Indonesian Journal of Life Sciences

Towards Precision Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Targeted Therapy Effectiveness and Safety in Philadelphia Chromosome–Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) non-Philadelphia chromosome–positive (non-Ph+) is a major subtype of leukemia with high relapse rates and significant toxicity from conventional chemotherapy. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of targeted therapy versus chemotherapy in non-Ph+ ALL. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. Five databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing both interventions, with outcomes including overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), disease-free survival (DFS), minimal residual disease (MRD), and grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and pooled estimates were calculated using hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs). Six RCTs from 7,154 records were included. Targeted therapy significantly improved OS (HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.42–0.84) and DFS (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.55–0.96), with a non-significant trend in EFS (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.48–1.01). MRD negativity increased after sensitivity analysis (RR 1.85; 95% CI 1.44–2.37), while severe adverse events were reduced (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.97). Overall, targeted therapy is associated with improved survival with an acceptable safety profile in non-Ph+ ALL

Curcumin in Temulawak: Bioavailability, Health Benefits, and Potential Application

2026-09-30T09:13:40+07:00

Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), a plant native to Indonesia, has long been utilized in traditional medicine and culinary applications for its rich bioactive profile. Curcumin, the primary bioactive compound, is well-known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This review aims to explore the challenges, benefits, and potential applications of curcumin in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Although curcumin is known for its therapeutic properties in modulating inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer, its low water solubility and rapid metabolism limit its bioavailability. Current research has shown various strategies to enhance curcumin’s stability and absorption, including nanoemulsions, biopolymer encapsulation, and phytosome technology. However, despite its broad applications, optimization of curcumin’s industrial use remains a challenge. As advancements continue, curcumin’s role in product development and innovative applications across various industries should be further researched, with a focus on improving its solubility, controlled delivery systems, and compliance with food and pharmaceutical regulations.

Formulation, Physical Evaluation, and Nanoparticle Characterization of Anti-Hyperpigmentation Nano-Essence from Grape Seed Extract

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Hyperpigmentation arises from excess melanin production due to UV radiation. While conventional tyrosinase inhibitors risk long-term side effects such as hepatocarcinogenicity, proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract offer a natural, safe alternative. This study formulated grape seed extract into a topical nano-essence and evaluated its characteristics, stability, and in vivo safety. Grape seed extract obtained via sonication yielded a proanthocyanidin content of 41.483 ± 0.55 mgCE/g. To stabilize the system, formulation trials varied the ratios of propylene glycol and glycerin acting as cosurfactants, identifying F1 as the optimal formula. Nanoparticle profiling of F1 showed a Z-average of 318.4 ± 10.05 nm, a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.627, and a zeta potential of -12.33 ± 0.5 mV. While these zeta potential and PDI values indicate a theoretical tendency toward microscopic agglomeration, short-term room-temperature stability testing confirmed macroscopic physical stability with no visible separation. Furthermore, safety and hedonic evaluations on 10 volunteers over two weeks demonstrated 100% absence of irritation, with 80% of subjects reporting high comfort and fast absorption. The developed nano-essence shows promising potential as a safe, cosmetically acceptable antihyperpigmentation alternative, pending further optimization to improve long-term colloidal stability.

Encapsulation Performance of Maltodextrin-Gum Arabic Blends in Preserving Antioxidants and Physical Quality of Black Sapote (Diospyros nigra) Kombucha Analog

2026-09-30T09:13:40+07:00

Black sapote kombucha (BSK) analog shelf life is limited by continuous fermentation, which can lead to deterioration. Spray drying can be used to convert the liquid into a more stable powder. Carrier agents such as maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) can improve the physical properties of spray-dried products and protect bioactive compounds. However, the effect of different MD to GA ratios on the physical quality and antioxidant properties of spray-dried BSK analog has not yet been studied. Thus, identifying a suitable ratio is necessary to obtain a physically acceptable powder while retaining its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to study the impact of varying ratios of carrier agents on the physical and antioxidant properties of the spray-dried BSK analog. The study used three ratios of MD:GA(3:1; 1:1; 1:3). The 3:1 ratio had the lowest significant values of moisture (2.90±0.15%), Carr index (35.17±1.05), and Hausner ratio (1.55±0.02). The yield ranged from 37.87% to 55.58%. The 1:1 ratio had the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity (59.71% and 88.45%, respectively; p < 0.05). Overall, the 1:1 ratio performed well compared to the other treatments, but did not provide the highest protection for the bioactive compounds in the spray-dried BSK analog.

Thermal Stability of Human Milk Bioactives: A Global Bibliometric Overview

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Human milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, providing essential nutrients and bioactive components crucial for growth and development. However, these components are sensitive to post-expression handling, particularly thermal processes like storage, pasteurization, and heating. This study maps the global research landscape on the thermal stability of human milk bioactive components and identifies trends, key contributors, and research gaps. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database for publications from 2000 to 2023. The findings reveal a significant upward trend in publications over the last decade, with research predominantly led by the United States and China through strong international collaborations. While themes such as pasteurization and microbiological quality are well established, research on the thermal stability of non-protein bioactive components, inter-component interactions, and their long-term clinical impacts on infant health remains scarce. These results provide a foundation for developing evidence-based guidelines for human milk handling and highlight priority areas for future investigation.

Downregulation of GPX1 Gene Expression in Electronic Cigarette Users Compared to Non-Smokers

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is often perceived as a safer alternative to conventional smoking, but its biomolecular impact is poorly understood. Oxidative stress from aerosol exposure is detected through changes in antioxidant gene expression, like Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPX1). This quantitative cross-sectional study analyzed 72 blood-derived RNA isolates (36 e-cigarette users; 36 non-smokers) to evaluate peripheral blood leukocyte GPX1 gene expression as a marker of oxidative stress. Relative GPX1 expression was quantified via qPCR normalized to GAPDH using the 2⁻ΔΔCt method. Groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test, unpaired t-test on log10-transformed data, and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age. E-cigarette users showed significantly lower GPX1 expression than non-smokers (median 0.92 vs. 1.65; Mann–Whitney U, p=0.03; t-test, p=0.035). This difference remained significant in the 18–24-year subgroup (p=0.041), with multivariable regression confirming e-cigarette use as an independent predictor of GPX1 downregulation (β=-0.284, p=0.038). These findings suggest that e-cigarette exposure may impair antioxidant defenses and disrupt systemic redox homeostasis.

Assessing the Utility of Partial Chloroplast matK Sequences for DNA Barcoding of Indonesian Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Cultivar from Magelang, Central Java

2026-09-30T09:13:40+07:00

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is an important fruit crop in Indonesia, but its local cultivars remain poorly characterized at the molecular level. This study evaluated the utility of a partial chloroplast maturase K (matK) gene for preliminary DNA barcoding of nine grapevine samples from Magelang, Indonesia. DNA was extracted and amplified using conventional PCR, but only five samples yielded usable matK sequences. Phylogenetic and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) analyses showed that the 131 bp matK fragment was highly conserved, with no nucleotide variation among the Indonesian samples. The sequences formed a single clade, while ABGD detected no clear barcode gap or cultivar differentiation. These findings indicate that the short partial matK fragment has limited utility for discriminating Indonesian grapevine cultivars. Future studies should use longer or multiple barcode regions and higher-resolution molecular markers to improve cultivar identification and genetic characterization.

Identification Variant of FTO, LEP, and LEPR Gene Prevalence in Patients with Obesity at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Obesity is a complex chronic disease marked by excessive body fat and serious health risks, rising

globally. In Indonesia, 13.5% of adults are overweight, and 28.7% are obese. Variants of the FTO, LEP, and LEPR genes may increase obesity risk. This study identified and analyzed the prevalence of FTO (rs9939609, rs1421085), LEP (rs17151919, rs10487505), and LEPR (rs1137100, rs2186248) gene variants in obese patients at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta. These variants could serve as biomarkers for obesity risk assessment and early detection through family screening. Saliva samples from ten obese patients were tested for FTO variants (rs9939609, rs1421085) using ARMS-PCR, while LEP (rs17151919, rs10487505) and LEPR (rs1137100, rs2186248) variants were amplified by PCR and sequenced via Sanger sequencing. Results showed that five patients carried FTO variants (rs9939609, rs1421085), nine had the LEPR rs1137100 variant, all ten carried the LEP rs10487505 and LEPR rs2186248 variants, while LEP rs17151919 was undetected. The study found a 50% prevalence of FTO variants (rs9939609, rs1421085), 90% for LEPR rs1137100, and 100% for LEP rs10487505 and LEPR rs2186248 in obese patients at Panti Rapih Hospital.

Comparative Microbial Profile of Eco-Enzymes Produced from Orange, (Citrus x sinensis Mill.) Pers. and Pineapple, (Ananas comosus L.) Merr. Peels using Metabarcoding of 16S and ITS Regions

2026-09-30T09:13:39+07:00

Eco-enzyme (EE) is an organic antibacterial substance used as an eco-friendly cleaner. Although EE applications have been widely studied, microbial diversity identification through 16S and ITS metabarcoding remains limited. This study characterized bacterial and fungal biodiversity in orange (Citrus sinensis) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel-derived EE using metabarcoding of the 16S and ITS regions. EE samples were prepared using a 1:3:10 ratio of molasses, organic waste, and water, then fermented for 3 months. DNA was extracted, amplified with universal 16S and ITS primers, and confirmed by gel electrophoresis. Sequencing was conducted by the Integrated Genomic Factory (IGF) using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT), and data were analyzed in RStudio. Pineapple EE contained 10 bacterial species, while orange EE contained 9 species within the top 10 most abundant species detected (out of a total of 71 species in pineapple EE and 54 species in orange EE).