Pengaruh Ekstrak Etanol Daun Afrika (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) terhadap Aktivitas Antibakteri serta Kebocoran DNA dan Protein Streptococcus mutans ATCC® 25175™

Abstract

The limitation in maintaining oral hygiene during fixed orthodontic treatment leads to plaque accumulation and increases the risk of caries, with Streptococcus mutans being one of the main bacteria involved in the formation of White Spot Lesions. African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) possess bioactive phytochemical potential that functions as an antibacterial agent. This study aims to determine the effect of ethanol extract of African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) at different concentration levels on antibacterial activity and its effectiveness in causing DNA and protein leakage of Streptococcus mutans. This research is a laboratory experimental post-test control group design. The sample of this study was Streptococcus mutans ATCC® 25175™ which was tested using 7 concentration groups of African leaf ethanol extract and 2 control groups. The method used was Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion to determine the value of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and streaking method to determine the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). DNA and protein leakage of the bacteria were measured based on the MIC concentration using UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal-wallis, and t-Independent test. The results showed that ethanol extract of African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) have antibacterial activity. MIC was found at a concentration of 1.56% with an inhibition zone diameter of 9.90 ± 0.100 mm, while MBC at a concentration of 100% with a reduction of 98.15% which showed significant differences compared to chlorhexidine 0.2% and DMSO. MIC concentration causes DNA and protein leakage with absorbance values of 0.016 and 0.052 respectively (p<0.05) showing a significant difference compared to DMSO (p<0,05). The conclusion of this study is that ethanol extract of African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) exhibits inhibitory and bactericidal activity, and its MIC concentration effectively induces DNA and protein leakage in Streptococcus mutans.