Formulation of topical ointment from terminalia sericea for treatment of skin infections

Terminalia sericea Burch.Ex.DC (Combretaceae) extracts are used to treat bacterial and fungal infections. Intermediate and polar extracts of stem, root and leaves exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus anthracic and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, while the petroleum ether extracts were inactive. The methanol and dichloromethane extracts of root and stem showed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracic, Candida albicans and mild activity against Pseudomonas aureus. The 1:1 dichloromethane: methanol and methanol extracts of the leaves showed highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis and mild antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Among all extracts tested, methanol extract of root exhibited highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The ointment was prepared from methanolic extract of the root and efficacy of the prepared ointment was tested against skin infection using mice (26l