Abstract
The ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn), a plant of ethnomedicinal importance, was formulated into herbal cream and ointment and evaluated using physicochemical, safety and antimicrobial properties. The extract was obtained by maceration and the antimicrobial properties tested on clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans) using established methods. Cream and ointment formulations containing 1–10 % w/w extract was prepared and 4 % w/w humectant (glycerin) was incorporated into the cream while 5 % w/w surfactant (cetomacrogol 1000) was incorporated to the ointment. The results showed that the pH of the formulations was acidic and the viscosity ranged from 1250 to 4950 cP for ointments and 570–1233 cP for creams. The presence of humectant and surfactant significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the viscosities of the formulations. The results of dermal irritation showed negligible irritation index while sub-chronic toxicity tests showed that the formulations did not cause any visible lesions in the skin of the animals after application for twenty-one days. The in vitro antimicrobial properties of formulations were concentration-dependent with the creams showing higher activity. Furthermore, the in vivo activity of the cream on S. aureus showed increased antibacterial activity with increase in extract concentration and humectant presence. The herbal cream and ointment of Phyllanthus amarus extract had acceptable physicochemical and safety profiles with significant (p < 0.05) in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity. Thus, the formulations could be useful in the treatment of skin infections instead of using the extract for bathing and rubbing.
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Acknowledgments
This article does not contain any studies with human subjects performed by any of the authors and animal care use was conducted in accordance with appropriate guidelines as stated under methods section. In addition, all authors (Tolulope O. Ajala, Mbang N. Femi-Oyewo, Oluwatoyin A. Odeku, Oluwasanmi O. Aina, Adebowale B. Saba, Olayinka O. Oridupa) hereby declare that they is no conflict of interest. None of the authors received research grant from any agency for this study.
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Ajala, T.O., Femi-Oyewo, M.N., Odeku, O.A. et al. The physicochemical, safety and antimicrobial properties of Phyllanthus amarus herbal cream and ointment. Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation 46, 169–178 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-015-0226-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-015-0226-8