Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Underarm Gel

Abstract

Background: Sweating is a normal physiological function which helps to regulate body temperature. Bacterial degradation of organic compounds present in the human sweat causes body odour. This imposes a significant negative impact on the quality of life. Therefore, deodorants and antiperspirants are used to reduce body odour. However, synthetic deodorants may cause harmful health effects. Nymphaea pubescens (commonly known as “Pink waterlily”) is a plant known for its versatility in therapeutic and cosmeceutical applications due to its rich phytochemical constituents. Extracts of different parts have shown various medicinal activities. Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties of crude methanolic extracts of N. pubescens flower petals and formulation and evaluation of a herbal underarm gel. Methods: Acidified aqueous alcoholic petal extract of N. pubescens was employed as antibacterial agent. Phytochemical screening was evaluated using the extract. Five different formulations were used to evaluate anti-bacterial effects by agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antioxidant property was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The stability of the product was evaluated over 45 days. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening exhibited the availability of main phytochemicals in the extract. Crude extract of pink water-lily petals revealed high phenolic content of 33.92±0.92 mg GAE/g and flavonoid content of 21.92±2.66 mg QE/g and demonstrated a significant anti-bacterial activity. Formulation demonstrated potent free-radical scavenging activity with 53.99±0.11 mg AAE/g. The prominent antibacterial activity was observed in the formulation containing N. pubescens (2% w/v) which exhibited more antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC-156.25 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC-156.25 µg/mL) and less activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC-312.50 µg/mL). No microbial contamination observed after 45 days. Conclusions: Secondary metabolites present in the crude extract of N. pubescens may reduce body odour. It inhibits the growth of bacteria in sweat due to its prominent antibacterial activity.