Antimicrobial studies of the leaf extract of Argemone mexicana and its ointment formulation
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Abstract
Background: Skin infections are rampant in children and there is a widespread resistance to common antibacterial and antifungal therapies for these infections.
Objective: This study aims to screen the extract of Argemone mexicana leaf for antibacterial and antifungal activity; and formulate the extract into ointment dosage forms using simple ointment B.P.C.
Methods: Preliminary phytochemical studies were performed and the methanol, ethanol and n-hexane leaf extracts of Argemone mexicana Linn. were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic bacteria- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia(Gram negative) and Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and dermatophytes such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum audouinii (fungi) using well diffusion method. The most active extract was formulated into ointment and evaluated for physicochemical and antimicrobial activity.
Results: Flavonoids and alkaloids were present in all the extracts while anthraquinones and saponin were present in methanol and n hexane extract. The ranking for extract activity was methanol>n- hexane> ethanol. The methanol extract showed comparable activity with gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus and higher activity against Escherichia coli at 250mg/ml and 500mg/ml. The order of activity of the methanol extract against the test organisms is Staphylococcus aureus> Escherichia coli> Streptococcus spp> Klebsiella pneumonia> Trichophyton mentagrophyte> Trichophyton rubrums> Microsporum audouinii. There was no significant variation (P> 0.05) in the zones of inhibition of bacteria with the methanol extract. The formulated ointment had a characteristic odour, smooth texture, was easy to apply on rubbing, easy to remove with soap and water and non-irritant on skin.
Conclusion: The result of this study supports the traditional uses of these plants and shows that the plant extract possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities
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