Design, Development and Evaluation of Ehretia Laevis Mediated Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Polyherbal Gel for Its Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Acitivity

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex biological process often delayed by microbial infections and oxidative stress. The present study aimed to formulate, develope and evaluate a novel polyherbal gel formulation containing Ehretia laevis mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in combination with polyherbal extract (Ehretia laevis, Aloe vera and Curcuma longa extract) for wound healing applications. AgNPs were synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Ehretia laevis and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The synthesized AgNPs exhibited spherical morphology with an average size of 45-60 nm and stable zeta potential. The nanoparticles were incorporated into a Carbopol- based polyherbal gel with Ehretia laevis, Aloe vera and Curcuma longa. The gel was evaluated for physicochemical parameters, antimicrobial activity, and in vivo wound healing efficacy in Wistar rats using excision wound models. Results demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vivo studies showed accelerated wound contraction, enhanced epithelialization and improved histopathological outcome in animals treated with nanoparticle embedded polyherbal gel compared to control and standard marketed formulation. The study concludes that Ehretia laevis mediated AgNPs in polyherbal gel possess synergistic antimicrobial and wound healing potential, offering a promising natural therapeutic alternative.