Comparative analysis of antibacterial and antioxidant properties of transdermal preparations containing castor oil

Medicinal plants play vital role in preservation of healthy human life. In these medicinal plants Ricinus communis has great importance that belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is found all over Pakistan. Castor Oil obtained from this plant is highly useful in Homeopathic, Ayurvedic, and Unani system of medicines as a fertilizer, fungicidal, antibacterial, cathartic and purgative. It also used as a labor pain inducer and as an ingredient in many cosmetics products for preventing wrinkles, fight acne, as a moisturizing ingredient, soothing the sunburn and reduce inflammation of skin. Method: Two types of transdermal patches were formulated, one containing combination of castor oil and acetone emulsion A while other formulation emulsion B was contain castor oil, acetone and antioxidants i.e. Vitamin C and E. Both formulations were evaluated by in vitro for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Results: The outcomes indicated that transdermal patch containing emulsions A have TPC 136, TFC 59.8, reducing power assay 74%, DPPH 75% of inhibition. Transdermal patch containing emulsion B have TPC 150, TFC 77.23, reducing power assay 51%, DPPH 61.90% of inhibition in vitro antibacterial activity showed that castor oil + acetone emulsion containing patches showed 4 µg/ml MIC for E. coli and 2 µg/ml MIC for S. Aureus. For, vivo testing, these transdermal patches was applied on skin wounds of rabbits to study its wound healing activity. Conclusion: It was concluded that transdermal patch containing emulsions B have more efficacies in wound healing then patches A at the end of 20 days.