Fakhray Jahan Rimi, Jannatul Fardous, Fahmida Zaman, Md. Kawchar Ahmed Patwary, Mahajabin Tabassom Maisha

Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine to alleviate a range of neurological and psychological disorders. Numerous plant-derived phytochemicals are known to modulate central nervous system activity by interacting with neurotransmitters, receptors, and neurochemical pathways. This review provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal plants with psychoactive properties, their major bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, toxicity concerns, and regulatory considerations. Literature was collected from scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using relevant keywords on psychoactive medicinal plants and neuropharmacological activities. Twenty medicinal plants commonly associated with anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, hallucinogenic, or cognition-enhancing effects were reviewed. Major phytochemical classes identified included alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, cannabinoids, and saponins. Several plants, such as Withania somnifera, Cannabis sativa, Valeriana officinalis, Psilocybe cubensis, and Passiflora incarnata, have been reported to exhibit neuropharmacological activities in preclinical and limited clinical studies, through modulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, and endocannabinoid systems. In addition to psychoactive effects, many reviewed plants exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and adaptogenic properties. However, despite promising pharmacological findings, most available evidence remains preclinical, with limited clinical validation regarding efficacy, safety, standardization, and long-term use. This review highlights the therapeutic prospects and current limitations of psychoactive medicinal plants and emphasizes the need for further experimental and clinical investigations for safe and evidence-based therapeutic applications.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Abhinav Maniyeri, Karthika Krishnamoorthy

The demand for efficient antiviral treatments that go beyond traditional treatment, whose effectiveness may be compromised by viral changes and documented adverse effects following immunization, has increased due to the quick and ongoing introduction of SARS-CoV-2 variations. In this regard, a potential class of natural chemicals for SARS-CoV-2 medication development is plant-derived alkaloids, which are known for their broad-spectrum antiviral qualities. This research employs network pharmacology, gene ontology, and molecular docking to find effective alkaloid candidates that can target conserved viral proteins across SARS-CoV-2 variations. 5 bioactive alkaloids were screened against three key coronavirus proteins—2AJF (spike RBD–ACE2 complex), 2DD8 (spike RBD-neutralizing antibody complex), and 2J98 (replication-associated nsp9 protein). Binding affinities ranged from -6.0 to -11.3 kcal/mol, with Manzamine A emerging as the strongest inhibitor across all targets (2AJF: -11.3, 2DD8: -10.0, 2J98: -9.1 kcal/mol). Its stable hydrogen-bonding network and interactions with key amino acids suggest strong potential to disrupt viral entry, immune evasion mechanisms, and replication processes. Network pharmacology revealed 5, 272 SARS-CoV-2 associated genes, of which 51 overlapped with alkaloid-related targets. Venn analysis identified 6 shared genes, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction highlighted critical hub regulators like MTOR, AKT1, STAT3, SYK, CASP3, and JAK2 implicated in immune modulation, apoptosis, inflammation, and viral pathogenicity. The combined computational approach identifies Manzamine A as a promising natural scaffold for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development. Experimental validation through in vitro, in vivo, MD simulation and pharmacokinetic research is still necessary to show clinical application, even though the results provide insightful information for future therapeutic design.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Venni Melinda, Yusi Anggriani, Sondang Khairani, Fitri Nurhayati

Platinum-based chemotherapy remains an important treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in settings where reimbursement and resource allocation are major considerations. A retrospective observational cost-effectiveness study was conducted using medical records and billing data from adult patients with NSCLC who received carboplatin–paclitaxel, cisplatin–pemetrexed, or carboplatin–gemcitabine in 2023. Effectiveness outcomes included the one-year survival rate (%) and median progression-free survival (PFS). Costs were calculated based on direct medical expenses over six chemotherapy cycles. Cost-effectiveness was assessed using ACER, ICER, and dominance analysis. A total of 101 patients were included: 81 received carboplatin and paclitaxel, 14 received cisplatin and pemetrexed, and 6 received carboplatin and gemcitabine. Mean direct medical costs were IDR 27, 588, 547, IDR 41, 214, 281, and IDR 47, 471, 752, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in one-year survival rate or median PFS among the regimens, although interpretation should consider the unequal sample sizes (81 vs. 14 vs. 6), which limit statistical power. Based on one-year survival, carboplatin–paclitaxel had the lowest ACER and dominated the other regimens by providing higher observed survival at lower cost. Based on median PFS, cisplatin–pemetrexed provided longer PFS than carboplatin–paclitaxel but at a higher cost, requiring ICER-based interpretation. Carboplatin–paclitaxel was associated with the lowest direct medical cost and the most favorable cost-effectiveness profile based on one-year survival among the evaluated regimens. However, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously because of the retrospective design, small and unequal group sizes, and potential confounding by baseline clinical characteristics.

Sciences of Pharmacy

ED. Yunisa Mega Pasha, Lutfiani Az-Zahro, Siti Saidah, Mia Nisrina Anbar Fatin

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that commonly occurs in geriatric patients and is generally accompanied by comorbidities. This condition can increase medication use and potentially lead to drug interactions that may affect therapeutic effectiveness and cause adverse effects. This study aimed to identify potential antidiabetic drug interactions and analyze the association between length of hospitalization, number of medications used, and potential drug interactions. This was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach and retrospective data collection using a total sampling technique on 41 medical records of geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the inpatient unit from January to December 2024. Potential drug interactions were identified using Medscape and Drugs. com. with severity levels classified as minor, moderate, and major. The results showed 95 potential antidiabetic drug interactions. Moderate interactions were the most common category, accounting for 88 cases (92.6%), while pharmacodynamic interactions were the most dominant mechanism, with 84 cases (88.4%). Of the 41 patients, 73.2% experienced potential drug interactions. Bivariate analysis using Fisher’s exact test showed a significant association between length of hospitalization, number of medications used, and potential drug interactions (p< 0.05). Potential antidiabetic drug interactions in geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may be considered in monitoring medication use, especially in patients with polypharmacy and longer hospital stays. However, this study only evaluated potential drug interactions based on a drug interaction database therefore, further studies are needed to assess the clinical manifestations of drug interactions.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nurul Kamilah Sadli, Santi Perawati, Vina Neldi, Novia Tri Astuti, Marizki Pondawinata, Syaza Putri Humaira

Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, requiring close monitoring to prevent toxicity, particularly in patients with heart failure, polypharmacy, and impaired renal function. Due to limitations in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), we estimated digoxin serum levels using pharmacokinetic formulas based on creatinine clearance. This retrospective observational study aimed to conduct an initial risk screening by estimating digoxin concentrations, evaluating drug interactions, and assessing heart rate in 17 heart failure patients at a regional general hospital in Jambi (January–August 2025). Descriptive analysis revealed that 76% of patients were within the therapeutic range, while 24% exceeded it, with elevated levels correlating with higher creatinine serum and lower creatinine clearance. Common drug interactions involved furosemide, bisoprolol, and proton pump inhibitors, with spironolactone posing a severe risk. Clinically, bisoprolol combined with hypokalemia appeared associated with lower heart rates in patients with predicted toxic concentrations. While the formula-based pharmacokinetic approach serves as a useful exploratory initial screening tool, these findings require further validation through laboratory-based TDM and larger studies.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Athira Prameela, Thenmozhi Krishnasamy

The present research discusses the phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiproliferative efficacy of Vincetoxicum capparidifolium leaf aqueous extract. Phytochemical characterization was performed using FTIR and LC-MS analysis. Network pharmacology was employed to identify potential molecular targets of tylophorine associated with liver associated disorders, followed by molecular docking studies. Anti-inflammatory activity and antidiabetic potential was evaluated in vitro. Cytotoxic outcomes were determined using MTT assay on HepG2 cells, along with AO/EtBr staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. FTIR investigation disclosed the occurrence of various functional groups, incorporating hydroxyl, amine, aromatic, and heteroatom-containing moieties. LC-MS profiling categorized a total of 28 compounds belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and fatty acid derivatives. Network pharmacology analysis identified 94 intersecting targets of tylophorine with liver inflammation, diabetic liver disease, and end-stage liver disease, while molecular docking showed binding affinities of tylophorine with proteins, presenting the strongest interaction with 3HHM (-8.9 kcal mol^-1). The extract produced concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation (9.5-68.0%), proteolytic activity (10.3-71.7%), and erythrocyte lysis (10.6-70.2%) although its activity was lower than the reference drug, aspirin. The extract also displayed inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with greater potency against α-glucosidase (IC₅₀=99.6 µg mL^-1). The cytotoxic activity evaluated using MTT assay supported reduction in HepG2 cell viability (IC₅₀=168 µg mL^-1). AO/EtBr staining revealed increased apoptotic features, including membrane damage and nuclear condensation, while DNA fragmentation analysis verified apoptosis-mediated cell death. Overall, V. capparidifolium exhibits notable in vitro anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic potential, highlighting its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for further pharmacological investigations.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Vaishali Bhatt, Prasant Arya, Jaspal Singh Chauhan

Microplastic (MP) contamination in freshwater ecosystems is an emerging environmental concern, yet interactions between MPs and riparian macrophytes remain poorly understood, particularly in Himalayan river systems. This study provides a baseline assessment of MP surface entanglement across riparian macrophyte species, along with associated surface water and sediment, from River Alaknanda, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India, sampled in June 2023. A total of 30 macrophyte, surface water, and sediment samples were collected and processed using extraction protocols integrating washing, oxidative digestion, density separation, stereomicroscopic analysis, and polymer characterization through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. MPs were extensively detected on macrophyte surfaces, with species-specific normalized burdens ranging from 16.47 ± 2.59 to 273.86 ± 26.21 MPs/g dry weight. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant interspecific variation in normalized MP abundance (H = 25.73, p = 0.0023), with Chenopodium ambrosioides exhibiting significantly higher MP burdens than Conyza sp. and Equisetum sp. No MPs within the analytical detection range of 100 µm-5 mm were detected in digested plant tissues. Fibres were the dominant MP type in macrophytes and water, whereas fragments predominated in sediments, with white particles being most abundant across all matrices. Polymer analysis identified polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyterephthalate, and polyethylene-vinyl acetate as dominant polymers. Strong compositional correlations among macrophytes, water, and sediment indicated similarities in MP characteristics across environmental matrices. These findings suggest riparian macrophytes as complementary matrices for freshwater MP monitoring. Despite methodological and spatial limitations, this study establishes a preliminary framework for incorporating riparian vegetation into freshwater MP monitoring and highlights the need for further investigations.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Norhidayah Norhidayah, Safira Maza, Novita Anggraeni, Taufik Qurrahman, Rizki Rahmadi Pratama, Yulistia Budianti Soemarie

Traditionally, menginang (a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut, gambir, and lime) has been used as a natural antibacterial agent. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial activity of single betel leaf extract and menginang extract against four oral pathogenic bacteria in vitro. This study compared the antibacterial activity of traditional menginang extract and single betel leaf extract against multiple oral pathogenic bacteria to evaluate their potential synergistic antibacterial effects. The experimental method used a disk diffusion technique at three concentrations (12.5%, 25%, and 50%), and the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Chlorhexidine 0.2% was used as the positive control, while distilled water was used as the negative control. The 50% menginang extract showed the strongest antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria, with inhibition zones ranging from 22.76 ± 1.38 mm to 28.22 ± 0.14 mm, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The inhibition zones produced by the 50% menginang extract were close to those of 0.2% chlorhexidine. The superiority antibacterial activity of menginang extract may be associated with synergistic interactions among alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, and steroids identified during phytochemical screening. The menginang extract has high potential to be developed as an innovative natural product for oral health.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Poro David Clark

This study aimed to optimize phenolic antioxidant extraction from Polyalthia longifolia leaves using hot maceration with 70% ethanol and to characterize the extraction kinetics under optimal conditions. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of extraction time and temperature on extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Both factors significantly influenced all responses, with the extraction yield and TPC increasing progressively with temperature and time. FRAP, however, exhibited a dome-shaped response, peaking at intermediate temperatures before declining under prolonged high-temperature conditions, consistent with the thermal degradation of heat-labile antioxidants. The highest phenolic recovery and antioxidant activity were achieved at the upper boundary of the experimental domain, suggesting that the true optimum may lie beyond the conditions tested. Kinetic analysis further revealed that antioxidant-active compounds were mobilized faster than the bulk extractable mass, with implications for reducing extraction time and energy consumption at scale. These findings provide a statistically guided and kinetically informed foundation for the valorization of Polyalthia longifolia leaves, supporting future process optimization across broader solvent systems and extraction techniques for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Nadhira Karima, Agus Gozali

The increasing demand for interactive English instruction in vocational schools is often constrained by limited resources and unequal access to digital tools. This study investigated vocational high school students’ perceptions of the Team Game Tournament (TGT) as a conventional non-digital strategy in English instruction. A descriptive quantitative design was used to examine students’ responses after TGT classroom activities. Participants were 32 tenth-grade students in the Fashion Design program at a vocational high school in East Java, Indonesia. Total sampling was applied because all students received the same treatment. Data were collected through a closed-ended questionnaire with 15 items using a four-point Likert scale. The instrument measured perceptions of interest, motivation, vocabulary learning, collaboration, effectiveness, and learning difficulty. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Findings showed that students generally perceived TGT positively. High mean scores appeared in learning stimulation, teamwork, classroom interest, and overall usefulness. Students reported that TGT encouraged participation, improved collaboration, and made learning more enjoyable. Negative perceptions regarding complexity, time management, competitive pressure, and mismatch with learning preferences were relatively low. A consistency analysis comparing paired positive and negative items indicated coherent response patterns, supporting data credibility. However, results reflect perceptions only and should not be interpreted as direct evidence of effectiveness in real classrooms. These findings suggest that TGT can serve as a low-cost and engaging alternative for vocational English classrooms, particularly in schools with limited digital infrastructure. Future studies should examine long-term effects of TGT on language achievement and motivation across broader contexts.

Education and Learning