Formulation Cream of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia alata L. Leaves and Antibacterial Activity Against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis
Firdausi, Nadya (a*), Yuni Anggraeni (a), and Marissa Angelina (b)

a) Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia
*nadya.firdausi18[at]mhs.uinjkt.ac.id
b) Research Centre for Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Kawasan PUSPIPTEK, Building 452, Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314 Indonesia

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are Gram-positive commensal bacteria on human skin that can turn opportunistic. In order to prevent antibacterial infection caused by these two bacteria, an alternative from natural ingredient is needed which is used as a topical dosage form. Cassia alata L. or candle bush is a herbaceous plant which empirically in Indonesia has been used to treat skin diseases. In this study, the ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves is used as an active ingredient in a topical preparation, which is oil in water cream. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves with various concentrations in the form of oil in water cream preparations against P. acnes and S. epidermidis. Variations of the ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves used as an active ingredient in cream were 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%, and then evaluated for physical parameters. The antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. alata cream against P. acnes and S. epidermidis was studied using the agar well diffusion method. Then the results were compared with controls, such as blanks, 1% clindamycin on the same oil in water cream base, and the ethanol extract of C. alata leaves without using the cream base. The results showed that the variation of the ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves affected the antibacterial activity against P. acnes and S. epidermidis. The inhibitory activity of the cream preparation was not significantly different from the activity of the ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves. Cream with a concentration of 5% ethanolic extract of C. alata leaves had the highest antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone of 14.67 mm against P. acnes and 12.67 mm against S. epidermidis.

Keywords: Cassia alata, cream, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, antibacterial activity

Topic: Pharmaceutical Sciences