EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF HERBAL OINTMENTS FORMULATED WITH ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of dried fresh leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana and also those of the ointments formulated with the extract was evaluated. The preliminary in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extract at concentrations of 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml and those of the ointments was determined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Pen icillium notatum using the agar cup plate method. Their Minimal Inh ibitory Concentrations (MIC) were also determined by agar dilution method. Herbal ointments formulated by incorporating the ethanolic extract of Acalypha wilkesiana (10 % w/w) into emulsify ing ointment and simple ointment bases respectively and a commercial brand (Funbact A ® cream) were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial efficacy and some physical properties. The zones of inhibition (mm) of the extract on the growth of the microorgan isms were Escherichia coli ( 25.2 ± 1.0) , Staphylococcus aureus ( 28.1 ± 0.5) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32.4 ± 0.4) and Candida albicans ( 22.4 ± 1.3) but there were no zone of inhibition for Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium notatum. The MIC values of the ex tract against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans were 5.00, 1.25, 10.00 and 5.00 mg/ml respectively. The formulation containing Acalypha wilkesiana extract in emulsifying ointment showed better antibacteri al activity than the simple ointment. The herbal ointment also compared favourably with a commercial brand of Funbact A ® cream. This study shows that