Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an important pharmacological class of drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. They are also characterized by severe side effects, such as gastrointestinal damage, increased cardiovascular risk and renal function abnormalities. In order to synthesize new anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds with a safer profile of side effects, a series of 2,6-diaryl-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives 5a–l were synthesized and evaluated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Among all compounds, 5c showed better anti-inflammatory activity compared to diclofenac, the standard drug, and compounds 5g, 5i, 5j presented a comparable antinociceptive activity to diclofenac. None of the compounds showed ulcerogenic activity. Molecular docking studies were carried out to investigate the theoretical bond interactions between the compounds and target, the cyclooxygenases (COX-1/COX-2). The compound 5c exhibited a higher inhibition of COX-2 compared to diclofenac.

Propolis is a resinous mixture with a complex chemical composition, produced by honeybees and stingless bees from a variety of vegetal sources. In the last decades, propolis was extensively researched, multiple studies confirming its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. More recently, due to an exponential increase in the number of patients with metabolic diseases, there is also a growing interest in the study of antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity effects of propolis. The aim of this review was to evaluate the potential role of propolis in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The preclinical in vivo and in vitro pharmacological models investigating antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity effects of propolis were reviewed with a focus on the putative mechanisms of actions of several chemical constituents. Additionally, the available clinical studies and an evaluation of the safety profile of propolis were also presented.

In order to synthesize novel anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds with reduced ulcerogenic risk, a series of thiazolo [3,2-b][1,2,4]triazoles (6a-6d) and their corresponding acyclic intermediates (5a-5d) bearing benzenesulfonamide moiety were obtained and characterized by spectral analysis ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, IR and MS). All synthesized compounds were evaluated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in a rat model of acute inflammation induced by λ-carrageenan. The compounds 5b, 5c and 6d showed significant anti-inflammatory activity when compared to negative control group, but they did not show superior anti-inflammatory activity when compared to diclofenac, as reference drug. The compounds were also screened for antinociceptive activity in a model of inflammatory hyperalgesia and compounds 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6d presented a significant increase of nociceptive threshold in the inflamed paw. Moreover, compounds 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d did not show any significant ulcerogenic activity. RezumatCu scopul de a obține noi molecule cu potențial antiinflamator și analgezic, dar cu risc ulcerogen redus, au fost sintetizați și caracterizați spectral ( 1 H RMN, 13 C RMN, IR și MS) o serie de derivați tiazolo [3,2-b][1,2,4]triazolici (6a-6d) și intermediarii lor aciclici (5a-5d). Compușii sintetizați au fost evaluați in vivo pentru activitățile lor antiinflamatoare și antinociceptive utilizând un model experimental de inflamație acută indusă de λ-caragenan la șobolan. Compușii 5b, 5c și 6d au prezentat o activitate antiinflamatoare semnificativă comparativ cu grupul control negativ, dar nu superioară diclofenacului, medicamentul de referință. Compușii obținuți au fost de asemenea supuși unui screening pentru activitatea antinociceptivă utilizând un model de hiperalgezie inflamatorie, în care derivații 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6d au prezentat o creștere semnificativă a pragului nociceptiv. În plus, compușii 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c și 6d nu au prezentat activitate ulcerogenă semnificativă.

Background: Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is an important component of personalized medicine that has the potential to improve medicines’ effectiveness and safety. However, despite progress in technology and availability, PGx testing application into patient-care in Eastern Europe countries, has been slow.Objectives: Our aim was to describe knowledge and attitudes of Romanian pharmacists concerning PGx, and identify potential factors limiting PGx implementation.Method: An anonymous, web-based questionnaire was distributed to Romanian pharmacists registered in the National Pharmacists’ Association (NPA) via an official e-mail sent by NPA representatives.Results: A total of 1,058 pharmacists completed the questionnaires, resulting in a response rate of 7.6%. Pharmacists were predominantly female (90.1%), younger than 49 years (87.5%) and mostly worked in community pharmacies (80.2%). Most pharmacists (64.8%) had a knowledge score between 30 and 49 points out of 60, and (75.4%) had attitude scores between 9 and 7 out of 10. Attitude and knowledge scores positively correlated.Conclusion: Despite performing fairly well on general questions regarding PGx, Romanian pharmacists may lack in-depth knowledge, which can affect their readiness to discuss PGx information with patients or other healthcare professionals. High pricing was considered an important impediment in PGx implementation.

Background and Aims: Due to the increasing number of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients being treated with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in Romania, we aimed to conduct a pharmacovigilance study in order to comprehensively evaluate the safety profile for the ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir (Om/Pa/Ri+Da) regimen. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the individual case safety reports (ICSRs), extracted from VigiBase® on 1 st February 2018, which included the Om/Pa/Ri+Da regimen as suspected for causing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were checked for all concomitant medication using the IBM Micromedex® tool. Results: Among the 1,102 ICSRs retrieved, 260 were serious (23.5%). Ribavirin was significantly associated with more ADRs reported per case (on average 5.1 vs. 3.2 ADRs/case, p<0.001). Most commonly reported ADRs were pruritus (6.8%), fatigue (5.4%), dizziness (4.3%) and headache (3.8%). For the serious ICSRs, a significant relationship was found between age and renal and urinary disorders, and between gender and neoplasms, injury, poisonings and procedural complications. Hepatotoxicity was identified in six ICSRs, four of them being serious. Potential contraindicated DDIs were identified in 1.9% of all ICSRs and major DDIs in 20.4%. Conclusions: About a third of the ICSRs related to Om/Pa/Ri+Da regimen were serious. Pruritus, fatigue, dizziness and headache were the most commonly reported ADRs. The frequent use of multiple co- medications in HCV-infected patients requires the consideration of potential DDIs when using the Om/ Pa/Ri+Da regimen.