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Prof. Neng began her lecture by highlighting that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the number one cause of death globally. According to data from the World Heart Federation (2023), more than 17 million people die each year due to these diseases, with the number expected to rise significantly by 2030. One of the primary causes is myocardial infarction or heart attack, a condition resulting from the complete blockage of heart blood vessels.

“Once a heart attack occurs, the cardiac muscle suffers irreversible damage and cannot return to its normal state. Therefore, prevention and early detection are of utmost importance,” Prof. Neng emphasized.

New Biomarkers for Early Detection of Heart Attacks

In her lecture, Prof. Neng pointed out the limitations of conventional biomarkers, such as troponin and BNP, which are currently used to diagnose myocardial infarction. These biomarkers, she explained, are not sufficiently sensitive to detect cardiac damage at its earliest stages, potentially delaying timely medical intervention.

Through years of dedicated research, Prof. Neng and her team identified two promising biomarkers, IL-6 and IL-18, which exhibit higher sensitivity and specificity. Animal and human studies demonstrated that IL-18 levels rise earlier than those of conventional biomarkers, making it a promising candidate for early detection of cardiac risks. As part of the commercialization of research results, Prof. Neng and her team developed the Rapid Test Kit IL-18, a blood-based rapid test device priced under Rp50,000. “We hope this kit can serve as a practical solution for screening heart attack risks, even in primary healthcare settings,” she said.

The Potential of Natural Medicines for Cardioprotection

In addition to early detection, Prof. Neng also focuses on strategies to protect the heart through the use of natural medicines. Various potential plants such as red ginger, turmeric, tempuyung, avocado seeds, spirulina, bitter melon, and Malang apples have been scientifically tested and proven to have cardioprotective effects.

“We hope this kit can become a practical solution for screening heart attack risks, even in primary healthcare settings,” she stated.

Integrating Research for Future Therapies

This research does not stop at the laboratory level. Prof. Neng encourages a transdisciplinary approach to addressing cardiovascular health issues. Her research combines molecular biology, clinical pharmacy, and natural material technology to produce more effective and sustainable prevention and treatment strategies. This approach opens up significant opportunities for developing evidence-based phytopharmaceuticals and innovative biomarker-based therapies.

These findings are expected to serve as a crucial foundation for the development of plant-based medications that can complement conventional therapies. “We believe that evidence-based innovation can provide real solutions for public health. Our hope is that these new biomarkers and natural material drug candidates can be swiftly utilized in healthcare services,” she concluded.

Profile of Prof. Dr. apt. Neng Fisheri Kurniati

Prof. Neng Fisheri Kurniati was born in Pekanbaru on August 14, 1981. She is a Professor in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the School of Pharmacy, ITB. She obtained her bachelor’s, professional, and master’s degrees from ITB, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Cardiovascular Pharmacology at Osaka University, Japan.

In addition to serving as Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs at the ������Ƶ of Pharmacy, Prof. Neng Fisheri Kurniati is also a member of the Core Team of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (BPOM RI) National Drug Evaluation Commission, as well as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) Nonclinical and Clinical Study. She is actively involved in various research projects and serves as a lecturer in undergraduate, professional, master's, and doctoral programs at the ������Ƶ of Pharmacy. The funding for her research comes from various institutions, including ITB, the Ministry of Research and Technology (Kemenristek), and the ASAHI Glass Foundation. To date, Prof. Neng has produced 63 international publications with a Scopus h-index of 12. Her research findings are also documented in scientific books covering various topics, such as drug interactions, in vivo and in silico toxicity, and signaling pathways in myocardial infarction. In the field of innovation, she holds five patents and one copyright. In the field of education, Prof. Neng has supervised 88 undergraduate students, 50 master's students, and 15 doctoral students. Prof. Neng has received numerous awards, including the Winner of the Intellectual Property-Registered Patent Category at the Directorate of Innovation and Business Incubator (DIIB) Award at the University of Indonesia in 2016, first place in the Oral Presentation at the International Seminar on Natural Product Medicine in 2018, and the Satyalancana Karya Satya 10-Year Award by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024.