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.
