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¹ Department of Microbiology, Hindusthan College of Arts and Science, 641 028, Coimbatore, India
² Department of Biotechnology, Mercy College, 678 006, Palakkad, India DOI : 10.38042/biotechstudies.1788521 - The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the high cost of conventional healthcare have intensified interest in medicinal plants as alternative therapeutic agents. Artocarpus heterophyllus, known for its antimicrobial properties, represents a promising phytotherapeutic candidate. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a topical herbal gel formulated with A. heterophyllus seed extracts, focusing on its antibacterial activity and physicochemical properties. Seeds were extracted using 80% ethanolic and hexane solvents for five days, followed by phytochemical screening and antioxidant analysis. Six gel formulations were prepared using 2% concentrations of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose as gelling agents. Physicochemical parameters including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and extrudability were assessed, and antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against selected pathogenic bacteria. Extraction yields were 2.45% for ethanolic and 1.12% for hexane extracts. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, reducing sugars, and anthraquinones. The ethanolic extract showed higher phenolic (10.74 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (13.7 mg CE/g) contents compared to the hexane extract. All formulations exhibited acceptable physicochemical characteristics. Antibacterial testing demonstrated inhibition zones of up to 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 17 mm against Bacillus cereus, with moderate activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Formulation F2 showed the highest antibacterial activity. Overall, the results support the potential of A. heterophyllus seed extract–based topical gels as effective antimicrobial phytotherapeutic agents. Keywords : Artocarpus heterophyllus Antioxidant Topical gel Phytochemicals Seed