Antidiabetic potential and phytochemical profiling of leea indica young leaves using LC-MS/MS

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, affecting millions worldwide. Leea indica, a medicinal plant native to tropical Asia, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, including diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activities of L. indica leaves ethanol extract and identify its bioactive compounds using LC-MS/MS. The extract was prepared using maceration with 96% ethanol, yielding an extraction efficiency of 3.52%. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, quinones, and steroids/triterpenoids. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 18.691 ± 0.05 µg/mL) and high total phenolic (6.957 ± 0.09 g GAE/100 g) and flavonoid (32.917 ± 0.07 g QE/100 g) contents. It also demonstrated potent α-glucosidase (IC50 = 7.90 µg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 = 30,663.89 µg/mL) inhibitory activities. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 11 bioactive compounds, including phenylacetic acid (60.89%), shikimate (10.89%), kaempferol (3.67%), and quercetin (2.27%). These findings support the traditional use of L. indica in diabetes management and highlight its potential as a source of natural antidiabetic agents. Further in vivo studies and toxicity tests are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety for human use. &nbsp

The Characterization of Fructose-Based High-Fat Diet and Low-Dose Streptozotocin in A Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model

Animal models with valuable information on biochemical profiles are essential for preclinical trials of new antidiabetic agents. This study was to optimize and characterize of high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD) and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Wistar rats were fed with HFFD for 2, 4, and 6 weeks, followed by STZ (35 mg/kg BW), thus measuring the biochemical parameters. Non-induction HFFD and STZ were used as a normal control group. HFFD and low-dose STZ-induced rats demonstrated an elevation in the body weight, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, triglyceride/ glucose index, necrosis score, and the insulin-negative cells. Moreover, this induction also reduced the number of insulin-positive cells and the percentage of insulin-positive cells. The findings imply that feeding Wistar rat HFFD for two weeks, followed by a single dose of STZ at 35 mg/kg BW will result in a reliable and stable diabetic rat model that closely resembles the biochemical characteristics of type 2 DM

Antimicrobial Prospects of Domesticated Ornamental Leaf Extracts Against Skin Pathogens

The increasing popularity of natural plant-based treatments offers an alternative to conventional therapies for various cutaneous infections due to their potential efficacy and lower side effects. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of leaf extracts from five selected domesticated ornamental plants against pathogens implicated in acne vulgaris and dermatophytosis. The selected plant leaves were successively macerated with solvents of increasing polarity and the extracts were underwent qualitative phytochemical analysis.  The antimicrobial activities were evaluated using the broth microdilution method. Extracts with high antimicrobial activity (MIC≤128µg/mL) were subsequently tested for cytotoxicity on BJ fibroblast cells, and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated. Extraction yields were highest in Bougainvilea glabra (72.04%) and lowest in Plumeria obtusa (21.6%). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, quinolones, saponins, and coumarins, with phenols found in all extracts. The aqueous extract of Alamanda cathartica (AC-Aq) and the methanol extract of Ixora coccinea (IC-Met) showed the most potent antibacterial activities against P. acnes and S. epidermidis, with MIC values of 128μg/mL and 64μg/mL, respectively. Antifungal activity was most pronounced in AC-Aq against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum, with MIC values of 32μg/mL. The six active extracts revealed varying degrees of toxicity, with the aqueous extract of P. obtusa (PO-Aq) exhibited the least cytotoxicity (CC50: 713.31±3.71 μg/mL), while IC-Aq was the most cytotoxic (CC50: 116.72±2.28 μg/mL). AC-Aq demonstrated the highest SI values, indicating effective antimicrobial activity at non-toxic concentrations

LC-HRMS Profiling and Antibacterial Activity of Extract and Fraction of Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. Fruit

Antibiotics have been found to treat a variety of infectious diseases, which is a crucial health issue. However, the emergence of drug resistance has created new challenges for researchers. Herbal medicine, especially Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl (as known as Mahkota Dewa plants), can be an alternative antibacterial agent. This study aims to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of water extracts, ethyl acetate fraction, water fractions, and butanol fractions of peels, fruits, and seed of Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. Identification of prediction compounds in the highest antimicrobial activity of the samples are also determined. The extraction method used was infusion with water solvent. Extraction was carried out on the peel, fruit, and seed of Mahkota Dewa. These three water extracts were isolated by a separatory funnel using ethyl acetate and n-butanol solvents. Antimicrobial testing using the broth microdilution method. This assay revealed promising activity against both gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739) and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 6919). The most active samples as an antibacterial were ethyl acetate fraction of flesh fruits (EAFFF) with MIC value against E. coli, S.  aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. acnes were 12.500, 6.250, 3.125, and 12.500 ppm, whereas each MBC values were 12.500, 6.250, 6.250, and 25.000 ppm respectively. Two of the most active fractions were identified by predicting its antibacterial compounds using LC-HRMS. The results showed the presence of 10 predicted compounds in EAFF which had antibacterial properties including 2’, 4’, 3, 4, alpha-pentahydroxy dihydrochalcone 3’-C-xyloside, 5,7,3’4’,5’-pentahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, p-cymene, taxifolin 3-apioside, eucalyptin, 2-(2’-O-benzoyl)-C-β-D-glucopyranosil-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone, (+)-ar-Turmerone, 2-hydroxy-N’-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrophenyl)methylene]-2,2-diphenylacetohydrazide, picroside II, and vitexin 2”-p-hydroxybenzoate while n-butanol fraction of flesh fruit (BFFF) showed 8 predicted antibacterial compounds, 2’, 4’, 3, 4, alpha-pentahydroxy dihydrochalcone 3’-C-xyloside, 5, 7, 3’, 4’, 5’-pentahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, glycitein, taxifolin 3-apioside, (-)-caryophyllene oxide, α-curcumene, 6,4’-dihydroxyurone 4-O-rutinoside, and α-santonin

Preparation and Characterization of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) Formulated with Palm Kernel Stearin and Rice Bran Oil as Squalene Carriers Via Ultrasonication

The main objective of this study was to optimize squalene-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers using a lipid matrix of palm kernel stearin, rice bran oil, and Tween 80 as surfactants. Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was prepared using the ultrasonication method. Optimization process was performed using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) response surface methodology (RSM). Three ultrasonication parameters were employed including temperature, time, and amplitude. The optimization was evaluated for its response on particle size (X1), polydispersity index (X2), zeta potential (X3), and encapsulation efficiency (X4). Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photograph, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid value, anisidine value, stability, particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were tested on nanostructured lipid carrier squalene-loaded (NLC-s) and control samples within a storage time of 28 days. These NLC-s were prepared by ultrasonication time of 24.8 minutes, amplitude of 80, and temperature of 43.7°C. The characteristics of the NLC-s were evaluated before and after storage for 28 days at room temperature resulted in particle size (nm) of 38.6 and 40.3, PDI of 0.282 and 0.213, zeta potential (mV) of -34.1 and -34.8, and EE of (%) 85.69 and 84.04, respectively. The empty NLC had particle size (nm) of 37.4 and 38.5, PDI of 0.240 and 0.276, and zeta potential (mV) of -41.5 and -32.9.&nbsp

Community Pharmacist’s Perception of the Benefits, Patient’s Needs, Readiness, and Barriers to Implementing Telepharmacy Services

Telepharmacy has shown a beneficial impact on delivering pharmacy service yet still has some limitations that discourage pharmacists from using it. The perceptions of pharmacists towards telepharmacy are required to map the strategy to develop telepharmacy. This study was aimed at ascertaining the pharmacists’ perception and analyzing factors associated with perception towards telepharmacy services of community pharmacists in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study using a validated 29-item questionnaire was carried out in Yogyakarta during March-July 2023. The survey was conveniently distributed to the community pharmacists using paper-based and Google form links shared to WhatsApp groups and individual contact numbers. Of the 273 pharmacists, 87.5% (N=239) were female, most of them had experienced less than 5 years working in community pharmacy, 44.7% (n=122) and had been implementing telepharmacy, 79.9% (N=218). All the pharmacists showed a positive perception of telepharmacy. Testing the demographic characteristics associated with pharmacists’ perception, showed that the type of pharmacy showed a significant correlation to benefit (p=0.022), readiness (p=0.000), and barrier to implement telepharmacy (0.036), while the availability of telepharmacy has been significantly associated with the perception of benefit (p=0.000), patients’ need (p=0.004), readiness (p=0.000) and barriers to implementing telepharmacy (p=0.0002). The positive perception of community pharmacists in Indonesia regarding telepharmacy service needs to be optimized with comprehensive regulations, guidelines, and technical infrastructure support

Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) in Geriatric Outpatients Prescriptions in Yogyakarta: Pattern and Factors Related to Occurrences

Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) were commonly found in geriatric patients’ prescriptions and widely assessed using Beer’s Criteria and STOPP/START tool. In this study we aimed to assess the patterns of PIMs in geriatric outpatients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and the factors related to the occurrence. This study was using retrospective observational design and conducted at two teaching hospitals in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data source included medical records of the outpatients aged 60 years during August to October 2022. The criteria used to evaluate PIMs from the prescriptions were the 2019 AGS Beers® Criteria and STOPP_INA tool based on the STOPP/START version 2 tool. Several predictors, including multimorbidity, polypharmacy, age, gender, health insurance, and working status, were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Out of the 393 subjects included in this study, 193 cases of PIMs were identified in 135 patients (34.35%), with a total of 67 cases according to the Beers Criteria and 141 cases according to STOPP_INA. Aspirin and benzodiazepines were found to be the drugs causing most of PIMs in geriatric patients. Polypharmacy emerged as the strongest predictors of PIM occurrence (p<0.05). The prevalence of PIMs in outpatient geriatric prescriptions at Yogyakarta Hospital was notably influenced by polypharmacy. Therefore, there is a pressing need for vigilant monitoring and meticulous drug selection when prescribing for the elderly population to mitigate the potential risks associated with PIMs

Radiolabelling and In Silico Evaluation of 131I-Pentagamavunone-0 for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Compounds

Cancer is the most common cause of death, with the burden increasing in recent years. Conventional treatments have caused cancer cells’ resistance to drugs. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a radio-labeled theranostic compound such as penta-gamma-vunone (PGV), which significantly suppresses cancer cell growth. In this experiment, the synthesis of [131I]I-PGV-0 compound was done by using the standard Chloramine-T (CT) iodination method with some parameter optimizations, such as the quantity of CT oxidizer and sodium metabisulfite reducing agent, time and temperature of reaction. The radiochemical purity of these compounds was determined using thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, and the stability of the radiolabeled compound was also assessed in HBSS medium. Results showed that the highest radiochemical purity (RCP) of [131I]I-PGV-0 (99.83%) was obtained at the CT amount of 25 µg. Stability study revealed that, at the high RCP, this compound was stable for 16 days in cold storage. Molecular docking studies indicated that the radioiodination of PGV-0 enhances binding affinity by interacting with crucial amino acids within the kinase domains of EGFR, HER2, AURKA, and PLK-1

Novel Biomarkers for Tuberculosis: Towards Affordable and Reliable Diagnostic Solutions

Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge—a situation further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted diagnosis and treatment efforts. Despite being preventable and curable, TB continues to be a major threat, ranking among the leading causes of infectious disease mortality. The unreliability and unaffordability of current diagnostic procedures underscore the need for new biomarkers and point-of-care testing solutions. Recent research has identified several potential biomarkers for diagnosing TB and differentiating between active and latent infections. This study was aimed to assess and identify a spectrum of biomarkers tuberculosis, including those for vaccine-induced protection, TB disease, TB risk, TB infection, and response to TB treatment. Article are identified from PubMed database with keyword tuberculosis, Biomarker, Diagnosis, Kit based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Biomarkers of vaccine induced protection is Rv1566-444. Biomarker of TB infection such as IP-10, IFN-γ, Ferritin and 25(OH)D; IL-1ra, IL-1β and GM-CSF; Fibronectin; HMGB1; Tpx-IgA, NCAM-1, vitronectin, CFH, Ferritin and α-2-macroglobulin; M. tuberculosis β-lactamase. Biomarkers of TB risk namely IFN-γ. Biomarker of TB infection consist of CCl6, IFN-γ, TIMP-1, IP-10/CCL19 and Ag85B. Biomarker of response to TB treatment such as IL-1β; IP-10 and suPAR. The most promising host biomarkers are IP-10 and IFN-γ, while Ag85B stands out as the most promising pathogen biomarker

Pharmacological Therapy for Ischemic Stroke Patients Accordance to Clinical Practice Guidelines

Stroke ranks as the second most common cause of mortality and the third most significant cause of disability globally. The frequency of stroke remains elevated in low- and middle-income countries, affecting 70% of the population. Additionally, stroke-related deaths and disability-adjusted life years might reach as high as 87%. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of a pharmacological treatment approach for stroke patients in Malaysia, specifically in a public hospital setting. The evaluation will be based on the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) 2012. A four-year retrospective, cross-sectional study was undertaken using medical records conducted among (n=682) hospitalized patients at Sungai Buloh Hospital; only (n=126) conforms with inclusion criteria and confirmed ischemic stroke diagnoses. Data was gathered utilizing a self-created data-collecting form that included demographic information, comorbidity, and pharmacological treatment. The mean age of the reported cases was 66.66 years, with the majority (58%) males and only (42%) females. The compliance to the Clinical Practice Guideline Malaysia 2012 for ischemic stroke inpatient setting in a public hospital is (>72%) (p=0.001). A significant proportion of patients had pharmacological therapeutic management in adherence to stroke recommendations, which is considered a critical factor in reducing stroke-related disability and mortality