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Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to control blood glucose levels and improve digestive health. These benefits are closely associated with its bioactive metabolite content. This article aims to characterize the bioactive metabolites of bitter melon and to review their potential bioactivity in glycemic control and digestive function. The method employed includes a literature-based characterization of metabolites, identification of major classes of active compounds, and evaluation of analytical techniques commonly applied in natural product research, such as phytochemical screening, chromatography, and spectroscopic analysis. The results indicate that bitter melon contains various bioactive metabolites, including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenoids, and polyphenols, which contribute to blood glucose reduction by enhancing insulin sensitivity and inhibiting glucose absorption. Furthermore, these compounds support digestive health by improving digestive enzyme activity, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects, and maintaining gut microbial balance. In conclusion, bitter melon represents a promising source of natural bioactive compounds with significant potential for application in health and pharmaceutical development.

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. is a bioactive plant containing polysaccharides, anthraquinones, sterols, vitamins, minerals, and glycoproteins, contributing to wound healing through anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant mechanisms, fibroblast stimulation, and accelerated re-epithelialization. This study employed a systematic literature review (SLR) of 37 peer-reviewed articles (2018–2025) to evaluate the biochemical potential of Aloe vera and its application as a basis for modern pharmaceutical topical formulations. Results revealed that acemannan increased fibroblast proliferation by up to 200, modulated TGF-1, enhanced type I and III collagen deposition, and accelerated re-epithelialization. Anthraquinones such as aloin and emodin exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Nanoemulsion and nanogel formulations improved transdermal penetration up to threefold compared to conventional gels. These findings highlight Aloe vera’s potential as a wound healing agent and a basis for modern pharmaceutical topical preparations.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a staple food that is widely consumed by the Indonesian population, especially in rural areas. However, during post-harvest handling and storage, cassava is highly susceptible to contamination by microorganisms, particularly fungi. These fungi can cause damage to the food, reduce its nutritional quality, and even produce mycotoxins that are harmful to human health. The increased risk of contamination has become an important concern in efforts to improve the quality and safety of cassava food products. This study aimed to identify the morphology of fungal colonies and the characteristics of fungal cell walls isolated from cassava stored in open environmental conditions for several days. The methods used in this study included isolation using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media, macroscopic observation of fungal colony morphology, including color, edge, elevation, and texture, as well as Gram staining to observe the fungal cell wall properties. The results of this study revealed a diversity of fungal colony morphology, with three dominant types suspected to belong to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. Gram staining showed that the three isolates were characterized as Gram-negative, indicated by the absorption of safranin as the secondary stain. This study provides an initial overview of the types of fungi that may develop on cassava during storage, and it offers a foundation for further studies on the toxicity and food microbiology applications related to cassava. Morphological identification and Gram staining play an essential role in the initial screening before molecular identification is performed.

This study aims to explore the potential of cassava extract (Manihot esculenta)-based growth media for isolating microorganisms from soil. The use of alternative culture media is crucial, especially in regions with limited access to commercial media such as Nutrient Agar or Potato Dextrose Agar, which are relatively expensive. Cassava, a tropical tuber rich in starch and widely available in Indonesia, offers significant promise as a natural substrate for microbial growth. Microbial isolation was performed using a serial dilution method on soil samples collected from an organic garden. The media was prepared from cassava juice mixed with agar and glucose, sterilized, and poured into petri dishes. After inoculation, microbes were incubated for seven days at room temperature. Colony morphology was observed macroscopically, and Gram staining was used to identify bacterial characteristics. The results revealed that cassava extract media effectively supported the growth of diverse microbial colonies, varying in shape, color, and edge structure. Most isolates were identified as Gram-positive, with rod and coccus forms. The presence of pigmented colonies indicates the potential of certain isolates to produce bioactive compounds. In conclusion, cassava extract-based media is a viable alternative for soil microbiology studies. It is not only cost-effective but also facilitates the exploration of local microbial diversity with potential applications in biotechnology, including bioremediation and enzyme production. This approach encourages the use of indigenous resources in scientific research, promoting sustainability and accessibility in microbiological practices.

Solid waste from the tapioca processing industry, which is based on cassava (Manihot esculenta), is a medium rich in organic matter, particularly starch, that supports the growth of various types of microorganisms, especially fungi and bacteria. This study aims to isolate and observe the morphology of microorganisms from solid waste of cassava from the tapioca industry using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium in a series of pharmaceutical microbiology practicum. Waste samples were taken from the tapioca processing site, then underwent a serial dilution process and inoculation into PDA medium, which was incubated at 28–30°C for 5 days. The isolation results showed the growth of microorganisms with diverse colony morphologies, which are suspected to originate from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus, based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The presence of these microorganisms indicates the potential utilization of cassava waste as a source of microbial isolates for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications, such as enzyme production and development of bioactive compounds. This practicum activity also contributes to increasing students' understanding of isolation techniques, microorganism characterization, and their role in biological-based waste management.

Fermentation of ikan bekasam is a traditional process that involves the activity of microorganisms to produce a product with distinct taste, aroma, and texture. This process includes various microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, that play a crucial role in the transformation of fish properties during fermentation. This study aims to isolate, identify, and characterize the microorganisms involved in the fermentation of ikan bekasam using Gram staining and specific staining techniques. The isolation process was carried out using selective media to grow microorganisms from the bekasam samples, including both the fish and the fermentation liquid. Microorganism identification was performed by observing colony morphology, microscopic characteristics, and biochemical reactions. Gram staining was used to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while specific staining techniques were employed to detect certain cellular structures that aid in the identification of microorganisms. The characterization of microorganisms included an analysis of their physiological and biochemical properties, such as their ability to produce enzymes or secondary metabolites that play a role in fermentation and the development of the characteristic bekasam flavor. The results of the study showed that ikan bekasam contains a variety of microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. and Pediococcus spp., which play a primary role in fermentation by providing the characteristic sourness. In addition, yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae were found in the bekasam samples, contributing to the fermentation process. Fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., were also isolated, although their role in the fermentation of ikan bekasam is more limited. This study provides insights into the diversity of microorganisms involved in the fermentation of ikan bekasam and their potential applications in the food industry. These findings open up opportunities to optimize the fermentation process by utilizing these microorganisms to produce more consistent and high-quality bekasam. Future research could further explore the optimal conditions for improving the quality of this fermented product.

Vegetable ingredients are natural sources of active compounds that have the potential to be used as control agents for pathogenic microorganisms in various fields, including health and agriculture. This study aims to evaluate the synergistic effect between aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) and bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides L.) extracts on inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in different media. Aloe vera extract is obtained using the infundation method, while bandotan extract is obtained using the maceration technique. The concentrations tested were 30%, 45%, and 60% for each extract, as well as a combination of both. Testing was carried out on two main applications: as an antiseptic hand sanitizer by testing germ colonies using Plate Count Agar (PCA), and as a bacteria control Erwinia carotovora, the cause of carrot tuber rot, using the Path Ways Analysis test. The results showed that the combination of aloe vera and bandotan extracts had more significant inhibitory effectiveness than single extracts in both applications. A combination concentration of 60% gave the best results with a reduction in bacterial colonies of up to 90%. The mechanism of action of active compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics and saponins in this vegetable extract plays an important role in damaging bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting the metabolism of microorganisms. This research confirms the potential of using local plant materials as an environmentally friendly and economical solution for controlling pathogenic bacteria in the health and agricultural sectors.

Cancer therapy has undergone remarkable advancements in recent decades, driven by innovations in gene therapy, cell-based therapy, and the development of anti-cancer drugs from natural products. Gene therapy offers the possibility of correcting genetic mutations that cause cancer, while cell-based therapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, provide personalized and effective solutions. Additionally, the exploration of natural compounds continues to be a promising approach in anti-cancer drug development. This paper discusses recent progress in these three fields, highlighting their potential, challenges, and implications for future clinical applications.

This research aims to analyze the summation of blood cells so that it becomes a reference for pharmacy students in their learning and becomes the foundation for further study of pathology, pharmacology, and therapeutic mechanisms that they can use in professional practice. This study uses qualitative research, primary data sources and secondary data sources generated from literature studies, data types in the form of qualitative, data collection techniques in the form of tracing previous research, data analysis techniques in the form of qualitative descriptive.  Blood is one of the organs in the human body that is very vital. Blood is a unit consisting of blood cells and blood plasma. This analysis is carried out to obtain information about the sum of blood cells in the human body, hospitals or laboratories conduct blood analysis with excellent accuracy but the shortcomings lie in the slow process and the accuracy becomes non-standardized because it depends on the level of expertise/experience of the operator and also the level of fatigue. Efforts to overcome the length of time and for the purpose of initial diagnosis can use image processing techniques based on blood cell morphology. Along with the development of technology, there are currently several researchers who are conducting various studies in the application of computerized methods used in the classification of white blood cell types. The main function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs and distribute it throughout the body. The analysis of human blood is very important, especially related to the diagnosis of a disease. Based on the results of this study, it shows how many red blood cells are present in the body and can be applied to detect a disease. For pharmacy students, an understanding of the sum of blood cells is necessary to develop knowledge and will be useful in clinical practice.

In Jambi, research has been conducted on candlenut seed extract which has been proven to be of high quality and has been widely marketed throughout Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of candlenut seed extract (Aurites moluccana L.) on various hair problems such as graying and hair loss. This study is a literature study that uses data collection methods from library sources. Secondary data is compiled and analyzed to reach conclusions regarding the topic studied. Candlenut plants (Aleurites moluccana L.) have the potential as hair fertilizers and health care, thanks to the content of saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols found in seeds, leaves, and roots. The Dayak ethnic group uses burned candlenut fruit for hair care. In addition, candlenuts also function as a medicine for flu and colds, and have anticancer properties. The conclusion of this review is to support the potential of candlenut seed extract as a solution to hair problems However, further research is needed to understand how the active ingredients involved work and to standardize testing methods to ensure the clinical application of the extract's efficacy.