Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry (E-Journal - Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity)
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In Silico Study of the Antibacterial Activity of Bioactive Compounds from Portulaca oleracea L. Herb Extract against Propionibacterium Acnes
Full text linkAcne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition primarily caused by the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes. The use of natural compounds as alternative therapies has gained attention due to their lower side effects compared to synthetic agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of bioactive compounds present in purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) herbs against P. acnes through an in silico approach. Out of 15 identified compounds, 12 satisfied Lipinski’s parameters, and 9 compounds were selected for further analysis. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictions were performed using the pkCSM platform to determine the ADMET profiles, while ligand–receptor interactions were analyzed via molecular docking against the Exo-x-sialidase protein target (PDB ID: 7LBV). The ADMET prediction results indicated that most compounds exhibited good solubility, high absorption, moderate skin permeability, and favorable distribution and metabolism profiles. Docking visualization revealed the presence of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with key residues at the receptor’s active site. Interestingly, butylated hydroxytoluene demonstrated the lowest binding energy (–6.56 kcal/mol), which was better than that of the positive control (–6.17 kcal/mol), indicating a stronger binding affinity. Overall, Portulaca oleracea shows promise as a natural source of antibacterial compounds against P. acnes, warranting further in vivo investigation
Development and Evaluation of a Stable Topical Cream Formulated with Annona squamosa Seed Extract as a Natural Pediculosis Agent
Full text linkHead lice infestation (Pediculosis capitis) remains a global public health concern, exacerbated by growing resistance to conventional pediculicides such as permethrin and malathion. This study aimed to evaluate the pediculicidal activity and formulation stability of a topical cream containing Annona squamosa (sugar apple or srikaya) seed extract as a natural alternative for treating pediculosis. The ethanolic extract of A. squamosa seeds was obtained through maceration, producing a 10.005% yield. Pediculicidal assays were conducted using various extract concentrations (5%, 7.5%, and 10%), followed by formulation of oil-in-water creams with extract concentrations of 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%. Physical stability tests included assessments of viscosity, pH, spreadability, adhesion, and homogeneity. Results showed a dose–response relationship, with lice mortality increasing from 60% at 5% extract to 87% at 10%. Extract. The formulated creams demonstrated high efficacy—86% to 96% mortality—comparable to 1% permethrin. All formulations maintained acceptable physicochemical properties (pH 4.8–5.5, viscosity within 27,000–47,000 cps) and remained stable after accelerated storage. These findings indicate that A. squamosa seed extract is a potent pediculicidal agent that can be effectively incorporated into a stable topical formulation. The study supports the potential of A. squamosa as a safe, sustainable, and plant-based alternative for managing pediculosis while addressing the challenge of chemical resistance
Optimization of Date Palm Extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Based Collagen Powder Beverage Formula with Spices (Tamarind and Cinnamon) Addition Using D-Optimal Mixture Design Method
Full text linkThe trend of collagen-based beauty functional drinks is predicted to increase. However, its use can potentially cause a fishy taste, so it is usually formulated together with fruit or spice extracts. Date fruit has the potential for high bioactive content, but its utilization as a powder drink in Indonesia is still relatively low. Tamarind and cinnamon are also Indonesian spice commodities that are rich in bioactive components and have a strong flavor that can cover the fishy taste of collagen. Thus, this study aimed to obtain the optimal formulation and the effect of the addition of date, tamarind, cinnamon, and hydrolase collagen powder on the physicochemical characteristics of the final product using the Design Expert program D-Optimal Mixture Design Method. The first stage of the research was determining the upper and lower limits of the independent variables and a fixed value. The optimal formula suggested by Design Expert consisted of 50% date powder, 24,91% tamarind powder, 20,09% cinnamon powder, and 5% hydrolase collagen powder with a desirability value of 0,805. The second stage of characterization testing in the form of chemical tests resulted in antioxidant activity (IC50) of 263,25 ± 8,01 ppm and total phenol content of 101,71 ± 9,21 mg GAE / 100 g. Characterization in the form of physical tests resulted in a moisture content of 2,98 ± 0,01%, dissolving time of 20,52 ± 0,72 seconds, bulk density of 0,52 ± 0,14 g/ml, and hygroscopicity of 18,73 ± 0,04%
Comparison of the Antibacterial Activity of Lime Mistletoe Extract (Dendrophthoe petandra (L.) Miq.) Against Staphylococcus aureus with Standard Antibiotics
Full text linkStaphylococcus aureus remains a major cause of infections worldwide and is increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Natural products, particularly medicinal plants, are valuable sources of alternative antibacterial agents. Lime mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.), traditionally used in Indonesian medicine, contains diverse phytochemicals that may exhibit antibacterial activity. Leaves of D. pentandra were collected, dried, and extracted using 96% ethanol. The crude extract was screened for phytochemicals and tested against S. aureus (ATCC 25923) using disk diffusion, broth microdilution, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Oxacillin and vancomycin served as positive controls, while 1% DMSO was used as a negative control. All tests were performed in triplicate, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. The extract produced inhibition zones of 8.5 ± 0.3 mm, 12.7 ± 0.5 mm, and 16.3 ± 0.6 mm at 25%, 50%, and 100% concentrations, respectively. MIC and MBC values were determined to be 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, with an MBC/MIC ratio of 2, indicating bactericidal activity. Inhibition zones of the extract at its highest concentration were comparable to oxacillin, though vancomycin exhibited superior activity. Ethanol extract of D. pentandra demonstrated moderate yet significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Its bactericidal potential and phytochemical diversity support its role as a candidate for further development, especially in topical applications or as a source of active lead compounds. Further research should investigate activity against resistant strains, cytotoxicity, and in vivo efficacy
Academic Stress and Blood Glucose Levels: A Correlational Study Among Medical Laboratory Technology Students
Full text linkDiabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, often influenced by various physiological and psychological factors. One such factor is stress, particularly academic stress among university students. This study aims to explore the potential correlation between academic stress levels and random blood glucose levels among Medical Laboratory Technology (D.IV) students at Kadiri University. A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was used in this study. A total of 28 eligible students participated. Academic stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Sources of Academic Stress (PSAS) questionnaire, while random blood glucose levels were measured using spectrophotometric methods with glucose GOD FS reagents. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test to determine the relationship between the two variables. The majority of students experienced moderate academic stress (71.43%), while the rest (28.57%) experienced high stress. No students reported low stress levels. Regarding blood glucose, 53.57% of participants had normal levels, and 46.43% had elevated levels. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.045 with a p-value of 0.819, indicating no statistically significant relationship between academic stress levels and blood glucose levels. Regression analysis also confirmed that while there was a slight positive trend (suggesting that higher stress may slightly raise glucose levels), the effect was negligible and not statistically significant. This study found no significant correlation between academic stress and random blood glucose levels among Medical Laboratory Technology students. Although stress may contribute to changes in glucose levels through hormonal mechanisms, other factors—such as diet, physical activity, and individual coping strategies—likely play a more substantial role. Interventions focusing on stress management, healthy lifestyle habits, and regular health monitoring are recommended to maintain both psychological well-being and metabolic health in students
In Silico Analysis of Ocimum Basilicum Flavonoids as Natural Antihypertensive Agent on Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor (AT1R)
Full text linkDespite the efficacy of antihypertensive medications like ARBs, their adverse effects frequently result in suboptimal adherence. This study investigates the efficacy of flavonoids obtained from herbal sources as natural substitutes for traditional antihypertensive therapies. This study employed in silico molecular docking to examine the binding affinity of flavonoids to the angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) in comparison to standard angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), namely Eprosartan, Azilsartan, Irbesartan, Telmisartan, Valsartan, Losartan, Olmesartan, and Candesartan. Docking analysis indicated that the flavonoids exhibited a favorable binding affinity of -8.8 kcal/mol for AT1R. Moreover, ADME and toxicity assessments indicated that flavonoids exhibit advantageous pharmacokinetics and minimal toxicity, with no significant adverse interactions anticipated with primary metabolic enzymes. The structural validation, encompassing Ramachandran plots and ERRAT analysis, affirmed the reliability of the modeled AT1R protein, achieving a quality score of 97.13%. This study concludes that flavonoids derived from Ocimum basilicum exhibit significant potential as natural antihypertensive agents. These findings may facilitate the development of plant-based therapies with minimal adverse effects, enhance treatment adherence, and improve the pharmacological options for managing hypertension
Nutritional Value Assessment of Marasmiellus inoderma Sporophores Cultivated on Maize Cobs and Coffee Grounds
Full text linkThe Democratic Republic of Congo possesses significant agricultural potential, yet its population faces food insecurity, malnutrition, and limited access to essential foodstuffs, resulting in famines in several provinces. This study conducted a comparative analysis of yields and protein content in Marasmiellus inoderma sporophores cultivated on maize cobs and coffee grounds, as well as those collected from the wild. Experiments were carried out at four sites: the Luki Biosphere Reserve (Kongo Central), the experimental garden, the soil laboratory, and the myciculture laboratory. Average yields after four flushes were 31.7 % on maize cobs and 28.23 % on coffee grounds. Protein content was higher in sporophores cultivated on maize cobs (29.37 %) than on coffee grounds (24.98 %), with laboratory-grown samples consistently exhibiting greater protein levels than wild-collected sporophores. These results indicate that cultivating M. inoderma on locally available agro-industrial substrates offers a promising strategy to enhance food security and reduce malnutrition in the DRC, with strong potential for dissemination among both urban and rural producers
Diversity of Anatomical Morphological Characters of Leaves of Mangrove Plant Types In Panimbang Banten
Full text linkMangroves are plants that produce seeds (spermatophyta), mangroves also have many benefits, namely as an economic or ecological function. Mangrove plants have different types of leaf shapes. Leaves have the task of absorbing nutrients and gases, as well as processing food through the process of photosynthesis. This study aims to determine the differences in leaf shape based on morphological and anatomical characters. The method used is exploration and preparation of preserved preparations. The samples used were some mangrove leaves found in Panimbang District. The stages of the research are starting with taking the third leaf sample, observing the morphological characters of the leaves, taking samples. Parameters used to observe morphological characters were leaf shape, base shape, leaf tip, leaf length, width and length of petiole. Anatomical character of shape and number of stomata, shape and length of palidase
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential using Disc Diffusion Assay of Seagrape Macroalgae Extract (Caulerpa sp.) in the waters of Pasaran Island, Lampung as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Full text linkSea grape (Caulerpa sp.) is a green seaweed species with bioactive content consisting of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenols. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potential of Sea*Grape macroalgae extract (Caulerpa sp.) obtained from Pasaran Island, Lampung. The diffusion assay method assessed the antimicrobial activity of Caulerpa sp. extract against Staphylococcus aureus. Caulerpa sp. samples were extracted using the maceration extraction method and evaporated using two methods: water bath and rotary evaporator. The results showed that Caulerpa sp. extract had antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 10,000 ppm, which was resistant to Staphylococcus aureus. These findings suggest that Caulerpa sp. from the waters of Pasaran Island has the potential to be a source of natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory components if the concentration of the extract is more significant, which can be further developed for applications in the health and pharmaceutical fields
Protein Hydrolysates from Cucumeropsis mannii Seed Inhibit Alpha-amylase In-vitro: Potential for Managing Postprandial Hyperglycemia
Full text linkDiabetes mellitus is a significant global cause of mortality. A hallmark of diabetes pathophysiology is postprandial hyperglycaemia (PPH). PPH is defined as a sudden and exponential increase in blood glucose levels after meals, typically above 140 mg/dL, which does not return to pre-meal levels after two to three hours, leading to glucose toxicity, oxidative stress, cardiovascular risks, and diabetes complications. A management option for PPH is the inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, such as alpha-amylase. However, current inhibitors are associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, the search for novel inhibitors is a rational research endeavor. Recent studies highlight plant-derived protein hydrolysates as inhibitors of alpha-amylase. In this study, proteins from Cucumeropsis mannii (C. mannii) were isolated using alkaline solubilization-acid precipitation method and enzymatically cleaved using pepsin and pancreatin to yield C. mannii seed protein hydrolysates. The ?-amylase inhibitory property of the hydrolysates was investigated, using starch as the substrate. The IC50 values for ?-amylase inhibition were 8.77 ± 0.35 mg/mL (pancreatin-derived) and 14.80 ± 0.50 mg/mL (pepsin-derived). Kinetic studies indicated uncompetitive inhibition for pancreatin-derived hydrolysate and mixed uncompetitive for pepsin-derived hydrolysate at 9 mg/mL. These results suggest that C. mannii seed protein hydrolysates may aid in postprandial hyperglycemia management through ?-amylase inhibition