Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Ointment for Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Activity

Herbal therapy and herbal drugs predominates in traditional medicine as well as in alternative medicine practiced in the developed world. Among the various indications where traditional herbal medicines are used, skin related disorders is ranked top. Thus, the main objective of the present study is to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal ointment for wound healing and antimicrobial activity. Ointments were formulated using hydroalcoholic extracts (soxhlet extraction) of Piper nigrum and Curcuma longa were evaluated for its physicochemical property, wound healing and antimicrobial activity. Ointments were prepared using different concentrations of the extracts such as 2%, 4% w/w by fusion method using emulsifying ointment as base. Formulations were tested for its physicochemical properties like pH, spreadability, extrudability and viscosity and gave satisfactory results. The prepared formulations were also stable at various temperature. Further, extract were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus vulgaris by paper disc diffusion method. All the extract showed predominant activity against selected species. Formulations were also evaluated for wound healing activity. Hence an attempt was made to formulate a polyherbal ointment, and to evaluate for its physical parameter, the formulated ointment was compared with the standard ointment (povidone iodine). Overall result of this study reveals that this is an effective polyherbal ointment. Keywords: Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, Wound healing activity, Antimicrobial activity