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Indonesia is a maritime country with abundant seawater mineral content. One of the regions with the highest salt production is Pamekasan Madura. Minerals are known to have many roles and benefits for our bodies, such as regulating fluid balance and metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the physicochemical and microbial properties of concentrated minerals obtained through solvent evaporation and salt deposition for ± 60 days. Acute oral toxicity examination was performed as a first step in determining the safety of concentrated minerals to be used as a raw material for drugs. Based on the test results, the concentrated mineral has a clear yellow color, salty taste, and a bit bitter, odorless, with a pH of 6.6 ± 0.21. Concentrated minerals have high mineral content with levels of potassium, sodium, magnesium, boron, and calcium being 44734.1598 ± 12950.4633, 33192.1198 ± 2699.3419, 8738.1388 ± 100.4894, 2092.5715 ± 60.3224, and 276.9704 ± 13.1133 mg/Kg, respectively. The results of microbiological analysis of untreated concentrated minerals (without antimicrobials or sterilization) showed that the total plate count was within limits, including coliform and Salmonella. However, the total mold and yeast levels exceed the threshold. Based on the results of acute oral toxicity testing, the concentrated mineral is practically nontoxic. With high mineral content and low toxicity, it can be concluded that the concentrated minerals from Pamekasan Madura seawater is potential to be used as a raw medicinal material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha sap (JTS), an important fluid carried in xylem and phloem tubes of Jatropha multifida L. plant, has good wound healing property. However, physicochemical stability of JTS needs to be improved in order for it to be useful as a topical wound-healing agent. In this study, we developed an iota carrageenan-polyvinyl alcohol (IC-PVA) hydrogel film (HF) as a carrier of JTS and evaluated its wound-healing ability. The characterization of JTS secondary metabolites by ultraviolet-Vis spectrophotometry suggested presence of flavonoid, saponin, and alkaloids in the sap. We successfully extracted IC from Euchima spinosum using alkaline solvent at 80°C–90°C with calcium chloride as the precipitator. The result of computer simulation using Discovery Studio software and Autodock Tools showed the presence of hydrogen bonding interaction of IC-PVA. IC-PVA/JTS HF with excellent physical properties including high swelling ratio (246.32%) and high gel fraction (16.75%). In addition, irritation test in mice confirmed the absence of hypersensitivity reaction, redness, and allergic reactions. Interestingly, IC-PVA/JTS HF significantly accelerated wound healing when compared to the nontreated group/control with 98% wound closure by 10 days. These results suggest that IC-PVA HF has improves wound-healing ability of JTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-mangostin is a xanthone compound isolated from the mangosteen plant (Garcinia mangostana L.), which has various pharmacological activities. However, in its utilization alpha-mangostin is unstable and shows low solubility in the oral delivery system. Nanoparticles can deliver specific drugs to their workplace and increase the solubility. The objectives of this study were to create and characterize the alpha-mangostin nanoparticles based on chitosan and Eudragit® S 100. The nanoparticles were made by the ionic gelation method with comparisons core: Coating FI (1:2), FII (1:1), and FIII (2:1). Nanoparticles powder obtained using the spray pyrolysis method. Characterization using Fourier transform infrared indicates that the nanoparticles have been coated properly, and no damage occurred in the formula. The particle sizes for FI, FII, and FII are 373.381 ± 138.023 nm, 398.333 ± 184.977 nm, and 326.567 ± 130.366 nm, respectively, with a smooth surface. The entrapment efficiency value of FI, FII, and FIII are, respectively, 99.7692%, 99.6535%, and 99.476%. Alpha-mangostin was successfully encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate polymer by ionic gelation method and then coated with Eudragit S 100. Alpha-mangostin chitosan-eudragit nanoparticles (core: Polymer ratio of 1:2) yielded more entrapment efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates epidermal regeneration, and it is widely studied as a wound-healing agent. However, the special carrier for the topical administration of EGF is urgently needed to deliver EGF on the wound site. In a preceding study, sacran hydrogel film (Sac-HF) showed a possible use as a dressing material for wound healing, as well as a good capability as a drug carrier. In the current study, we prepared Sac-HF containing EGF (Sac/EGF-HF) and then characterized their physicochemical properties, including thickness, swelling ratio, degradability, tensile strength, and morphology. In addition, we have also conducted thermal and crystallography studies using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the in vitro influence of Sac/EGF-HF on cell migration using a fibroblast cell line. Morphology study confirmed that the casting method used for the film preparation resulted in a homogeneous film of Sac/EGF-HF. Furthermore, EGF significantly increased the thickness, tensile strength, and degradability of Sac/EGF-HF compared to Sac-HF. Sac/EGF-HF had a lower swelling ability compared to Sac-HF; this result corroborated the tensile strength result. Interestingly, X-ray diffraction and DSC results showed that Sac/EGF-HF had an amorphous shape. The in vitro studies revealed that Sac/EGF-HF induced the fibroblast migration activity. These results conclude that Sac/EGF-HF has the potential properties of HF for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertonic and hypotonic conditions in pharmaceutical preparations decrease the drug's absorption and bioavailability. In addition, it can cause tissue damage. There are several calculation methods to regulate hypotonic preparations. However, there are no methods that can be used to regulate hypertonic preparations without causing dose-dividing problem. Objective: This study aimed to develop a new calculation using basic principle of freezing point depression method (cryoscopic) that can solve hypotonic and hypertonic problems, especially for hypertonic preparations through reducing the levels of additional ingredients. Methods: The calculation of Kahar method was successfully obtained by substitution and simplification in the basic principle equation of cryoscopic method, and then evaluated by resolving the problems in 42 sterile formula preparations and compared with White-Vincent method, cryoscopic method, equivalent NaCl method, and milliequivalent method through the analysis of its similarity and reliability. Results: The results of similarity analysis between Kahar method and other methods showed good similarity values with more than 0.880. Kahar method and cryoscopic method have the highest similarity of the calculation result with a similarity value of 1. The reliability analysis obtained very good result with Cronbach α = 0.990. Conclusions: These results suggest that Kahar method provides reliable equation with complete and efficient solution to hypotonic and hypertonic problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: α-mangostin, one of the xanthone derivative compounds isolated from Garcinia mangostana L. peel extract, has an excellent anticancer efficacy. However, α-mangostin has a lack of site specificity, poor cells selectivity, and low aqueous solubility. Polymeric nanoparticles formulation can be used to solve these problems. Aim: Therefore, the main aim of this study was to develop polymeric nanoparticles of α-mangostin-based chitosan (αM-Ch) coated by sodium alginate (αM-Ch/Al), sodium silicate (αM-Ch/Si), and polyethylene glycol 6000 (αM-Ch/PEG). Materials and Methods: Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method with the spray pyrolysis technique. Optimized formula was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, particle size, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: αM-Ch/Al, αM-Ch/Si, and αM-Ch/PEG Nanoparticles were successfully prepared with the range of particle size approximately 200-400 nm. The XRD patterns and DSC thermograms of αM-Ch/Al showed an amorphous state, whereas αM-Ch/Si and αM-Ch/PEG indicated low crystalline forms. In addition, αM-Ch/Al had the highest entrapment efficiency (98.33% ± 0.06%) compared to αM-Ch/Si (70.46% ± 8.93%), and αM-Ch/PEG (92.24% ± 10.98%). Conclusion: These results suggest that αM-Ch/Al has the potential to enhance the physicochemical properties of α-mangostin for further formulation as an anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Human Epidermal Growth Factor (hEGF) is a potential therapeutic protein that has been widely used as a healing agent for various chronic wounds. It induces the proliferation and metabolism of epithelial cells, regenerates skin cells, and validates skin elasticity. In the previous study, recombinant hEGF (rhEGF) had been successfully expressed extracellularly in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 (DE3) using pectate lyase B (PelB) signal peptide. The previous study has shown that the medium concentration and the induction time influenced the production of rhEGF. Aims: Therefore, this study was conducted to optimize the induction time and medium concentration for rhEGF extracellular secretion then followed by scale-up production. Settings and Design: This experiment was carried out using E. coli BL21 (DE3) which contains pD881 plasmid that carries hEGF and PelB gene. Optimization design of induction time and medium concentration were obtained using Central Composite Design (CCD). Methods and Material: The method of study started by the rejuvenation of E. coli culture, extracellular secretion, and optimization in the flask scale then followed by scaled-up production with high-cell density culture in the fermenter. Statistical analysis used: The optimization was carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and multi regression analysis. Results: This work showed that the multiplication of 1.5-fold medium concentration with induction time 3h after the culture started gave the best result among another condition in this study. Additionally, the rhEGF production in the fermenter scale was identified by SDS-PAGE Tricine and quantified by ELISA, which showed 122.40 µg of the rhEGF per milliliter medium. Conclusions: In respect of the result, we conclude that the optimized condition of extracellular secretion was successfully obtained, and gives higher result before the previous study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon-specific drug delivery is critical for treating diseases of colon, such as colon cancer, amoebiasis, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. This study reviews the effects of targeted oral drug delivery on patient by measuring the accurate administration of the drug to specific disease spot, thus enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and provides better therapeutic outcomes. Medically targeted delivery to colon produces local effect on the diseases and hinders the systemic toxic effects of drugs. The delivery of therapeutics to the specific diseased part of colon has its merits over systemic drug delivery, albeit has some obstacles and problems. Colon drug delivery can be used to create both systemic and local effects. Many advanced approaches are used, such as conventional methods for drug release to colon, delayed release dosage forms, nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, and alginate coated microparticles. This concise review summarizes and elaborates the details of different techniques and strategies on targeted oral drug delivery to colon as well as studies the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations to improve the application of drug in the part of the affected colon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uric acid biosensor has been much developed by immobilizing uricase enzyme into the membrane of conductive polymer and the membrane of polyelectrolyte such as polyaniline (PANI) and poly (allylamine) (PAA) respectively. The purpose of this research was to create a new amperometric uric acid biosensor by immobilization of uricase in combination between PANI and PAA membranes. The working electrode was Pt plate (0.5 mm). The auxiliary and the reference electrode were Pt wire 0.4 mm and Ag/AgCl respectively. Uricase, uric acid, PAA, pyrrole and glutaraldehyde were supplied from Sigma. All other chemical was obtained from Merck. The biosensor was created by immobilizing of uricase by a glutaraldehyde crosslinking procedure on PANI composite film on the surface of a platinum electrode while the polyelectrolyte layer of PAA were prepared via layer-by-layer assembly on the electrode, functioning as H2O2-selective film. Standard of deviation, coefficient of variation (CV) and coefficient of correlation (r) analysis were used in this study. The biosensor had a good linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.993 and it could be used up to 27 times with the CV value of 3.97%. The presence of other compounds such as glucose and ascorbic acid gave 1.3 ± 1.13% and 3.27 ± 2.29% respectively on the interference effect toward the current response of uric acid biosensor. The polymer combination of PANI and PAA can be used as a selective matrix of uric acid biosensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]