Effect of Gel Formulation of Methanolic Extract of Leucaena leucocephala Leaves on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

<p><em>White lead tree (<em>Leucaena leucocephala</em>) leaf extract includes antibacterial phytochemical compounds such as lupeol and flavonoids.<em> </em>The study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of white lead tree methanolic extract and gel formulation against acne-causing bacteria <em>Propionibacterium acnes</em> and <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em>, also the physical quality of the preparation. The treatments included a methanolic extract of the White lead tree and extract gel formulations. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. ANOVA analyzed data at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05) by SPSS software. Gel formulations were used in five concentrations (3.12, 6.25, 12.50, 25.00 and 50.00 %). The antibacterial activity test utilized was the agar diffusion method. The results showed the white lead tree leaf extract contains flavonoids with TFC as much as 12.33 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.02 mgQE.g<sup>-1</sup>. The antibacterial activity test of white lead tree leaf extract at all concentrations showed the most effective antibacterial activity against S. <em>epidermidis</em> with a zone of inhibition of 2.17 cm<sup>2</sup>, with no inhibitory zone against <em>P</em>. <em>acnes</em>. The gel preparation extract at all concentrations had no inhibitory activity against <em>P</em>. <em>acnes</em>, but the gel formulations inhibit<em> </em>S. <em>epidermidis </em>effectively at 50.00 % concentrations with a zone of inhibitions 0.82<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.30 cm<sup>2</sup>. The gel quality parameters looked homogeneity for 28 days; ph and stickiness were matched to the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia (NSI); however, the dispersibility and viscosity were not matched to NSI. In conclusion, plant leaf methanolic extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against the acne-causing bacterium <em>S. epidermidis. </em>Further study is needed on the potential of white lead tree leaves as a natural anti-acne.</em></p>