Development and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Poly-herbal Gel Formulation for the Treatment of Various  Skin Infections

Tehmina Sohail; Rashid Ali Khan; Hina Imran; Ghulam Fareed; Shazia Yasmeen

doi:10.37962/jpps.v10i3.665

Tehmina Sohail Pharmaceutical Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex, Karachi, Pakistan.
Rashid Ali Khan Pharmaceutical Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex, Karachi, Pakistan.
Hina Imran Pharmaceutical Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ghulam Fareed Pharmaceutical Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex, Karachi, Pakistan.
Shazia Yasmeen Pharmaceutical Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex, Karachi, Pakistan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37962/jpps.v10i3.665

Keywords: A. indica, S. persica, C. officinalis, polyherbal gel, antimicrobial activity, dermal irritation test.

Abstract

Background: Azadirachta indica (leaves), Salvadora persica (sticks) and Calendula officinalis (flowers) are being used in various ailments and skin infections individually. It has a range of pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and wound healing. There is a scarcity of scientific evidence on the formulation of polyherbal gel containing these plants.

Objectives: The current study is aimed at formulating a poly herbal gel using plant extracts having superior antibacterial activity. The prepared formulation will be examined for its physical properties (pH, viscosity, and spreadability) antibacterial study and dermal irritation test.

Methodology: Standard methods were used to conduct studies on ethanolic extracts of A. indica (leaves), S. persica (sticks) and C. officinalis (flowers). Individual plant extract’s antimicrobial activity was studied against Escherichia coli (ATCC No. 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC No. 9027) and yeast Candida albicans. Physicochemical properties of polyherbal gel and skin irritation test were performed according to standard guidelines.

Results: The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts was observed against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and yeast Candida albican. On the basis of their antimicrobial activity, 5% w/w polyherbal antimicrobial gel was formulated by incorporating all three extracts in equal ratio, which are then evaluated for physical properties and antimicrobial assay. Acute dermal irritation test of polyherbal gel according to the OECD 404 guideline was conducted on the healthy skin of albino rabbits. The results revealed that animals not showed any signs of irritation, redness, inflammation and oedema. The physical parameters and stability study revealed that the formulated polyherbal gel was found stable at different temperature and compatible to skin. The microbiological studies exhibited significantly strong (p < 0.05) activity against S. aureus, E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and C. albicans.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that prepared polyherbal gel is safe and can be used effectively as antimicrobial formulation against various skin infections.