Combination of Sandalwood and Ceremai Leaf Extracts as In Vitro Therapy for Canker Sores

<p><em><span>[Combination of Sandalwood and Ceremai Leaf Extracts as In Vitro Therapy for Canker Sores] Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) or canker sores is a condition characterized by the presence of ulcerated lesions on the oral mucosa. Generally, the cause of canker sores is an infection of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Candida albicans. The variety of flora that grows in Bali, has long been trusted by the community as an alternative to modern medicine. Based on Lontar Usadha Taru Pramana, the leaves of sandalwood (Santalum album L.) and ceremai (Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels) can be applied as a treat for canker sore therapy. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the combination of sandalwood and ceremai for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The plant leaves were obtained from Karangasem-Bali. The fine powder mixture of both ingredients was extracted with 96% ethanol by maceration method, obtaining a thick extract. Antimicrobial activity test was done by Kirby-Bauer method for both microbes, S. aureus and C. albicans with extract concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Antibacterial and antifungal screening results showed that the inhibition zones formed were categorized as very strong, ranging from 25-30 mm and 20-27 mm. The maximum antimicrobial activity was obtained by 100% of the extract concentration, while the minimum inhibitory concentration was observed at 25%. Based on this study, further study should be focused on developing a herbal product using a combination of cendana and ceremai leaf extracts to treat canker sores.</span></em></p>