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Chernet Tafere,1 Bereket Bahiru Tefera,2 Adane Yehualaw,1 Desalegn Getnet Demsie,3 Belayneh Kefale,4 Kebede Feyisa,5 Malede Berihun Yismaw,4 Endalamaw Aschale,4 Zenaw Debasu,4 Zewdu Yilma,1 Zegaye Agmassie,4 Ibrahim Abdela Siraj,1 Ashagrachew Tewabe Yayehrad,1 Sileshi Mulatu,6 Destaw Endeshaw7 1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 2Department of Social Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 5Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 6Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia; 7Department of Adult health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Chernet Tafere, Tel +251924524636, Email cheru004@gmail.comBackground: Opioid use is a major global public health problem, affecting 16 million individuals worldwide. According to a 2023 WHO report, out of the 600,000 substance-related deaths worldwide, 80% were attributed to opioid use. Pharmacists play a vital role in reducing unnecessary opioid exposure while facilitating access to non-opioid alternatives. To do so, pharmacists should have sufficient knowledge regarding opioid-containing medications and a positive attitude about opioid use problems.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists’ knowledge of opioid-containing medications and their attitude toward opioid use problems.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire distributed to 105 community pharmacists from July 1– 30, 2023 in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. The tool included demographic information and questions designed to assess participants’ knowledge and attitudes.Results: Out of the 105 pharmacists included in this study, majority were males (54.3%), nearly half held a bachelor’s degree (49.5%), and slightly above one-third had over a decade experience (39%). Regarding knowledge and attitude towards opioids, 62 individuals (59%) exhibited good knowledge, and 64 (61%) demonstrated less stigma toward opioid usage. Factors affecting knowledge include: education level (AOR (95% CI): 8.43 (1.76– 40.35) and 9.93 (1.04– 85.33) for bachelors and postgraduates respectively and age 1.45 (1.20– 1.77)]. Meanwhile, experience [AOR (95% CI): 4.64(1.20– 17.90) and 4.29 (1.23– 15.05)] for 5– 9 years and ≥ 10 years respectively and education level [AOR (95% CI): 4.08 (1.40– 11.93) for bachelors and 6.40 (1.42– 28.96)] for postgraduates were linked to attitude.Conclusion: A gap in knowledge and more stigmatizing behavior was observed among community pharmacists. These findings imply the importance of tailored educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and promote positive attitudes toward opioid usage among community pharmacists. Therefore, it is imperative to deliver up-to-date information on opioids, emphasizing their high addiction potential, to ensure pharmacists are well-equipped with the latest information.Keywords: opioids, pain management, community pharmacists, knowledge, attitude, Ethiopia

Malede Berihun Yismaw, Kebede Feyisa, Adane Yehualaw, Chernet Tafere, Desalegn Getnet Demsie, Bereket Bahiru, Belayneh Kefale Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Malede Berihun Yismaw, Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, PO Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Tel +251966335852, Email malepharm@gmail.comBackground: Self-medication (SM) is the use of drugs or herbs to treat self-diagnosed physical ailments or symptoms without consulting a healthcare professional. It plays a great role in daily life and common in the healthcare system around the globe, especially in developing countries. Due to their expertise, health science students are also predicted to practice it more frequently.Objective: To evaluate the use of SM and its determinants among undergraduate health science students at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, North West Ethiopia.Methods: 241 students took part in the study from September to November 2021. Using a recall time of four weeks, a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was utilized to evaluate the practice of self-medication and associated factors. Interviews and structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results: Overall, 246 students were approached. The questionnaire received responses from 241 students, for a 98% response rate. Self-medication was used by 58.1% of students over the course of the previous four weeks. Analgesic and antipyretic medications were the most often utilized pharmacological category (57.1%), followed by antibiotics (42.1%). The most frequent (50%) complaints involving SM were headache and fever. The mildness of the sickness was the primary factor in the study participants’ practice of self-medication (50%). Self-medication is linked to gender (AOR: 3.415; 95% CI: 1.014– 11.503), poor monthly income (AOR: 0.007; 0.0003– 0.175), pharmacy student status (AOR: 52.603; 4.371– 633.098), and medical laboratory student status (AOR: 0.037; 0.002– 0.631).Conclusion: Self-medication was common among health science students. Students frequently use over-the-counter and prescription-only medications for SM. Sex, field of study and monthly income are independent predictors for SM use. Though it is not absolutely discouraged, awareness on the associated risks should be created.Keywords: self-medication, students, health sciences, Ethiopia

Desalegn Getnet Demsie, 1 Abadi Kahsu Gebre, 1, 2 Ebrahim M Yimer, 1– 3 Niguse Meles Alema, 1 Ephrem Mebrahtu Araya, 1– 3 Abere Tilahun Bantie, 1– 4 Mengesha Dessie Allene, 1– 5 Hagazi Gebremedhin, 2 Adane Yehualaw, 6 Chernet Tafere, 6 Haileslassie Tesfay Tadese, 1– 5, 7 Bekalu Amare, 2 Etsay Weldekidan, 1 Desye Gebrie 8, 9 1Adigrat University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Adigrat, Ethiopia; 2Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Mekelle, Ethiopia; 3Wollo University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Dessie, Ethiopia; 4Adigrat University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Adigrat, Ethiopia; 5Debre Berhan University, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia; 6Bahir Dar University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 7Adigrat University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Adigrat, Ethiopia; 8Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology, Mekelle, Ethiopia; 9Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Desalegn Getnet Demsie Email desget361@gmail.comAbstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease that primarily attacks the human pulmonary system, is caused by a viral strain called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak emerged from Wuhan, China, and later spread throughout the world. Until the first week of May 2020, over 3.7 million cases had been reported worldwide and more than 258,000 had died due to the disease. So far, off label use of various drugs has been tried in many clinical settings, however, at present, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for human and animal coronaviruses. Therefore, repurposing of the available drugs may be promising to control emerging infections of SARS-COV2; however, new interventions are likely to require months to years to develop. Glycopeptides, which are active against gram-positive bacteria, have demonstrated significant activity against viral infections including SARS-COV and MERS-COV and have a high resemblance of sequence homology with SARS-COV2. Recent in vitro studies have also shown promising activities of aglycon derivative of glycopeptides and teicoplanin against SARS-COV2. Hydrophobic aglycon derivatives and teicoplanin, with minimal toxicity to human cell lines, inhibit entry and replication of SARS-COV2. These drugs block proteolysis of polyprotein a/b with replicase and transcription domains. Teicoplanin use was associated with complete viral clearance in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. This review attempts to describe the activity, elucidate the possible mechanisms and potential clinical applications of existing glycopeptides against corona viruses, specifically SARS-COV2.Keywords: corona virus, SARS-COV, SARS-COV2, COVID19, glycopeptides

Desalegn Getnet Demsie,1 Birhanetensay Masresha Altaye,2 Etsay Weldekidan,1 Hagazi Gebremedhin,1 Niguse Meles Alema,3 Mulugeta Mihrete Tefera,3 Abere Tilahun Bantie4 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia; 2College of Health Sciences, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia; 3Bahir Dar Health Science College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 4College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Anesthesia, Adigrat University, Adigrat, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Desalegn Getnet Demsie Tel +251 937404956Email desget361@gmail.comAbstract: Galanin (GAL) is a 29-amino-acid neuropeptide that serves multiple physiological functions throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Its role involves in a range of physiological and pathological functions including control of food intake, neuro-protection, neuronal regeneration, energy expenditure, reproduction, water balance, mood, nociception and various neuroendocrine functions. The use of currently available antidepressant drugs raises concerns regarding efficacy and onset of action; therefore, the need for antidepressants with novel mechanisms is increasing. Presently, various studies revealed the link between GAL and depression. Attenuation of depressive symptoms is achieved through inhibition of GalR1 and GalR3 and activation of GalR2. However, lack of receptor selectivity of ligands has limited the complete elucidation of effects of different receptors in depression-like behavior. Studies have suggested that GAL enhances the action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and promotes availability of transcription proteins. This review addresses the role of GAL, GAL receptors (GALRs) ligands including selective peptides, and the mechanism of ligand receptor interaction in attenuating depressive symptoms.Keywords: Galanin (GAL), depression, Galanin (GAL) receptors

Desalegn Getnet Demsie,1,2 Ebrahim M Yimer,1 Abera Hadgu Berhe,1 Birhanetensay Masresha Altaye,3 Derbew Fikadu Berhe11Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, EthiopiaBackground: Societies in developing countries use traditional medicine as alternatives for management of pain and inflammation. The plant Cucumis ficifolius has been used in Ethiopia to treat many ailments including inflammation and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the crude root extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius.Methods: The analgesic activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius was evaluated with acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and formalin-induced paw licking tests. The anti-inflammatory effect of crude methanolic root extract and solvent fractions of C. ficifolius was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema. The crude extract was given at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. Butanol and aqueous fractions were given at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses. The negative control groups were treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg). Standard drugs used wereacetylsalicylic acid(ASA) in acetic acid, formalin tests and carrageenan-induced paw edema and morphine (20 mg/kg) in hot plate test.Results: The crude extract, at its maximum dose, produced comparable analgesic activity (72.5%) to ASA in acetic acid writhing test. In the hot plate test, both the crude extract and solvent fractions exhibited a significant prolongation of nociception reaction time. Formalin test result indicated a significant reduction of mean lick time with maximal protection of 64% (early phase) and 83% (late phase). Aqueous and butanol fractions showed good analgesic activity in the three models. Inflammation was decreased by 69% with butanol (200 mg/kg); 71% (800 mg/kg) of crude extract and by 41% and 56% with the use of aqueous fraction at 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p