Formulation and Antibacterial Activity of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng Leaves Ethanolic Extract as Herbal Mouthwash Against Halitosis Caused Bacteria

BACKGROUND: Halitosis is one of the unpleasant conditions which could alter the self-confidence and cause serious illness. One of the treatments to overcome halitosis is by using mouthwash. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is one of the plants that is known to have antibacterial activity which can be used to overcome halitosis caused bacteria. AIM: To formulate the Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves ethanolic extract as herbal mouthwash and to evaluate the antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. METHODS: The methods of the study included the characterization and screening of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves dried powder; the extraction process by maceration using 96% ethanol; the antibacterial activity test of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves ethanolic extract and the formulation and evaluation of mouthwash dosage form with various concentrations of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves ethanolic extract. RESULTS: The characterization results showed that the Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves powder contained 7.92% of water, 29.26% of water-soluble substance, 13.32% of ethanol soluble substance, 0.82% of total ash and 0.66% of acid insoluble ash. The screening examination gave glycoside, saponin, flavonoid, tannin and steroid/triterpenoid positive results. The antibacterial activity test of the Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng mouthwash showed that the dosage form with 2% of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng extract successfully inhibited the growth of bacteria with 12.00 and 11.25 mm of inhibition diameter for both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng leaves ethanolic extract can be formulated in mouthwash dosage form and has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans bacteria.