IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF POLYHERBAL HAND WASH FORMULATION AGAINST SOME SKIN PATHOGENS

The aim of the present research work was the in-vitro evaluation of the antibacterial potential of polyherbal hand wash formulation against some skin pathogens. Herbal remedies are widely used in healthcare around the World. Herbal medicines have been widely used as effective preventative and treatment options for various ailments. There are a variety of hand washes available in the market many of them have some adverse effects such as itching, dermatitis, irritation etc. An attempt has been made to produce a polyherbal hand wash to prevent these adverse effects of synthetic handwash formulations. For the preparation of polyherbal hand wash the hydroalcoholic leaves extracts of Moringa oleifera (Drumstick tree), Calotropis gigantea (Giant milkweed), Azadirachta indica (Neem) and lemon juice were used. Two hand wash formulations were prepared, and the formulations were also tested for physical attributes such as pH, viscosity, and appearance. The antibacterial activity of formulated herbal hand wash was tested against skin pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus by the streak-plate method. The results obtained were compared with a standard antibiotic drug (Amoxicillin). The efficiency of hand wash was also checked by using the hand wash on volunteers. The findings revealed that prepared herbal hand wash formulations showed a significant zone of inhibition compared with a standard antibiotic.