Broad-spectrum antimicrobials from the essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi

Background:Skin diseases the common causes of morbidity in rural and urban areas of developing countries with a high proportion of visits to health facilities. The development of antimicrobial drug resistances challenges the management of skin infections. These prompted the search for new antimicrobials from plants for the management of skin infections.  Objective: To develop effective topical anti-microbial formulations from Trachyspermumammi essential oil. Method: The essential oil obtained by hydro distillation, subjected for GC-MS analysis and antimicrobial activity test. The essential oil was formulated into five different semisolid vehicles. The inhibition zones of the essential oil and the formulated products were determined by using agar dilution and well diffusion method. The skin sensitization potential of the formulations were evaluated by guinea pig maximization. Results:The major constituents of the Trachyspermum ammi oil were γ-Terpinene (39.8%), thymole (34.1%) and p-cymene (24.8 %), and showed broad spectrum antimicrobial with MIC 0.125 to 1.25 µg/ml.The formulations showed inhibition against the growth of microorganisms starting at a concentration of 0.5% (v/w). Bioactive compounds were released better from the hydrophilic preparations than from the hydrophobic ones. The release from macrogol blend was particularly better. The hydrophilic ointment formulation of the oil showed a mild skin sensitization potential while macrogol blend ointment was devoid of sensitization. Conclusion: Trachyspermumammiessential oil is potential medicinal plant source of broad-spectrum antimicrobial used for the management of skin infections. Therefore, it is suggested that the topical formulation of these oils can be used as alternative drugs for the treatment of skin disease. It is further recommended that, clinical trial study of the topical formulations must be performed before utilized as treatment of dermatological disorders.