Abstract

RESEARCH ON FORMULATION STRATEGIES AND EFFICACY ASSESSMENT OF A HERBAL ANTIBACTERIAL GEL

*Swapnali Dhananjay Patil, Puja Amol Kadam, Bagwan Najiya Gulamhusen, Sonmale Amruta Rajendra, Shital Siddharth Gole and Rohit Shivcharan Patil

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has intensified the search for alternative therapeutic options, particularly from natural sources. This study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an antibacterial herbal gel containing plant extracts with known antimicrobial properties. The primary objective was to develop a safe, effective, and stable gel formulation for topical application, leveraging the therapeutic benefits of herbal extracts. The herbal gel was formulated using a combination of hydrogel-forming agents, natural antibacterial plant extracts, and suitable excipients. The formulation process involved optimizing the concentration of gelling agents to achieve desirable consistency, spreadability, and stability. The antibacterial activity of the formulated gel was evaluated against common bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, using the agar well diffusion method. Comprehensive characterization of the gel was conducted, including pH measurement, spreadability, viscosity, homogeneity, and stability studies under various storage conditions. The results demonstrated that the formulated gel exhibited significant antibacterial activity comparable to standard antibiotics, with a stable and acceptable physicochemical profile over the evaluation period. This study confirms the potential of herbal gel formulations as effective alternatives to conventional topical antibacterial agents. The incorporation of herbal extracts not only enhances the therapeutic efficacy but also minimizes the side effects associated with synthetic antibiotics, offering a promising approach in the management of bacterial infections. Further clinical studies are recommended to validate the efficacy and safety of the formulation in a broader patient population.

Keywords: Antibacterial Herbal Gel, Formulation, Evaluation, Herbal Extracts, Antimicrobial Activity, Topical Application.