Formula Optimization of Feminine Liquid Soap from Garlic (Allium sativum Linn) Extract

Leucorrhoea is a condition frequently experienced by women. If it is not appropriately treated, it can become a more severe problem. Leucorrhoea is caused by “Candida albicans” fungus infection. Garlic (Allium sativum Linn) has antibacterial and antifungal activity, where garlic can inhibit the growth of the Candida albicans. This study aims to determine the optimal formulation of feminine liquid soap from garlic extract (Allium sativum Linn) with good physical quality; thus, garlic in treating Leucorrhoea can be practically easier. Optimization of liquid soap formulation used carbopol and sodium lauryl sulfate with various concentration variations. The method included organoleptic observation, pH, and specific gravity for onemonth storage to obtain a good physical quality of liquid soap. The result showed that the formula with 10% sodium lauryl sulfate met the physical quality test requirements of feminine liquid soap; thus, the formulation of feminine liquid soap with 10% sodium lauryl sulfate was optimal.


INTRODUCTION
Leucorrhoea is a symptom of vaginal discharge other than menstrual blood, indicating a disease of the female reproductive organs. 1 Leucorrhoea can be caused by the infection of Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria 2 , Candida sp fungus 3 , Trichomonas vaginalis parasite 3 , herpes 4 virus, and hormonal balance disorders. 5 Candida albicans is part of the normal human flora that occupies the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. 6 In pathogenic conditions, this fungus can proliferate and can cause fermentation. Excessive consumption of antibiotics, steroids, and stamina-* Corresponding author, e-mail: ingenida.hadning@umy.ac.id enhancing drugs can increase the risk of vaginal discharge. 7 There are many traditional medicines to treat vaginal discharge, and one of them is to use garlic (Allium sativum Linn). The part of garlic that is believed to have antifungal and antibacterial properties is the essential oil. The content of allyl sulfide or allicin (C3H5-S-SC3H5) in these essential oils can damage cell walls and inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. 8 It has been proven in a study conducted by Othman et al. (2008) 9 regarding the effectiveness of garlic extract as an antibiotic in Candida albicans species. The study stated that the garlic extract was effective as an anti-fungal for Candida albicans species at a concentration of 20 mg/mL. Along with the modernization of the medical world, treatments with the backto-nature method are still widely used. This method uses natural ingredients processed and developed into various kinds of traditional medicines with minimal side effects. This study aims to identify a feminine liquid soap from garlic extract (Allium sativum Linn) with good physical quality.

METHOD
This study is experimental laboratory research in optimizing the formula for feminine liquid soap from garlic (Allium sativum Linn) extract. This study was conducted at the Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, for 1 month.

Determination
Determination was carried out at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gadjah Mada University by comparing the plants used in the study with a reference book, "Flora of Java (Spermatophytes Only)". 10

Making Garlic Extract
Garlic extract was made with a solvent, aqua dest. One gram of garlic was mixed with 10 ml of aqua dest, then blended using a domestic blender for 1 minute so that the ingredients were smoother and easier to extract. The mixture was vortexed for 10 minutes and allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. The use of a vortex was to separate the less refined garlic extract. Furthermore, the extract was centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain a filtrate containing garlic extract, and the filtrate was filtered with filter paper to obtain a purer extract. The extract was placed in a water bath at 600ºC for 15 minutes so that the allicin compound was more soluble with water. The 600ºC temperature did not damage the allicin compound and was re-vortexed for 1 minute. The mixture was again centrifuged to separate the water produced from the garlic. The garlic extract obtained as a formulation was 10 ml.

Optimization of Liquid Soap Formulations (Vaginal Douche)
The formula development in this study used ingredients available and often used for liquid soap preparations in general. This study used carbopol 980 and sodium lauryl sulfate. The use of sodium lauryl sulfate and carbopol 980 in this study was because the ingredients were easy to obtain and were more widely used in soap preparations than esaflor and viscolam. Viscolam is a material that contains sodium polyacryladdimetyl taurate used as an emulgator and to increase the viscosity of the water phase. 11 Esaflor HM22 was used as a thickener in cosmetic preparations and as a stabilizer for oil-inwater emulsions. 12 The pharmaceutical preparation of liquid soap with water as the primary solvent was a good medium to grow microbes quickly. The preservative used in this process was a combination of methylparaben and propylparaben.
After obtaining the garlic extract, the soap's pharmaceutical formulation would be made. First, disodium hydrogen phosphate was dissolved with water at ± 400ºC; thus, the sodium salt could dissolve completely. If the crystalline powder was not completely dissolved in cold water, disodium hydrogen phosphate was used as a buffering agent. After that, the sodium lauryl sulfate or carbopol 980 was put into a solution of disodium hydrogen phosphate, and was let to expand (± 15 minutes), then stirred homogeneously. Carbopol 980 was dissolved with aqua dest, which had been heated to ± 600ºC. After the sodium lauryl sulfate and carbopol 980 expanded or were homogeneous in the disodium hydrogen phosphate solution, the garlic extract was mixed and homogenized.
The citric acid solution was added until a suitable pH was obtained. The pH of the skin ranges from 5.0-6.5. 13 Then, propylparaben and methylparaben were added as preservatives. Before being mixed into the formula, methylparaben and propylparaben were dissolved in 95% alcohol as they were insoluble in water. Furthermore, propylene glycol was added as a cosolvent so that it can be thoroughly mixed in the preparation. The final stage was the addition of 100 ml aqua dest and the addition of oleum rose as a fragrance.

Physical Evaluation of Liquid Soap
The physical evaluation was to test the stability and safety level of liquid soap preparations in a preclinical manner. The physical evaluation included organoleptic observations, pH measurements, and specific gravity measurements. Organoleptic observations were carried out based on observations of color, odor, and liquid soap dosage form for 4 weeks. PH measurements were carried out using a pH meter; the pH value should be 5.0-6.5. 13 pH measurements needed to be repeated to avoid mistakes. Density measurements were carried out using a pycnometer and were carried out at a room temperature of 250C. Density measurements also needed to be repeated to avoid mistakes.

Organoleptic Observation
Organoleptic observation showed that the formula with the sodium lauryl sulfate produced clear liquid soap, not too viscous, and foamy. Meanwhile, the formula with the carbopol produced a slightly turbid, viscous liquid and not foamy. The results of organoleptic observations of liquid soap are shown in table 2.

Formula
Description Organoleptic week-

CONCLUSION
Based on the physical quality test that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the formulation with a 10% concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate produced feminine liquid soap from garlic extract with good physical quality as it had met the requirements.