Galenic formulation and antimicrobial activities of tablets made from essential oil of Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae)

Abstract

Essential oil-containing tablets made from essential oil of Lippia muItiflora Moldenke have been developed with an intention to treat buccal and pharyngeal infections after perlingual administration. Tablets were accomplished with Arabic gum, mannitol and L. multflora essential oils (2.5‰ w/w) and tested for antimicrobial activity using agar dilution techniques. The tablets were tested against strains from buccal and pharyngeal flora like Streptococcus β hemolyticus A, Streptococcus α hemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus non aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and fungi Candida albicans. Galenical and biogalenical controls proved to be satisfactory. Essential oil-containing tablets possessed significant antimicrobial effect. Gram-positive bacteria and fungi were more sensitive to test tablets than Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of L. multiflora formulated in tablets retained its antimicrobial activity against oral and pharyngeal pathogen.