Borneo Journal of Pharmacy

Cover, Content, and Editorial Note from Borneo J Pharm Vol. 8 No. 1 February 2025

Chief Editor of Borneo J Pharm — 2025-02-28

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.

Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin. The next edition of Borneo Journal of Pharmacy (Borneo J Pharm), has been published at February 2025. This edition contains ten articles: Pharmaceutical Regulations, Pharmacology-Toxicology, Clinical-Community Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy-Phytochemistry, Analytical Pharmacy-Medicinal Chemistry, and Natural Product Development, and. This edition includes writings from three countries: Egypt, Indonesia, and Libya. The authors come from several institutions, including Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Universitas Borneo Lestari, Institut Teknologi Bandung Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Salsabila Serang, University of Tripoli, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, El Ezaby Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, IPB University, and Universitas Sriwijaya.

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 May 2025.

Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.

Antioxidant Activity of Edible Bird’s Nest (Aerodramus fuciphagus) from Central Borneo, Indonesia

Dita Ayulia Dwi Sandi — 2025-02-28

Edible bird's nests (EBNs) from Aerodramus fuciphagus have been traditionally used in Asia for their various health benefits, including antioxidant properties. Previous studies have reported antioxidant activity in EBN water extracts using methods like ABTS and ORAC. However, the antioxidant activity can vary significantly depending on factors such as the source of EBN, extraction methods, and the specific assay used. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant potential of EBN water extract using a range of in vitro assays. The antioxidant activity was assessed using four different methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). Results demonstrated that the EBN water extract exhibited moderate NO radical scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 116.86 μg/mL. While weak activity was observed in the DPPH assay, the FRAP and CUPRAC assays showed promising antioxidant potential with an ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) of 4.567±0.30 and 3.487±0.095 μg AAE/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that the antioxidant activity of EBN water extract may be primarily attributed to its protein content. However, further investigations are warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms of action and isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for the observed antioxidant effects. These findings have implications for the development of EBN-based functional foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals with enhanced antioxidant properties.

Potential of Moringa oleifera Effervescent Granules as a New Antacid: Micronutrients, Formulation, and Evaluation

Hanin Nafed Mughrbi — 2025-02-28

Moringa oleifera, a nutritionally rich plant widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, possesses a diverse array of medicinal properties. This study aimed to develop and evaluate effervescent granules from M. oleifera leaves and seeds, assessing their in vitro acid neutralization capacity (ANC) compared to a commercial antacid. Micronutrient content (calcium and magnesium) of both leaf and seed powders was quantified using flame photometry. Effervescent granules were formulated using wet granulation, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. The ANC was determined in simulated gastric juice. Results revealed that M. oleifera leaves contained significantly higher calcium and magnesium levels than seeds. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated that both leaf and seed effervescent granules, at 5 and 10 g, exhibited significantly higher ANC than the negative control. Post-hoc Tukey's test further indicated that the leaf granules possessed superior ANC compared to seed granules, and equivalent efficacy to 5 g of the commercial antacid. These findings suggest that M. oleifera leaves and seeds can be effectively formulated into effervescent granules with potent antacid properties. The observed ANC, likely attributed to the high micronutrient content of the leaves, highlights a novel nutraceutical application for M. oleifera as a potential alternative to conventional antacids.

Could Nigella sativa Extract be a Promising Anticancer Agent?

Mennatallah Shabana — 2025-02-28

Nigella sativa, commonly known as black seed, has a long history of traditional use in folk medicine. Recent scientific investigations have highlighted its significant therapeutic potential, particularly in cancer treatment. Thymoquinone, the primary bioactive compound in N. sativa, has demonstrated promising anticancer properties in numerous preclinical studies. This review comprehensively examines the current understanding of N. sativa's anticancer potential, focusing on the pharmacological actions of thymoquinone. We analyzed high-quality research articles from various databases to assess the efficacy of N. sativa and its constituents in cancer treatment. Furthermore, we explored the potential of N. sativa as an adjunct therapy within existing cancer treatment guidelines. Finally, we discuss the safety profile of N. sativa and propose future research directions to fully realize its therapeutic potential in cancer management.

Antihypertension Profile During Pregnancy at a Private Hospital in Surabaya

Oktaviany Irma Wiputri — 2025-02-28

Hypertension during pregnancy, a significant obstetric complication, can lead to severe consequences such as preeclampsia. This study aimed to determine the pattern of antihypertensive medication use, including drug type, route of administration, dosage, and frequency, as well as investigate the relationship between clinical data, including blood pressure and proteinuria, and the use of single or combination antihypertensive therapy in pregnant women with hypertension. A retrospective observational study was conducted on 108 pregnant women with hypertension admitted to the inpatient unit of a private hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, antihypertensive medications, blood pressure, and proteinuria levels were collected and analyzed. The majority (79.65%) of patients were aged between 20 and 35 years. Common comorbidities included obesity (62.50%), pre-existing hypertension (18.75%), and a history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies (6.25%). Nifedipine (73.26%) was the most frequently used single antihypertensive medication, followed by methyldopa (23.26%). Combination therapy, primarily nifedipine and methyldopa (92.31%), was commonly employed. Most patients (97.35%) achieved blood pressure control, and 47.79% showed improvement in proteinuria levels. Nifedipine and the combination of nifedipine and methyldopa were the most frequently used antihypertensive medications in this cohort. Most patients achieved blood pressure control, indicating effective management of hypertension during pregnancy. Further studies are warranted to investigate the long-term outcomes and optimize antihypertensive therapy strategies in this population.

Eribulin Effectiveness and Safety in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review

Herleeyana Meriyani — 2025-02-28

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive and poor prognosis subtype of breast cancer. Eribulin has shown promise in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). This review aimed to provide a specific description, evidence, and discussion of the efficacy and safety of eribulin both as monotherapy and in combination with another agent in patients with mTNBC. The search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, PLoS One, Wiley Online Library, and Cochrane Library) towards published articles during the 2013-2023 period. A total of 237 articles were identified. After removing 69 duplicates, 168 articles underwent the screening process and 10 articles met the research criteria. Eribulin monotherapy effectiveness profile includes: overall survival (10.8-17.6 months), progression-free survival (2.8-3.2 months), partial response (21.0%-58.7%), progressive disease (15.5% -47.0%), and stable disease (28.8%-32%). However, there were no cases of complete response. Combination of eribulin with other agents' effectiveness profiles includes: overall survival (8.3-14.5 months), PFS (2.6-8.1 months), partial response (31.8-76.0%), complete response (2.4-8%), progressive disease (8.0-28%), and stable disease (8.0-52.3%). Eribulin monotherapy's safety profile is similar to that of combination therapy. No grade 5 adverse event was reported during monotherapy or in combination with other agents. The grade 4 adverse events reported are neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspnea, back pain, arthralgia, febrile neutropenia, dyspnea, constipation, general physical health deterioration, alopecia. The all-grade adverse events with a percentage above 50% are neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, asthenia, alopecia, elevated AST, elevated ALT, hand-foot syndrome, fatigue, anemia, peripheral neuropathy, oral mucositis, and nausea.

The Effect of Directly Observed Treatment Strategy on Cost Utility of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients at Banten Regional Public Hospital

Baha Udin — 2025-02-28

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is one of the communicable diseases with high prevalence in some provinces in Indonesia, including the Province of Banten. Considering its high prevalence and the high cost of treatment resulting from multiple treatment components, research on the analysis of treatment costs of TB is very important. This study aimed to determine the effect of implementing the directly observed treatment (DOT) strategy on the cost-utility of pulmonary TB patients. The study was conducted at Banten Regional General Hospital using the perspective of the health provider and patients by involving 24 TB patients. Treatment cost was calculated by including direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs, and then categorized into initial and final cost-utility. The average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) was then calculated by setting the patient's quality of life as the clinical outcome in this study. This study found that the average value of the average cost-utility ratio (ACUR) for the initial cost-utility and the final cost-utility were IDR 2,682,343.53 and IDR 2,402,153.15, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.006). It indicates that the DOT strategy can potentially improve the utility costs of the treatment of TB patients at Banten Regional Hospital.

Chemical Compound Profile of Bajakah Kalalawit (Uncaria gambir Roxb) Stem Extract Using Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Ainun Fawaid — 2025-02-28

Uncaria gambir Roxb., commonly known as Bajakah Kalalawit, is a plant endemic to Kalimantan, Indonesia, with potential medicinal properties. While previous studies have investigated the phytochemical composition of U. gambir leaves, limited information exists regarding the constituents of its stem extract. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the chemical composition of U. gambir stem extract using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Ethanol (96%) was employed as the solvent for maceration extraction (1 : 5, plant material : solvent ratio) for three days. Subsequently, the dried extract was subjected to LC-HRMS analysis. Compounds with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value greater than or equal to 1% were considered as major constituents. The results revealed the presence of 18 distinct chemical compounds in the U. gambir stem extract, providing valuable insights into its phytochemical profile and laying the foundation for further investigations into its potential pharmacological activities.

Analysis of Amino Acid Profiles in Bone, Oil, and Muscle Tissue and Wound Healing Activity of Pangasius hypophthalmus Oil in Rattus norvegicus

Hidayaturrahmah Hidayaturrahmah — 2025-02-28

Patin (Pangasius hypophthalmus), a commercially important freshwater fish, is a rich source of protein containing both essential and non-essential amino acids, crucial for various biological functions. This study aimed to determine the amino acid composition of muscle tissue, oil, and bones of P. hypophthalmus and evaluate the wound healing potential of its oil extract in Rattus norvegicus. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was employed to quantify the levels of essential and non-essential amino acids in each tissue. Results revealed that P. hypophthalmus oil exhibited the highest total amino acid content, particularly rich in histidine, arginine, and lysine. The wound healing activity of P. hypophthalmus oil extract was assessed in a rodent model, demonstrating a significant reduction in wound area (0.62-0.84 mm) and an impressive wound healing percentage (79-84.45%). These findings suggest that different parts of P. hypophthalmus possess valuable nutritional and therapeutic properties. Notably, the high amino acid content of P. hypophthalmus oil, particularly essential amino acids, highlights its potential as a promising source for developing pharmaceutical products, including amino acid supplements, wound healing agents, and formulations for metabolic support. Further research is warranted to fully explore the therapeutic potential of P. hypophthalmus oil and its bioactive components.

The Strategic Role of the Indonesian FDA in Empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Drug and Food Sectors: A Review

Mohamad Kashuri — 2025-03-01

This review examines the evolving role of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) in empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the pharmaceutical and food sectors. While significant strides have been made in recent years, challenges remain. These include discrepancies between regulatory objectives and the practical capabilities of SMEs, particularly in navigating complex regulatory frameworks. While digitalization initiatives and technical assistance programs have shown promise, their impact is often hindered by resource limitations and resistance to change among stakeholders. This review underscores the critical need for a balanced approach that effectively integrates regulatory oversight with targeted support for SME growth. Fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation and ensures regulatory compliance necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach, demanding more sustainable and effective coordination among government agencies, industry associations, and academic institutions. The success of BPOM's empowerment efforts hinges on adopting flexible, technology-driven, and results-oriented strategies. Future endeavors should prioritize long-term evaluations of existing programs, develop robust metrics to assess their effectiveness and explore innovative approaches to address the evolving regulatory landscape in the digital era.

Evaluation of Aqueous Extract from Cosmos caudatus Leaves in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Ayeshah Augusta Rosdah — 2025-02-28

Kenikir (Cosmos caudatus), often consumed as a vegetable in Southeast Asia, possesses therapeutic benefits for several diseases, including diabetes mellitus. However, there has been limited investigation of the aqueous extract of C. caudatus for this disease model. This study aimed to examine the glucose-lowering effect of C. caudatus aqueous extract in an alloxan-induced diabetes model in rats. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was performed to obtain an aqueous extract of C. caudatus leaves. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the presence of bioactive compounds. Male Wistar rats were allocated to the following experimental groups: non-diabetic, diabetic without treatment, and diabetic treated with glibenclamide or aqueous C. caudatus extract at concentrations of 25%, 50%, or 100%. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg alloxan. Random blood glucose and body weight were monitored before (Day 0) and after treatment (Days 3 and 7). There was a trend of weight loss in diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic rats, though the difference was not statistically significant. After 7 days of treatment, there was a comparable decrease in the blood glucose of diabetic rats treated with 50% or 100% of aqueous C. caudatus extract and those treated with glibenclamide. Qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of steroid, saponin, phenol, and flavonoid compounds. The total phenolic content was 38.48 mg GAE/g and IC50 DPPH antioxidant activity was 375.64 ppm. This study demonstrated that an aqueous extract of C. caudatus exhibits a blood glucose-lowering effect in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model.