Development and characterization of Nanocream containing Dukung Anak (Phyllanthus niruri Linn.) Oil for antimicrobial activities

Crushed leaves of Phyllathus niruri is used in traditional medicine practice for the treatment of skin disease. The essential oil from Phyllanthus niruri contains aqueous and ethanol solution extracts that has antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the objective of this study is to formulate, prepare, and characterize the Phyllanthus niruri oil nanocream using an analytical standard palm oil. The nanocream base was formulated using different ratios of oil, surfactants and water. Surfactants used were mixture of Tween 80 and Span 65 at different ratios. Four formulations using mixtures of Tween 80 and Span 65 were further evaluated for accelerated stability test, droplet size and physical appearance of viscosity. The nanocream base which had an average droplet size of 100 nm to 600 nm, a plastic flow with thixotropic behavior and not separate after centrifuge process was selected for incorporation of 2 % and 4 % of Phyllanthus niruri oil. Meanwhile, this study also to investigate the antimicrobial activities of nanocream by agar diffusion against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). However, the organisms display the small zone inhibition at 2 % and 4 % in an average of 0.53 and 0.77 cm. Thus, the results indicate that Phyllanthus niruri oil can be formulated into nanocream for tropical application in treating skin infection.