Objective The present study was designed to evaluate the possible gastroprotective effects of different doses of azilsartan in ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Methodology Forty-eight male adult Wistar rats were used and allocated randomly into four groups: negative control treated with distilled water, positive control treated with ethanol, lansoprazole treated group, and azilsartan (1mg, 5mg, and 10mg/kg) treated group. The treatment protocol was for 15 days, and all the groups except for the negative control group received 1mL of ethanol on the last day 1hr before scarification. Gastric content was collected for measuring the volume, free acidity, and pH. The stomach was used for measuring the gastric lesion area and ulcer index. Blood samples were collected for measuring serum hydroxyproline, gastrin, CRP, TNF-α, MDA, and TAOC. Gastric tissues were sent for histopathological examinations. Results Ethanol administration significantly increased gastric lesion, gastric ulcer index, and gastric acidity. Ethanol also decreased serum levels of hydroxyproline and TAOC and increased serum gastrin, CRP, TNF-α, and MDA. Azilsartan 10mg/kg was able to decrease the lesion by 43.6% and increase gastric pH and significantly decreased MDA level. Both 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg azilsartan have successfully restored the level of hydroxyproline, gastrin, and TNF-α. The histopathological finding showed gastroprotection by azilsartan in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion The study revealed that azilsartan possesses a gastroprotective effect. The proposed mechanisms could be increased blood flow to the stomach, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity along with restoring hydroxyproline and gastrin levels. These findings suggest azilsartan as a promising candidate to be tested in a clinical setting.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the occupational health hazards that face health care providers in Sulaimani City. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted utilizing quantitative data collection methods. It involved 159 respondents including Physicians, Pharmacists, Medical assistants, Laboratory Instructors and Nurses who worked in 8 major health facilities in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Results: Nurses were the most susceptible group to sharp related injuries 13.84%, cuts and wounds 10.69% than the others and they were more experiencing verbal abuse in the workplace 15%. Laboratory instructors represent the most exposed group to contaminated specimens/biohazards 17.6% and blood borne pathogens 13.84, while the physicians represent the most prone group to acquire infectious diseases 15.1% and both the physicians and the nurses were equally exposed to airborne diseases 11.32%. Furthermore, physicians were the most group that suffered from work related stress 13.8%; and medical assistants were the most susceptible to radiation 3.1%. Meanwhile, Laboratory instructors were the most exposed group to physical distress 15.1%, falls 5%, unsafe staffing 13.8%, chemical spills 8.8% and noise 5.4%. Conclusion: Healthcare providers in these settings experienced various types of occupational hazards in their workplaces, which became a dominant issue among the health care providers. Interventions should be established to alleviate these hazards.

An ulcer in the stomach is a common digestive system ailment. Gastric ulcers are more likely to develop if one drinks alcohol regularly. Despite the extensive availability of treatment options, there are just a few preventative regimes. In animal trials, herbal remedies have been found to prevent the formation of ethanol-induced stomach ulcers. Histamine receptor 2 antagonists have a similar or higher ability to inhibit the formation of ethanol-induced stomach ulcers to herbal treatments. There are less adverse effects associated with herbal remedies. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched using keywords such as "gastric ulcer," "herbal medicines," and "ethanol-induced gastric injury." The search was performed up to May 15, 2021. Only articles published in English were used in this review. For those who are more susceptible to develop stomach ulcers, certain herbal combinations may be an effective option to prevent the development of gastric ulcers, based on their methods of action and the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers. Dates, pomegranate seeds, and bitter melon are all examples of herbal compounds that are safe and can be ingested. Those who regularly use alcohol may want to consider using these substances as an alternative method of preventing stomach ulcers. Anti- Helicobactor pylori herbal components such as Mitrella kentia, citrus lemon, and Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl) Blume can be used by Helicobacter pylori-positive individuals to avoid the creation of ethanol-induced stomach ulcers.