Jinan M Al-Mousawy¹ , Mohammed Sattar Nawrooz², Alaa Abdulrazzaq AL- NUAIMI³, Asmaa Abdelaziz Mohamed³

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the most potent extract of Origanum syriacum and subsequently incorporate it in the development of a gel suitable for use as an antibacterial gel. Methods: Aqueous and ethanol extracts were prepared by maceration of the dried plant powder. Phytochemical analysis and microbial assessment of the extracts were performed using standard methods, and the most potent (ethanol) extract was prepared into gels containing varying amounts of Carbopol, code-named F1 to F10. The gel’s physical properties (homogeneity, pH, and viscosity) as well as its effect against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, and Staphylococcus aureus were characterized. Results: Both extracts possessed similar phytonutrients. Tannins, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenols, resins, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterol and essential oils were present while saponins, anthraquinones and anthocyanins were absent in both extracts. At 100 and 50 %, the ethanol extract was more effective as it showed a higher diameter of inhibition against S. epidermidis (18 and 15 mm), E. coli (15 and 13 mm) and S. aureus (17 and 15 mm) compared to 10 µg gentamycin whose inhibition diameter was 18, 15 and 17 mm against S. epidermidis, E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Furthermore, the pH of the developed formulations ranged from 6.71 to 7.1. Formula F7 was the optimized formula and resulted in the disappearance of viable bacterial colonies. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of O. syriacum exhibits higher antimicrobial efficacy and produces a gel with suitable characteristics, including appearance, viscosity, and pH, which proves microbiologically effective in reducing bacterial infections. Therefore, O. syriacum may be incorporated into suitable pharmaceuticals to enhance its applicability.