Antiseptic gel formulated from ethanol extract of Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) using CMC-Na, arabic gums, and gelatin as gelling agents

Abstract


 Introduction: The ethanol extract from citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) has been found to contain saponins, phenolics (flavonoids), and polyphenols which have antibacterial activity. As a result, researchers developed an antiseptic gel that contains this ethanol extract. 
 Aims: This study aims to find the optimum concentration of gelling agent required to make the gel and to use physical evaluations in order to understand whether combining gelling agents may increase the quality of the gel. 
 Methods: The gel was made using a melting method, which mixed the base of gel with citronella ethanol extract at a temperature of 40oC to form a homogeneous phase. The gel evaluation was conducted using an organoleptic test, homogeneity test, dispersion test, pH test, and adhesion test. 
 Results: The tests were carried out on 15 formulations respectively (R1, R2, and R3), and resulted in the production of clear, translucent yellow gel with a distinctive citronella grass odor. The homogeneity test showed that all formulations were homogeneous and contained no agglomerated particles. The gel dosage forms made with CMC-Na, gum arabic, and gelatin as gelling agents resulted in having a pH of 7 whilst gels made with a combination of gelling agents resulted in having a pH of 8. The combination of gum arabic and CMC-Na gelling agents showed an increase in spreadability of gel formulas at the same concentration of composition, of which the combinations were 1.25% gum arabic and 1.25% CMC-Na. The gel adhesion time was 0.2-2 minutes for all formula. 
 Conclusion: Based on this test data, it can be concluded that the 15 gel formulations that resulted from this research are good and further testing can be performed to determine the most optimum and stable formula.