Asokha (Saraca asoca) flower extract gel preparation for incision wound healing

• Main Authors: Sinaga, M. Zulham Efendi, Lenny, Sovia, Hardiyanti, Rini, Zaidar, Emma, Zuhra, Cut Fatimah, Silaban, Iyanti
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Evaporators; Flavonoids; Metabolites; Methanol; Physical properties; Saponins; Viscosity; Wound healing
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0136089

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) flower has been reported to contain several secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins, thus it has the potential to be used as a gel in accelerating the wound healing process. Therefore, research on the preparation of gel based on Ashoka flower methanol extract was carried out with the aim of characterizing the potential of the preparation in accelerating wound healing. In this study, Ashoka flower simplicia was extracted using the maceration method with methanol as a solvent. The extract obtained was then concentrated using a rotary evaporator and then continued with a phytochemical screening test. The concentrated extract obtained was then added to the gel formula with varying concentrations of 5% w/v (F1), 10% w/v (F2) and 15% w/v (F3). Ashoka flower gel was then tested for its bacterial inhibition against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disk diffusion method. Furthermore, the physical properties of the gel were characterized by pH and viscosity tests. To analyze the potential of the gel in accelerating the healing of incision, a test on white rats that had been given an incision was carried out. Based on the results of the research that has been carried out, it is known that the gel with the addition of an extract concentration of 15% (F3) is able to produce an inhibition zone of 11 mm for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and 10.3 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The test results also showed that the pH value for the gel was 6.2 with an optimum viscosity value of 2800 cps so it was considered safe to be applied to the skin. Meanwhile, the gel application test on incision showed that on day 21 there was a 56.41% wound closure in rats treated with the F3 sample. Based on this research, it can be concluded that the addition of Ashoka flower methanol extract in a gel preparation has the potential to be utilized in accelerating the wound healing process.