Secondary metabolite profile, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potency of Acalypha indica extract impacting the reproducibility of pharmacological applications due to seasonal variations

AbstractInterest in plant-based antimicrobial formulations has increased as a result of pathogenic bacteria’s growing resistance to synthetic antibiotics. Because of its complex phytochemical composition, which includes flavonoids, tannins and saponins, Acalypha indica, a medicinal plant that has long been utilized in Ayurveda and folk medicine, has been shown to have potent antibacterial properties. The purpose of this study is to formulate and assess the antibacterial ointment with extracts from A. indica for possible application in treating skin infections and wounds. The plant materials were extracted using ethanol and added to an ointment base that contained emulsifiers, petroleum jelly, and bees wax. The agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate the ointment’s antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The findings of this study highlight the potential of Acalypha indica as a natural antimicrobial agent for topical applications. The formulated ointment demonstrated promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties, suggesting its potential use as an alternative to synthetic antibacterial creams. Further clinical trials are recommended to validate its efficacy and safety in human health applications.