In vitro antibacterial activity of PEG formulations of crude extracts of cleome viscosa, Tamarindus indica and Euphorbia hirta

Background: In rural settings, some medicinal plant extracts serve as alternative agents for wound treatment. Topical application of such extracts would be greatly enhanced if formulations such as ointment-based preparations were available. Methodology: This study sought to investigate the antibacterial activity of polyethylene glycol ointment formulations of crude extracts of Cleome viscosa, Tamarindus indica and Euphorbia hirta against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Antibacterial activities were studied at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg mL^-1 for the test extracts and 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg g^-1 for the polyethylene glycol formulations. Results: Generally, the crude extracts as well as their formulations showed increasing levels of inhibition with increasing concentrations. Polyethylene glycol formulations of Euphobia hirta and Cleome viscosa crude extracts exhibited significant potencies against growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: Both Euphobia hirta and Cleome viscosa crude extract-polyethylene glycol ointments have therefore emerged as potentially effective formulations against Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa wound infections.