Formulation, evaluation and antibacterial properties of herbal ointment containing methanolic extract of Clinacanthus nutans leaves

Background: Clinacanthus nutans is known as Sabah Snake grass belongs to the family of Acanthaceae. The plant was traditionally used for the treatment of skin rashes, insects and snake bites, lesions caused by herpes simplex virus, gout and diabetes in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are the main pathogens that cause skin infections. Clinacanthus nutans was also well known for antibacterial properties. Objective: The main objective of the present study was to apply this antibacterial potential in the preparation of ointment. Methods: The leaves of Clinacanthus nutans was extracted with 70% methanol by using soxhlet method. The methanolic extract of Clinacanthus nutans was investigated for qualitative phytochemical analysis and the ointment was formulated and evaluated using standard parameters. The antibacterial activity of the extract and ointment in different concentration were investigated by using two gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) through disc diffusion method. Results: The qualitative analysis showed the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, glycoside, flavonoids, tannins, proteins and amino acids. The antibacterial potential of the formulated ointment was studied with three different concentrations (100, 250, 500 mg/mL. The ointment also showed significant antibacterial activity against all the tested organisms with zone of inhibition ranges from 8.00±2.00 to 18.67±2.09 mm. This activity was maintained when the extract was incorporated into the ointment base. The ointment was stable after two months. Conclusion: In future, the extract can be used for the commercial production of Clinacanthus nutans ointment. Similarly, this ointment can be tested for skin related bacterial infections.