Evaluation of Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Ethanolic and Gel Extracts of Common Wireweed (Sida acuta Burm.f.)

Man has used medicinal plants as remedies for several human diseases for centuries. This paper therefore evaluates the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of ethanolic and gel extracts of common wireweed (Sida acuta Burm.f.) using appropriate standard techninques. The filtrate was concentrated to a semi-solid mass (extract) and the antibacterial activity of the extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli were assessed using the agar well diffusion technique. The gels have good homogeneity, and spreadability, and are easily washable. The pH ranges between 5.8 and 6.3 and is within the normal skin pH range (4.0-6.8). The extrudability ranges from 45 to 70%. The viscosity of the gels is between 6178.6 mPas and 59,343 mPas and they are shear thinning systems. The gels prepared using Sida acuta ethanolic extract have antibacterial activity that is comparable to that of the extract alone. Gells formulated using carbopol were comparable to those prepared using HPMC.