Vol. 12 No. 5 (2026): In Progress
Open Access
Peer Reviewed

Potential Antagonistic Interactions of Cassia alata L. Leaf Extract and Commercial Antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus: An In Vitro Evaluation

Authors

Oki Rokhim Mawakhid , Putri Ramanda , Samuel Billie Tua Sinaga , Winda Shari , Avidlyandi Avidlyandi , Khafit Wiradimafan , Salprima Yudha S. , Risky Hadi Wibowo , Morina Adfa

DOI:

10.29303/jppipa.v12i5.14500

Published:

2026-05-25

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Abstract

Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of plant extracts with antibiotics may reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics against resistant microorganisms. Interactions between plant extracts and antibiotics can be synergistic, additive, or antagonistic. This study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction between Cassia alata leaves methanol extract and five selected conventional antibiotics in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the well diffusion and paper strip methods. The methanol extract of C. alata leaves, when tested singly at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, produced an average inhibition zone of 11.74 mm. Four antibiotics, namely ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline, exhibited stronger antibacterial activity with inhibition zones ranging from 19.56–27.26 mm, whereas co-trimoxazole showed no inhibitory effect. The combination of C. alata leaves methanol extract with ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole resulted in inhibition zones of 22.26 ± 0.703 mm, 22.54 ± 1.222 mm, 17.91 ± 1.094 mm, 17.57 ± 0.652 mm, and 9.30 ± 1.180 mm, respectively. The combined treatments have potential antagonistic effects, as the inhibition zones were smaller than the sum of the individual activities of the extract and antibiotics. Therefore, the combination was considered less effective in suppressing growth of S. aureus ATCC 29213

Keywords:

Antibiotics Cassia alata L. Combination effect Staphylococcus aureus

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Author Biographies

Oki Rokhim Mawakhid, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Putri Ramanda, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Samuel Billie Tua Sinaga, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Winda Shari, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Avidlyandi Avidlyandi, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Khafit Wiradimafan, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Salprima Yudha S., Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Risky Hadi Wibowo, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

Morina Adfa, Universitas Bengkulu

Author Origin : Indonesia

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How to Cite

Mawakhid, O. R., Ramanda, P., Sinaga, S. B. T., Shari, W., Avidlyandi, A., Wiradimafan, K., … Adfa, M. (2026). Potential Antagonistic Interactions of Cassia alata L. Leaf Extract and Commercial Antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus: An In Vitro Evaluation. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 12(5), 330–337. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v12i5.14500