FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL HYDROGEL OF FICUS RELIGIOSA AND BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM FOR ANTIMICROBIAL AND WOUND‑CARE APPLICATIONS

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving inflammation, tissue proliferation, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization. Despite the availability of various wound care therapies, achieving rapid and effective healing with minimal scarring remains a challenge, particularly in chronic and infected wounds. The present study focuses on the formulation of an herbal hydrogel containing extracts of Ficus religiosa and Bryophyllum pinnatum for potential wound healing applications. These medicinal plants are well known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Such phytochemicals may help reduce oxidative stress, inhibit microbial growth, and support tissue regeneration. A hydrogel-based delivery system was selected because of its ability to maintain a moist wound environment, improve drug retention, and enhance patient compliance. Suitable polymers and excipients were incorporated to obtain an effective formulation with desirable physicochemical characteristics. The prepared hydrogel was evaluated for parameters including pH, spreadability, extrudability, and stability to ensure safety and ease of application. The formulation is also expected to provide controlled release of active constituents, thereby prolonging therapeutic action. Although experimental biological studies were not performed, the formulation approach is supported by previously reported pharmacological activities of the selected plant extracts.