Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) in topical preparations: a narrative review of components, manufacturing methods, characteristics and activities

Nanostructured Lipid Carries NLCs have gained attention in formulation science and nanotechnology due to their biocompatible material and ability to enhance skin penetration. The goal is to create products that can effectively deliver active compounds to desired skin layers with minimal side effects. This review focuses on the use of functionalized NLCs in dermocosmetics, specifically looking at their composition, manufacturing method, characteristics, and role in delivering active compounds. The review obtained articles from databases such as Scopus, Pubmed, and Google Scholar, covering the years 2014-2024. Data search was conducted in May 2024. The search used keywords such as "NLC OR formulation OR dermal OR activity”. By considering factors such as NLC composition, manufacturing method, and impact on compound delivery, researchers aim to optimize NLCs for use in topical preparations. This research contributes to the development of dermocosmetics that can address various skin problems more effectively. The search results from 32 articles gave an overview of the widely used NLC components: solid lipids: glycerol monostearate, compitrol 888 ATO, and tristearin; liquid lipids: myglyol, transcutol, and oleic acid; surfactants: poysorbat 80 and polysorbate 20. The widely used methods were ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization. Frequently performed characterizations include particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and Entrapment Efficiency (EE). The pharmacological activity of active components loaded into NLCs increased than without NLCs. The active ingredient formulated in NLC can produce better activity compared to the active substance formulated directly in the conventional preparation. The application of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) nanoparticles on the skin is very beneficial. These nano systems have shown promising results and more commercial formulations, so it is expected to be done in further research

Characteristic and therapeutic effect of lemongrass leaf encapsulation with a different ratio of chitosan and NaTPP

The lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citratus) in Indonesia has great potential as a natural ingredient for medicines because it contains various compounds such as neral, citral, geranial acetate, flavonoids, and tannins. Previous research has demonstrated various pharmacological activities of kitchen lemongrass leaves, including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Encapsulation technology in the form of chitosan-NaTPP nanoparticles is used to maintain the activity of kitchen lemongrass leaf compounds. This research aims to determine the physical characteristics of the encapsulation of kitchen lemongrass leaf extract with several comparisons of chitosan and NaTPP by testing PSA (particle size analysis test), FTIR (functional group analysis test), viscosity, and stability, including pH and turbidity tests. Encapsulation with a 1:1 ratio of chitosan and NaTPP has a particle size of 524 nm and a PdI value of 0.481, classified as monodisperse (PdI <0.7). The pH value ranges from 6.46 to 7.30, and the viscosity value was 2.134–2.169 cP, which is still within mouthwash standards. The turbidity test showed stable encapsulation results. Therefore, encapsulation with a 1:1 ratio of chitosan and NaTPP is the most optimal choice and has potential for developing the therapeutic effect of mouthwash

Spray gel film-forming system formulation of Vernonia amygdalina as diabetic wound healer

Poorly managed diabetes mellitus may elevate the risk of having a diabetic wound that may lead to non-traumatic lower limb amputation. Therefore, wound healing management in diabetic patients is essential to prevent such complications. African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina) has been widely used for wound treatment empirically for years including diabetic wounds. The current study focuses on developing an African leaves-based spray using a film-forming system for diabetic wound healing. The African leaves extract is formulated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create a viscous liquid and is then made into a spray gel-film form. The spray gel film formulation was further characterized and tested for its wound closure efficacy in animal testing. The characterization include watery form, green colour and a characteristic odour of African leaf extract. The spray gel film preparation of Vernonia amygdalina 1;2;4% extract have pH of 5.92±0.0011; 5.96±0.0011 and 5.42±0.0011. The viscosity value of the spray gel film 1;2 and 4% were 7.98±0,0012; 8.43±0.0019 and 5.70±0.0013 cPs. Dry time of Spray Gel Film of Vernonia amygdalina 1;2;4% extract were 1.47±0.0013; 1.50±0.0010; and 1.56±0.0010 minutes. The wound healing was evaluated using diabetic Wistar rats by measuring daily wound diameter. The result showed at a concentration 1%; 2%; 4% the percentage diameter of wound healing were 81.52±±0.06; 82.28±±0.05; and 100±±0.00 %. They were effective for wound healer in diabetic rats and it had antibacterial activities

Bibliometric analysis on pharmaceutical care publications in Southeast Asia: prospective research trends

Studies related to bibliometric analysis have been conducted globally to determine the development of pharmaceutical care. However, the prospective trends of scientific research associated with pharmaceutical care in Southeast Asia remain unclear. This study sets out to analyze and compare the results of pharmaceutical care research in Southeast Asian countries in terms of bibliometric indices. An investigation on the main electronic database Scopus was conducted for research purposes on pharmacy care in Southeast Asia until August 6, 2023. The analysis derived from the investigation included an evaluation of published document by year; lead author; country or territory, institutional affiliation, document type, subject area analysis; citation and co-citation analysis; journals that published the most articles, and the most researched topics. Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer were utilized to conduct a qualitative analysis on this dataset. This study adopted the co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis and keyword analysis in order to gain an insight onto the research prospects and trends in pharmaceutical care. A total of 1,261 studies correlating to pharmaceutical care in Southeast Asia met the criteria for qualitative analysis. The top three countries with the highest number of publications were Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Malaysia had the highest citation count (n=4670, 27.45%), followed by Thailand (n=3292, 19.35%), and Vietnam (n=3096, 18.20%). From networks of co-authorship analysis of authors, there were no collaborations found among authors in Southeast Asia. Prospective research analyzing keywords related to the theme of pharmaceutical care includes pharmacy practice, medication adherence, and qualitative research. Bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive view of the field and status of pharmaceutical care research to develop prospective future trends and collaborations in Southeast Asia. A bibliometric analysis suggests that stronger teamwork among Southeast Asian researchers is crucial for future advancements

The role of pharmacist counseling for patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its impact on blood glucose control and quality of life at RSUD Pasar Minggu

Quality of life is an important aspect for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Pharmacist counseling is a non-pharmacological effort that can be provided to improve quality of life and control blood glucose levels. This study aimed to determine the effect of pharmacist-led therapeutic counseling for T2DM patients on improving their quality of life and reducing blood glucose levels. The study used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design, with pretest and posttest assessments conducted before and after the intervention at RSUD Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. A total of 194 T2DM patients participated in the study, with 97 patients in both the intervention and control groups. Quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS questionnaires, along with fasting blood glucose levels. Measurements were taken three times: before the intervention, and one month and two months after the intervention. Paired data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, while unpaired data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of 0.05. Counseling significantly improved EQ-5D-5L scores (Δ=0.06; p<0.001) and EQ-VAS scores (Δ=6.40; p<0.001), as well as reduced fasting blood glucose levels (Δ=-12.10 mg/dL; p<0.001) in the intervention group after the intervention. The impact of counseling was particularly significant in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression domains. However, no significant correlation was found between quality of life and fasting blood glucose levels in this study (p>0.05). Pharmacist counseling conducted at RSUD Pasar Minggu had a positive and significant impact on improving the quality of life and treatment outcomes related to blood glucose reduction

Effectiveness of Artocarpus heterophyllus lamk. serum in eliminating dark spot in the guinea pig melasma model due to UV-a exposure

Indonesia's high UV-A exposure significantly contributes to skin hyperpigmentation conditions such as melasma. This study investigated the effectiveness of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.)  leaf serum in reducing dark spots in a guinea pig model of melasma induced by UV-A radiation. Crude extracts were prepared and purified from Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.)  leaves, then formulated into serums at 4% and 5% concentrations. These formulations underwent physical quality evaluations, including organoleptic properties, pH, homogeneity, spread ability, adhesion, and viscosity. Anti-hyperpigmentation effects were assessed using Masson Fontana staining on UV-A-exposed guinea pigs treated for 14 days. The results demonstrated a reduction in melanin content, with mean values of 17.97±1.68 (negative control), 1.17±0.28 (positive control), 3.56±2.77 (4% serum), and 2.56±1.25 (5% serum). Histological analysis showed that fibroblast proliferation and epidermal hyperplasia were significantly reduced with serum treatment. These effects are attributed to the flavonoid content in Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.)  leaves, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis properties. In conclusion, Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.)  leaf serum, particularly at 5% concentration, is effective in reducing melasma-related hyperpigmentation and may offer a safer alternative to synthetic treatments

Adverse events among pulmonary drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Banten, Indonesia

Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment requires an extended duration, making adverse events (AEs) a common concern. This study aimed to assess the frequency of AEs, time to events, and their association with treatment outcomes among DR- pulmonary TB patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients aged >18 years at one of public hospitals at Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, from March 2021 to May 2023. Bivariate analysis was used to analyze the association between AEs and treatment outcomes. Among 53 patients included in the study, all experienced at least one AEs. Number of AEs mean ± SD; 9.724±4.86. Mild AEs were reported in 100% of patients, while 75.5% experienced moderate AEs, and 81.1% experienced severe AEs. The most common AEs included nausea (90.6%), anemia (73.6%), vomiting (62.3%), decreased appetite (60.4%), and joint pain (60.4%). The AEs were frequently reported during intensive phase (4-6 months). AEs have association with treatment outcome (P<0.05).  The frequency of AE among DR-TB patients was high. Early detection and effective management of AEs are essential to improving treatment outcomes for DR-TB patients

Statin prescribing pattern and the outcomes for acute coronary syndrome as primary and secondary prevention: a comprehensive review

Cardiovascular disease is the highest rate of total burden non-communicable disease worldwide in these 5 recent years. Reducing the LDL-c level is closely related to reducing the risk of cardiovascular events recurrences among Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients. This study aims to explore the statin prescribing pattern among the ACS population and population at risk of ACS and to sum up the reported clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or quality of life-related to statin utilization. The literature searching was conducted by using PubMed and Scopus databases from January 2020 to December 2021. Ten eligible studies were included, examining outcomes such as Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Atorvastatin emerged as the most frequently prescribed statin for both primary and secondary prevention. In high-risk ACS populations, the delayed or underutilization of high-intensity statins led to suboptimal cardiovascular outcomes. Conversely, early administration, particularly within 48 hours post-event or post-PCI, significantly reduced MACE. Importantly, low to moderate intensity statin regimens showed cost-effectiveness primarily among low-risk ACS groups only when treatment was fully subsidized. In settings without government coverage, statin inaccessibility may affect the increased of recurrent events and elevated healthcare costs. The strategic use of statins—especially timely initiation and risk-based intensity selection—offers measurable benefits in reducing cardiovascular events. However, the lack of universal healthcare coverage for statin therapy in low- to middle-income settings presents a substantial barrier to cost-effective care, particularly for high-risk individuals. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions and expanded access to guideline-directed statin therapy

Optimization of hand sanitizer gels containing soursop (Annona muricata L.) leaf extract using simplex lattice design method

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a plant whose leaf extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins and can be antibacterial. Based on the compounds it contains, soursop leaf extract can be an active substance in hand sanitizer gel preparations. This study aims to determine the characteristics of the resulting hand sanitizer gel and the optimum concentration of the base combination that can produce a qualified hand sanitizer gel. This study used a Simplex Lattice Design experimental method with two factors (carbomer 940 and HPMC). Three hand sanitizer gels were prepared, with a ratio of carbomer 940: HPMC for F1 (1%:0%), F2 (0.5%:0.5%), and F3 (0%:1%). Tests conducted on hand sanitizer gel preparations included organoleptic, homogeneity, spreadability, adhesion, pH, and viscosity. The results of physical properties tests (spreadability, adhesion, and viscosity) were analyzed using Design Expert 11. The results showed that carbomer 940 and HPMC could increase viscosity and adhesion but could decrease spreadability. Ethanol extract of soursop leaves (Annona muricata L.) could be formulated and optimized into hand sanitizer gels. The optimum formula contained carbomer 940 0% and HPMC 1%, obtained in Formula 3 with a desirability value of 0.986

Analysis of pharmaceutical service improvement based IPA (Importance Performance Analysis) at pharmacy Kimia Farma Ijen, Malang

Pharmaceutical services are direct and responsible services to patients related to pharmacy to achieve real results and improve patients' quality of life. This study aims to analyze the improvement of pharmaceutical services at the Kimia Farma 36 Ijen Pharmacy using the IPA (Importance Performance Analysis) method. The method used is descriptive research with a quantitative approach through questionnaire instruments. The SERVQUAL (Service Quality) model was used to measure the pharmaceutical service questionnaire. Sampling by the Accidental sampling technique. Questionnaires were distributed to patients or families of patients who redeem prescriptions at the Pharmacy in February 2023. The questionnaire refers to the research of Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry adapted to the research context in the pharmacy. The dimensions are empathy, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and tangibility, which are divided into importance and performance. The IPA method will analyze performance as the X axis and Importance as the Y. The results show that the service aspects require urgent improvement to improve service quality and patient satisfaction. Aspects that need to be improved include product completeness, the physical appearance of the pharmacy building, cleanliness, comfort, and neatness of the pharmacy, as well as the appearance and service of pharmacy officers. Overall, the results of this analysis provide clear guidance on the priorities for improvements that need to be made at Pharmacy Kimia Farma 36 Ijen