Penunjang

One local Indonesian plant with potential as an herbal remedy for skin problems, particularly acne, is the kawista fruit (Limonia acidissima Groff). This fruit contains active compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, which act as antibacterial agents. This study aimed to develop an ointment with kawista fruit extract as the active ingredient that meets good physical characteristics and to test its tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activity. This experimental study covered the processes of formulation, physical evaluation, and antibacterial activity testing of the ointment. The thick kawista fruit extract used was obtained from Subang Regency, West Java, using a reflux method, as described in a previous study. The extract was formulated into three concentrations: FI (2.5%), FII (5%), and FIII (7.5%). The results showed that all the ointment preparations had good physical properties. The antibacterial inhibition test against Propionibacterium acnes showed the highest effectiveness, with an inhibition zone of 20.9 mm, which is categorized as very strong antibacterial activity in the third formula. The tyrosinase enzyme inhibition results were inactive, with an IC50 of 24,935 ppm.

Keywords: Acne Ointment, Limonia acidissima, Tyrosinase.

Bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum), cherry leaf (Muntingia calabura), and green betel leaf (Piper betle) contain phenolic and flavonoid compounds with antioxidant potential, but their utilization is limited by physicochemical instability. This study aimed to develop microcapsules containing a combined extract of these three leaves and to evaluate their physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity as an initial formulation feasibility study. Each extract was prepared by maceration using 96% ethanol, yielding 11.42–15.86%, and combined in a 1: 1: 1 (w/w/w) ratio prior to microencapsulation. Microcapsules were produced using a fluidized bed dryer with lactose as the core material and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the coating polymer. Physicochemical characterization included moisture content, flow rate, angle of repose, compressibility index, dissolution time, particle size, and surface morphology. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and CUPRAC assays, with IC₅₀ values calculated from triplicate measurements. The coating process increased mean particle size from 636.2 µm to 728.0 µm and prolonged dissolution time from 2.14 to 3.55 minutes, indicating coating layer formation. Among the individual extracts, cherry leaf extract showed the strongest antioxidant activity. The microcapsules exhibited antioxidant activity within the same order of magnitude as the combined extract under initial, non-stressed testing conditions. These results demonstrate the feasibility of formulating combined plant extracts into microcapsules with acceptable physical properties, while further stability and comparative studies are required to support antioxidant preservation and potential applications.

Keywords:

MicroencapsulationPlant extract combinationAntioxidant activity

Antibacterial activity of Piper betle leaf extract against C. acnes. Extraction was performed using maceration and reflux methods with 70% and 96% ethanol as solvents. Characterization was carried out through quality parameter evaluation, phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and bioautography analysis. Antibacterial activity was determined using the disc diffusion method at extract concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results showed that maceration using 96% ethanol produced the highest yield (10.27%) and the strongest antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone diameter of 17.9 ± 0.42 mm at 30% concentration. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and steroids/triterpenoids. Bioautography analysis revealed active spots that were presumed to contribute to antibacterial activity. Statistical analysis indicated that extract concentration and ethanol concentration significantly affected antibacterial activity (p < 0.05), whereas extraction methods did not show a significant effect. These findings indicate that Piper betle leaf extract has potential to be further developed as a natural source for anti-acne formulations.

The increasing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus, particularly its complications such as diabetic wounds, necessitates the development of safe, effective, and affordable therapeutic strategies. Natural products suchasCurcuma longa and Syzygium polyanthum possess antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their clinical application is limited by poor stability and bioavailability. This study aimed to developananotechnology-based delivery system in the form of a Nano Lipid Carrier (NLC) gel incorporating combinedherbal extracts to enhance topical delivery and wound healing efficacy. The extracts were prepared using96%ethanol and characterised through standard phytochemical and physicochemical analyses. NLC formulations wereoptimised using Design Expert by varying lipid and surfactant compositions. The optimised NLC was evaluatedfor particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and morphology, followed by incorporation into gel basesand assessment of physicochemical properties. In vitro diffusion and in vivo diabetic wound healing studies wereconducted. The optimised NLC exhibited a particle size of 132 nm, PDI of 0.24, and zeta potential of −24.9mV, indicating good stability. The Carbopol-based gel showed appropriate pH and viscosity. The NLC gel demonstratedsustained drug release, reaching approximately 68.6% cumulative diffusion at 24 hours, and significantly enhanceddiabetic wound healing compared to conventional extract gel and control groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, thedeveloped NLC gel improves the stability, delivery, and therapeutic efficacy of C.longa and S. polyanthumextracts. This study supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by advancing accessible andeffective therapies for chronic wound management.

Keywords: Curcuma longa, Syzygium Polyanthum, Nano Lipid Carrier, Diabetic Wound Healing.

Context: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, often linked to oxidative stress. Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Centella asiatica (gotu kola) are traditionally recognized for antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Aims: To identify major active compounds and evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of these extracts individually and in combination. Methods: Extracts were standardized using TLC densitometry according to the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH scavenging and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibition, while antidiabetic effects were evaluated through α-glucosidase inhibition and in vivo testing in alloxaninduced diabetic rats. Insulin resistance was measured by the highest tolerated level of insulin (HTLI). Results: Both extracts met pharmacopeial quality standards. The 1:1 combination exhibited markedly stronger α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 45.45 μg/mL) than C. longa (135.03 μg/mL), C. asiatica (88.07 μg/mL), and acarbose (113.92 μg/mL). Antioxidant activity was also greater in the combination (IC50 = 40.68 μg/mL). In vivo, combination treatment reduced blood glucose comparably to glibenclamide and improved insulin sensitivity, with HTLI reaching 1.634 mg/dL versus 1.308 mg/dL for metformin. MDA levels were significantly reduced, indicating lower lipid peroxidation. A moderate correlation between antioxidant and enzyme inhibition (r = 0.685) suggests a mechanistic link between oxidative stress and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusions: The combination of C. longa and C. asiatica demonstrated synergistic antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, meeting quality standards, which supports its potential as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes management. 

Keywords: antidiabetic; antioxidant; Centella asiatica; Curcuma longa; synergistic effect.