Розробка та фізико-хімічна характеристика гідрогелів з екстрактом Tridax procumbens: попередній антибактеріальний скринінг

Aim: Anti-microbial resistance crisis has increased the severity of infections. Conventional antibiotics face declining efficacy due to resistance. Herbal medicine offers alternative solutions. Tridax procumbens is locally used for infectious and inflammatory conditions. The objective of this work was to formulate a Tridax procumbens hydrogel and establish its primary antibacterial potential via zone of inhibition screening. Methods: Aqueous extract of Tridax procumbens was prepared by hot continuous percolation. After subjecting to a series of spectroscopic and diffraction researches, it was incorporated into hydrogel using different polymers. Maximum activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using Agar Well diffusion technique. Results: The aqueous extract expressed the presence of flavonoids, which was quantitated at 283 nm. The hydrogels expressed sustained release with significant inter-batch difference in dissolution release (p<0.05) between 2-4 hrs. The extract-loaded hydrogel (TPH2) expressed promising antibacterial activity equivalent to extract and control. There was promising anti-bacterial activity in the selected bacterial species. Conclusion: The findings prove the preliminary anti-bacterial potential of Tridax procumbens extract-loaded hydrogels and highlight its potential as a natural antibacterial agent. Further bioassay-guided fractionation is warranted to identify the active constituents and evaluate safety in vivo