Study on Antimicrobial activity of Herbal Formulation

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial potential of gel formulated with Punica granatum peel extract and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract against two gram positive bacteria, two gram negative bacteria and a fungal strain. Different gels were formulated by varying the concentration of the extracts and evaluation was done by cup plate method for zone of inhibition and broth dilution method for MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) determination. The formulated gel was compared for antimicrobial activity with standard marketed silver sulfadiazine preparation. MIC range for Punica granatum pericarp and Glycyrrhiza glabra roots was found to be 0.05- 3.2 mg ml^-1 and 5-25 mg ml^-1 respectively. Formulation containing these extracts, showed significant zone of inhibition for 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3% of which 1% showed maximum zone of inhibition (ranging from 30.5 to 37 mm) as compared to marketed preparation. The selected 1% gel formulation also showed good antifungal activity when compared to marketed preparation. Thus the present investigation revealed that the developed gel formulation has potential antimicrobial activity.