Objectives: The current investigation was conducted to examine the anticancer effect of polyisoprenoids from Avicennia marina and Avicennia lanata leaves in WiDr cells. Selectivity index (SI), cell cycle inhibition, and apoptosis activity were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The anticancer activity of polyisoprenoids from A. marina and A. lanata leaves was determined by observing the activity of these compounds toward WiDr cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The SI was determined from the IC₅₀ of the polyisoprenoid extract in normal cells (Vero) versus cancer cells (WiDr). Inhibited cell cycle and increased apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Polyisoprenoid extract from A. marina and A. lanata leaves exhibited anticancer activity against WiDr cells with an IC₅₀ of 154.987 μg/mL and 305.928 μg/mL, respectively. The polyisoprenoid extract from A. marina leaves had an SI value of 5.195 (>3) for categorization as exceptionally selective. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the inhibition occurred in the G0–G1 phase and apoptosis occurred in the early-apoptosis development. Conclusion: Polyisoprenoids from A. marina and A. lanata leaves can be used as anticancer agents against WiDr colon cancer cells. The mechanisms that underlie anticancer activity of the extract were due to by inhibiting of cell cycle and inducing of apoptosis. Abbreviations used: DMSO: Dimethylsulfoxide, MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, PBS: Phosphate buffer saline, SDS: Sodium dodecyl sulfate.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, since December 2019, is a major health problem and concern worldwide. The pandemic has impacted various fields, from the social to the development of health science and technology. The virus has been mutating and thus producing several new variants, rushing research in the field of molecular biology to develop rapidly to overcome the problems that occur. Vaccine clinical studies are developing promptly with the aim of obtaining vaccines that are effective in suppressing the spread of the virus; however, the development of viral mutations raises concerns about the decreasing effectiveness of the resulting vaccine, which also results in the need for more in-depth studies. There have been 330 vaccines developed, including 136 clinical developments and 194 pre-clinical developments. The SARS-CoV-2 variant continues to evolve today, and it poses a challenge in testing the effectiveness of existing vaccines. This is a narrative review describing the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, development of vaccine platforms, identification of concerning mutations and virus variants in various countries of the world, and real-world monitoring of post-vaccination effectiveness and surveillance.

In 2020, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths have occurred worldwide, with colorectal cancer ranking as the third most frequently diagnosed (10.0%). Several attempts have been conducted against cancer, including surgery, radiation, monoclonal antibodies, and chemotherapy. Many people choose natural products as alternatives against cancer. These products will not only help in human life preservation but also work as a source of up-to-date information, leading people away from incorrect information. We discuss the current status, distribution, and future implications of protecting populations with natural products as an alternative against colorectal cancer in Indonesia. Thirty-eight studies were included in this review for data extraction. The distribution of natural products in Indonesia that have potential activity against colorectal cancer cells was predominated by terpenoids, followed by phytosterols, phenolics, alkaloids, and polyisoprenoids. The type of cell line utilized in the cytotoxic activity analysis of natural products was the WiDr cell line, followed by HT-29 cells and HCT-116 cells. This review showed that MTT in vitro assay is a general method used to analyze the cytotoxic activity of a natural product against colorectal cancer cells, followed by other in vitro and in vivo methods. The systematic review provided predictions for several secondary metabolites to be utilized as an alternative treatment against colorectal cancer in Indonesia. It also might be a candidate for a future co-chemotherapy agent in safety, quality, and standardization. In addition, computational methods are being developed to predict the drug-likeness of compounds, thus, drug discovery is already on the road towards electronic research and development.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer world wide and has been occurred more in developing regions. The use of conventional chemotherapy agents may lead to various adverse effects. Therefore, it is required to find the potential drug for anticancer from alternative source of natural product including mangrove plants. The present study was conducted to determine the anticancer activity of polyisoprenoids from Avicennia alba Blume. leaves (PAL) in WiDr cells. Cell cycle inhibition, apoptosis activity, and suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also evaluated. The anticancer activity of PAL was determined by observing the activity of these compounds against WiDr cells using the [3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difenil tetrazolium bromida] MTT assay. Inhibition of the cell cycle and increased apoptosis were analysed by flowcytometry. Suppression of COX-2 was analysed using immunocytochemistry. PAL exhibited anticancer activity against WiDr cells with an IC50 of 173.775 mu g/mL. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the inhibition occurred in the G0-G1 phase, and apoptosis occurred in the early apoptosis phase. Furthermore, the result of an analysis of COX-2 expression showed that PAL enabled the suppression of COX-2 expression. PAL can be used as anticancer agents against WiDr colon cancer cells. However, in-vivo studies is required to confirm the in-vitro finding of the anticancer activity of polyisoprenoid extract.

The plants are rich sources of secondary metabolites, a bioactive compound that has various activities. Flavonoids, as a type of secondary metabolite, have been reported to possess anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Flavonoid has been found abundantly in Neem (Azadirachta indica Juss.) leaves. The difference in total flavonoid content might be an occurrence of the different solvent types and concentrations. The present study was conducted to analyze the phytochemical and determine the total flavonoid content of neem leaves extract using two different solvents (namely 70% ethanol and ethyl acetate) using UV-Vis spectrophotometric. The extraction from neem leaves was performed by maceration method. Phytochemical analysis of neem leaves reveals several secondary metabolites: flavonoids, steroids/triterpenoids, tannins, and saponins. Total flavonoid content from both extracts was determined by utilizing the UV-Vis spectrophotometric method at a maximum wavelength of 428.2 nm with three repetitions, and also quercetin was used as a standard. Total flavonoid content from neem leaves extract in solvents of 70% ethanol and ethyl acetate had a value of 118.57 ± 0.08 mg/g QE and 74.17 ± 0.20 mg/g QE, respectively. Neem leaves extract in solvents of 70% ethanol and ethyl acetate had identical phytochemical content. Total flavonoid content of neem leaves from 70% ethanol extract was higher than ethyl acetate extract.

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the most popular coffees among Acehnese, an ethnic group from Aceh, Indonesia. The amount of coffee consumed is directly proportional to the amount of coffee waste produced. Spent coffee grounds are the residue obtained during the brewing process. Spent coffee grounds can be utilized by converting them into active charcoal adsorbents. This study aimed to produce activated charcoal from spent arabica coffee grounds (SACG), to utilize it as an active ingredient in the liquid bath soap formulations, and to determine the best formula. The characterization of activated charcoal was conducted and compared to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The liquid bath soap contains activated charcoal from SACG was divided into five formulas with various concentrations of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) surfactants. Furthermore, the evaluation of liquid bath soap formula was performed. The characterization results showed that activated charcoal produced from SACG met the SNI requirements with a yield of 86.3%, volatile substance content of 10.67%, water content of 5.67%, ash content of 1.7%, pure carbon content of 81.96%, and iodium absorption of 1522.8 mg/g. The evaluation results revealed that liquid bath soap formula with activated charcoal from SACG containing a combination of 5% CAPB and 5% SLS (F5) was the best formula that met the requirements. SACG can be used as an excellent raw material for activated charcoal in liquid bath soap formulations.