Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal

In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Unripe Fruit Extract of Peponium vogelii (Hook. f.) Engl. (Cucurbitaceae)

Israel Mohamed — 2026-03-25

The growing issue of helminth resistance to anthelmintics has prompted the exploration of medicinal plants for potential anthelmintic properties. Control strategies of helminth infections rely mostly on a limited number of synthetic anthelminthic drugs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new, affordable, safe, and effective drugs with novel mechanism of action. The unripe fruits of Peponium vogelii (Hook, f.) Engl., indigenous to tropical Africa, are traditionally used in Ethiopia to treat intestinal parasites. This study aimed to investigate the anthelmintic activity of P. vogelii unripe fruit extract and its constituents against Caenorhabditis elegans. Active compounds were isolated through bioassay-guided fractionation, beginning with maceration of the unripe fruit in 80% methanol. The extract was further separated using solubilitybased fractionation, silica gel column chromatography (CC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), leading to isolation of active compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined using ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The hydroalcoholic extract showed a maximum mortality rate of 97.30% at 5 mg/ml, compared to the negative control. Among the five solvent fractions, only the methanol fraction exhibited a significant nematicidal activity (97.43% worm morality at 1 mg/ml), from which two
active compounds, namely, linoleic acid and palmitic acid were isolated and identified. These compounds exhibited nematicidal activity, with mortality rates of 88.54% and 40.71%, respectively, at a concentration of 500 μg/ml. While the structures of three other minor but active compounds remain unidentified, this study has provided the first evidence of the anthelmintic activity of P. vogelii fruits, supporting their traditional use in treating intestinal parasites in southern Ethiopia.

Antidepressant-like Activity of Hydromethanolic Leaf Extract of Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) in Rodent Depression Models

Alfoalem Araba Abiye — 2026-03-25

Depression, a debilitating global health concern affecting over 280 million individuals, demands safer and more effective treatments due to limitations of current antidepressants. Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae), a plant traditionally used for mental disorders, was investigated for its antidepressant potential based on its phytochemical profile and neuroactive properties observed in related species. The antidepressant-like activity of the 80% methanol leaf extract of S. incanum was evaluated in male Swiss albino mice (20 - 30 g) and Sprague-Dawley rats (200 - 250 g). Acute toxicity, phytochemical screening, and a series of behavioural assays including tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT) were conducted. The experimental animals were categorized into five groups: a vehicle control (2% Tween 80), a positive control group treated with imipramine (30 mg/kg), and three groups received increasing doses of the extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg). Immobility time and locomotor activity were analysed via ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. The extract showed no signs of toxicity (LD50 > 2000 mg/kg) and was found to contain a diverse range of secondary metabolites; alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids. In TST, the highest dose of the extract (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility by 38.66% (p < 0.001) while the standard drug imipramine showed a 50.40% reduction. Similarly, in FST, the 400 mg/kg dose exhibited a 50.44% inhibition (p < 0.001) comparable to the reduction observed with imipramine (51.51%). Furthermore, the OFT confirmed that the extract has no psychostimulant activity, ensuring that the observed behavioural changes were not influenced by alterations in locomotor activity. S. incanum hydromethanol extract demonstrated dose-dependent antidepressant-like effects in rodent models, likely mediated by its bioactive phytochemicals. The findings of this study indicate that the extract exhibits significant antidepressant-like potential without causing adverse effects on motor function.

Chemical Characterization and Acaricidal Potential of Echinops kebericho Mesfin Root Essential Oil Against Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman

Adugna Feyissa — 2026-03-25

Honey bees are vital pollinators, contributing to one-third of the global food crop pollination. Despite their importance, bee populations have been declining worldwide. One of the major drivers of this decline is Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite that feeds on adult bees and developing brood. Synthetic acaricides are commonly used for mite control; however, their extensive application has resulted in acaricide resistance and contamination of bee products, raising concerns about environmental and human health. Consequently, there is an urgent need for safe and effective alternative control strategies. Essential oils are known for their acaricidal properties, and in Ethiopia, Echinops kebericho has demonstrated such activity, although its efficacy against Varroa mites has not been previously investigated. In this study, essential oil was extracted from the roots of E. kebericho, its chemical composition was characterized using GC-MS, and its acaricidal activity was evaluated using a complete exposure method. Hydrodistillation yielded 0.4% paleyellow oil, in which 22 compounds were identified accounting for 67.09% of the total composition. The major constituents were isobornylene (11.27%), 1,2-diethyl-3,4-dimethylbenzene (9.75%), and caryophyllene oxide (7.37%). The essential oil exhibited strong, dose-dependent acaricidal activity against Varroa mites, with a 4-h LC₅₀ value of 161.89 µg/ml. However, its potency was lower than thymol, which showed an LC₅₀
of 54.42 µg/ml. These findings indicate that E. kebericho essential oil has potential as a natural Varroa control agent, and warrants further investigation to assess its efficacy, safety, and practical application in apiculture.

Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivities of Aqueous Leaf and Stem Extracts of Adenodolichos paniculatus (Hua) Hutch. (Fabaceae)

Stanislaus Njinga Ngaitad — 2026-03-25

Adenodolichos paniculatus (Hua) Hutch., a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, was investigated for its phytochemical constituents, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity using aqueous leaf extract (ALE) and aqueous stem extract (ASE). Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed employing standard protocols and spectrophotometric techniques, respectively. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), phosphomolybdenum assay (PMA), metal chelating activity (MCA), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assays. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the broth dilution technique. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in both extracts. Quantitative analysis showed higher contents of flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids in the ALE. The ASE exhibited superior antioxidant activity, as evidenced by DPPH radical scavenging (81.903 ± 1.819%), ABTS (63.987 ± 0.038 mg TE/g extract), PMA (0.187 ± 0.012 mg AAE/g extract), FRAP (0.040 ± 0.000 mg Fe(II)/g extract), and MCA (0.263 ± 0.009 mg EDTA equivalents/g extract). Antimicrobial activity was dose-dependent, with maximum inhibition observed at 500 mg/ml. The ASE demonstrated stronger dose-dependent antibacterial activity than the ALE, whereas the ALE exhibited greater bactericidal effects. The ALE showed higher MIC (150 - 250 mg/ml) and MBC (250 - 500 mg/ml)
values compared to the ASE. Overall, the pronounced antioxidant and antibacterial activities of A.paniculatus extracts support its traditional medicinal use and highlight its potential as a natural source of bioactive compounds for managing oxidative stress and microbial infections.

Analysis of Prescriptions Containing Urea-Based Compounded Medications at ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Minychel Wale Aynalem — 2026-03-25

Periodic evaluation of compounded urea-containing prescriptions is essential to assess utilization patterns and the appropriateness of prescribing practices. This study aimed to assess the prescribing patterns of urea -based compounded preparations in the outpatient dermatology department of ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (ALERT CSH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A retrospective review was conducted in December 2024 of 422 patient prescriptions compounded at ALERT CSH compounding unit between 01 October and 30 November 2024 that contained urea as an ingredient. All prescriptions within this period containing urea were included. Descriptive statistical methods were used to summarize the study population, and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. A total of 422 compounded prescriptions containing urea were analyzed. Most patients were female (55.5%), and the largest proportion (25.6%) were aged 41 - 50 years. The most common indications for urea -based compounded medications were keratoderma (28.7%), atopic dermatitis (16.8%), and nummular eczema (15.4%). The most common indications for urea-based compounded medications were keratoderma (28.7%), atopic dermatitis (16.8%), and nummular eczema (15.4%). The most frequently used ingredients for compounding were white petrolatum (91.2%), salicylic acid (83.6%), and corticosteroids (54.7%). Urea combined with salicylic acid (37.4%) was the most commonly prescribed formulation, followed by urea with salicylic acid and betamethasone dipropionate (35.8%). Low concentrations of urea were predominantly prescribed for eczema (52%), whereas high concentrations were mainly used for keratoderma (84%), with palmoplantar keratoderma being the most common indication. Salicylic acid, clobetasol dipropionate, and white petrolatum were the most frequently used concomitant ingredients in these preparations. These prescribing patterns reflect the standard therapeutic uses of urea in dermatologic practice and highlight the hospital’s reliance on a limited number of key compounding ingredients, emphasizing the importance of informed inventory management to ensure continuous availability, rational use, and optimal patient care.

Motivations, Satisfaction Levels, and Future Career Plans among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students, in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Meron Kidane — 2026-03-25

The pharmacy profession in Ethiopia is undergoing rapid transformation in response to evolving healthcare demands. As the role of pharmacists expands beyond dispensing to encompass patient-centered care, understanding the motivations, satisfaction levels, and career intentions of pharmacy students becomes increasingly important. Despite these shifts, limited empirical data exist on the perspectives of pharmacy undergraduates in Ethiopia. The findings of the study will be used for guiding curriculum reform, improving student engagement, and strengthening the future pharmacy workforce in Ethiopia. A crosssectional study was conducted between 07 April and 05 May 2025, targeting Year II to Year V undergraduate pharmacy students, and all eligible students were invited to participate using a census sampling method. A total of 237 students completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire designed to assess demographics, motivations for choosing pharmacy, satisfaction with academic experiences, and future career preferences. The questionnaire was pretested for clarity, and reliability analysis of the satisfaction scale yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.76. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to identify significant associations (p < 0.05). Of the respondents, 76.8% selected pharmacy as their first choice when they joined the university, but only 41% would choose it again, and only 20% intend to pursue long-term pharmacy careers. Major motivations for their choice were self-employment (30%), job opportunities (28%), and family influence (28%), whereas interest in science was less cited. Low satisfaction was reported for the curriculum (mean 1.60), faculty support (1.81), and availability of practical training opportunities (2.02). Most preferred careers were pharmaceutical sales and marketing (47%), regulatory affairs (23%), and industry (20%), while clinical roles lagged. Willingness to re-choose pharmacy was significantly associated with first-choice status, Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), and year of study. Despite high initial interest, students’ evolving career intentions differ, compounded by low satisfaction with their educational experience. Curriculum reforms, early clinical practice exposure, and enhanced career support to bridge these gaps are recommended.