Publications

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the two major bacteria responsible for theexacerbation of acne vulgaris. All antibiotic being used currently to treat these two types of bacteria have becomeresistant. For this reason, there is urgent need to develop new drug formulations with ability to fight againstthe resistant acnes causing bacteria. Of recent the stem bark extract of P. febrifugum has been found effectiveagainst the Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. No study has been undertaken to developP. febrifugum extracts into a gel or other topical dosage formulations and thereafter test its efficacy against thetwo major acne causing bacteria. This has therefore, limited the acceptability and wide- usage stem bark of P.febrifugum extract as an extract of choice to treat bacterial infections of acne vulgaris. The main aim of this studywas to therefore to prepare the stem bark extract of P. febrifugum into gel dosage formulations and thereafterevaluate their efficacy against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis acne causing bacteria. Priorto the study, three increasing dosage concentrations of P. febrigerum stem bark extracts were selected basing onthe studies previously undertaken. The efficacy of the dosage formulations in an increasing manner againstPropionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis was established. The dosage concentrations were thenused to prepare stem bark extract of P. febrifugum gel-based formulations (G0-G3) for the study. The efficacy ofgel formulations (G0-G3) against Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) and S. epidermidis were determined usingAgar Well Diffusion method. Findings from the study indicated that all the three gel-based formulations (G1,G2, G3) significantly inhibited Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis with gel G3Formulation showing highest inhibition growth against the two bacteria.The P. febrifugum stem bark extractformulated in increasing gel dosage formulations was effective against Propionibacterium acne andStaphylococcus epidermidis bacteria that cause acnes.