Journal Pharmaceutical Science and Application

THE EFFECT OF MICROMETRIC PROPERTIES AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASUREMENT METHODS ON PHARMACEUTICAL RAW MATERIALS: A REVIEW

2025-06-20T03:15:24+00:00

Background: Tablet preparations consist of active substance compositions with or without additional substances (excipients). Micrometric properties are taken into consideration in the development of solid formulations because they can play a role in formulating formulations to obtain optimal therapeutic targets and ranges to form products that can be fully developed. In selecting a tablet manufacturing method, namely the direct compression method, it is very necessary to have a substance that has good flowability and compressibility. Objective: In this study, observations were made on the poor micrometric properties in order to increase the specific gravity of the particles used so that an optimal drug formulation is obtained. Methods: The writing method used is a comparative method by collecting various sources obtained from research journals from 2014-2024. Results: Observations of micrometric properties can increase along with modifications to substances or compounds, namely by using the carboxymethylation, crystallization, and agglomeration methods. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical raw materials that have poor micrometric properties can be improved by modifying them either through carboxymethylation, crystallization, or agglomeration processes. So that it can reduce the Carr index and increase the Hausner ratio of the material, then the specific gravity test provides information about the purity of the compound.

Keywords: Micrometric; Specific gravity; Carboxymethylation; Crystallization; Agglomeration.

EFFECT OF EXTRACTION METHODS ON TOTAL FLAVONOID CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY POTENTIAL OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF GALING-GALING LEAVES (Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin)

2025-06-20T04:37:34+00:00

Background: Antioxidants play a key role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Flavonoids, a class of secondary metabolites, are known for their strong antioxidant properties. Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin is an Indonesian endemic plant with medicinal potential, particularly as a natural antioxidant source. The extraction process is a critical step in isolating bioactive compounds and must be optimized to maximize flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of different extraction methods— maceration, sonication, and Soxhlet extraction—on the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of C. trifolia (L.) Domin leaves. Methods: This experimental study used three extraction techniques: maceration, sonication, and Soxhlet extraction. Total flavonoid content was determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and expressed as mg quercetin equivalent per gram of extract (mg QE/g extract). Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and expressed as IC₅₀ (ppm). Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with a 95% confidence level. Results: The sonication method yielded the highest total flavonoid content (41.82 ± 0.011 mg QE/g extract) and the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 66.523 ± 0.449 ppm), followed by Soxhlet extraction (35.78 ± 0.01 mg QE/g; IC₅₀ = 84.217 ± 0.565 ppm), and maceration (18.48 ± 0.01 mg QE/g; IC₅₀ = 94.579 ± 1.12 ppm). Statistical analysis showed that the extraction method significantly affected both total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The extraction method significantly influences the yield of total flavonoids and antioxidant activity in C. trifolia ethanolic leaf extracts. Sonication was found to be the most effective method, suggesting its potential use in optimizing the recovery of antioxidant compounds from plant materials.

Keywords: Antioxidant Activity; Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin; DPPH; Extraction methods; Total Flavonoid Contents.

ANALYSIS OF PATIENT KNOWLEDGE LEVELS IN SELF-MEDICATION FOR DIARRHEA USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN PHARMACIES IN THE SOUTH DENPASAR REGION

2025-06-20T05:09:37+00:00

Background: Diarrhea remains a significant public health issue in Indonesia, often prompting self-medication managing minor ailments without medical consultation. With advances in digital health, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers decision support for symptom assessment and treatment guidance. However, the extent of patient understanding and use of AI in self-medication remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate patient knowledge regarding AI's role in self-medication for diarrhea in pharmacies in South Denpasar and to assess whether patients actively use AI-powered applications or simply acknowledge their potential. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 purposively selected respondents. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using chi-squared tests. The questionnaire included items on knowledge and experience with AI-based health tools. Results: Most respondents were aged 17–44 (91.3%), male (50.6%), had higher education (69.4%), and worked in the private sector (85.6%). A total of 87.5% showed high self-medication knowledge, and 98.1% reported using AI-based applications. Significant associations were found between education and knowledge (p=0.002) and between occupation and knowledge (p=0.001). Conclusion: Education and employment significantly influence self-medication knowledge enhanced by AI. These findings highlight the increasing role of AI in healthcare and the need for structured patient education to support informed AI use.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Diarrhea; Knowledge; Pharmacy; Self-Medication.

COMBINED CONVENTIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY ON BREAST CANCER PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN BALI

2025-06-20T05:15:49+00:00

Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely adopted by female breast cancer patients seeking to improve their health-related quality of life. However, research related to the quality of life of breast cancer patients who use CAM is still ambiguous and has never been done in Indonesia. Objective: This study aims to compare the quality of life between breast cancer patients who use conventional therapy (chemotherapy) with a combination of conventional therapy and CAM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 women who underwent chemotherapy at least one cycle at RSUD Sanjiwani, Gianyar. Participants were divided into two groups: those treated with conventional therapy only, and those who also incorporated CAM therapies such as massage, herbal medicine, and spiritual healing practices. Assessment of quality of life in patients was conducted using the standardized EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Quality-of-life scores between groups were compared using an independent t-test. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in breast cancer patients who used conventional therapy (chemotherapy) with a combination of conventional therapy and CAM in the domain of global health status (61, 67 vs 71.67, p=0.000), cognitive functioning (54.33 vs 27.67, p=0.000), role functioning (53.33 vs 29.33, p=0.009), fatigue (35.22 vs 24.44, p=0.000), nausea and vomiting (74 vs 45.67, p=0.000) and pain (85.67 vs 52.33, p=0.000). Conclusion: The combination of conventional therapy and CAM significantly improved global health status and symptom management in breast cancer patients, suggesting its potential to enhance quality of life alongside standard treatment.

Keywords: Breast Cancer; Complementary and Alternative Medication (CAM); Conventional; EORTC QLQ-C30; Quality of Life.

THE ROLE OF PHARMACOECONOMICS IN DETERMINING TREATMENT SELECTION IN INDONESIA: A SCOPING REVIEW

2025-06-21T23:44:00+00:00

Background: Pharmacoeconomic analysis is a crucial tool for assessing the economic impact of alternative drug therapies, especially amid rising healthcare costs in Indonesia. It evaluates whether the benefits of a treatment justify the additional costs, supporting pharmacists in selecting effective and cost-efficient therapies that enhance patient quality of life. Four main types of pharmacoeconomic studies are commonly used: Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), Cost Minimization Analysis (CMA), Cost Utility Analysis (CUA), and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA). Objective: This review aims to provide an overview of pharmacoeconomic studies that can serve as a reference for pharmacists in Indonesia in selecting appropriate treatments, focusing on literature from national journals published within the last 10 years. Methods: A literature review was conducted using primary data from national research publications accessed via Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were studies involving pharmacoeconomic evaluations related to therapy selection, published from 2015 onward in national journals. Studies examined include those covering drug utilization patterns, cost estimation, and alignment with the national formulary. Results: CEA and CUA are the most frequently applied pharmacoeconomic methods in Indonesia, particularly for evaluating antihypertensive, antiinfective, and cardiovascular drugs. These methods offer valuable insights that help pharmacists determine clinically effective and economically viable treatment options. Conclusion: Pharmacoeconomic studies are essential in supporting pharmacists in balancing treatment efficacy with cost considerations. Their application is particularly important in the context of the National Health Insurance (JKN), where informed decisions are needed to ensure cost-effective, sustainable healthcare delivery.

Keywords: Cost Benefit Analysis; Cost Effectiveness Analysis; Cost Minimization Analysis; Cost Utility Analysis; Pharmacoeconomics.

Table of Content

2025-06-27T10:10:34+00:00

We invite you to explore the contents of Volume 7, Issue 1 (June 2025) of the Journal Pharmaceutical Science and Application (JPSA). This issue features original research and review articles across various areas of pharmaceutical science.

The downloadable Table of Contents (ToC) includes:

The journal cover page
A full editorial board list
The complete list of published articles in this issue