FORMULATION OF AN EMULGEL LOADING A SYNERGISTIC ANTIBACTERIAL COMBINATION OF α-MANGOSTIN ENRICHED EXTRACT AND LAWSONE METHYL ETHER

This study aimed to formulate a stable topical emulgel containing a synergized anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) combination of α-mangostin enriched extract (AME) and lawsone methyl ether (LME). AME (containing 84.9% w/w α-mangostin) was prepared using green technology, while pure LME was semi-synthesized from lawsone. Synergistic antibacterial effects against MRSA were evaluated using a broth microdilution assay coupled with the checkerboard method. Four AME and LME-loaded emulgels (F1–F4) containing 0.025% w/w AME and 0.2% w/w LME were formulated and evaluated for their physical, chemical, and biological stabilities under accelerated conditions for 6 months. The antibacterial assay followed by the checkerboard method revealed the best synergistic anti-MRSA effect between AME and LME at concentrations of 0.5 and 4 µg/mL, respectively. Based on the stability evaluations, the F4 formula exhibited good physical, chemical, and biological stabilities for at least 6 months. These results indicate that the emulgel containing a synergistic cocktail of 0.025% w/w AME and 0.2% w/w LME possesses high potential for further in vivo studies on the treatment of wounds associated with MRSA infection.