Synthesis and Characterization of Ethanol Extract Nanoherb of Tapak Liman Leaves (Elephantopus scaber Linn.) by Ionic Gelation Method

Abstract

Tapak Liman (Elephantopus scaber) is a plant that has been used by Indonesian people as a traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, fever, malaria, and coughs. Tapak Liman leaves contain compounds of flavonoids, phenols, and saponins. However, these phytochemical compounds exhibit low bioavailability properties. Therefore, a technology that can improve their bioavailability is needed. One approach is through the synthesis of Tapak Liman nanoparticles via the ionic gelation method using alginate and CaCl2. This study aims to determine the content of Tapak Liman leaves, synthesize nanoherb from its ethanol extract using alginate and CaCl2, and determine the nanoherb’s particle size and zeta potential. Nanoherbs were synthesized through the ionic gelation method using alginate and CaCl2 with concentrations of sodium alginate at 0.15% w/v; 0.10% w/v; and 0.05% w/v; while the concentration of CaCl2 was at 0.01% w/v. Particle size characterization was performed on all three formulations to identify the optimal one for further zeta potential characterization. The results showed that Tapak Liman leaves contain saponins, triterpenoids, tannins, and phenolics. The optimal formulation for synthesizing ethanol extract nanoherb of Tapak Liman leaves is sodium alginate 0.05% w/v and CaCl2 0.01% w/v, resulting in a nanoherb with a particle size of 184.7 nm, a volume percentage of 51.1%, a polydispersity index of 0.370, and a zeta potential of 19.2 mV. This indicates the potential of Tapak Liman leaf ethanol extract nanoherbs in drug delivery systems, contingent upon stability enhancement.