Antimicrobial Activity of Topical Formulations Containing Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil on Major Pathogens Causing Skin Diseases

Abstract

The in vitro antimicrobial performance of topical semisolid formulations of the essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. was assessed on major pathogenic microorganisms causing skin diseases. The essential oil was
obtained by hydrodistillation and formulated into five different semisolid vehicles. The inhibition zones of the active constituents released from their respective bases were determined by using agar well diffusion
method. The formulations showed inhibition against the growth of microorganisms used in this study at a concentration of 1% (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 inhibition zone from macrogol blend against both the standard and clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also
found to be better than those of Fuciderm® cream (2% sodium fucidate) and tetracycline hydrochloride ointment (3% tetracycline).