EVALUATION OF Limonia acidissima EXTRACT OINTMENT: ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY AND TYROSINASE INHIBITION POTENTIAL

Abstract

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.