Molecular imprinting is a technique for creating artificial recognition sites on polymer matrices that complement the template in terms of size, shape, and spatial arrangement of functional groups. The main advantage of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP) as the polymer for use with a molecular imprinting technique is that they have high selectivity and affinity for the target molecules used in the molding process. The components of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer are template, functional monomer, cross-linker, solvent, and initiator. Many things determine the success of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer, but the Molecularly Imprinted Polymer component and the interaction between template-monomers are the most critical factors. This review will discuss how to find the interaction between template and monomer in Molecularly Imprinted Polymer before polymerization and after polymerization and choose the suitable component for MIP development. Computer simulation, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) are generally used to determine the type and strength of intermolecular interaction on pre-polymerization stage. In turn, Suspended State Saturation Transfer Difference High Resolution/Magic Angle Spinning (STD HR/MAS) NMR, Raman Spectroscopy, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Fluorescence Spectroscopy are used to detect chemical interaction after polymerization. Hydrogen bonding is the type of interaction that is becoming a focus to find on all methods as this interaction strongly contributes to the affinity of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).

A multi-template molecularly imprinting polymer (MT-MIP) strategy has been proposed and is increasingly utilised to synthesise MIP with multiple recognition sites in a single polymer using multiple target species as templates. This approach can expand MIP applications for simultaneous recognition and extraction of more than one analyte. The advantages of MT-MIP are simultaneous analyte extraction in one process, lower solvent consumption, cost-effectiveness, and short analysis time. The use of multiple templates to prepare a MIP reduces the effort required to prepare different MIPs for different analytes separately. Although there are many studies about developing MT-MIP, there are no review articles that discuss the success rate of MT-MIP. Therefore, in this review, we summarise MT-MIP synthesis, including the polymerisation method being used, the important factors that affect the quality of MT-MIP, and MT-MIP applications. MT-MIP has great potential in chemical isolation and analysis. MT-MIP produces a product that has good sensitivity, selectivity, and reusability. Furthermore, many templates, functional monomers, and crosslinkers can be formulated as MT-MIP and have a high success rate. This is evidenced by the good values of the maximum absorption capacity (Qmax), imprinting factor (IF), and reusability. We expect that the evidence presented in this review can encourage additional research on the development and application of MT-MIP.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are specific crosslinked polymers that exhibit binding sites for template molecules. MIPs have been developed in various application areas of biology and chemistry; however, MIPs have some problems, including an irregular material shape. In recent years, studies have been conducted to overcome this drawback, with the synthesis of uniform microsphere MIPs or molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIMs). The polymer microsphere is limited to a minimum size of 5 nm and a molecular weight of 10,000 Da. This review describes the methods used to produce MIMs, such as precipitation polymerisation, controlled/‘Living’ radical precipitation polymerisation (CRPP), Pickering emulsion polymerisation and suspension polymerisation. In addition, some green chemistry aspects and future perspectives will also be given.

Gambir (Uncaria gambir, Roxb.) contains catechins that is often empirically used to treat various diseases. Catechins can reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting coenzyme HMG-CoA reductase that plays a role in cholesterol metabolism. Research has been carried out covering the optimization of transethosomal catechins, the formulation of Transethosomal Catechin Gel (TCG) and Non-Transethosomal Catechin Gel (NTCG), which were then tested for catechin permeation from these gel preparations in vitro using Franz’s diffusion cell with PTFE membranes. The anti-hypercholesterol activity test was carried out with Simvastatin orally as a positive control using 25 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). The catechin transetosomes have a size of 176.1 ± 5.8 nm, Zeta potential −11.6 ± 5.28, and Entrapment Efficacy of 96.77% ± 0.05. The result of cumulative catechins that permeated from TCG and NTCG were and 172.454 ± 5.287 and 112.741 ± 2.241 μg respectively. Permeation test graphs showed similar permeation and flux profiles. TCG can reduce total cholesterol and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) values in rats by 39.77% and 51.52% respectively during 14 days of use.

Molecularly Imprinted Microspheres (MIMs) or Microsphere Molecularly Imprinted Polymers represent an innovative design for the selective extraction of active compounds from natural products, showcasing effectiveness and cost-efficiency. MIMs, crosslinked polymers with specific binding sites for template molecules, overcome irregularities observed in traditional Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs). Their adaptability to the shape and size of target molecules allows for the capture of compounds from complex mixtures. This review article delves into exploring the potential practical applications of MIMs, particularly in the extraction of active compounds from natural products. Additionally, it provides insights into the broader development of MIM technology for the purification of active compounds. The synthesis of MIMs encompasses various methods, including precipitation polymerization, suspension polymerization, Pickering emulsion polymerization, and Controlled/Living Radical Precipitation Polymerization. These methods enable the formation of MIPs with controlled particle sizes suitable for diverse analytical applications. Control over the template-to-monomer ratio, solvent type, reaction temperature, and polymerization time is crucial to ensure the successful synthesis of MIPs effective in isolating active compounds from natural products. MIMs have been utilized to isolate various active compounds from natural products, such as aristolochic acids from Aristolochia manshuriensis and flavonoids from Rhododendron species, among others. Based on the review, suspension polymerization deposition, which is one of the techniques used in creating MIPs, can be classified under the MIM method. This is due to its ability to produce polymers that are more homogeneous and exhibit better selectivity compared to traditional MIP techniques. Additionally, this method can achieve recovery rates ranging from 94.91% to 113.53% and purities between 86.3% and 122%. The suspension polymerization process is relatively straightforward, allowing for the effective control of viscosity and temperature. Moreover, it is cost-effective as it utilizes water as the solvent.

Accelerated cancer cell growth requires a massive intake of amino acids. Overexpression of L-type (large) amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) on the cancer cell membrane facilitates such a demand, which is limited in normal organs. Therefore, LAT1 overexpression is ideal as a molecular cancer therapeutic target. JPH203, a LAT1-selective non-transportable blocker, had demonstrated LAT1 inhibition in <10 µM IC₅₀ values and effectively suppressed cancer cell growth in studies involving several types of cancer cell lines and tumor xenograft models. A limited phase I clinical trial was performed on five different solid tumors and showed that JPH203 is well-tolerated and has a promising activity for the treatment of bile duct cancer. This review details the development and prospect of JPH203 as a LAT1-targeting cancer therapy.