Sciences of Pharmacy

Maria Elvina Tresia Butar-Butar, Asep Roni, Muhamad Reza Pahlevi, Diki Zaelani, Novaliana Devianti Sagita, Reza Pratama

The 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.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Shanti Bhushan Mishra, Juhi Verma, Garima Sahu, Nishi Gupta

This study explored the safety and antidiabetic potential of a hydroalcoholic extract of Praecitrullus fistulosus fruits, along with qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. The antidiabetic effect was evaluated using in vitro methods, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, as well as an in vivo high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Molecular docking studies were conducted to identify phytochemicals responsible for the antidiabetic effects. The fruit extract exhibited maximum inhibition of 52.06% and 58.10% for α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, respectively, at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The extract also demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) and dose-dependent antidiabetic effect at oral doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in the tested animals. In silico analysis revealed that α-tocopherol exhibited the best docking pose, with a docking energy of -8.2 kcal/mol. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of P. fistulosus contains phytochemicals effective in controlling glucose levels. This study also validates the traditional use of P. fistulosus fruits in managing diabetes.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Godwin Ndarake Enin, Basil Nse Ita, Paul Sunday Thomas, Jude Efiom Okokon, Blessing Ofonime Lawson, Chidera Getrude Ohanaka

Maesobotrya barteri is widely used in Nigerian ethnomedicine to treat diabetes, arthritis, and infections. In this study, the methanol and aqueous leaf extracts' phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potentials were evaluated using standard procedures. At the same time, the enzyme inhibitory activity of methanol extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase in rats was also investigated. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power (FRAP). Phytochemical screening of methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides. Total phenolics and flavonoids of the extracts ranged from 0.04 to 3.18 mg of GAE/g and from 27.70 to 57.70 mg of QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant analysis showed IC₅₀ values of DPPH (192.95, 196.04, and 17.19 µg/mL) and FRAP (30.48, 37.64, and 38.15 µg/mL) for the methanolic extract, aqueous extract, and ascorbic acid, respectively. Assessment of the methanolic extract against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in rats at doses of 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg using starch, sucrose, and maltose as substrates, with acarbose as a reference drug, significantly reduced blood glucose levels (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that M. barteri leaf extract has antioxidant properties and inhibits both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in rats, likely due to the phytochemicals present in the extract.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Ni Made Dwi Sandhiutami, Yesi Desmiaty, Fahleni Fahleni, Rizqya Cahya Handayani, Windy Ciang

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) leaf extract is rich in flavonoids, which possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract through a nanoparticle gel formulation. Nanoparticles of the extract (NEP) were prepared using ionic gelation with a Carbomer 940 base. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of NEP was evaluated in vivo using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Five groups (n = 5) were tested: a negative control (Carbomer 940 gel base), a positive control (Sodium Diclofenac), and three NEP formulations with concentrations of 1% (NEP-1), 3% (NEP-2), and 5% (NEP-3). The NEP gels were homogeneous with a faint yellow color and a characteristic odor. Their spreadability ranged from 7.50 ± 0.67 cm to 7.69 ± 1.26 cm, viscosity exhibited plastic flow properties, and pH values were within 4.47 ± 0.06 to 5.20 ± 0.10. The anti-inflammatory effectiveness of NEP formulations increased with concentration, achieving edema inhibition rates of 3.66% (NEP-1), 68.47% (NEP-2), and 82.37% (NEP-3). In conclusion, the nanoparticle gel formulations of passion fruit leaf extract demonstrated good physical properties, with NEP-3 being the most effective in reducing carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nabila Ali Rghebi, Rima Farag Elmzughi, Reham Abubaker Alrgaei, Malak Amar Belal

Vitamins 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.

Sciences of Pharmacy