Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN HERBAL OINTMENT CONTAINING GREEN-SYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES MEDIATED BY CURCUMA LONGA RHIZOME EXTRACT FOR ENHANCED ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Dr. Suraj Singh, ^*Ruchi Singh, Supriya Singh, Rajababu Patel

Abstract

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the increasing incidence of chronic wounds have created a demand for novel, safe, and environmentally sustainable therapeutic approaches. Herbal medicines have long been recognized for their medicinal value, while nanotechnology has introduced innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness of natural products. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using medicinal plant extracts has gained considerable attention because it eliminates the need for toxic chemicals and utilizes naturally occurring phytochemicals as reducing and stabilizing agents. Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), a well-known medicinal plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, is rich in curcuminoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils that possess potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities. The present study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles through an eco-friendly green synthesis approach using aqueous rhizome extract of Curcuma longa and to incorporate the synthesized nanoparticles into a herbal ointment for topical application. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta Potential analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The ointment formulation was evaluated for appearance, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, spreadability, stability, and antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Green synthesis resulted in stable silver nanoparticles with desirable physicochemical characteristics suitable for pharmaceutical applications. Incorporation of the nanoparticles into the herbal ointment produced a smooth, homogeneous, and stable formulation with acceptable physicochemical properties. The herbal nano-ointment demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity compared with the plain herbal formulation, suggesting a synergistic interaction between silver nanoparticles and turmeric phytochemicals. The formulation also showed promising antioxidant potential and characteristics favorable for topical wound care. The study demonstrates that combining green-synthesized silver nanoparticles with Curcuma longa extract provides an environmentally friendly and therapeutically promising herbal nano-formulation. Such a formulation has potential as an alternative topical treatment for wound infections while reducing dependence on conventional antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Green synthesis, Silver nanoparticles, Curcuma longa, Herbal ointment, Nanotechnology, Wound healing, Antimicrobial activity, Phytochemicals, Topical drug delivery, Medicinal plants.