAT3 signaling plays a crucial role in embryonic development, hemopoiesis, and controlling the immune system. Conversely, aberrantly activated JAK2/STAT3 is frequently detected in varieties of tumors and involved in oncogenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis of many cancer diseases that are usually refractory to the standard chemotherapy. However, the JAK3/STAT3 pathway recently emerged interestingly as a new site for the development of novel anti-tumor agents and becomes a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of many solid malignancies. Herein, this review aimed to provide insight into the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, in the hope to gain an understanding of its potential role in the pathogenesis, progression, chemotherapy resistance, and cancer therapy of solid tumors.

Investigation of Antibacterial and Anti-Diarrhoeal Activities of 80% Methanol Leaf and Fruit Extract of Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm. F) Iwarsson (Lamiaceae).

BACKGROUND: Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.F) Iwarsson (Lamiaceae) is among the medicinal plants that are claimed to have various pharmacologic activities. However the leaves and fruits of L. ocymifolia have not yet been explored scientifically for antibacterial and anti-diarrhoeal activities. This study was aimed at investigating the anti-diarrhoeal and antibacterial activities of 80% methanol leaf and fruit extract of Leonotis ocymifolia in mice and selected diarrhea causing bacterial species. METHODS: The leaves and fruits of Leonotis ocymifolia were extracted using 80% methanol through maceration technique. The anti-diarrheal activity was evaluated using a castor oil induced diarrheal model, prostaglandin induced anti-enteropooling, and castor oil induced charcoal meal test in mice of either sex. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey post-hoc test. The antibacterial activity was evaluated on using an agar well diffusion assay. Bacterial species used were Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. For anti-diarrhoeal activity, the extract was tested at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Positive and negative control groups were treated with loperamide (3 mg/kg) and 2% tween 80 (10 mL/kg), respectively. RESULTS: A significant (p<0.05) reduction in frequency of wet stools and watery content of diarrhea as well as in delaying onset of diarrhea as compared to controls was observed in mice at the stated doses. The extract showed a dose-dependent inhibition in all used models. L. ocymifolia leaf and fruit extract also showed antimicrobial activity against all tested organisms. CONCLUSION: Results from this study collectively indicated that 80% methanol leaf and fruit extracts of L. ocymifolia possessed significant anti-diarrhoeal activity and antibacterial activities, hence provides the scientific base for its traditional use as a diarrhea treatment.