Journal of Advances in Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Phytochemical and Neuropharmacological Evaluation of Banisteriopsis caapi, Paullinia cupana, and Turnera diffusa for Potential Anti-Addiction Activity

Fernando Benevenuto — 2026-05-24

Addiction remains a major neuropsychiatric challenge, with dopaminergic, serotonergic, and GABAergic dysregulation underlying maladaptive behaviors. Traditional Brazilian medicinal plants offer a rich source of neuroactive compounds, yet their multi-target mechanisms remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the neuropharmacological potential of harmine, caffeine, and damianin through an integrated computational and experimental approach. Plant materials (Banisteriopsis caapi, Paullinia cupana, Turnera diffusa) were collected, authenticated, and processed using standardized extraction and preparative HPLC purification. Structural characterization was confirmed via NMR spectroscopy. In silico molecular docking targeted D2, 5-HT2A, and GABA-A receptors, complemented by ADMET profiling and network pharmacology simulations. Control ligands; selegiline, haloperidol, and fluoxetine provided pharmacological benchmarks. In vitro assays using HEK293, SH-SY5Y, and HepG2 cells evaluated cytotoxicity and neuroactivity. Docking results revealed harmine as a selective D2 receptor partial agonist (−10.2 kcal/mol), caffeine as a moderate 5-HT2A modulator (−8.1 kcal/mol), and damianin as a GABA-A agonist-like compound (−9.5 kcal/mol). Network simulations suggested synergistic modulation of dopaminergic–serotonergic–GABAergic axes. ADMET predictions indicated favorable BBB permeability, oral bioavailability, and low toxicity, with caution for harmine’s moderate CYP2D6 inhibition. These findings underscore a triadic pharmacodynamic model where dopaminergic stabilization, serotonergic normalization, and GABAergic inhibition collectively mitigate craving and withdrawal symptoms. Future research should integrate receptor-binding validation, in vivo behavioral studies, and clinical pharmacokinetics to translate these computational insights into novel plant-based adjunct therapies for substance dependence. The study provides mechanistic and ethnopharmacological rationale supporting Brazilian botanicals as promising multi-receptor neurotherapeutics.

Urbanization and the Rising Burden of Diabetes Mellitus through an Epidemiological Analysis of Urban Population Risk Factors

Nguyễn Ngọc Mai Thảo — 2026-05-24

This research investigated how diabetes spreads and what triggers it within Vietnam’s urban centers. Our team used a quantitative cross-sectional design to get a clear epidemiological snapshot. Between January and April 2025, the gathered data from 1,250 residents across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. A direct measurement of BMI, waist-to-hip ratios, and fasting blood glucose, while also using questionnaires to track participant lifestyles. To round out the analysis, we pulled secondary figures from WHO databases and national health reports. The results are concerning. By 2025, diabetes prevalence in these cities hit 7.2%, but prediabetes is the bigger story, affecting 14.8% of the population. Geographically, Ho Chi Minh City leads with an 8.2% rate, followed by Hanoi at 6.9% and Da Nang at 6.0%. When looking at why these numbers are climbing, obesity (OR 3.45) and sedentary habits (OR 2.80) stand out as the primary culprits, alongside hypertension and genetics. It is clear that Vietnam’s rapid shift to urban living is driving this metabolic crisis. Moving forward, we need deeper research into how long-term city environments and changing diets specifically accelerate this disease.

Behavioral and Structural Determinants of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Surge Among Urban Adolescents (15–24 Years)

Robinson Baldwin Henrickson — 2026-05-24

The Philippines is currently facing a rapid surge in HIV/AIDS cases. Adolescents aged 15 to 24 are the primary demographic driving this national trend. To understand the underlying risk factors, we conducted a descriptive quantitative study between January and April 2025. Primary data were gathered through structured surveys from 850 adolescent respondents across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao City. Alongside these surveys, qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 healthcare workers. We then compared these primary findings against official secondary registries from the Philippine Department of Health. The combined data revealed an exponential curve in new youth infections. Adolescents now account for nearly 30% of all national cases. In 2024 alone, new infections surged by 25.5%. Geographically, these cases are heavily concentrated in urban centers, with males representing 82% of the affected group. Various behavioral determinants directly drive this shift. Major factors include unprotected sexual encounters (72%), heavy exposure to uncurated adult content on social media and dating apps (88%), and low overall health literacy (45%). Early clinical intervention is also severely hindered by structural barriers. Pervasive social stigma discourages 65% of youth from seeking initial diagnostic tests. Furthermore, this reluctance is worsened by legal mandates that require minors to secure parental consent before testing. In conclusion, the acute vulnerability of Filipino youth stems from a mismatch between rapid digital transformations and rigid policy constraints. Immediate policy reforms are urgently needed to curb this trajectory. We recommend the decriminalization of independent self-testing for minors, the rollout of aggressive digital health campaigns, and the decentralization of clinical services to bypass hospital-level stigma. Moving forward, this framework should be expanded beyond major cities. Future research must urgently investigate transmission dynamics and potential spillover effects into rural agricultural regions.