Antimicrobial potential of topical formulation containing essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook

Topical formulations containing essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. (2%) were developed for their promising antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The formulations (cream and ointment) were prepared using standard methods and assessed for different pharmaceutical parameters. In vitro antimicrobial studies of the formulations and essential oil were performed by using agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion techniques. Ointment formulation showed broader range for zone of growth inhibition (ZGI; 10.0 +/- 0.58 to 27.0 +/- 1.15 mm) compared to cream formulation (ZGI; 5.0 +/- 0.57 to 19.67 +/- 0.88 mm) against selected strains of microorganisms. Texture parameters of ointment formulation in terms of firmness (82.89 +/- 0.38 g), spreadability (6.13 +/- 0.06 mJ), extrudability (544.00 +/- 3.73 mJ), adhesiveness (3.07 +/- 0.12 g) and cohesiveness (0.92 +/- 0.01) were evaluated using CT3 texture analyser. Data obtained in the form of zone of growth inhibition (mm in diameter) indicate that the activity of ointment formulation was more pronounced against Sporothrix schenckii, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Salmonella typhi. The results of efficacy and aesthetic appearance vouch that consistent and pharmaceutically elegant cream and ointment formulations of eucalyptus oil have been developed with potent antimicrobial activity.