Acne is a common skin problem that often occurs in teenagers and adults, and it can reduce confidence and quality of life. One of the main causes of acne is the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which lives in hair follicles and triggers inflammation in the skin. Conventional treatment usually involves topical or oral antibiotics, but long-term use may lead to resistance and reduced effectiveness. Therefore, natural alternatives are needed, including plant extracts with antibacterial activity. This study aimed to formulate a nanoparticle gel from melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) peel extract and evaluate its physical quality and antibacterial activity. The extract was obtained through maceration using 96% ethanol, then prepared into nanoparticles by ionic gelation with chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate. The nanoparticles had an average size of 44.01 nm, monodisperse distribution, and a zeta potential of +42.81 mV, indicating good stability.The gel formulations were tested for organoleptic properties, viscosity, spreadability, and pH. All formulas met the standard criteria for topical gels. Antibacterial testing showed that the nanoparticle gel (F2) produced a larger inhibition zone against P. acnes (6.6 mm) compared to the extract gel (F1) (5.7 mm). These results demonstrate that melinjo peel extract formulated in nanoparticle gel has good potential as a natural topical antibacterial agent for acne treatment.
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