DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF POLYHERBAL SOAP FOR TREATING BACTERIAL SKIN INFECTIONS

Abstract

Bacterial skin infections pose a significant health concern worldwide, necessitating the development of effective and safe treatment options. This research aimed to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal soap utilizing natural ingredients known for their antimicrobial properties, including neem, hibiscus, rose petals, tulsi, turmeric powder, aloe vera, lemon zest, along with a glycerine soap base, rose water, and vitamin E capsule. The soap formulation process involved the extraction of active constituents from the selected herbs using appropriate solvents and incorporating them into a glycerine soap base. The formulated soap underwent comprehensive physicochemical characterization, including pH determination, moisture content analysis, and stability testing. Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficacy of the polyherbal soap was evaluated against common bacterial strains known to cause skin infections through agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. Additionally, the safety profile of the soap was assessed through skin irritation testing using a human skin patch test. Results demonstrated that the formulated polyherbal soap exhibited desirable physicochemical properties, with a pH conducive to skin health and optimal moisture content. Moreover, the soap displayed significant antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, attributed to the synergistic effects of the incorporated herbal extracts. Importantly, the soap demonstrated excellent safety profiles with no adverse skin reactions observed in the patch test. Overall, this study underscores the potential of polyherbal soap as a promising alternative for the management of bacterial skin infections, offering a natural and safe therapeutic option for consumers. Further clinical trials are warranted to validate its efficacy and safety in real-world settings.