Abstract

FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL GEL AS EFFECTIVE ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS

Rahul Deo*, Dr. Nilesh Jain, Dr. R.B. Goswami

Sagar Institute of Research Technology & Science–Pharmacy Ayodhya Bypass Road, Bhopal

ABSTRACT

In the recent years, there has been a gradual revival of interest in the use of medicinal plants in developing countries because herbal medicines have been reported safe with minimal adverse side effect especially when compared with synthetic drugs. The present research aims to formulate and evaluate an herbal gel containing Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia bellirica hydroalcoholic extract. The extracts were subjected to various physicochemical evaluations. The gel was prepared by using a suitable gelling agent- carbopol 940. The extract and herbal formulation were screened for the antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion technique against S. aureus which are representative types of Gram positive organisms. The formulations were also evaluated for appearance and homogeneity, pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content uniformity and washability. The extract and herbal formulation was evaluated for its antibacterial activity and it was found that the formulation have elicited promising antibacterial activity which was comparable with that of standard drug (Ciprofloxacin). Results showed that the gels were non-irritant, stable and posses antibacterial activity. The herbal gel formulation exhibits a promising topical gel for bacterial infections. Thus the present study demonstrates an immense scope for development of such herbal gel formulations and also explores the vast potential to further carry out research by exploiting synergistic effect in herbal extracts.

Keywords: Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Physicochemical evaluations, Herbal gel, Carbopol 940, Antibacterial activity.