Samad Ali

Diabetes mellitus remains a global health crisis, with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction as a key pathological feature that current therapies address only palliatively. This narrative review examines an emerging paradigm: the convergence of CRISPR-based epigenome editing, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence for targeted modulation of the β-cell epigenome. We synthesize evidence on epigenetic dysregulation in diabetic β-cells, critically evaluate preclinical developments in CRISPR epigenome editors and smart nanocarriers for pancreatic delivery, and discuss artificial intelligence applications in guide RNA design and multi-omics integration. Although proof-of-concept studies demonstrate promising synergy, clinical translation remains in its earliest stages. Major challenges including delivery specificity, biosafety, immunogenicity, and regulatory hurdles must be overcome before a precision reversal of diabetes can be realistically contemplated. This review provides a balanced assessment of both the transformative potential and the substantial obstacles facing nanogenomic approaches to diabetes therapy.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nur Cholis Endriyatno, Arina Fuadhiya, Erin Efrilia, Muhammad Saad, Anna Fitriawati

The tamarind peel (Tamarindus indica L.) extract contains flavonoids that have the ability to provide photoprotection. An optimal cream formulation is required to achieve a high-quality dosage form. This study aimed to determine the total flavonoid content (TFC), to obtain the optimal cream formula, and to measure its photoprotective activity. This research was conducted experimentally and optimized using the Simplex Lattice Design (SLD) method using factors (stearic acid and triethanolamine) and responses (pH, viscosity, spreadability, and adhesiveness). In vitro photoprotective activity determination test using sun protection factor (SPF), erythema transmission percentage (%Te), and pigmentation transmission percentage (%Tp) parameters. The TFC is 47.7018±1.68 mg QE/g. The optimization results showed that variations in stearic acid and trietanolamine concentrations affected pH, viscosity, spreadability, and adhesiveness. The optimization produced a desirability value of 0.967 with predicted factors of 16.078% stearic acid and 3.922% triethanolamine. The predicted responses included pH (4.933), viscosity (247.32 dPas), spreadability (7.07 cm), and adhesiveness (7.37 seconds). A one-sample t-test showed no significant difference between the predictions and the actual results, as indicated by the calculated t-value (pH 0.002, viscosity 0.049, spreadability 0.000, and adhesion 0.000) < t-table (4.303). The cream containing tamarind peel extract exhibits photoprotective activity, with an SPF value of 13.63 ± 1.01, a %Te of 4.64 ± 1.19, and a %Tp of 12.37 ± 1.89. Photoprotective parameters show that the cream is quite good and has the potential for further development. In conclusion, this study shows that the optimized tamarind peel extract cream has photoprotective activity.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Sopiatul Gadis Witri, N Ira Sari, Santhy Wisuda Sidauruk

Snakehead fish has a high protein content, research has shown that snakehead fish meat contains up to 25.10% protein, 6.22% of which is albumin and can be prepared into Bekasam. Generally, the local Kampar community combines fish, roasted rice, and acid in making Bekasam. The addition of acid produced a product with a very sour flavor and odor, so another alternative combination is needed. Saka sugar, which is used in the production of traditional foods, contains sucrose, dextrose, and mannose, along with molasses, which can serve as a source of carbohydrates in the fermentation process and can be an alternative in the preparation of bekasm. The objective of this study was to determine the quality characteristics of snakehead fish (Channa striata) Bekasam with the addition of saka sugar. The method used was an experiment with a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The treatments were the addition of saka sugar at concentrations of 0, 3, 5, and 7%, with fermentation periods of 2, 4, 6, and 8 days. The assessments included organoleptic properties, pH, Aw, total acidity, LAB, and TVB-N. The results indicated that the optimal treatment was 7% sugar (21 g) with a fermentation period of 6 days. The resulting Bekasam had the best quality values (color 7.78; flavor 8.00; odor 7.67; and texture 7.59), followed by a pH value of 5.79; Aw value of 0.75; total acidity of 0.96%; LAB of 6.74 Log CFU/g; and TVB-N of 40.49 mg N/100 g.

Aquatic Functional Products

Rahmi Hutabarat, Yovi Guanse, Juniar Kalpika Resmi, Theodorus Rexa Handoyo

Sucralfate is a medicine for peptic ulcers that is practically insoluble in water and might to be developed into a suspension. The choice of suspending agents is essential for formula development. This study aimed to determine the physical characteristics and physical stability of xanthan gum, CMC-Na, and Avicel RC-591 in a sucralfate suspension by conducting a characterization and stability study and analyzing the formulations. Suspensions were prepared with 0.3% w/v xanthan gum (XG), 1% w/v CMC-Na (SCMC), and 1% w/v Avicel RC-591 (ARC) and then evaluated for physical appearance, pH, density, viscosity, sedimentation, and redispersibility in a six-month stability study conducted under various storage conditions. The pH results ranged between 5.113 ± 0.001 and 4.622 ± 0.033 (p > 0.05). The density of the SCMC formula (1.1459 ± 0.0003) is greater than the density of the ARC formula (1.1396 ± 0.0002) and XG (1.1162 ± 0.0002), but statistically, the three formulas are not significantly different (p > 0.05). The viscosity of XG is greater than SCMC and ARC. The formulas indicated that XG had greater sedimentation than SCMC and ARC (p > 0.05). The redispersibility of all formulations is ARC > SCMC > XG. In conclusion, ARC and SCMC exhibit acceptable suspension characteristics and robust physical stability. Conversely, formulations utilizing XG fail to meet the required quality standards for sucralfate suspensions regarding redispersibility.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Abdul Mulki Irpani, Anne Yuliantini, Muhammad Ilham Bintang, Arinda Tri Pramay Sella, Jajang Japar Sodik

Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among women and requires the development of alternative therapies derived from natural products. This study aimed to profile bioactive compounds in the ethanol extract of gras jelly leaves (Cyclea barbata Miers) and evaluate their predicted interactions with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), a key regulator of proliferation in ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells using an in silico approach. LC–HRMS analysis followed by database matching tentatively annotataed 44 major compounds based on peak intensity after data filtering. Molecular docking and simulation results indicated that several compounds exhibited favorable predicted binding affinity toward estrogen receptor targets. Among them, (3β, 24R, 24′R)-fucosterol epoxide demonstrated the most stable interaction. These findings suggest that the compound showed promising interaction stability toward the estrogen receptor in computational analysis. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to validate its biological activity

Sciences of Pharmacy