Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Journal

Physical Properties of Antifungal Activity of Red Galangal (Alpinia purpurata K. Schum) Rhizome Extract in Oil-in-Water-Based Cream Against Trichophyton rubrum

Sri Mulyaningsih, Suciati Ranila, Siti Fatmawati Fatimah — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Trichophyton rubrum is a common fungus that causes a dermatophyte infection known as tinea cruris. More than a fifth of the population in Indonesia suffers from this infection. Alpinia purpurata K. Schum or well known as red galangal is said to have antifungal properties because of its composition, which includes compounds such as volatile oil, acetyl chavicol, flavonoids, and phenols. This study was aimed to determine the antifungal activity of a oil-in-water-based cream containing red galangal rhizome extract (RGRE) against T. rubrum. RGRE was obtained by macerating the rhizomes in a solvent of 96% ethanol and evaporating until a thick extract was obtained. The extract was then formulated into an oil/water-based cream at concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 20%. The creams were evaluated for their physical properties, including organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, adhesivity, and spreadability. The antifungal activity was tested using the agar diffusion method against T. rubrum. Data on the physical properties of the creams and their antifungal activity were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test with a 95% confidence level. The results showed that creams with higher RGRE concentrations exhibited decreased spreadability and pH values but increased the viscosity and adhesivity test. The antifungal activity increased with higher RGE concentrations, starting at 10%, 15%, and 20%, with inhibition diameters of 12.33 mm, 18.83 mm, and 21.66 mm, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that RGE concentration affected the physical properties of the cream, including pH, spreadability, viscosity, adhesivity test as well as antifungal activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the water-in-oil-based cream containing 20% RGRE exhibits favorable physical properties and antifungal activity.

Keywords: Cream, dermatophyte, diffusion method, viscosity, Zingiberaceae

Formulation and Evaluation of Transdermal Patch Preparations from Ethanol Extract of Green Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze)

Imas Maesaroh, Sri Anjani — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Janus Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Promising Therapies for Ulcerative Colitis

Miftahul Rozak, Michael D Katz, Lolita Lolita — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease involving genetic, environmental, immunological, and microbial factors. Traditional treatments often fail in certain patient populations, necessitating exploration of more personalized therapies. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical potential of three emerging therapies for UC: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, anti-TL1A monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). This narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant peer-reviewed literature. Inclusion criteria focused on studies published in the last 10 years that investigated the mechanisms, clinical efficacy, or safety of JAK inhibitors, anti-TL1A antibodies, or FMT in UC. Both randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included. This narrative review explores emerging therapeutic strategies for ulcerative colitis, including Janus kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation. These approaches may support personalized treatment planning, particularly in patients who are refractory to conventional therapies.JAK inhibitors including tofacitinib, upadacitinib, and filgotinib demonstrated effectiveness in inducing and maintaining remission, although safety profiles varied based on selectivity. Anti-TL1A monoclonal antibodies, particularly PF-06480605 and tulisokibart, showed dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity, especially in patients with specific genetic biomarkers. FMT emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention capable of modulating gut microbiota and mucosal immunity, contributing to clinical and endoscopic remission in patients refractory to standard treatments. These three therapeutic modalities represent a significant shift toward individualized, pathophysiology-based treatment of UC. Future research should focus on biomarker-guided therapy selection, optimization of FMT protocols, and long-term safety data to support integration into clinical practice.

Keywords: Fecal microbiota transplantation, janus kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, ulcerative colitis

Larvicidal Activity of Red Betel (Piper Crocatum, L) Leaf Chloroform Extract Granule against Aedes Aegypti Larvae

Azis Ikhsanudin, Haadiyatul Tri Hastuti, Lolita Lolita, Saiful Nizam Tajjudin — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The development of natural larvicides needs to be done to reduce the risk of resistance and ensure environmental safety due to the use of chemical larvicides. Plants that have the potential as larvicides include red betel leaf, which contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. This study aims to determine the larvicidal activity of red betel leaf chloroform extract granules with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ parameters against Aedes aegypti larvae. This study used a post-test control group design, where the chloroform maceration method was used in its extraction. The extract obtained was subjected to qualitative phytochemical identification and formulated into granules and tested for physical properties, namely: water content, flowability, and dispersion time and larvicidal activity test using a post-test control group design where the test group was divided into six groups, namely positive control (Abate®), negative control (placebo), treatment with extract concentrations of 0.18%; 0.24% and 0.48%. The results of the phytochemical test showed that the extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, while the granule test showed a water content of 3.02%, a flow rate of 2.07 g/second, and a dispersion time of 2.31 minutes. The granule concentration of 0.48% had a larvicidal activity of 98.67%, significantly different from placebo (p<0.05) and not significantly different from Abate (p>0.05). In conclusion, the chloroform extract granules of red betel leaves have larvicidal activity with an LC₅₀ of 0.276% and an LC₉₀ of 0.381% against Aedes aegypti larvae.

Keywords: Aedes agypti, extract, granule, larvacidered betel

Red Seaweeds as Resource of Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential: a Review on Anticancer Agents

Warsi Warsi, Iin Narwanti, Qamar Uddin Ahmed — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The use of natural compounds derived from macroalgae constitute an alternating strategy in the creation of anticancer medications. Seaweed refers to macroalgae. Red seaweeds are rich in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, carotenoids, mycosporine-like amino acids, phycobiliproteins, polyphenols, polysaccharides (carrageenan, porphyran), and lipids. Some of these bioactive compounds have demonstrated a unique chemical framework. The bioactive compounds have been investigated as an anticancer potential in vitro studies. Among these compounds content, polyphenols are the most promising as an anticancer, due to their abundance in the red seaweeds. This review provides bioactive compounds from red seaweeds and their natural sources. The review involves papers published from 2010 to 2025. The study might be used as a reference in development of red seaweed extracts in the future which include preclinical and clinical investigations, standardizations and formulations, molecular mechanisms as anticancer and toxicity studies.

Keywords: Anticancer, bioactive compound, macroalgae, pharmacological activity, seaweed