Effect of Katuk Leaves Ethanol Extract Gel as an Antibacterial and Antifungal in Orthodontic Treatment

Fixed orthodontic treatment is one option for treating malocclusion. The intricate design makes it difficult for patients to clean their teeth and can cause the emergence of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Katuk plant (Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.) is commonly used as herbal medicine. Flavonoids in katuk leaves have antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of katuk leaf ethanol extract gel as an antimicrobial by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi involved in orthodontic treatment. The study was an experimental study with a post-test-only control group using katuk leaves ethanol extract gel formulation as treatment, aquadest gel as a negative control, ketoconazole as a positive control against Candida albicans, and amoxicillin against Streptococcus mutans. Data were analyzed using the Kruskall– Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (P < 0.05). The results show that katuk leaves have inhibition on Streptococcus mutans (P = 0.000) growth but have no inhibition on Candida albicans (P = 1.00) growth. The conclusion of this study is that the gel of katuk leaves ethanol extract (S. androgynus (L.) merr.) has antibacterial activity against S. mutans in the oral cavity but no antifungal effect on C. albicans. Keywords: Candida albicans, fixed orthodontics, katuk leaves, Streptococcus mutans