Asriana Sultan, Rinaldi Rinaldi, Sri Sulistiana Sulaiman, Nuur Aanisah, Akhmad Khumaidi, Zulhaerana Bahar, Armini Syamsidi

Flakes are a type of instant food product commonly consumed as a breakfast alternative, especially those labelled “low-glycaemic index” can be suitable for individuals with diabetes. Taro tubers (Colocasia esculenta L.) containing high fibre and low fat are among the raw materials that can be processed into instant food. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and determine the glycaemic index (GI) of Taro tuber flakes as an alternative processed food product for individuals with diabetes. Three distinct formulas, namely F1, F2, and F3, were developed with varying drying temperatures of 40 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C. These were comprehensively evaluated through sensory testing (hedonic and scoring), followed by the analysis of moisture content, ash content, microbial examination, and glycaemic index. The results showed that all three developed formulas F1, F2, and F3 xhibited low glycaemic index values (below 55), along with acceptable moisture and ash content, and were free from Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi contamination. Among them, F2, which was dried at 60 °C, showed the lowest glycaemic index value of 15.1, indicating its potential to produce a minimal postprandial blood glucose response. Furthermore, F2 received an average hedonic score of 6, which indicates favorable sensory acceptance in terms of taste, color, texture, and aroma. Therefore, F2 was selected as the most suitable formula that can be consumed as an alternative food product to help manage diabetes through low-GI dietary strategies.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Adi Yugatama, Anas Muti'ah Syahrul Azizah, Syaiful Choiri, Ya-lin Huang

Piroxicam (PRX), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is classified as a biopharmaceutical classification system class II (high permeability and low solubility), which limits its bioavailability. Enhancement of the dissolution rate is a key strategy to enhance the absorption. Solid dispersion systems, particularly when combined with amphiphilic multiple co-block polymers, offer a promising approach to address this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Poloxamer 188 (P188) and the solid dispersion technique on the solubility and dissolution rate of PRX. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000-based solid dispersions containing PRX were prepared using varying concentrations of Poloxamer 188 surfactant through the fusion method. The solid dispersions were evaluated for saturated solubility in water for 24 hours. Selected formulations were further characterized using thermal analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. The optimized solid dispersion formulation was filled into capsules, and a dissolution assay was carried out to compare its performance with that of pure PRX capsules. The optimized formula, comprising 3% P188 and PEG4000, demonstrated a significant enhancement in saturation solubility parameters (p < 0.05), specifically the Cmax/S0 ratio. Additionally, dissolution testing showed a 22.22% increase in the dissolution rate of the PRX solid dispersion capsules compared to pure PRX capsules. In conclusion, P188-based solid dispersion containing PRX enhanced the solubility and dissolution rate, potentially improving therapeutic efficacy.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Steven Victoria Halim, Stefany Marcellia Kumala, Fatichatus Sharifah, Eko Setiawan, Antonius Adji Prayitno Setiadi

Self-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.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Siti Habibatul Masruroh, Fikri Apriyono

Mathematics instruction in Indonesian junior secondary schools often emphasizes procedures over conceptual understanding, limiting students’ ability to apply knowledge in real contexts. This challenge is particularly evident in madrasah settings, where approaches such as Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) are rarely implemented. This study examined the effect of RME on students’ conceptual understanding of fractions. Using a quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent control and experimental groups, 50 seventh-grade students at MTs Bustanul Ulum, Jember, participated in a six-week intervention. The experimental group was taught using RME principles, while the control group received conventional instruction. Pre-test and post-test data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test. Findings revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group’s conceptual understanding, with post-test scores averaging 82.60 (SD = 5.97) compared with 74.40 (SD = 6.90) in the control group (p &lt; 0.001). These results indicate that RME can enhance students’ comprehension of mathematical concepts through contextual and student-centered learning. However, given the study’s limited scope, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore their implications for curriculum development and teacher training in Indonesia.

Education and Learning

Novi Febrianti, Lina Widyastuti, Septiana Saputri, Lalu Muhammad Irham

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is known for its strong antioxidant properties and potential anti-aging effects. To enhance its benefits and improve usability, this fruit extract was formulated into a gel preparation. This study aimed to determine the optimal proportions of Carbopol 940 and triethanolamine (TEA) to obtain a gel with desirable physical characteristics. The flesh of red dragon fruit was juiced and concentrated to produce an 8% extract. Three formulations were prepared with varying ratios of Carbopol 940 to TEA: 0.5%:0.3% (F1), 1.2%:0.7% (F2), and 2%:1.2% (F3). The gels were evaluated for physical properties, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity. The most promising formula was subjected to stability testing for three cycles under different temperature conditions: cold (3°C), room temperature (27°C), and climatic chamber (40°C, 75% RH). Results showed that formula F2 exhibited a characteristic red color, clear appearance, distinctive oleum rosae aroma, moderately thick and homogeneous consistency, viscosity of 3112.47 ± 177.90 cps, spreading diameter of 5.20 ± 0.20 cm, adhesion time of 18.45 ± 0.89 s, and pH of 5.33 ± 0.02. No significant changes were observed after the stability testing (p > 0.05), indicating that the formulation remained stable under all temperature conditions. F2 also showed higher antioxidant activity than F1 and better antibacterial properties than F3. Its stability and bioactivity support its potential as a promising natural cosmeceutical formulation.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Osahon Kennedy Ogbeide, Oscar Notoriuwa Aghedo, Faith Isimemen Akhidenor, Edward Nduka Dibie, Julius Uche Iyasele

This study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial properties of Morinda citrifolia stem. The stem extract was prepared using the maceration method with 99.8% methanol for three days at room temperature. Phytochemical and proximate compositions were analyzed using standard methods, while selected minerals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and antimicrobial activity was examined by the agar-well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and eugenols. Proximate analysis showed moisture, lipid, protein, ash, fiber, and carbohydrate contents of 18.99%, 9.12%, 4.72%, 6.40%, 37.90%, and 22.87%, respectively. The concentrations of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn were 7.51 ± 1.60, 126.67 ± 9.43, 91.12 ± 16.12, 7.59 ± 0.63, 3.50 ± 0.65, 0.02 ± 0.003, and 0.26 ± 0.086 mg/kg, respectively. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 49.48 µg/mL, comparable to ascorbic acid (46.56 µg/mL). Antimicrobial testing showed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 500 mg/mL and 50–200 mg/mL, respectively. These results demonstrate that M. citrifolia stem methanol extract possesses significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic and its traditional medicinal applications.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Praveen T., Siddappa B, Kakkalameli

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Strobilanthes urens leaf extracts. The proximate composition, including protein, carbohydrate, lipid content, nutritive value, and total moisture, was evaluated. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and carbohydrates in all three extracts, except for steroids in methanol, and both terpenoids and steroids in the distilled water extract. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and steroids were absent in the chloroform extract. Quantitative analysis confirmed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids, while GC–MS analysis identified 22 major bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties. Antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH assay showed IC₅₀ values of 79.23 ± 3.78 µg/mL in methanol and 237.00 ± 12.37 µg/mL in distilled water, with no activity in chloroform. The extracts exhibited antibacterial activity but no significant antifungal effect. Cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay showed IC₅₀ values against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines ranging from 88.19 ± 8.29 to 188.10 ± 39.99 µg/mL. Overall, the findings highlight the phytochemical richness and potential pharmacological value of S. urens leaf extracts.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Mohamad Aprianto Paneo, Teti Sutriyati Tuloli, Moh Rivai Nakoe, Nikmasari Pakaya, Nurain Thomas, Rifka Anggraini Anggai, Multiani S. Latif

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based drug information application in providing accessible and reliable drug-related information to the public in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. A prospective, non-randomized study was conducted with 205 participants from the Gorontalo community. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing their experience with the "Cari Obatmu" feature on the Ikatan Apoteker Indonesia (IAI) Gorontalo website. The questionnaire covered various aspects such as user interface, search efficiency, clarity of drug indications, side effects, and usability. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's Alpha for reliability, One-Way ANOVA for demographic differences, and effect size analysis were used in data analysis. The findings indicated high user satisfaction, with mean scores ranging from 4.16 to 4.28 across different aspects assessed. A Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.975 confirmed excellent internal consistency of the data. The One-Way ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences in satisfaction scores among demographic groups (p = 0.636), with effect sizes being minimal. The web-based drug information application was well-received, particularly for its functionality and ease of use. However, further improvements are necessary to enhance user experience and feature development. These findings highlight the potential to expand web-based drug information tools to improve public health outcomes in Indonesia, considering the diverse demographic and user needs.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Yani Mulyani, Marita Kaniawati, Widhya Aligita, Eka Rahmat Nugraha

Dyslipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder frequently associated with diabetes mellitus and known to increase cardiovascular risk. Although Gynura procumbens has been reported to possess antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic properties, studies focusing on the specific effects of its ethyl acetate fraction remain limited. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from G. procumbens in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, particularly its impact on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and histological changes in pancreatic and aortic tissues. Thirty rats were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide, simvastatin, and extract-treated groups at 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight. After 28 days of treatment, the 150 mg/kg dose significantly reduced blood glucose by 61.3%, total cholesterol by 42.1%, triglycerides by 47.3%, and LDL by 55.0%, while increasing HDL by 6.3% compared to diabetic control (p < 0.05). Histological analysis demonstrated regeneration of pancreatic β-cells and improvement of vascular structure in the aorta. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of G. procumbens may serve as a promising natural agent for managing diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Tri Diana Puspita Rini, Savinatunnajah Savinatunnajah, Eka Rosa Yustina, Gisela Amaliah Putri Ramadhany, Putri Aprillia Shafara, Oliffia Rahma

Depression 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.

Sciences of Pharmacy