A Study Comparing Antibacterial Activity of Ageratum Conyzoides L. Extract and Piper Betle L. Extract in Gel Dosage Forms Against Staphylococcus Aureus

Background: Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses often infect humans in their living environments. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) are gram-positive bacteria that are widely used in antibacterial activity experiments and cause infection in the body surface of mammals. Ageratum conyzoides L. (AC) and Piper betle L. (PB)are the natural herbs which have antibacterial activity against SA. Objective: This research was aimed to compare the antibacterial activity of AC with PB extracts in gel dosage form against SA. Methods: The antibacterial activity of both extracts were determined by disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were evaluated by the microdilution method. These extracts were formulated into gel dosage form using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with various concentrations and then evaluated for pH, viscosity and antibacterial activity. Results: The results show that both AC and PB extracts have antibacterial activity against SA with MIC value of 2 % and 5 %, respectively. Then, the gel containing 4 % sodium CMC showed the best physical stability, either containing AC or PB extract. The gel dosage forms of both extracts did not show any difference in organoleptic properties, pH and viscosity after 28 days storage. The gel dosage forms of AC and PB extracts have antibacterial activity with inhibition zone of 20.3 mm ± 1.3 mm and 15.21 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. Conclusion: ,The antibacterial activity of AC extract was higher compared to that of PB extract in the gel dosage form.