In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Gel Containing the Herbal Ball Extract against Propionibacterium acnes

Abstract

The herbal ball has been used as a Thai traditional medicine for relieving many diseases including acne. However, the application process of the herbal ball in practice is complicated and time consuming. The objective of this work was to utilize an herbal ball extract to formulate a gel to reach a more favorable use of the herbal ball for acne treatment. An herbal ball consisting of Andrographis paniculata, Centella asiatica, the Benchalokawichian remedy and the stem bark powder of Hesperethusa crenulata was prepared. The obtained herbal ball was steamed and squeezed to obtain the extract. Gel formulations containing the herbal ball extract at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 5% w/w were prepared based on a carbomer gel. The herbal ball extract had antioxidant (EC₅₀ = 219.27 ± 36.98 μg/mL) and anti Propionibacterium acnes activities (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) = 31.25 μg/mL). The 5% w/w gel formulation had antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, showing an inhibition zone value of 10.00 ± 1.00 mm. This indicates that the developed gel formulation has potential for acne treatment. In comparison to the traditional method of herbal ball usage, the application of herbal ball extract in the form of gel should be more convenient to use.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata; Benchalokawichian remedy; Centella asiatica; Hesperethusa crenulata; Propionibacterium acnes; antimicrobial activity; gel; herbal ball.

Figure 1

Herbal ball.

Figure 2

Antioxidant activity percentage (AA%) of (a) the herbal ball extract and (b) the positive control gallic acid at various concentrations.

Figure 3

Photographs showing the inhibition zone of gel formulation containing the herbal ball extract at (a) 0.1% w/w, (b) 1% w/w and (c) 5% w/w against P. acnes when compared with that of (d) the placebo and (e) the positive control.