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Tadegew Adane,1 Mihret Melese,2 Ephrem Tesfaye,3,&ast; Adugnaw Ambelu,2,&ast; Mihret Getnet,2,&ast; Deresse Sinamaw,1,&ast; Dereje Esubalew,4,&ast; Yibeltal Yismaw2 1Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; 2Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Bale- Goba, Southeast Ethiopia; 4Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Tadegew Adane Abebe, Email tadegeada0975@gmail.comBackground: Epilepsy is a brain disease that is associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. However, this evidence is limited in Ethiopia. Studying ECG abnormality in epileptic patients could help minimize the cardiac problems and death of epileptic patients by early screening. This study was aimed to assess electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among people with and without epilepsy at referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State (ARS), northern Ethiopia, 2022.Methods: Institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20 to June 20, 2022. Three referral hospitals in ARS were selected by simple random sampling. Epileptic patients were selected by systematic random sampling, and 403 age- and sex-matched participants were selected from attendants of patients in the outpatient department. Interviewer-administered questionnaire and digital electrocardiograph were used for data collection. Data were entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to stata version 14 for analysis. Variables with P value < 0.25 in bivariable analysis were entered to multivariable binary logistic regression. Strength of association was determined by adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: The prevalence of ECG abnormality was 40.0% (95% CI = 34.7– 46.8) and 29.0% (95% CI = 23.2– 34.3) in epileptic and non-epileptic subjects, respectively. The odds of ECG abnormality was 58% higher among epileptic patients. Divorce, duration of epilepsy, uncontrolled epilepsy, former/current smoker, adequate physical activity, hypertension, and overweight/obesity were associated with ECG abnormality among epileptic patients.Conclusion and Recommendations: The proportion of ECG abnormality was higher among the epileptic than the non-epileptic group. This should be a wake-up call for stakeholders to establish appropriate measurements to reduce cardiac issues of epileptic patients.Keywords: electrocardiographic abnormality, epilepsy, Ethiopia

Yazachew Engida Yismaw,1 Mohammedbrhan Abdelwuhab,2 Digambar B Ambikar,2 Ayenew Engida Yismaw,3 Dagninet Derebe,1 Wondim Melkam1 1Bahir Dar University, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 2University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Pharmacy, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Health Science, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Yazachew Engida Yismaw Email yachewable@gmail.comIntroduction: Peptic ulcer disease represents a worldwide health problem because of its high morbidity, mortality and economic loss. It is a very prevalent condition affecting around 10%– 15% of the general population worldwide. Most of the available antiulcer drugs are costly and have an incidence of relapse, drug interactions and several side effects upon chronic usage. Hence, the use of herbal medicine may be safe, economical and effective in such cases when drugs are used for long periods. Ethnobotanical reports showed traditional claims on the use of Cordia africana seeds for the treatment of gastric ulcers. However, the safety and efficacy of these remedies are not well known. The aim of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the antiulcer activity and safety of a crude extract of C. africana seeds in animal models.Methods: Shade-dried seeds of C. africana were extracted by 80% methanol and dried by the rotator evaporator and lyophilized. The crude extract was used to evaluate antiulcer activity in vivo with pylorus ligation method, on Wistar albino rats weighing 230– 250g. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed using a standard procedure. Acute toxicity study was carried out in Swiss albino mice before antiulcer activity tests.Results: No sign of toxicity was observed upon the administration of 2000 mg/kg of the crude extract to mice. Single-dose administration of 400 and 600 mg/kg extract showed a significant reduction in the volume of secretion and acidity of the stomach (p < 0.01). The doses 400 and 600 mg/kg have reduced the ulcer score by 83.58% and 88%.Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the hydromethanolic crude extract of C. africana has strong antisecretory and ulcer protective activities against ulcers produced by pylorus ligation.Keywords: antiulcer, Cordia africana, seeds, pylorus ligation, ulcer parameters, ulcer score, ulcer index, percent protection