📄 Abstract
Topical antimicrobial agents are widely used for treating skin infections and wounds. Silver Nitrate has traditionally been used because of its strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, but its use is limited due to side effects such as tissue damage, electrolyte imbalance, and permanent skin staining (argyria). Therefore, there is increasing interest in safer herbal alternatives. This study aimed to formulate a topical antimicrobial gel using the ethanolic leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka) and evaluate it as a possible substitute for Silver Nitrate. The dried leaves were extracted using 95% ethanol by the Soxhlet method, and preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of quinazoline alkaloids (vasicine), tannins, and flavonoids. The extract was incorporated into a Carbopol 934 gel base and neutralized with triethanolamine to prepare a 2% w/w herbal gel. The formulation was evaluated for pH, viscosity, and spreadability and compared with a standard 0.1% Silver Nitrate gel. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The herbal gel showed good physical stability, a skin-compatible pH of 6.2, and appropriate viscosity. It produced a significant zone of inhibition of 18 mm against S. aureus, which was comparable to the 22 mm shown by Silver Nitrate, without causing skin staining or oxidative damage. Overall, the study concludes that the Adhatoda vasica gel demonstrates strong antimicrobial activity, is non-staining, cost-effective, and free from heavy metal toxicity, making it a promising and safer alternative for treating minor skin infections.
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📚 How to Cite:
Surya. S, Vakeeswaran. B, Parimala. P, Priay. P, Deepa. R, Dr. D. Rajalingam , DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN ANTIMICROBIAL HERBAL GEL CONTAINING ADHATODA VASICA AS A POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TO SILVER NITRATE , Volume 12 , Issue 3, March 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) ,