Formulation and evaluation of antimicrobial properties of ointment of Chromolaena odorata ethanolic extract

Herbal medicines are complex mixtures of organic chemicals that may come from any raw or processed part of a plant which are used to make about a quarter of the medications prescribed around the world today. Chromolaena odorata L. is an important perennial herb globally. Several parts of this plant are widely used to treat skin infections, burns and wound as well as possess anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The medicinal values of C. odorata L. abides in their phytochemicals which produce defined physiological action in the human body. Extraction of the dried leave part of C. odorata L. was carried out using absolute ethanol. Simple ointment BP was formulated using different concentration of the following excipients (Hard paraffin, Soft paraffin, Wool fat and Cetostearyl alcohol). Organoleptic evaluation of both Simple ointment BP and C. odorata ointment were conducted. Antimicrobial evaluation of the samples was conducted on Candida albican, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. C. odorata ointment showed activity against S. aureus with inhibition diameter of 10 mm while zero activity was observed against S. pyogenes, and C. albican. C. odorata ethanolic extract incorporated in commercial product (Nixoderm®) showed activity against the three pathogens, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, and C. albican with inhibitory zone of 7 mm, 2 mm and 10 mm respectively. S. aureus, S. pyogenes and C. albican were significantly inhibited with inhibition zones of 20 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm respectively by the Commercial antimicrobial product (Nixoderm®) which served as the positive control. Formulation of C. odorata ethanolic extract as a pharmaceutical dosage form, ointment was a success which showed a significant activity against S. aureus used in the study.