Borneo Journal of Pharmacy

Formulation of Nutraceutical Jelly Candy from a Combination of Cucurbita moschata Puree and Averrhoa carambola Juice as Antioxidant

2023-08-25T07:45:25+00:00

Nutraceutical candy jellies are gaining popularity as a potential approach to deliver antioxidants in a palatable form. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of Cucurbita moschata puree combined with Averrhoa carambola juice, formulated into jelly candies. Design-Expert software V.13 was used to optimize the jelly candy base formula. The combined C. moschata puree and A. carambola juice exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 29.580 ppm) at variation V1. The optimal base formula B3 consisted of 12% gelatin and 4% carrageenan. The formulated jelly candy possessed very strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 44.771 ppm). These findings suggest the potential of C. moschata puree and A. carambola juice as ingredients in functional jelly candies.

Ethnomedicine Study of Medicinal Plants for Therapy of Elderly Sleep Disorders in Tengger Tribe

2024-06-19T02:42:20+00:00

Ethnomedicine offers valuable insights into plant-based therapies, potentially leading to the discovery of novel drugs. Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening, are prevalent among the elderly population and can significantly worsen Alzheimer's disease progression. This study explores the medicinal plants utilized by the Tengger tribe's elderly population for treating sleep disorders. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study involved qualitative data collection through snowball sampling and in-depth interviews with 99 elderly participants and three traditional healers of the Tengger tribe. Quantitative data was obtained through questionnaires administered during field surveys. Participants were selected based on specific criteria: elderly individuals over 60 years of age, native Tengger tribe members with a history of using medicinal plants for sleep disorders; traditional healers were required to be native Tengger tribe members with knowledge passed down through generations. The study identified a total of 11 medicinal plants used for sleep disorders. Five plant species emerged as the most dominant based on the highest citation value (FC) analysis: kale (Ipomoea reptans), agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis), sintok (Cinnamomum sintoc), Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major), and soursop (Annona muricata). The most commonly used plant parts were leaves, bark, and roots. Traditional preparation methods included boiling and burning the plant materials. Notably, knowledge of these medicinal plants is primarily transmitted orally within the community. Our findings highlight five medicinal plants employed by the Tengger elderly to manage sleep disorders, with limited documented evidence of their efficacy.

In Vitro Evaluation of Prebiotic Potential of Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) Rhizome Ethanol Extract on Lactobacillus acidophilus and Escherichia coli

2024-03-03T06:22:51+00:00

Prebiotics, including carbohydrates and phenols, promote beneficial gut bacteria (probiotics). Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) rhizomes, rich in these compounds, have been traditionally used in medicine but their prebiotic potential remains unexplored. This study investigated the in vitro prebiotic effects of Z. officinale var. rubrum rhizomes on Lactobacillus acidophilus (beneficial) and Escherichia coli (opportunistic) bacteria. Prebiotic activity was assessed using a turbidimetric method, measuring bacterial growth via UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 600 nm. The prebiotic index and percentage inhibition were calculated to evaluate the impact on bacterial growth. Additionally, total phenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results indicate that Z. officinale var. rubrum rhizomes exhibit prebiotic properties, stimulating L. acidophilus growth (prebiotic index of 156.035 and percentage inhibition value of -153.128%) while inhibiting E. coli growth (54.343% inhibition). The rhizomes contained 31.15 mg GAE/g extract of total phenols and 23.55% carbohydrates. These findings suggest that Z. officinale var. rubrum rhizomes possess prebiotic potential, warranting further investigation for potential applications in gut health management.

Structure Modification of Cinnamic Acid to (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one and Antioxidant Activity Test by DPPH Method

2024-05-17T03:04:15+00:00

Antioxidants can protect cells from free radical damage by stabilizing them. One of the compounds that has antioxidant activity is cinnamic acid. Cinnamic acid and its derivatives have several activities: antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant. However, the ability of cinnamic acid to capture free radicals is still relatively low. One of the efforts that can be made to increase the antioxidant activity of cinnamic acid is to modify its structure. Structure modification is an effort to improve the pharmacological activity of a compound through chemical synthesis reactions. The cinnamic acid structure can be modified by changing the carboxylic -OH group into an amine group through an N-atom acylation reaction. This study was conducted by reacting cinnamoyl chloride (1a), which is a cinnamic acid derivative with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (2b) which is a compound of isoquinoline group to produce (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (3b) and then tested for antioxidant activity using DPPH method. The resulting product compound was yellow crystals with a yield of 81.56%. The antioxidant activity produced by the product is more significant than that of cinnamic acid compounds at the same concentration.

Affinity of Nintedanib Towards New Candidate Target for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

2024-08-01T03:53:13+00:00

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease due to aggregation of fibroblasts on lung parenchyma. Nintedanib, an indolinone-derived tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKi) has been approved for the treatment of IPF and it is a well-known inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-α and -β, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1–3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-1–3. This study aims to evaluate the binding interaction between new therapeutic protein candidates for IPF such as autotaxin, galectin-3, interleukin-13, chitotriosidase-1, JNK, RhoE-ROCK-1, ROCK-2 against nintedanib. In this investigation we predicted, computed, and analyzed the binding interactions of the drug nintedanib using an in silico approach called molecular docking. Our docking studies demonstrated that RhoE-ROCK1 and autotaxin showed strong binding affinities towards nintedanib compared to known targets such as VEGFR2 and FGFR1. We can therefore hypothesize a further contribution of nintedanib to the improvement of pathology due to its affinity towards new targets in the pathogenesis of IPF. The next step will be to evaluate the effects of this affinity in vitro on specific cellular models.

Thiourea Derivatives as Estrogen Receptor Alpha Inhibitors for Breast Cancer Therapy: An In Silico Evaluation with ADMET Prediction and Molecular Docking

2024-06-24T08:50:34+00:00

Breast cancer remains a significant public health concern, necessitating the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. This study investigates the potential of thiourea derivatives, specifically HU, HTMX, and BMPTU compounds, as estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) inhibitors using computational approaches. Drug-likeness assessments using Lipinski's Ro5 confirmed the oral bioavailability of all compounds. Additionally, ADMET analysis indicated favorable pharmacokinetic properties, with minimal metabolic interactions and acceptable safety profiles, except for BMPTU2, which showed potential hepatotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong binding affinities between BMPTU derivatives, particularly BMPTU2, BMPTU3, and BMPTU4, and key ERα residues. These interactions suggest their potential as ERα modulators, warranting further in silico and experimental validation. In conclusion, the findings highlight the potential of BMPTU derivatives, especially BMPTU2, BMPTU3, and BMPTU4, as promising lead compounds for developing novel ERα-targeted breast cancer therapies. Further optimization and validation are crucial to fully elucidate their therapeutic potential.

Effects of Switching Dose, Dose Variation, and Warfarin Interaction on the Incidence of Stroke Recurrence in Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

2024-02-24T13:01:28+00:00

Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases the risk of stroke, necessitating anticoagulation therapy. Warfarin, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant regimen, requires careful monitoring to ensure patient safety. This study aimed to assess the impact of dose switching, dose variation, and potential interactions with warfarin on the incidence of stroke recurrence in stroke patients with AF. The study retrospectively analyzed the treatment records of stroke patients with AF in outpatient settings over one year. The subjects comprised 314 patients who received warfarin prescriptions at two Indonesian Hospitals from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. Out of these patients, 50 had recorded data regarding dose adjustments, variations, and interactions. They were divided into two groups: a case group (n=11) with stroke recurrence and a control group (n=39) without recurrence. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and odds ratio calculations, revealed that both warfarin dose switching (OR=7.6) and dose variation (OR=6.6) significantly influenced the incidence of stroke recurrence. It implies that inconsistencies or alterations in warfarin dosing substantially elevate the likelihood of experiencing another stroke, potentially due to inadequate anticoagulation leading to clot formation. Interestingly, the analysis of drug interactions did not significantly impact stroke recurrence. In summary, the recurrence of stroke in patients with AF is notably influenced by warfarin dose adjustments and variations rather than drug interactions. This study highlights the critical importance of precise dosing strategies and vigilant monitoring to enhance the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in this high-risk population.

Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolics, and Total Flavonoids Content of Bajakah Tampala (Spatholobus littoralis): The Indigenous Herbal Medicine from Kalimantan

2024-02-24T12:58:24+00:00

Bajakah tampala (Spatholobus littoralis), a medicinal plant traditionally used in Indonesia, particularly on Kalimantan Island, has garnered interest for its potential health benefits. However, scientific evidence remains scarce. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of S. littoralis extract and its total phenolic and flavonoid content. Ethanol extraction and evaporation were used to prepare the extract. The DPPH method assessed antioxidant activity, while Folin–Ciocalteu and AlCl₃ complexation methods quantified total phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. The S. littoralis extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 54.19 ± 8.15 µg/mL. Additionally, the extract contained substantial levels of phenolics (0.649 ± 0.026% GAE) and flavonoids (1.084 ± 0.043% QE). These findings suggest a link between the high phenolic and flavonoid content of S. littoralis extract and its observed strong antioxidant activity.

A Pre-Post Survey Analysis on Pharmacy Students' Perceptions of Pharmacist Roles in the Pharmaceutical Industry

2024-03-05T02:34:16+00:00

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing rapid evolution, characterized by a complex regulatory landscape and the need for diverse skill sets. This study aimed to assess pharmacy students’ perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry and the impact of a dedicated seminar on their career aspirations and knowledge. A pre-post online survey was administered to 55 undergraduate pharmacy students at the National Pharmacy Seminar 2024, hosted by Jakarta Global University. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p ≤0.05). Results indicate a strong preference for careers in state-owned pharmaceutical companies (63.6%) and research and development departments (34%). The seminar significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of pharmacists’ roles, industry complexities, drug development challenges, and regulatory requirements. Notably, 93% of participants reported that the seminar met their expectations and provided valuable insights for future career exploration. These findings underscore the importance of educational interventions in shaping pharmacy students’ career trajectories and aligning their knowledge with the dynamic pharmaceutical industry.

Integrative Network Pharmacology Unveils Limonia acidissima as a Potential Natural Product for Targeting Cancer

2024-04-23T12:57:33+00:00

Cancer remains a formidable health challenge worldwide, with complex molecular mechanisms driving its initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. In this study, we employed bioinformatics analyses to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of cancer biology, focusing on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Our GO analysis revealed the enrichment of key biological processes such as protein phosphorylation, regulation of programmed cell death, and transmembrane receptor signaling pathways, underscoring the critical roles of signaling cascades and regulatory mechanisms in tumorigenesis. Similarly, molecular functions such as protein kinase activity and ATP binding were identified as significantly enriched, highlighting the importance of protein kinases and molecular interactions in cancer development and progression. The KEGG pathway analysis further delineated dysregulated signaling pathways associated with cancer, including the MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, implicating these pathways as central regulators of cancer progression. These findings deepen our understanding of cancer biology and offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Integrating multi-omics data and systems biology approaches may provide deeper insights into the intricate networks underlying cancer pathogenesis, paving the way for developing more effective treatments for cancer patients.

Cover, Content, and Editorial Note from Borneo J Pharm Vol. 7 No. 3 August 2024

2024-10-16T01:35:10+00:00

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.

Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin. The next edition of Borneo Journal of Pharmacy (Borneo J Pharm), has been published at August 2024. This edition contains ten articles: Pharmacology-Toxicology, Pharmacognosy-Phytochemistry, Analytical Pharmacy-Medicinal Chemistry, Microbiology Pharmacy, Natural Product Development, Clinical-Community Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Education. This edition includes writings from four countries: India, Indonesia, Italy, and Malaysia. The authors come from several institutions, including Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Banjarmasin, Universitas Jember, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, University of Kalyani, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carita, Universitas Airlangga, Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Bhakti Wiyata Kediri, Universitas Islam Bandung, Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, Universitas Global Jakarta, and Management and Science University.

Editorial boards are fully aware that there are still room for improvement in this edition, hence with all humility willing to accept constructive suggestions and feedback for improvements to the publication for the next editions. The editorial board would like to thank all editors and reviewers, and contributors of the scientific articles who have provided the repetoire in this issue. We hope that all parties, especially the contributors, could re-participate for the publication in the next edition on November 2024.

Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.