Potential Test of Patchouli Leaf Extract (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) in Acne Ointment Preparations to Inhibit the Growth of Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus Bacteria / Uji Potensi Ekstrak Daun Nilam (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) Dalam Sediaan Salep Jerawat Untuk Menghambat Pertumbuhan Bakteri Cutibacterium acnes dan Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction: Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus are Gram-positive bacteria that serve as the primary etiological agents in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics and their associated side effects have driven the development of alternative therapies based on natural products. Patchouli leaves (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) are known to contain bioactive compounds with antibacterial potential; however, studies on the formulation of their topical preparations remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of patchouli leaf extract in ointment formulations against C. acnes and S. aureus, as well as to characterize the physical quality of the resulting preparations. Methods: Patchouli leaf extraction was carried out using the maceration method with 96% ethanol as the solvent. Identification of chemical compounds was performed through phytochemical screening. Antibacterial activity testing of the extract and ointment preparations was conducted using the disc diffusion method against C. acnes and S. aureus at extract concentrations of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. The ointment formulations were prepared using a PEG 400 and PEG 4000 base, followed by evaluation of their physical characteristics, including homogeneity, pH, spreadability, viscosity, adhesion, and irritation tests. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that patchouli leaf extract contained flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins. The inhibitory activity of the extract against both test bacteria increased with increasing concentration, with the highest inhibition zones observed at 30% concentration (19.85 mm against C. acnes and 19.23 mm against S. aureus). The ointment formulations at extract concentrations of 25% and 30% produced inhibition zones of 22.38 mm and 26.36 mm against C. acnes, and 24.10 mm and 27.46 mm against S. aureus, respectively. All physical quality parameters of the ointments (homogeneity, pH 5.96–6.41, spreadability 5 cm, viscosity 2,018–2,164 cps, adhesion 9–14 seconds) met the required standards and did not cause irritation. Conclusion: Patchouli leaf extract (P. cablin Benth.) ointment at concentrations of 25% and 30% demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, with physical characteristics that met quality standards. These findings indicate the potential development of patchouli leaf extract ointment as a natural topical alternative therapy for acne vulgaris.

Pendahuluan: Cutibacterium acnes dan Staphylococcus aureus merupakan bakteri Gram-positif yang berperan sebagai agen etiologi utama dalam patogenesis acne vulgaris. Resistensi bakteri terhadap antibiotik konvensional serta efek samping penggunaannya mendorong pengembangan terapi alternatif berbasis bahan alam. Daun nilam (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) diketahui mengandung senyawa bioaktif yang berpotensi sebagai antibakteri, namun studi mengenai formulasi sediaan topikalnya masih terbatas. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak daun nilam dalam sediaan salep terhadap C. acnes dan S. aureus serta mengkarakterisasi mutu fisik sediaan yang dihasilkan. Metode: Ekstraksi daun nilam dilakukan dengan metode maserasi menggunakan pelarut etanol 96%. Identifikasi senyawa kimia dilakukan melalui skrining fitokimia. Uji aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak dan sediaan salep dilakukan menggunakan metode difusi cakram terhadap C. acnes dan S. aureus dengan konsentrasi ekstrak 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, dan 30%. Sediaan salep diformulasikan dengan basis PEG 400 dan PEG 4000, kemudian dievaluasi karakteristik fisiknya meliputi homogenitas, pH, daya sebar, viskositas, daya lekat, dan uji iritasi. Data dianalisis menggunakan ANOVA satu arah dan uji lanjut Duncan (α=0,05). Hasil: Skrining fitokimia menunjukkan ekstrak daun nilam mengandung flavonoid, alkaloid, terpenoid, steroid, tanin, dan saponin. Aktivitas penghambatan ekstrak terhadap kedua bakteri uji meningkat seiring peningkatan konsentrasi, dengan zona hambat tertinggi pada konsentrasi 30% (19,85 mm terhadap C. acnes dan 19,23 mm terhadap S. aureus). Sediaan salep dengan konsentrasi ekstrak 25% dan 30% menghasilkan zona hambat masing-masing 22,38 mm dan 26,36 mm terhadap C. acnes, serta 24,10 mm dan 27,46 mm terhadap S. aureus. Seluruh parameter mutu fisik salep (homogenitas, pH 5,96-6,41, daya sebar 5 cm, viskositas 2.018-2.164 cps, daya lekat 9-14 detik) memenuhi standar yang dipersyaratkan dan tidak menimbulkan iritasi. Kesimpulan: Salep ekstrak daun nilam (P. cablin Benth.) pada konsentrasi 25% dan 30% menunjukkan aktivitas antibakteri yang kuat terhadap C. acnes dan S. aureus dengan karakteristik fisik sediaan yang memenuhi standar mutu. Temuan ini mengindikasikan potensi pengembangan salep ekstrak daun nilam sebagai alternatif terapi topikal alami untuk acne vulgaris.