Vol. 9, Issue 6, Part D (2025)

The need for alternative, plant-based treatment approaches has arisen due to the increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to traditional antimicrobial medicines. This study looked into the antifungal and antibacterial qualities of Mallotus philippensis, a medicinal plant with ethnopharmacological significance, as well as its possible application in a topical cream formulation. A phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of Mallotus philippensis fruits, which was made by cold maceration, verified the presence of components with known antibacterial action, including flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and rottlerin.
The extract's antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus Niger was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. Significant inhibition zones were seen in the extract's concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, especially against S. aureus and C. albicans. An oil-in-water emulsion basis was used to create two topical creams with 5% and 10% (w/w) of the extract. The physical properties of both formulations, including pH, viscosity, spread ability, and microbiological stability, were assessed and determined to be within permissible bounds for topical application.
The cream formulations demonstrated notable zones of inhibition that were on par with those of conventional antibiotics while retaining the extract's antibacterial activity. These results bolster Mallotus philippensis therapeutic potential in the creation of herbal topical formulations for the treatment of microbial skin infections. So, this study gives the traditional use of the plant a scientific foundation and emphasizes its potential as a natural, safe, and effective substitute for synthetic antimicrobial lotions.