Cytotoxicity of 12.5% Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn leaf extract using 96% ethanol combined with sodium alginate excipient from brown algae for drug development

Topical drug products consist of active ingredients for therapeutic effect and excipients as a drug carrier. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn leaf extract has therapeutic benefits such as antioxidants, antibacterials, and anti-fungi which are often applied in medicinal products. Sodium alginate is widely researched as a drug carrier because of its biocompatibility properties to stabilize the polymorphic form of active ingredients and improve their solubility and bioavailability. It also enhances the stability of the active ingredients in the final dosage form. Cytotoxicity tests are mandatory during the development of drugs to ensure their suitability for use. This study investigated the cytotoxicity of sodium alginate sponge and a combination of sodium alginate sponge as an excipient with 12,5% Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. leaf extract as treatment group against BHK-21 fibroblast cells. This was an in vitro experimental laboratory research using a posttest only control group design involving two groups, the control group and the treatment group. Data were analyzed statistically using a T-test to compare the mean cell viability between the two research groups, with a significance level of p<0.05 considered significant. The results of the cytotoxicity test demonstrated that sodium alginate alone showed a certain level of cell viability. The combination of 12.5% Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. leaf extract with sodium alginate as an excipient is not cytotoxic in drug development.