The Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cherry Leaf Extract (Muntingia Calabura L.) Balm Stick

In previous studies, cherry leaf extract has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. This means a preparation is needed to deliver the extract. Balm stick is an innovation in a stem-shaped balm that makes it easier to be used so that cherry leaf extract is made into a balm stick preparation. This study aims to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the balsam stick of cherry leaf extract topically. The study was conducted by varying the concentration of cherry leaf extract at 2.5%, 5%, and 10% and tested its anti-inflammatory activity in male white rats induced by carrageenan. The experimental animals were divided into 5 test groups, whereby the positive control group was given 2.5% hydrocortisone balm stick, the negative control group was given the balm stick preparation and the 3 test groups were given 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. The observations were made using a plethysmometer by looking at the volume of edema in the carrageenan-induced rat paws. Balm sticks with a concentration of 5% and 10% had an inhibitory power of more than 50% with a value of 70.27% and 95.83% while a concentration of 2.5% had an inhibitory power of 44.44%. Balm stick ethanol extract of cherry leaves has anti-inflammatory activity with concentrations of 5% and 10% and demonstrates an increase in anti-inflammatory activity, whereby the greater the concentration, the greater the anti-inflammatory activity produced.