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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on travel and quarantine measures made people turn to self-medication (SM) to control the symptoms of their diseases. Different studies were conducted worldwide on different populations, and their results were different. Therefore, this global systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of self-medication.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, databases of Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched without a time limit. All eligible observational articles that reported self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of self-medication. The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.ResultsFifty-six eligible studies were reviewed. The pooled prevalence of self-medication was 48.6% (95% CI: 42.8–54.3). The highest and lowest prevalence of self-medication was in Asia (53%; 95% CI: 45–61) and Europe (40.8%; 95% CI: 35–46.8). Also, the highest and lowest prevalence of self-medication was related to students (54.5; 95% CI: 40.8–68.3) and healthcare workers (32.5%; 16–49). The prevalence of self-medication in the general population (48.8%; 40.6–57) and in patients with COVID-19 (41.7%; 25.5–58). The prevalence of self-medication was higher in studies that collected data in 2021 than in 2020 (51.2 vs. 48%). Publication bias was not significant (p = 0.320).ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication was highly prevalent, so nearly half of the people self-medicated. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide public education to control the consequences of self-medication.

MicroRNAs, as non-coding transcripts, modulate gene expression through RNA silencing under normal physiological conditions. Their aberrant expression has strongly associated with tumorigenesis and cancer development. MiR-20b is one of the crucial miRNAs that regulate essential biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and migration. Deregulated levels of miR-20b contribute to the early- and advanced stages of cancer. On the other hand, investigations emphasize the tumor suppressor ability of miR-20b. High-throughput strategies are developed to identify miR-20b potential targets, providing the proper insight into its molecular mechanism of action. Moreover, accumulated results suggest that miR-20b exerts its effects through diverse signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK axes. Restoration of the altered expression levels of miR-20b induces cell apoptosis and reduces invasion and migration. Further, miR-20b can be used as a biomarker in cancer. The current comprehensive review could lead to a better understanding of the miR-20b in either tumorigenesis or tumor regression that may open new avenues for cancer treatment.

Green tea has been used as a traditional medicine since 2700 BC and several studies have shown that green tea polyphenols inhibit the growth of oral and periodontal pathogenic bacteria and can improve oral and gingival health. In this clinical study we investigated the effect of green tea mouthwash on microbial dental plaque and gingival inflammation following periodontal surgery. A total of 34 crown lengthening surgeries were included in this study. After removing periodontal dressing, green tea mouthwash for the test group and placebo for the patients in the control group were prescribed, and periodontal parameters were assessed at base line and after 2 weeks. Analysis of the data revealed the significant effect of green tea mouthwash on reducing Plaque index (PI), Gingival Index (GI) and Bleeding on probing (BOP). Therefore it would be recommended as a safe, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial mouthwash for treating gingival inflammation and maintaining oral and gingival health

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