title: Do Aloe vera and Ageratum conyzoides enhance the anti-microbial activity of traditional medicinal soft soaps (Osedudu)?
abstract: The Nigerian traditional soft soaps prepared using varied locally sourced raw materials such as cocoa pod ash (Theobroma cacao) palm kernel shaft ash (Elaies guineensis) have been evaluated for their physico-chemical properties and anti-microbial activities using standard pharmacopoeia protocols and an in-vitro agar diffusion bioassay method. The anti-microbial evaluation was done with and without incorporation of Aloe vera and Ageratum conyzoides extractives into the soap samples. Results showed that the physico-chemical properties of the soaps are dependent on the raw materials utilised. The incorporated medicinal plants used in this study, however, did not show any significant effect on the anti-microbial activities exhibited by the various soaps against the bacterial and fungal test organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, P.O. Box 21242 Ibadan, Nigeria. lanmoody@skannet.com
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adebiyi
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Adeniyi
mesh_terms: D031163:Ageratum; D000504:Aloe; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000073878:Palm Oil; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils; D012915:Soaps
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D012915:Soaps; D000073878:Palm Oil