title: Antimicrobial activities of skincare preparations from plant extracts.
abstract: In this study, Tithonia diversifolia Helms. (A Gray), Aloe secundiflora (Miller) and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) plant extracts were used to make herbal soaps while Thevetia peruviana (Schum) seed oil was used to make a herbal lotion for skincare. The soaps were tested for the growth inhibition of Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The lotion was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and E.coli. Although Tithonia diversifolia soap exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the test bacterial strains, it had the least inhibition against C. albicans. Results from this study indicated that the 'Tithonia diversifolia' soap would have superior skin protection against the tested bacteria but would offer the least skin protection against C. albicans. The herbal lotion inhibited S. aureus and E. coli in a concentration dependent manner, however, the inhibitory effect was more pronounced on S. aureus.
authors: Chemistry Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. pgkareru@yahoo.com
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: Kareru
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Keriko
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Kenji
authors: G T
authors: GT
authors: Thiong'o
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Gachanja
authors: H N
authors: HN
authors: Mukiira
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000187:drug effects; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012915:Soaps; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012915:Soaps