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Rosella Flower Extract Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant E. coli Infections
Researchers from Universitas Indonesia Maju have reported that rosella flower extract, derived from Hibiscus sabdariffa L., demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in laboratory testing. The study, published in 2026 in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), found that the water fraction of rosella flowers was particularly effective in inhibiting bacterial growth and may support future development of herbal-based complementary therapies for bacterial infections. The research was conducted by Dian Fitri Chairunnisa and Ratna Ika Yusuf from Universitas Indonesia Maju.
The findings are significant as global health systems continue to face rising antibiotic resistance, especially from bacteria such as E. coli, one of the most common causes of urinary tract infections, digestive infections, and hospital-acquired diseases. Scientists worldwide are increasingly exploring medicinal plants as alternative or supportive antimicrobial agents to reduce dependence on conventional antibiotics.
Rosella’s Growing Importance in Herbal Medicine
Rosella flowers have long been consumed in herbal teas and traditional medicine across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The plant contains several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, anthocyanins, and polyphenols. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial effects.
Previous studies cited in the article showed rosella extract could inhibit bacterial growth, but the latest research provides additional evidence regarding its antibacterial strength, biofilm-related potential, and possible clinical applications. Biofilms are layers of bacteria that attach to surfaces and become harder to eliminate with antibiotics. They are commonly associated with chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.
The researchers noted that rosella may help increase bacterial membrane permeability, making bacteria more vulnerable to conventional antibiotic treatment. This mechanism could make rosella useful as an adjuvant or complementary therapy alongside standard drugs.
How the Research Was Conducted
The research team used dried rosella flower powder and extracted its compounds using 96% ethanol through a maceration process lasting three days. The extract was then separated into several fractions using different solvents, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water.
To evaluate antibacterial activity, the researchers used two laboratory methods:
- Disk diffusion testing to measure bacterial inhibition zones
- Dilution testing to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC)
The tests targeted Escherichia coli ATCC strains using ciprofloxacin as the positive control antibiotic.
The rosella extraction process produced a yield of 24.5%, exceeding the minimum standards set in the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
Key Findings From the Study
The study found that the water fraction of rosella flowers delivered the strongest antibacterial activity against E. coli. Key findings included:
- The water fraction produced an inhibition zone diameter of 16.5 mm
- The antibacterial activity was categorized as moderate to strong
- The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was recorded at 25 mg/mL
- Ciprofloxacin remained more potent overall, with a 30.3 mm inhibition zone
- The antibacterial effects were linked to flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins present in rosella flowers
According to the researchers, saponins likely contribute to bacterial cell death by disrupting bacterial membrane stability and increasing membrane permeability. This damage causes leakage of essential cell components and eventually kills the bacteria.
The study also reported that rosella demonstrated antibiofilm potential, an important finding because biofilm-forming bacteria are often resistant to standard antibiotic treatment.
Potential Benefits for Clinical Pharmacy
The authors emphasized that rosella flowers could become valuable in clinical pharmacy as an evidence-based phytopharmaceutical product. Potential applications include:
- Complementary treatment for urinary tract infections
- Supportive therapy for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
- Herbal mouthwash formulations targeting oral bacteria
- Combination therapy to improve antibiotic effectiveness
- Natural antibacterial products with anti-inflammatory properties
The research also highlighted rosella’s broader health effects reported in previous clinical studies, including blood pressure regulation, antioxidant protection, and lipid-lowering activity.
In the article, the researchers explained that rosella’s antibacterial activity may “enhance the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics” through mechanisms involving bacterial membrane disruption and inhibition of biofilm formation.
Safety Concerns and Drug Interaction Risks
Despite its promising antibacterial effects, the researchers warned that rosella should not yet be considered a replacement for antibiotics. Several safety concerns remain unresolved.
The flavonoids contained in rosella may affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, which play a major role in drug metabolism. This interaction could alter the effectiveness of medications such as:
- Antibiotics
- Antihypertensive drugs
- Diuretics
- Anticoagulants
The researchers also noted that rosella’s natural antihypertensive effects may increase the risk of low blood pressure when combined with blood pressure medication. Mild gastrointestinal side effects are also possible.
Because the current findings were obtained through in vitro laboratory testing, further studies involving animals and human clinical trials are still necessary before rosella-based antibacterial therapies can be safely introduced into routine medical practice.
Future Directions for Herbal Antibacterial Research
The study adds to growing international interest in plant-based antimicrobial therapies amid the worsening global antibiotic resistance crisis. Researchers believe medicinal plants such as rosella may eventually support safer, more sustainable infection management strategies when combined with conventional medicine.
The authors concluded that rosella flowers have strong potential as a scientifically supported phytopharmaceutical product, but additional pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and clinical studies are essential to confirm safety, therapeutic dosage, and effectiveness in humans.
Author Profiles
Dian Fitri Chairunnisa is a pharmacy researcher affiliated with Universitas Indonesia Maju whose work focuses on herbal medicine, antibacterial compounds, and pharmaceutical sciences.
Ratna Ika Yusuf is a clinical pharmacy academic and researcher at Universitas Indonesia Maju specializing in pharmacology, herbal therapeutics, and clinical pharmaceutical applications.
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