PT. ETFLIN Scientific Society (Sciences of Phytochemistry)
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Phytochemical Modulation of Neurotransmitter Systems and Neuroplasticity in Depression and Anxiety: A Mechanistic Review
Full text linkDepression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, contributing substantially to disability and mortality, particularly among young adults aged 15–24 years. Their pathophysiology is closely associated with dysregulation of key neurotransmitters, emphasizing the need for safer and more effective long-term therapeutic strategies. Herbal medicine represents a promising alternative due to its multifaceted bioactivity and lower incidence of adverse effects. This review systematically evaluates bioactive compounds from selected medicinal plants and their modulatory effects on neurotransmitter pathways involved in depression and anxiety. Relevant studies published within the past five years were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases, with inclusion criteria encompassing in vitro and in vivo investigations of phytochemical actions on neurotransmitter systems. The analysis revealed that plants such as Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), Mimosa pudica, Senna alexandrina, Helianthus annuus, Rosa spp., Laurus nobilis, Mentha piperita, Citrus reticulata, Centella asiatica, Chamaemelum nobile, and Ginkgo biloba exhibit significant antidepressant and anxiolytic properties through modulation of monoaminergic transmission, regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and enhancement of neuroplasticity. These plants also demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities that further support their therapeutic potential. In conclusion, herbal-based interventions may serve as valuable complementary approaches for managing depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, well-designed clinical studies are essential to validate their efficacy, safety, and mechanisms in long-term use
Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Libyan Community Pharmacists in Relation to Vitamin Supplements in Tripoli/Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study
Full text linkVitamins are essential for many bodily functions and must be obtained through food or supplements. Community pharmacists play an active role in educating patients about vitamins and supplements, guiding their safe use, and helping avoid potential drug-vitamin interactions. This study employed a cross-sectional design, targeting Libyan community pharmacists in Tripoli between August and November 2024, to assess their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and opinions regarding vitamin supplements. The selected participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, and the collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice, and opinion. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 200 pharmacists who participated, more than half were female (118, 59%), and over two-thirds (139, 69.5%) held a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences as their highest qualification. Nearly two-thirds (130, 65%) had less than five years of work experience. Based on their self-assessment, 95 (47.5%) of the pharmacists felt moderately confident in their knowledge of vitamin supplements. Notably, the majority of community pharmacists scored above average in all four domains: knowledge (122, 61%), attitude (142, 71%), practice (126, 63%), and opinion (150, 75%). A significant negative correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (p < 0.05). Regarding the dispensing of vitamins without a prescription, 71 (35.5%) of community pharmacists usually dispensed them to 50% of their patients, with adult patients (136, 68%) being the largest age category. Additionally, 78 (39%) of pharmacists relied on laboratory test results before dispensing. Focused educational initiatives aimed at enhancing pharmacists' understanding and improving their dispensing practices are necessary
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties of Passiflora foetida Root Extract Sourced from Rehabilitated Coal Mining Sites in East Kalimantan
Full text linkUtilizing cover crops like Passiflora foetida L. (rambusa) can mitigate significant environmental issues in post-coal mining terrain rehabilitation. Plants thriving in extreme environments are known for producing high levels of secondary metabolites with significant biochemical activity. This study sought to assess the antifungal and antibacterial effects of P. foetida root extracts derived from rehabilitated coal mine soil in East Kalimantan. The roots were macerated with solvents of differing polarity (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane) for extracting specific fractions. Utilizing the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, the antifungal efficacy was assessed against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida lipolytica at a 60% concentration. Conversely, the antibacterial efficacy was assessed against Shigella dysenteriae, Streptococcus mutans, and Cutibacterium acnes at a 10% concentration. The findings revealed that the fraction consisting of ethyl acetate demonstrated the most potent and extensive antibacterial efficacy. The ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significant antifungal activity, particularly against C. tropicalis, with inhibitory zones that were similar to those of the positive control, fluconazole. The treatments exhibited significant differences, as confirmed by statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test). Studies indicate that that P. foetida roots, particularly those from harsh settings, are a significant source of antimicrobial chemicals, with the semi-polar ethyl acetate fraction being the most promising for further development as a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent
Notice of RETRACTION: Randomized Open Clinical Trial to Evaluate Netratarpana Efficacy in Elderly Patients with Primary Insomnia (Anidra)
Full text linkThis article has been retracted due to non-compliance with the journal’s Clinical Trial Registration Policy. The study reported a clinical trial that was not registered in a WHO-recognized public registry, as required by international standards (ICMJE, WHO, COPE). Although the author sought retrospective registration, no confirmation was provided within the required timeframe. The editors apologize for not identifying this issue before publication
NLP Analysis of Mannan-Based Drug Delivery Trends
Full text linkMannan, a polysaccharide derived from various sources, has gained attention for its biocompatibility and potential in targeted drug delivery. Since its initial use in 1911 as an ointment base, mannan has been applied in cancer therapy, vaccine development, and as an antimicrobial agent. However, research is still largely dominated by in vitro and preclinical studies, with few clinical trials conducted to date. This study aims to provide an overview of mannan's advancements, its uses in drug delivery, the mechanisms involved, the research gaps, and the underexplored areas with significant potential. This study analyzed 321 peer-reviewed articles selected from Scopus (2000-2024), employing natural language (NLP) and bibliometric mapping to identify key materials, application areas, and research trends. Mannan’s flexible molecular structure allows for copolymerization with polymers such as chitosan, alginate, polyacrylate, and polycaprolactione, enabling improved targeting, mucoadhesion, and controlled drug release. Chitosan emerged as the most frequently used co-polymer, particularly in nanogel formulations for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Keyword impact analysis also revealed growing interest in mannans role in post-COVID-19 cytokine storm mitigation and vaccine enhancement, despite limited representation in clinical pipelines. Optimization of polymer ratios, crosslinker use and formulation strategies, remains essential to improving translational outcomes. Future research should also focus on clinical trials to demonstrate its effectiveness. In conclusion, this study underscores mannans role as promising biomaterial for next-generation drug delivery systems, while identifying gaps in clinical validation, mechanistic insight, methodological consistency. To advance toward commercial and clinical applications, future research should integrate machine learning models for predicting formulation parameters and drug release profiles. This findings offer a roadmap for the design, standardization, and eventual commercialization of mannan-based delivery platforms
Long-Term Protection After Primary Hepatitis B Vaccination: A Systematic Review
Full text linkVaccination has proven effective in preventing HBV transmission and reducing related health burdens. This study aimed to systematically review the long-term effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine following primary vaccination. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library following PRISMA guidelines. Keywords included "effectiveness," "hepatitis B," "HBV," "HepB," "vaccine," "vaccination," "immunization," "immune memory," "seroprotection," and "birth dose." Of 555 articles initially identified, nine met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that the duration of protection after primary vaccination ranges from 5 to 25 years, with an average seroprotection rate of 83.5%. Vaccination is vital for newborns, regardless of maternal HBV status, and healthcare professionals play a key role in promoting early immunization. Monitoring anti-HBs antibody levels is also recommended to assess the need for booster doses, which may help prevent HBV transmission and further reduce morbidity and mortality
Recent Advances in Herbal Effervescent Formulations: Challenges and Opportunities
Full text linkThe growing demand for convenient and palatable delivery systems for herbal medicines has significantly increased the interest in herbal effervescent formulations as an alternative to conventional dosage forms. Effervescent dosage forms offer rapid dissolution and the potential for enhanced absorption while masking unpleasant tastes often associated with herbal extracts. However, the successful formulation of herbal effervescent tablets presents unique challenges, including managing the complex physicochemical properties of herbal extracts, ensuring their stability and antioxidant activity within the effervescent matrix, and optimizing taste without compromising efficacy. Various studies have explored the formulation of effervescent tablets from diverse herbal sources like Kelakai root, Kaempferia galanga, and red ginger, employing different formulation methods, excipients like binders, lubricants, and sweeteners, and optimization techniques to achieve desired physical attributes and dissolution profiles. Given the expanding research in this area and the inherent complexities of herbal effervescent formulation, a comprehensive review is crucial to synthesize current knowledge, address existing challenges, and provide a roadmap for future research aimed at designing more effective and patient-friendly herbal effervescent products with improved stability, palatability, and bioavailability
Self-Medication Practices among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Full text linkSelf-medication is a treatment effort often undertaken by students, especially when the burden on healthcare services increases due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nevertheless, up to five years after the onset of the global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, no empirical evidence has been found to elucidate the self-medication practice among students in Indonesia. This observational study with a cross-sectional design aimed to identify students' self-medication practices at a university during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research data was collected online using a questionnaire (Google Form). The questionnaire used consisted of two parts: student characteristics and student self-medication practices. A total of 1,019 students were involved in this study. The most used drugs for self-medication by students were vitamins/multivitamins (91.66%) and analgesics (64.57%). Most medicines used by students were obtained from pharmacies (88.71%), while information related to drugs was obtained from recommendations from friends and family members (72.72%). The primary consideration that prompted students to self-medicate during the COVID-19 era was the easy access to medicines (83.81%). Students' self-medication practices during a health service delivery crisis can be irrational. As this study was conducted within a single institution using a specific sampling approach, the findings should be regarded as context-specific rather than broadly generalizable
Protective Effects of Java Plum (Syzygium cumini) Leaf Extract on Serum Biomarkers in Lead-Exposed Rats
Full text linkLead (Pb), a heavy metal recognized as a hazardous environmental toxin, triggers oxidative stress by catalyzing oxidation reactions that produce free radicals, ultimately leading to cell death. Liver cell damage due to lead can decrease serum albumin levels, while kidney damage can increase serum uric acid levels. To counteract this oxidative stress, the intake of exogenous antioxidants is necessary. Java plum (Syzygium cumini) leaves are abundant in natural antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The compounds possess antioxidant potential by scavenging free radicals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an extract of S. cumini on serum albumin and uric acid in rats induced with lead acetate. All treatments lasted 30 days. Testing for serum albumin and uric acid was performed using the DiaSys method. One-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in serum albumin levels among the groups: the normal group (4.13 g/dL), the positive control (2.86 g/dL), and the treatment group (3.93 g/dL). Similarly, significant differences were observed in serum uric acid levels: the normal group (1.47 mg/dL), the positive control (3.14 mg/dL), and the treatment group (1.64 mg/dL). These results indicate that S. cumini extract helps mitigate the adverse effects of lead exposure on serum albumin and uric acid levels in rats. A p-value of less than 0.05 indicates that the observed differences are statistically significant and unlikely due to chance
Photoprotective Cream Containing Brown Seaweed (Sargassum Sp.) Extract: Optimization By Simplex Lattice Design
Full text linkSunlight containing ultraviolet (UV) rays is harmful to human skin health. Sunscreen is one of the trendy and attractive cosmetics. Brown seaweed extract (Sargassum sp.) has the potential to be developed into a sunscreen product. This study aimed to optimize the formula of a cream containing brown seaweed extract and its in vitro photoprotection. A simplex lattice design approach was used to factor (triethanolamine and stearic acid) and responses (pH, viscosity, adhesiveness, and spreadability). The concentration of variation in stearic acid and triethanolamine affects the parameters of pH response, viscosity, adhesion, and spreadability. The simplex lattice design predicts the optimal formula with stearic acid (17%) and triethanolamine (4%). The verification proved that no significant difference between the predicted and actual results. The in vitro photoprotective evaluation results indicate that the brown seaweed extract cream is categorized as providing high sun protection and serving as a sunblock. Optimization of the brown seaweed extract cream formula using stearic acid and triethanolamine factors has been successfully achieved. The conclusion is that brown seaweed extract cream has the potential to be developed into a sunscreen cosmetic