FORMULATION OF HAND SANITIZERS FROM HERBAL MATERIALS FOR AVOID VIRAL INFECTION (COVID-19)

by Devesh shirsath

Abstract: The research was carried out to study the antimicrobial properties of aqueous extracts of perennial plants leaves, that is Neem (Azadirachta indica) using an Alcohol or herbal materials. By amalgamating all the results the efficacy of the aqueous extracts observed was in the order, Eucalyptus >Sadabhar(Catharanthus roseus)> Neem(Azadirachta indica), subsequently. Based upon these results hand sanitizer was prepared using Neem extract, rose water and Vitamin E, body oil. The hand sanitizer developed was screened for its antimicrobial activity. The activation time period for herbal sanitizer was observed to be 5minutes while that of alcohol based sanitizer was 1 minute theoretically. To conclude, it can be stated that Eucalyptus leaves have natural antimicrobial properties that can be exploited to eradicate the microbial problems. Hand sanitizer is a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water. Hand hygiene is a vital principle and exercise in the prevention, control, and reduction of healthcare acquired infections. Right hand washing and drying methods stop the chain of transmission of deadly pathogens (from the contaminated surface/site) form hands to other parts of the body. Hand sanitization is the preeminent aid in preventing nosocomial infections caused by different opportunistic microorganisms and to get this, the use of hand sanitizer becomes must in recent circumstances.

Key words:

Neem(Azadirachta indica), herbal extract, Antimicrobial activity, Hand sanitizer.

Introduction:

Skin is the most exposed part of the body to the sunlight, environmental pollution and also to some protection against the pathogens. The most common skin disorders are eczema (atopic dermatitis), warts, acne, rashes, psoriasis, allergy etc. To protect the skin from harmful microorganisms and to prevent spreading of many skin Infection. [1] Hand washing is absolutely an important precaution. The aim of the present work is to prepare and physically evaluate a poly herbal hand wash from commonly available plants, instead of adopting synthetic preparation. Hand sanitizer is an antiseptic and supplement to the hand washing with soap and water.[2] There are different preparations in hand sanitizer like gel, foam, liquid solution etc.[3] The commonly used ingredient in hand sanitizer is alcohol and inactive ingredients include a thickening agent, humectants etc. Alcohol based hand sanitizer

Are very effective in killing microorganisms than compared to soaps. [4] All hand sanitizer products require a designation called “national drug code” in the United States.

USES OF A HAND SANITIZER:

These are antiseptic products used to avoid the transmission of skin infections/pathogens. Alcoholic

Hand sanitizer kills 99% of the bacteria on hands for seconds after application. Drying of the skin is less and leaves more moisture.

WHEN SHOULD HAND SANITIZER BE USED

Before preparing food, and treating wounds. Before inserting or removing the contact lenses from the eye. After using toilet, changing a diaper. After handling garbage. Microorganism as well as the resistant to bacterial flora. Water is used as a solvent and alcohol-antiseptic.

CHEMICAL AND REAGENTS:

The Azadirachta indica, collected from Patanjali Natural Coloroma Pvt. Ltd. Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India. All other reagents/chemicals were used as analytical grade

EVALUATION PARAMETERS

Color: It was determined visually.

Odour: It was determined manually.

pH: It was determined by using pH meter

CONCLUSION:

This study confirmed the antimicrobial proprieties of aqueous extract extracted from the leaves of Neem(Azadirachta indica). The above preparation can be used as a good hand sanitizer. Further studies are required to screen the antibacterial affect and compare with other available hand sanitizer.

REFERENCE:

1. PalakVyaset al. Antimicrobial Activity of Ayurvedic Hand Sanitizers. International Journal of Pharmaceutical &Biological Archives. 2011; 2(2):762–766.

2. Larson E. Skin hygiene and infection prevention: More of the same or different approaches? Clin. Infect. Dis. 1999; 29: 1287–1294

3. Burke JP. Patient safety: infection control-a problem for patient safety. N Engl. J. Med. 2003; 348: 651–656. 4. Cowan M. M., Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents. Clinical Micro. Reviews. 1999;12

4. 564–82. 5. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (Advanced Draft).

5. Widmer AF, Replace hand washing with use of a waterless alcohol hand rub. Clin Infect Dis 2000;31:136- 43.

6. Berman RE, Knight RA. Evaluation of hand antisepsis. Arch Environ Health 1969;18:781–3.

7. Mackintosh CA, Hoffman PN. An extended model for transfer of micro-organisms via the hands: Differences between organisms and the effect of alcohol disinfection. J Hyg (Lond) 1984;92:345–55.