PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL HERBAL FORMULATION OF PTEROSPERMUM ACERIFOLIUM WILLD

The present work deals with formulation of topical gels containing aqueous extract of P. acerifolium seeds and also evaluation of prepared gels against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of various P. acerifolium seed extracts was measured through determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by cube dilution method and zone of inhibition by disc diffusion method against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Aqueous P. acerifolium seed extracts exhibited comparatively higher antibacterial potential in comparison with that of other extracts and employed to formulate topical herbal gels using 4.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as gel base. Prepared herbal gels were tested for pH, viscosity, extrudability and spreadability. All the prepared gels were subjected to antibacterial study by determining zone of inhibition by disc diffusion method. Herbal gels containing 15% aqueous P. acerifolium seed extract exhibited better zones of inhibition against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus in comparison with that of 7.5% and 10%. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that herbal gels containing 15% aqueous P. acerifolium seed extract is found suitable for topical use against bacterial infections.