Evaluation of In-vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Crude Extracts of Heteropogon contortus and Formulation of an Antibacterial Cream.

Abstract

Background: Scientists are exploring plants and their components to develop novel therapeutic agents with antimicrobial activity. Heteropogon contortus, a plant belonging to Poaceae family has demonstrated antibacterial, antioxidant and antarthritic properties. Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the crude extract obtained from whole plant of H. contortus and the development of a topical anti-bacterial cream Methods: The whole plant, authenticated by research institute, Nawinna, was used to obtain the methanolic extract of H. contortus and the phytochemical compositions were examined as per the standard protocols. In vitro antibacterial potential was examined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and antifungal potential was examined against clinical isolate of Candida albicans by well diffusion assay. Concentrations of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL of the extracts were tested. Ciprofloxacin (3 mg/mL) and fluconazole (1 mg/mL) were used as positive controls for antibacterial assay and antifungal assay, respectively. Methanol was used as a negative control for both assays. Finally, the plant extracts were incorporated into a cream base to formulate a herbal cream and the stability was tested. Results: Phytochemical tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and carbohydrates in the crude extract. The highest antibacterial activity was shown at 400 mg/mL against both S. aureus and E. coli with inhibition zones of 13.00±0.00 mm and 12.50±0.71 mm, respectively and it was used for the cream formulation. Inhibition zone of negative control and positive control were 4.00±0.00 mm and 36.00±0.00 mm, respectively. The tested concentrations of the plant extract showed zero inhibitory activity against C. albicans. The formulated cream possessed acceptable stability under the parameters of pH, physical appearance, color, odor, homogeneity and phase separation. Conclusions: The methanolic extract of H. contortus whole plant possesses antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli and no inhibitory activity against C. albicans. Further researches are recommended to study the antibacterial activity of the developed novel topical cream formulation.