Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Andrographisp aniculata Herbal Gel

Andrographisp aniculata (AP), a herbal plant, is claimed to possess various pharmacological activities such as antifungal agents. The aim of the present study is to formulate and evaluate the gel containing ethanol extract from AP for its characterization and topical antifungal activity against superficial mycoses. Gelling agent used was 100% petroleum jelly. In the present study, the different concentration of the AP ethanol extracts were homogenized with petroleum jelly for the formulation of gel. The characteristics of formulations i.e. physical appearance, pH, microbial contamination and stability were examined. Furthermore, antifungal evaluation was done using food poisoning technique. The results of formulations characteristics showed that the gels were transparent, homogenous, and smooth feel application. Further stability test for four months showed the constant stability of 5.0% (w/w) AP gels, with the best skin pH application which ranging from 5.03±0.02 to 5.50±0.02. The results for microbial contamination were tested using pour plate method. There was no visible colony on the agar plates at all gel concentrations tested, indicating the safe and antimicrobial nature of the formulations. The in vitro antifungal activity studies showed that the formulation recorded inhibitory effect on the growth of all tested fungi;Trichophyton mentagrophyte, T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, Microsporum fulvum, M. nanumand M. canis. Significant mycelial inhibition was seen at all concentrations tested (p