Aging-associated skeletal muscle dysfunction is highly interlinked to chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysregulation, with the suppression of PGC-1α representing a key molecular event. The use of natural phytochemicals to prevent aging-related pathological conditions has received increasing attention, including Angelica keiskei . This study examined the effects of A. keiskei leaf extract on skeletal muscle in a D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging rat model, focusing on NF-κB p65 protein levels and PGC-1α-associated mitochondrial regulatory markers. Male rats were administered D-gal to induce accelerated aging and subsequently treated with A. keiskei extract. NF-κB p65 levels were assessed by ELISA, while the mRNA expression of Ppargc1a and its target gene Tfam , and mitochondrial antioxidants ( Sod2 , Txn1 , and Prdx1 ) in skeletal muscle tissue was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. Administration of D-gal markedly increased NF-κB p65 protein levels, reduced the Ppargc1a and Tfam expression, and inhibited the mRNA expression of Sod2 , Txn1 , and Prdx1 , suggesting that inflammation impairs mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant defenses. Treatment with A. keiskei extract reduced NF-κB p65 protein levels, restored Ppargc1a mRNA expression, and partially restored antioxidant-related gene expression. These data indicate that A. keiskei extract attenuates the molecular characteristics of skeletal muscle aging through the suppression of inflammaging and the preservation of the PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial regulatory pathways. This study collectively provides preliminary preclinical evidence that A. keiskei leaf extract may attenuate selected molecular and functional features of D-gal-induced skeletal muscle aging through changes consistent with reduced inflammatory signaling and preservation of PGC-1α-associated mitochondrial regulation.
The present study investigated the metabolomic profiling and pharmacological potential of Semecarpus auriculatus Bedd. leaf extract with a focus on wound-healing activity. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry putatively annotated approximately 180 phytocompounds, including epicatechin, asiaticoside, and quercetin-4ʹ-glucuronide, while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed major lipid constituents such as ethyl (9Z,12Z)-9,12-octadecadienoate and 9-octadecenoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated a mineral-rich composition dominated by potassium (1,527.80 ppb) and calcium (1,285.44 ppb). The ethanolic extract exhibited antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus . In vitro studies using L929 fibroblast cells demonstrated concentration-dependent effects, in which lower concentrations (20 µg/mL) significantly enhanced cell migration and wound closure, whereas higher concentrations (100–200 µg/mL) led to reduced cell viability, with an IC 50 value of 75.416 µg/mL, indicating a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect at elevated doses and a modest shift toward the G1 phase. Additionally, the extract reduced nitric oxide production in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated fibroblasts, suggesting anti-inflammatory potential that requires further validation at non-toxic concentrations. These findings reveal a biphasic biological response, where lower concentrations promote fibroblast migration and wound closure. Overall, S. auriculatus Bedd. leaf extract demonstrates preliminary wound-healing potential, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties in experimental models used, providing a basis for further wound-healing research.
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are emerging nanostructures that mimic the structure of native viruses while lacking viral genetic material, making them safe and highly adaptable platforms for drug and gene delivery. Their unique physical characteristics and capacity for surface modification have attracted considerable attention for their applications in cancer therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate therapeutic outcomes of VLP-based approaches in human breast cancer models. A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies investigating the therapeutic use of VLPs in breast cancer. Screening was performed focusing on experimental studies utilizing human breast cancer models. Extracted information included study characteristics, type of VLP platform, therapeutic strategy, and reported outcomes. In addition, study design, use of experimental controls, outcome assessment, and reporting transparency were described. Six studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected. The studies used different VLP platforms (hepatitis B virus [HBV], bacteriophage P22, adeno-associated virus, hepatitis C virus [HCV], and polyoma virus-derived particles). Main therapeutic methods included targeted drug delivery, gene or nucleic-acid delivery, and multifunctional enzyme-based nano-therapies. Results showed favorable effects of VLP-based systems in breast cancer therapy, such as enhanced intracellular delivery of drugs, cytotoxic effects, inhibition of tumor cell invasion, and increased sensitivity to tamoxifen. In conclusion, VLP-based platforms showed promising effects in breast cancer therapy; however, the results are limited to laboratory studies. Future clinical studies would be necessary to confirm the potential of VLP-based approaches in breast cancer therapy.
This study aims to analyze the gap between financing mechanisms and the realities of the medicine market within the National Health Social Security Agency (BPJS) for chronic diseases in Indonesia. The article examines variations in procurement prices and medicine availability, and their implications for the financial sustainability of healthcare facilities and patient access. The cross-sectional study uses secondary data on procurement prices together with observations on the availability of chronic disease medicines in hospitals and pharmacies in Jakarta and Yogyakarta in 2024. The data were analyzed to identify patterns of variation and gaps between procurement prices and BPJS reimbursement levels. The results show price variation between facilities and regions, with medicine availability higher in pharmacies than in hospitals. BPJS reimbursement rates for some medicines do not cover procurement costs, which may cause financial losses for healthcare facilities and threaten supply sustainability. These findings point to weaknesses in BPJS medicine reimbursement and price-negotiation mechanisms. The recommendations call for pricing mechanisms that are more responsive to market dynamics, greater price transparency, and harmonized procurement policies to ensure sustainable access to chronic disease medicines. This Indonesian case study offers lessons for middle-income countries implementing national health insurance to achieve universal health coverage.
The cumulative emergence of viral resistance and the limitations of conventional antiviral therapies have stimulated considerable attention to natural products as alternative antiviral agents. Plant-derived bioactive compounds could offer promising therapeutic options with lower cytotoxicity. Convolvulus spicatus is a medicinal plant with various pharmacological activities; however, its antiviral potential is poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antiviral activity of C. spicatus methanolic extract against herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) in Vero cells and to determine its effects on cell viability, apoptosis, necrosis, and cell-cycle progression. The methanolic extract of C. spicatus was prepared by the Soxhlet extraction method. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activities were measured by MTT assay in HSV-1-infected Vero cells. The viral load of the HSV-1 glycoprotein D gene was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Cell-cycle distribution, including the pre-G1 population, was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) staining. Early apoptosis, late apoptosis, and necrosis were measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining after treatment with the extract at the maximum non-toxic concentration (625 µg/mL). The extract showed low cytotoxicity to Vero cells at the highest non-toxic concentration tested. Treatment of HSV-1-infected cells with C. spicatus extract significantly reduced virus-induced cytopathic effects and significantly reduced HSV-1 viral load compared with untreated infected cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant decrease in the pre-G1 population, indicating reduced Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) fragmentation, and decreased early apoptotic, late apoptotic, and necrotic cell populations following treatment. Furthermore, the extract reduced the pre-G1 population and altered the cell-cycle distribution of HSV-1-infected cells. The findings of this work suggest that the methanolic extract of C. spicatus exhibits promising antiviral activity against HSV-1 in vitro by decreasing the viral load, preventing host-cell damage caused by the virus, and reducing virus-induced cellular damage.
