Sri Amelia, Nenni Dwi Aprianti Lubis, Abdi Santoso, Alvin Ivander, Yulia Putri
Antimicrobial resistance remains a global health concern, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) representing one of the most problematic pathogens. The increasing prevalence of resistance narrows effective treatment options, highlighting the need for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of local herbal extracts against MRSA. Herbal extraction was conducted using 96% ethanol by maceration, followed by serial dilution as described in the literature. Phytochemical analysis was performed to identify the major constituents, and antimicrobial activity was tested using the Kirby–Bauer diffusion method against MRSA ATCC 49136 and clinical isolates. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins in all tested herbs. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that Alpinia galanga exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with inhibition zones reaching up to 37.5 mm, while Lawsonia inermis showed inhibition zones up to 19.5 mm. Both herbs demonstrated consistent activity against MRSA strains. Alpinia galanga and Lawsonia inermis displayed significant antimicrobial potential against MRSA, indicating their promise as sources of natural antimicrobial agents. Further studies should focus on isolating the active compounds and assessing their clinical applicability. © 2026, Sami Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; Study Program of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, Faculty of Sports Science, Universitas Negeri, Medan, Indonesia
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