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Evaluation of Jatropha curcas latex ointment formulations <I>in-vitro</I> and <I>in-vivo</I>


Rukayat A Oyi
Josiah A Onaolapo
Kaita A Haruna

Abstract

The dried latex of Jatropha curcas was formulated into ointments of 2.5, 5 and 10% w/w concentrations in hydrocarbon base B.P.C, using the fusion and levigation methods. The efficacy of the ointments was evaluated in-vitro using the agar diffusion method and cup-plate technique with the following organisms: Escherichia coli (N.C.T.C. 10418), Staphylococcus aureus (N.C.T.C. 6571), Microsporum sp., Epidermophyton sp. and Trichophyton sp., which were clinical isolates. For the in-vivo studies, volunteers with Tinea capitis from a primary school were used. The results indicated that the ointment formulations were active both in-vitro and in-vivo. The activities of the test formulations compared favorably with those from the standard formulations, i.e. Whitfield's ointment B.P. and penicillin ointment B.P.C. The results also indicated that the stability of latex was maintained within the ointment base over the nine months period of storage.


Key words: Jatropha curcas; Latex; Ointment; Formulations; Tinea capitis.
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 2 (1) 2005: 5-12

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eISSN: 0189-8442