Advancing wound care:A hydrocarbon ointment formulated with Oregano vulgaris for antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

The challenge of wound healing is significantly compounded by the risk of infections, notably those caused by the pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. Oregano (Oregano vulgaris) is a plant with strong antibacterial effects mostly due to its thymol and carvacrol components. There are attempts to employ this plant in novel ways. The present study was conducted to formulate and evaluate a hydrocarbon- based herbal ointment derived from oregano, as well as evaluate its antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Dried Oregano vulgaris leaves were extracted with 96% ethanol by maceration and oregano oil is obtained using the distillation method. The extract was further subjected to phytochemical screening. The ointment was formulated at 3, 6, and 9% concentrations. The formulated ointment was evaluated for physical properties and organoleptic characteristics, such as pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, and adhesion. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus at various concentrations (ranging from 1.5x10⁵ to 1.5x10⁸ CFU/ml) was also evaluated. Remarkably, the results revealed a positive correlation between the concentration of the herbal ointment and its antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The 3% Oregano vulgaris herbal ointment demonstrated ideal physical properties and antibacterial activity. The findings of the study suggest the effectiveness of oregano as a novel, natural therapeutic agent for treating skin wound infections caused by S. aureus. Future studies must seek clinical validation and formulation optimization to harness its full therapeutic benefit.