Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

  • Abbreviation: J. Pharmacognosy Phytother.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2502
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPP
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 237

Full Length Research Paper

Formulation of anti-acne herbal topicals based on Ocimum gratissimum and Aloe vera

Habib GANFON
  • Habib GANFON
  • Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (PHYTO-GNOS), Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire Campus, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar
Gabin ASSANHOU
  • Gabin ASSANHOU
  • Laboratory of Galenic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar
Steeve DAZOUNDO
  • Steeve DAZOUNDO
  • Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (PHYTO-GNOS), Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire Campus, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar
Gérard DOSSOU-AGOIN
  • Gérard DOSSOU-AGOIN
  • Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (PHYTO-GNOS), Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire Campus, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar
Brice OHIN
  • Brice OHIN
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Food Technology (LAMITA), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar
Farid BABA-MOUSSA
  • Farid BABA-MOUSSA
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Food Technology (LAMITA), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Campus Champ de Foire, Cotonou.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 24 September 2024
  •  Accepted: 06 January 2025
  •  Published: 31 January 2025

Abstract

Acne is a dermatosis of the pilosebaceous follicles usually treated with topicals. Aloe vera and Ocimum gratissimum are used in traditional medicine to treat this condition. The aim of this study was to formulate and compare the anti-acne efficacy of a hydrogel and an emugel based on Aloe vera and O. gratissimum.  Three herbal topicals containing A. vera gel associated with respectively 5% of essential oil of O. gratissimum, 5 and 10% of O. gratissimum hydroethanolic extract have been formulated. The physicochemical properties of the gels such as homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, pH, stability, and irritability were assessed. The antimicrobial activity of the gels was evaluated through agar diffusion method. The gels containing O. gratissimum at 5% showed good homogeneity, stability, a pH compatible to skin, and did not induce any irritation. However, only the emulgel depicted the most potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The results indicate that the O. gratissimum emulgel is a promising alternative for acne treatment.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum, herbal topical preparations, antimicrobial activity.