ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF OINTMENT CONTAINING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF RED CORDYLINE LEAVES (Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev.) AGAINST Cutibacterium acnes AND Staphylococcus aureus BACTERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23917/ujp.v5i3.1211Keywords:
red cordyline, ointment, Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureusAbstract
Skin infections caused by Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus remain a major public health concern with high prevalence in Indonesia. This issue is further compounded by the increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance, creating an urgent need for alternative antibacterial agents derived from natural sources. The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an ointment formulation containing ethanol extract of red cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa) leaves against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. This research employed an experimental laboratory design. The extract was obtained through maceration using 70% ethanol and subsequently formulated into hydrocarbon-based ointments at concentrations of 10% (Formula I), 15% (Formula II), and 20% (Formula III). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and polyphenolic compounds in the extract. All ointment formulations met the established requirements for physical quality, stability, and sensory acceptability, with overall preference scores ranging from 70.5% to 75%. Antibacterial testing against Cutibacterium acnes produced inhibition zones of 4.28 ± 0.3 mm, 9.38 ± 0.6 mm, and 11.03 ± 0.3 mm for Formulas I, II, and III, respectively. In contrast, antibacterial testing against Staphylococcus aureus produced inhibition zones of 4.16 ± 0.3 mm, 5.98 ± 0.4 mm, and 11.61 ± 0.5 mm for Formulas I, II, and III, respectively. It can be concluded that the ointment containing 20% red cordyline leaf extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against both Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus.
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