Traditional/herbal medicine has gained increasing interests recently, especially in Asian countries such as Vietnam, due to its diverse therapeutic actions. In the treasure of Vietnamese medicinal plants, one of the potential herbs is the roots of Sophora flavescens Ait. (SF, “Kho sam” in Vietnamese). However, limited information has been reported on the Vietnamese SF compositions and their respective alkaloids’ anti-acetylcholinesterase action. Thus, this study investigated the extractions, isolations, identifications, and in-vitro antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, of the SF root extracts and their purified alkaloid compounds. To this end, four pure compounds were successfully isolated, purity-tested by HPLC, and structurally identified by spectroscopic techniques of FTIR, MS, and NMR. These compounds, confirmed to be oxysophocarpine, oxymatrine, matrine, and sophoridine, were then determined their therapeutic actions. The SF extracts and the compounds did not possess significant antioxidant activity using the DPPH and MDA assays, and cytotoxicity action using the MTT assay on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. On the other hand, the SF total extract yielded a moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibition effect, with an IC50 of 0.1077 ± 0.0023 mg/mL. In summary, the SF extract demonstrated potential effects as an anti-acetylcholinesterase agent and could be further researched to become a pharmaceutical product for diseases related to acetylcholine deficiency, such as dementia.

Mangiferin is a xanthonoid found in Mango leaves in abundance with many effects as a hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent, plant metabolite, and so on. However, nowadays, mango leaves are merely a waste product in Vietnam. To take advantage of this valuable medicinal resource, extraction conditions of mangiferin using classical and ultrasound methods were researched, and mangiferin was purified from Cat Chu mango leaves (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae) collected in Dong Thap. Ultrasound-assisted extraction method was conducted with the following conditions and mangiferin was extracted at a percentage of 6.728% with a purity of 91.11%. Purified mangiferin was evaluated using molecular absorption spectroscopy UV-Vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, simultaneous thermal analysis (STA: TGA/DSC), and dissolution measurement method. To optimize the solubility and permeability of mangiferin, the solid dispersion system (HPTR) was made by the combination of HPMC 6M:mangiferin at the ratio of 1:5. To investigate the acute, sub-chronic toxicity and hypolipidemia effect of HPTR as compared to purified mangiferin, we followed guidelines for preclinical and clinical trials of Traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicines by the Vietnam Ministry of Health and OECD, and used tyloxapol (Triton WR1339, 400 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce hyperlipidemia. Our results indicated that purified mangiferin and HPTR extract showed no acute toxicity and sub-chronic toxicity and has potential as an antihyperlipidemic agent. The HPTR brought about a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c when compared to mangiferin, however there was no significance between them.

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst. (Ganodermataceae), commonly called Linhzhi, is traditionally employed in the treatment of human diseases, including hepatitis, liver disorders, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis, bronchitis, and tumorigenic diseases. In this study, the fingerprint profiles of five different strains of G. lucidum originated from Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam, five samples of G. lucidum growing on Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv. in Vietnam, and five related Linhzhi species (Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma australe, Ganoderma clossum, Ganoderma subresinosu, and Ganoderma sp.) were investigated for triterpene derivatives using high-pressure, thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The HPTLC fingerprint profiles demonstrated significant differences between G. lucidum and other related Linhzhi species in the presence of triterpene derivatives. Evaluation for the cytotoxicity of these samples against four cancer cell lines, including A549, MCF7, PC3, and HepG2, displayed various levels of cytotoxic effects, with IC₅₀ values of: 15.6–46.3 µg/mL on the A549 cancer cell line, of 18.4–43.6 µg/mL on the MCF7 cancer cell line, of 10.0–32.1 µg/mL on the PC3 cancer cell line, and of 10.6–27.6 µg/mL on the HepG2 cancer cell line. Conclusively, these data contributed to the literature on the cytotoxic activities and fingerprint analysis of triterpenes by the HPTLC technique for distinguishing Ganoderma species from Vietnam and other Asian countries.

Recent years have seen the development and advancement of pharmaceutical care services using telecommunications, termed telepharmacy, in a variety of countries and settings. This study investigated the motivations/facilitators and barriers to pharmacists implementing telepharmacy at pharmacies/drugstores in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March to May 2022, on 747 pharmacists, at pharmacies in all 13 cities/provinces in the Mekong Delta area, Vietnam. Of the 747 respondents, 74% participants had experience of using telepharmacy. Having a university degree in pharmacy (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.11–3.12; P = 0.018) and a monthly income >8.4 million VND (~357 USD) (aOR = 2.00; 95%CI = 1.16–3.42; P = 0.012) were factors positively associated with telepharmacy use. The factor reported as most greatly motivating telepharmacy use was its ability to provide healthcare services to people in remote/rural areas and those unable to travel (82.3%). The main barrier to telepharmacy use was cited as a lack of policies and regulations on the implementation, application and support of telepharmacy practice (76.8%). More than 75% of those without telepharmacy experience reported that they would like to use it in the future. Telepharmacy use in Vietnam is familiar with the community pharmacists, although the use of telecommunications in pharmacy was only recently adopted in this country. Vietnamese government bodies and policy-makers must issue detailed regulations and instructions governing telepharmacy practice to support these advancements to the healthcare system in Vietnam.

Background: In recent years, there are many medical skin care products, including Centella Asiatica facial cleanser, Green Tea mask, Guava leaf skin care serum... having antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics, Objectives: To study and research the components of cream formulations that using Green Tea, Guava and Centella asiatica extract. Evaluation of products made from these herbs for anti-inflammatory efficacy. Materials and Methods: Developing cream formulations using the emulsifying method after examining the type of emulsifier and the proportion of oil-water to emulsifier phase. Cream compositions are judged based on their stability, gloss, uniformity, permeability, washability. Conducted an in vitro assessment of the preparation's anti-inflammatory efficacy. Lastly, create criteria for standard testing. Results: a cream formulation and test criteria have been established. The final product displayed antiinflammatory properties. Conclusion: successfully researched cream containing Green Tea, Guava and Centella asiatica with anti-inflammatory efficacy with IC50 is 698,02 µg/mL. Đặt vấn đề: Trên thị trường đã có các sản phẩm chăm sóc da từ dược liệu như sữa rửa mặt Rau má, mặt nạ Trà xanh, serum dưỡng da từ lá Ổi… nhờ vào các nghiên cứu về khả năng chống oxy hóa, kháng khuẩn, kháng viêm… Mục tiêu nghiên cứu: Nghiên cứu thành phần công thức bào chế kem và đánh giá hoạt tính kháng viêm từ dược liệu Trà xanh, Ổi và Rau má. Đối tượng và phương pháp nghiên cứu: Tiến hành xây dựng công thức bào chế kem bằng phương pháp nhũ hóa thông qua các bước khảo sát loại chất nhũ hóa, tỷ lệ pha dầu-nước-chất nhũ hóa. Công thức kem được đánh giá thông qua các chỉ tiêu cảm quan, độ ổn định, độ đồng nhất, độ dàn mỏng, khả năng rửa sạch. Tiến hành đánh giá hoạt tính kháng viêm của chế phẩm trên in vitro. Xây dựng tiêu chuẩn kiểm nghiệm kem theo các quy định hiện hành. Kết quả: Đã chọn được loại chất nhũ hóa, tỷ lệ giữa các pha giúp kem đạt được các chỉ tiêu kiểm nghiệm đã xây dựng. Chế phẩm thu được cho thấy có hoạt tính kháng viêm. Kết luận: Đã nghiên cứu thành công kem chứa dược liệu Trà xanh, Ổi và Rau má đạt tiêu chuẩn và có tác dụng hỗ trợ kháng viêm với IC50 của mẫu thử là: 698,02 µg/mL.

Background: The use of antibiotics in children is influenced by the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of caregivers, especially mothers. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use for children among mothers with children under 5 years old in rural areas of northern Vietnam. Methods: This research utilized a cross-sectional descriptive design with a self-administered questionnaire targeting mothers with children under 5 years old in two communes in Hai Duong province and two communes in Hung Yen province. Data collection was conducted from March to April 2023. Chi-square tests and multivariable regression analyses were employed to explore the relationship between the demographic characteristics of mothers and their knowledge, attitudes, and antibiotic use behaviors. Results: The majority of mothers exhibited inadequate knowledge (86.2%), inappropriate attitudes (73.8%), and incorrect antibiotic use behavior (73%). Mothers with university-level education or higher had better knowledge (OR = 4.98; 95% CI: 2.58-9.64) and more correct behaviors (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.31-4.13) in antibiotic use. Mothers with an income higher than 20 million VND exhibited more appropriate attitudes (OR = 5.74; 95% CI: 2.76-11.93) and more correct behaviors (OR = 6.33; 95% CI: 3.18-12.61) regarding antibiotic use. Conclusion: The majority of mothers possess incorrect knowledge, improper attitudes, and irrational antibiotic use behaviors. This calls for continuous interventions and collaborations between healthcare professionals and the community, particularly parents, to enhance the understanding of rational antibiotic use.