Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Staphylococcus aureus and its Cytotoxic Effect on Human Keratinocytes

Abstract

Hibiscus sabdariffa is widely studied for its bioactive properties, such as its antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. This study investigates the antibacterial activity and potential cytotoxic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte model commonly used in toxicity and dermatological studies, through the well diffusion assay and MTS assay, respectively. In this study, H. sabdariffa exhibited antibacterial properties comparable to gentamicin, and resulted in significant cell proliferation (p < 0.05), where cell growth was proportional to the concentration. This may suggest that bioactive compounds in the extract play protective or proliferative roles. These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for H. sabdariffa in promoting cell growth and a potential antibiotic.