Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the two major bacteria responsible for the
exacerbation of acne vulgaris. All antibiotic being used currently to treat these two types of bacteria have become
resistant. For this reason, there is urgent need to develop new drug formulations with ability to fight against
the resistant acnes causing bacteria. Of recent the stem bark extract of P. febrifugum has been found effective
against the Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. No study has been undertaken to develop
P. febrifugum extracts into a gel or other topical dosage formulations and thereafter test its efficacy against the
two major acne causing bacteria. This has therefore, limited the acceptability and wide- usage stem bark of P.
febrifugum extract as an extract of choice to treat bacterial infections of acne vulgaris. The main aim of this study
was to therefore to prepare the stem bark extract of P. febrifugum into gel dosage formulations and thereafter
evaluate their efficacy against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis acne causing bacteria. Prior
to the study, three increasing dosage concentrations of P. febrigerum stem bark extracts were selected basing on
the studies previously undertaken. The efficacy of the dosage formulations in an increasing manner against
Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis was established. The dosage concentrations were then
used to prepare stem bark extract of P. febrifugum gel-based formulations (G0-G3) for the study. The efficacy of
gel formulations (G0-G3) against Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) and S. epidermidis were determined using
Agar Well Diffusion method. Findings from the study indicated that all the three gel-based formulations (G1,
G2, G3) significantly inhibited Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis with gel G3
Formulation showing highest inhibition growth against the two bacteria.The P. febrifugum stem bark extract
formulated in increasing gel dosage formulations was effective against Propionibacterium acne and
Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria that cause acnes.