Polyherbal formulation and evaluation of topical liquid body wash containing Ashwagandha and Senna alata herbal extracts for anti-acne and anti -microbial activity

Acne vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus are some of the most prevalent human diseases. Withania somnifera (L.) and Senna alata are the potential antimicrobial herbs belonging to family Solanaceae and Fabaceae. The constituents like Withanolide A, Withaferin A, Rhein, Aloe emodin and Emodin acts as both antibacterial and antifungal activity. Objectives of the study were to standardize active contents of Senna alata leaf and Ashwagandha root extract, to develop poly herbal formulations of liquid body wash with characterization and antimicrobial activity. Extraction of Senna alata leaf was performed using Soxhlet extraction process and the yield obtained was 18.4%. Whereas, extraction of Ashwagandha Root was performed using Cold maceration process and the yield obtained was 9.4%. Qualitative analysis by TLC method confirmed the presence of aloe emodin and rhein in the Senna alata leaf extract and Withaferin A in Ashwagandha root extract. Extracts of leaf, root and formulations showed increase in inhibition with increase in concentrations against known bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus and Propionium bacterium. Pre-formulation studies showed extract and excipients of formulations were compatible to each other confirmed through FTIR studies. Formulations of polyherbal liquid body wash showed better inhibition compared to extracts. The physicochemical properties of topical formulations of foamability, foam stability test, viscosity, pH, were within acceptable range. Stability studies performed for topical formulation showed no interaction based on light, temperature and humidity and all results were within specifications.