Antibacterial Activity of Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Extract Ointment against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Practical experience shows that Leucaena leucocephala has long been used as a medicinal plant. The finely ground, crushed, or chewed leaves of this shrub are applied to the wound. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of L. leucocephala leaf extract ointment against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The extract was made by macerating L. leucocephala leaf powder in ethanol 70% with 10% concentration. The research samples included seven (7) formulas of ointments with various L. leucocephala leaf extract (LLE) concentrations, namely F1 (0%), F2 (5%), F3 (10%), F4 (15%), F5 (20%), F6 (25%), and F7(100%). Their antibacterial activities were measured from the diameter of the inhibition zone, which was formed because the administered antibiotics stopped the growth of S. aureus and S. epidermidis placed in Nutrient Agar medium. Gentamicin Sulfate ointment and Oxytetracycline HCl ointment were used as positive controls. The results showed that LLE inhibited the growth of S. aureus and S. epidermidis when prepared at concentrations of at least 20% (F5) and 25% (F6), respectively. The difference between the antibacterial activities of LLE 100% and Gentamicin Sulfate ointment was not significant. The capacities of LLE to prevent the growth of S. aureus and S. epidermidis were lower than Oxytetracycline ointment. These capacities express the antibacterial activity of LLE ointment against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, meaning that LLE can be used as a topical antibacterial agent.

Formulation and Antibacterial Activity of Herbal Toothpaste Based on Aceh Traditional Medicine

“…Confluent bacterial growth was detected after incubation. The bacterial growth inhibition was measured in millimeters (Saptawati et al, 2019;Valgas et al, 2007).…”

Anthelmintic Effect of Leucaena leucocephala Extract and Its Active Compound, Mimosine, on Vital Behavioral Activities in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…It is also infamously known as the ‘miracle tree’ for its wide range of uses and benefits, including as ruminant feeds, for controlling soil erosion, and the production of timber and fuelwood [ 18 , 20 ]. Various studies have demonstrated several pharmacological activities exerted by this plant, including anti-bacterial [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], anti-inflammatory [ 25 , 26 ], anti-cancer [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], and anthelmintic activities [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], and it is believed to be due to the different types of phytochemicals present in the plant, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and quercetin. However, the use of this plant as an animal feed could not be fully potentiated due to the presence of a toxic compound called mimosine that has been reported to cause alopecia, hair loss, growth retardation, and infertility in ruminants [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”