Explore –Journal of Research
Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN 2278–0297 (Print)
ISSN 2278–6414 (Online)
Vol. XVII, 2024
© Patna Women’s College, Patna, India
Screening of Plant Extracts Against Opportunistic Pathogens Causing Dermatitis After Prolonged Pad/Diaper Rash and Preparing a Gel
•Piyush Kumar Rai • Shreya Suman • Shailja Sharan
•Deepika Kumari
Received : December, 2023
Accepted : January, 2024
Corresponding Author : Piyush Kumar Rai
Abstract : : In the contemporary world, women’s menstrual pads and children’s diapers are widely used, yet the prevalent issue of severe rashes often goes unnoticed. These rashes, potentially leading to contact dermatitis, result from bacteria like Staphylococcusaureus and fungi such as Candidaalbicans exacerbated by humid conditions and friction in the thigh regions. This study focuses on developing a topical gel using plant extracts-neem leaves, curry leaves, lemon peels, and pomegranate peels to address the opportunistic pathogens causing pad and diaper rashes. Ethanolic extracts of these plants were prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was conducted through a disc diffusion method on muller hinton agar (MHA)
plates. Results revealed the effectiveness of all plant extracts in suppressing microbial growth. Pomegranate exhibited the maximum inhibition range against Candida albicans, Azadirachta indica was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, gel containing plant extracts at 50% and 100% concentrations was prepared, and anti-microbial susceptibility test (AST), using the agar well diffusion method indicated a greater inhibition range at the higher concentration, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus.
Keywords Antimicrobial, opportunistic pathogens, dermatitis, anti-microbial susceptibility test (AST), ethanolic extracts
Piyush Kumar Rai
Assistant Professor, Department of Botany Patna Women’s College (Autonomous), Bailey Road, Patna-800 001, Bihar, India E-mail: raipiyush518@gmail.com
Shreya Suman
B.Sc. 111 year, Botany (Hons.),Session:2021-2024, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Shailja Sharan
B.Sc.Ill year, Botany (Hons.),Session:2021-2024, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University,Patna, Bihar, India
Deepika Kumari
B.Sc.Ill year, Botany (Hons.),Session:2021-2024, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Introduction:
Both pads and diapers play crucial roles in ensuring the health and cleanliness of women and children at different stages of life. Pads are essential for women’s menstrual hygiene, offering protection against leaks and facilitating comfortable menstrual flow management. Access to high-quality pads enhances women’s overall well-being, allowing them to engage fully in daily activities without hindrance. Despite the widespread use of adult and child pads and diapers, certain discomforts like infections and rashes often go unnoticed. Prolonged exposure, inadequate cleanliness, and subpar materials can lead to inflammatory reactions, resulting in rashes and skin irritation. Diapers, carefully crafted with various materials, including super absorbent polymers, may
