Sciences of Pharmacy

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

Stefani Alya Swasa Wuryanto, Ida Ayu Manik Damayanti, Putu Indrayoni

Cutibacterium acnes is a cause of acne. Conventional treatments often lead to side effects and bacterial resistance, necessitating natural alternatives. Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L. ) shows potential as an anti-acne agent. This study employed an in vitro experimental laboratory design to evaluate the anti-acne activity of G. globosa L. flower extract formulated cream against C. acnes using the well diffusion method. Antibacterial activity was tested using KN (base cream), KP (1% clindamycin cream), F1 (10%), F2 (15%), and F3 (20%), and the data were analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis. Results indicated that the ethanolic extract of GA flowers has an IC₅₀ of 85.483 ppm, TPC of 60.456 ± 0.589 mg GAE/g, and TFC of 34.390 ± 0.989 mg QE/g. It exhibited antibacterial activity against C. acnes, with inhibition zone diameters of 6.693 ± 0.2 mm for the 15% formula and 7.382 ± 0.22 mm for the 20% formula. The antibacterial activity is believed to be driven by the presence of secondary metabolites, particularly phenols and flavonoids identified in the extract.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Abdur Rosyid, Satibi Satibi, Fita Rahmawati, Lutfan Lazuardi

Intermittent fasting has increasingly been incorporated into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) strategies for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The extent to which weekly fasting frequency dictates glycemic outcomes is well-noted; however, the distinct clinical benefit of increasing Sunnah fasting adherence to two days weekly remains an unresolved question in diabetes management. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Monday-only Sunnah fasting versus combined Monday and Thursday Sunnah fasting on Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This research is a pre-experimental employing a within-subject exploratory pilot comparison with a single-group pre-post design involving 50 participants selected through purposive sampling, with data analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that most participants (84%) were between 43 and 54 years of age, and the majority were female (56%). practicing Sunnah fasting twice weekly (Monday and Thursday) resulted in significantly lower average FBG (186,67 mg/dL) compared to fasting only once a week on Mondays (202.28 mg/dL), statistically significant reduction in FBG (Z= -2.660, p= 0.008; r= 0.37, Cohen’s d= 0.79). The study suggests that practicing Sunnah fasting twice weekly offers a more favorable impact on fasting blood glucose control for T2DM patients than fasting only once a week.

Sciences of Pharmacy

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

Sulistiyaningsih Sulistiyaningsih, Tri Diana Puspita Rini, Indiana Gita Anggraeni

Nicotine addiction remains a major global health problem that necessitates the development of safe and effective supportive therapies. This study aimed to characterize the metabolite profiles of lemon essential oil (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. ) and 96% ethanol extract of mango leaves (Mangifera indica L.) using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and to explore their potential mechanisms in nicotine addiction management through a literature-based mechanism mapping approach. Compounds were identified based on retention time, mass spectrum matching, and relative peak area percentages. GC-MS analysis showed that lemon essential oil was predominantly composed of D-limonene (58.72%), followed by β-pinene (13.82%) and γ-terpinene (11.43%). Meanwhile, the 96% ethanol extract of mango leaves was dominated by methyl gallate (27.61%), along with several phenolic compounds and triterpenoids, including vitamin E and lupeol. The identified metabolites suggest distinct but potentially complementary biological activities. Lemon essential oil may exert supportive effects through neuromodulatory pathways, whereas mango leaf extract may contribute through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These findings indicate that both natural products possess potential complementary roles as supportive agents in nicotine addiction management. However, further biological and clinical studies are required to validate their efficacy and safety.

Sciences of Pharmacy