Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy

Health Professionals' and Stakeholders' Perspectives on Pharmacists' Roles in Stunting Prevention in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

2026-08-14T15:10:34+07:00

Stunting prevention requires coordinated action across primary healthcare, interprofessional teams, and local governance structures. Although pharmacists are present in Indonesian community health centers (Puskesmas) and have competencies relevant to preventive maternal and child health services, their roles in stunting prevention have not been examined from the perspectives of other health professionals and stakeholders. This study aimed to explore health professionals’ and stakeholders’ perspectives on pharmacists’ roles in stunting prevention in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This qualitative case study was conducted as the second phase of an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving 44 participants: 27 non-pharmacist health professionals and 17 stakeholders across primary healthcare, professional, and governance institutions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: policy and planning gaps in pharmacists’ formal integration; informal interprofessional collaboration and limited role recognition; organizational capacity and managerial support for pharmacists’ involvement; and limited professional and cross-sectoral legitimacy for pharmacists’ roles. The findings show that pharmacists were present within Puskesmas and possessed relevant preventive competencies, but their involvement was not yet systematically embedded in stunting prevention programs. Pharmacists were structurally present within Puskesmas but operationally constrained by weak policy recognition, limited inclusion in program planning, informal collaboration, workload pressures, uneven managerial support, and limited professional advocacy and cross-sectoral legitimacy. Strengthening pharmacists’ contribution requires service redesign that formally connects pharmacy practice with preventive nutrition and maternal-child health services in primary healthcare.

Compartmental Kinetic Modeling of In Vitro Transdermal Permeation Across Strat-M® Membranes: A Case of Andrographis paniculata Extract Nanoemulsion

2026-07-17T09:10:07+07:00

Andrographolide (AND), the main bioactive compound of Andrographis paniculata, exhibits various pharmacological activities but has limited therapeutic application due to its low oral bioavailability. Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) may provide an alternative route to improve systemic exposure while avoiding first-pass metabolism. However, information regarding the kinetic behavior of AND from herbal crude extract systems in transdermal formulations is still limited. This study evaluated the in vitro permeation of AND from Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) nanoemulsion across Strat-M® membranes and characterized its transport kinetics using compartmental modeling. Permeation testing was conducted for 24 hours using an Automated Diffusion Cell System, and AND concentrations in the receptor medium were quantified by HPLC. The cumulative amount of AND permeated after 24 hours was 132.6 ± 2.2 µg (mean ± SD, n = 3), indicating good reproducibility of the experimental system. The permeation data were analyzed using several compartmental models in WinSAAM. A four-compartment model with two lag compartments arranged in parallel configuration provided the best fit to the observed data. The model indicated transient retention of AND within membrane layers analogous to the stratum corneum and viable epidermis prior to transfer into the receptor phase. The estimated transport parameters suggested relatively faster mass transfer from the membrane to the receptor compartment, while the low aqueous solubility of AND contributes to diffusion limitations in more hydrophilic regions. These results provide quantitative insight into the permeation mechanism of AND from nanoemulsion systems and may support the rational development of transdermal formulations for herbal extracts.

Vancomycin-Loaded Nano Bovine Hydroxyapatite-Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Polyethylene Glycol Nanofibers for Controlled Drug Delivery: Design, Characterization, and Kinetic Modeling

2026-05-13T16:06:58+07:00

Bone fractures and orthopedic surgical interventions are associated with an increased risk of osteomyelitis, necessitating effective antibiotic therapy. However, systemic antibiotic administration is often limited by poor drug penetration due to tissue devascularization at the fracture site and the formation of bacterial biofilms, which further contribute to antimicrobial resistance and systemic toxicity. Consequently, localized drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. This study aimed to fabricate vancomycin (VAN)-loaded nanofiber implants based on a nano bovine hydroxyapatite (NBHA)–poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix with optimized physicochemical properties and a sustained release profile over 28 days. The nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning using an optimized formulation derived from a prior Design of Experiments (DoE) study. The resulting nanofibers exhibited uniform morphology, with an average fiber diameter of 91.42± 0.85 nm and a tensile strength of 2.152±0.289 MPa, indicating suitable mechanical properties. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained release profile with a dissolution efficiency of 67.74% over 28 days. The release kinetics were best described by the Peppas–Sahlin model during the initial phase and transitioned to the Higuchi model at later stages, suggesting a combination of diffusion- and polymer relaxation-controlled mechanisms. Overall, VAN-loaded NBHA–PLGA–PEG nanofiber implants demonstrate significant potential as a localized and controlled drug delivery platform for osteomyelitis therapy while concurrently supporting bone regeneration.

Recent Trends in Electrospun Nanofibers for Drug Delivery Systems in Asia

2026-05-13T16:06:53+07:00

Electrospun nanofibers have gained increasing attention as an advanced platform for drug delivery due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, tunable porosity, and ability to incorporate a wide range of therapeutic agents. These structural properties enable precise control over drug loading and release kinetics, making electrospun nanofibers a promising alternative to conventional delivery systems such as liposomes, hydrogels, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of electrospinning fundamentals, polymer–solvent interactions, and key processing parameters influencing nanofiber morphology and performance. Various drug encapsulation strategies, including blend, coaxial, and emulsion electrospinning, are discussed together with their advantages and limitations in achieving controlled and stimuli-responsive drug release. A narrative literature search covering the period 2015–2025 identified 214 studies, of which 137 met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. The findings reveal significant research progress across several Asian countries, particularly China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Malaysia, where electrospun nanofibers are actively explored for applications in cancer therapy, wound healing, topical drug delivery, and tissue engineering. The integration of natural bioactive compounds, implantable nanofiber systems, and stimuli-responsive architectures further highlights the rapid innovation occurring in this region. Despite these advancements, several challenges remain, including high production costs, limitations in large-scale manufacturing, solvent toxicity, environmental concerns, and the lack of standardized regulatory frameworks. Addressing these issues through improved fabrication technologies, modular electrospinning systems, solvent recycling strategies, and harmonized quality standards will be essential for successful commercial translation. Overall, electrospun nanofibers represent a rapidly evolving and highly adaptable platform with strong potential to advance future drug delivery strategies, particularly within Asia’s growing pharmaceutical and biomedical landscape.

Nano-Enabled Phytotherapeutics for Obesity Management: Translating Preclinical Discoveries into Clinical Opportunities

2026-05-13T16:06:53+07:00

Obesity represents a major global public health challenge associated with long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders, largely driven by modern lifestyles and unhealthy dietary patterns. Although conventional treatment strategies, including lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery, offer therapeutic benefits, they are often limited by adverse effects, long-term adherence, and inconsistent efficacy. In recent years, herbal medicines and phytoconstituents have emerged as attractive alternatives due to their natural origin, multitargeted mechanisms of action, and comparatively favorable safety profiles. However, their clinical translation is frequently hampered by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid systemic clearance. Nanotechnology provides a promising approach to overcome these limitations by improving the pharmacokinetics, stability, and targeted delivery of bioactives. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of herbal nanotherapeutics for obesity management, focusing on the design and application of diverse nanocarrier systems, including polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and micelles. Additionally, current challenges, regulatory considerations, and future perspectives are examined to guide the development of safe, effective, and patient-friendly herbal nanomedicines for obesity treatment.