Polyherbal anti acne gel containing extracts of Mangifera indica and Syzygium cumini seeds: bioassay guided activity against Propionibacterium acne

Abstract

Mangifera indica and Sygygium cumini seeds are rich sources of secondary metabolites and a sustainable cost effective biomaterial. An effective herbal therapy for topical affliction, Acne using such material will prove to be a good alternative to costly and clinically significant antibiotics. The aim of the study was to develop topical polyherbal gel from Mangifera indica and Syzygium cumini for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Plant materials were extracted in methanol and fractionated in different polarity solvents. These fraction were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) in-vitro. The most effective fraction was formulated as gel. The formulated gel was evaluated for physico chemical parameters, irritancy, antiacne activity and stability. Methanolic extract was the most active in-vitro against Propionibacterium acne (MTCC 1951). The fabricated gel showed non-stickiness and no irritancy. It showed comparable efficacy as that of clindamycin gel as shown by histopathological study. It also showed the comparable antiacne activity as that of clindamycin gel shown in acne induced wistar albino rats. The formulated gel was stable over a period of 6 months at accelerated stability conditions. It was concluded from the study that methanolic extract of Mangifera indica and Syzygium cumini seeds can be formulated in an aqueous based gel system for topical therapy of mild Acne vulgaris to obtained similar efficacy as that of antibacterial gel (clindamycin) taken as reference standard without its side effects.