Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) is known for its diverse pharmacological activities due to its rich phytoconstituents, including curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol. Typically, these compounds are extracted using organic solvents, which pose health and environmental risks. Therefore, safer and more environmentally friendly green extraction methods are being developed. This study investigated the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) based on choline chloride and organic acids (lactic, malic, and citric acid) to find the best combination for extracting curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol from Javanese turmeric. Results showed that UAE using choline chloride and malic acid (1:1) (ChCl-MA) yielded the best results. The Box-Behnken Design optimized water addition, solvent-to-powder ratio, and extraction time, with optimal conditions being 25 % water addition, a 20 mL/g ratio, and a 15-minute extraction time. This method yielded 4.58 mg/g of curcuminoids and 12.93 mg/g of xanthorrhizol. Furthermore, the ChCl-MA NADES with UAE extraction showed more cytoselective activity towards the HeLa cancer cell line compared to the non-cancer HaCaT cell line. In contrast, traditional ethanol extraction was non-selective, as indicated by similar cell viability reductions in both HeLa and HaCaT cells at 6.25 ppm. Collectively, this study is the first to report the optimal NADES combination with UAE, based on salts and organic acids, for the extraction of Javanese turmeric rhizomes with selective cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. These findings may contribute to the development of novel, naturally derived anticancer agents using green extraction techniques.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly associated with alterations in cholesterol metabolism. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), an enzyme regulating low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) degradation, has been implicated in AD through mechanisms involving amyloid-β (Aβ) processing, tau phosphorylation, and synaptic dysfunction. This review aimed to evaluate clinical, genetic, and experimental evidence regarding the role of PCSK9 in AD and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (2020–2025) using predefined terms related to PCSK9 and Alzheimer’s disease. Eligible studies included clinical, in vivo, and in vitro investigations reporting PCSK9 expression, regulation, or inhibition in relation to AD pathology. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Forty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Preclinical findings consistently showed that elevated PCSK9 may indirectly promote Aβ accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline, while genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9 mitigates these effects. Clinical evidence was variable: several studies identified increased PCSK9 levels in cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue of AD patients, often correlating with tau markers, but large-scale genetic and Mendelian randomization studies did not confirm a causal association. PCSK9 inhibitors, widely used in cardiovascular therapy, demonstrated potent LDL-C reduction without cognitive adverse effects. Experimental data suggest that PCSK9 contributes to AD-related pathology, whereas human evidence indicates a modulatory or biomarker role rather than a causative one. Despite strong preclinical data, human genetics lacks causal evidence for PCSK9 in Alzheimer’s. It may be a disease modifier or biomarker; its clinical relevance requires confirmation through longitudinal studies and CNS-penetrant therapies.

Skin aging is driven by oxidative stress, extracellular matrix degradation, and ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced cellular injury. Plant-derived bioactives with multi-targeted protective actions offer promising avenues for cosmeceutical development. This study assessed ethanolic leaf extracts of Vitex trifolia, an Indonesian medicinal plant traditionally used for skin disorders. Phytochemical analysis showed a total phenolic content of 78.52 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content of 1.99 ± 0.02 mg QE/g. LC–HRMS profiling identified major flavonoid and phenolic acid derivatives. Antioxidant assays demonstrated strong radical-scavenging and reducing activities, with IC₅₀ values of 63.47 ± 0.24 (DPPH) and 70.13 ± 1.28 μg/mL (ABTS) and a Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) value of 36.3 ± 0.18 FeSO₄ eq/100 g. Enzymatic studies confirmed potent collagenase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 27.94 ± 3.20 μg/mL) and moderate elastase inhibition, supported by molecular docking analysis. In HaCaT keratinocytes, the extract remained non-cytotoxic up to 100 μg/mL and exerted cytoprotective activity against UVB-induced damage at 12.5–50 μg/mL. The extract also downregulated UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression up to 42% and 69%, respectively, outperforming ascorbic acid. These findings highlight V. trifolia as a multifunctional natural candidate for anti-photoaging cosmeceutical applications over single-compound antioxidants, as demonstrated by its combined antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, cytoprotective, and MMP-modulating activities, as well as a wider cell safety profile.

As a result of observations and joint discussions with the Village Community, information was obtained that there are agricultural products in the form of spices with high annual production quantities. However, the selling value of these spices still needs to be improved. Technology has not touched them and has yet to be managed optimally. Therefore, the team empowers the community to process herbs into food products, namely health drinks and spices based on pharmaceutical technology. This activity aims to improve community welfare and mutual elements of human resources in the region. This activity was attended by 28 community members who are Partners and Village Officials. Social empowerment of the society involved in the downstream activities of agricultural products in Sukajaya Village will be carried out through socialization stages, FGD with society and village officials, establishing a micro business plan for downstream health drink products and spices building production facilities, and assistance. This activity produces products in spices, health drinks, and herbal candy. At least 80-90% of the community understands each stage of the activity so that it can become a provision for self-development. The output of this activity is in the form of innovative products, such as health drinks and spice products, which can increase partner empowerment.

Skin aging is driven by oxidative stress, extracellular matrix degradation, and UVB-induced cellular injury. Plant-derived bioactives with multi-targeted protective actions offer promising avenues for cosmeceutical development. This study assessed ethanolic leaf extracts of Vitex trifolia, an Indonesian medicinal plant traditionally used for skin disorders. Phytochemical analysis showed a total phenolic content of 78.52 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content of 1.99 ± 0.02 mg QE/g. LC–HRMS profiling identified major metabolites including casticin and several flavonoid and phenolic acid derivatives. Antioxidant assays demonstrated strong radical-scavenging and reducing activities, with IC₅₀ value of 63.47 ± 0.24 (DPPH) and 70.13 ± 1.28 μg/mL (ABTS), and a FRAP value of 36.3 ± 0.18 FeSO₄ eq/100 g. Enzymatic studies confirmed potent collagenase inhibition (IC₅₀=27.94 ± 3.20 μg/mL) and moderate elastase inhibition. In HaCaT keratinocytes, V. trifolia extract remained non-toxic up to 100 μg/mL and exerted cytoprotective activity against UVB-induced damage at 12.5–50 μg/mL. The extract also downregulated UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression up to 42% and 69%, respectively, outperforming ascorbic acid. These findings highlight V. trifolia as a promising natural anti-aging agent with strong antioxidant, protease-inhibitory and photoprotective properties, supporting its potential as safe and effective cosmeceutical ingredient.

Neurological disorders affect billions of people worldwide, with oxidative stress and its associated cellular mechanisms recognized as key pathological drivers of neuronal damage. Despite this, natural agents capable of targeting these mechanisms remain underexplored. Physalis angulata L. (PA) contains physalins and withanolides known for their neuroprotective properties, though its in vivo neuroprotective mechanism remains poorly characterized. This study evaluated the preventive neuroprotective effects of PA leaf extract using an integrated developmental, behavioral, and metabolomic approach in a H₂O₂-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. PA extract demonstrated moderate-to-strong antioxidant capacity (ABTS IC₅₀ = 66.66 ppm; DPPH IC₅₀ = 114.91 ppm). Treatment with 50 ppm PA extract provided optimal neuroprotection, significantly restoring body length, yolk sac utilization, and heart rate, while markedly improving locomotor activity and reducing anxiety-like thigmotaxis behavior. Notably, PA extract demonstrated superior efficacy compared to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) across multiple developmental and behavioral endpoints. Metabolomic profiling of zebrafish embryo homogenates provided direct in vivo biochemical evidence of antioxidant pathway modulation, demonstrating that PA extract mitigated metabolic disruption by restoring amino acid metabolism (glycine, serine, and threonine), glutathione synthesis, glycerophospholipid homeostasis, and one-carbon pool metabolism. These findings demonstrate that P. angulata exerts multi-target neuroprotection by restoring antioxidant pathways and promoting metabolic homeostasis, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for oxidative stress-related neurological conditions.