PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ASSESSMENT OF PLUCHEA INDICA (L.) LESS EXTRACT AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN NATURAL LOTION BAR

Objective: To screen phytochemical compounds and study antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pluchea indica (L.) Less (PI) leaves extracts for assessment the moisturizing lotion bar formulation containing it’s as a bioactive ingredient. Methods: PI leaves were extracted in different solvents. Crude extracts were screened phytochemical compounds and evaluated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities before formulating to antibacterial moisturizing lotion bar. Results: 95% ethanolic extract displayed high antioxidant activities. DPPH radical scavenging capacity with IC50 was 6.80±0.04 mg/ml (61.37±0.41%) and the ferric reducing ability power was 381.20±0.10 mg AAE/100 gDW. Additionally, 95% ethanolic extract served as a broad spectrum bacteriostatic agents against gram-positive and gram-negative species with an inhibition zone of 6.50±0.00-46.67±0.58 mm. It also was simultaneously as a broad spectrum bactericidal agents (MIC and MBC value of 25-200 mg/ml) by broth micro-dilution method. The screened phytochemical constituents (saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and alkaloids) in PI leaves extract may be responsible for high biological activities. Thus, 95% ethanolic extract was the most appropriate bioactive ingredient for formulated the product development. Conclusion: The developed moisturizing lotion bar with 0.0041% of 95% ethanolic extract was the most eligible formula that showed good appearance, odor, color, homogeneity, after feel and stability. This extract-containing lotion bar formulation achieved a high level of customer satisfaction by sensory evaluation and development of this specific formulation should be subject to further clinical investigation.