Evaluation of the antiseptic properties of Cassia alata-based herbal soap

In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial potency of a herbal soap formulated with ethanol extract of Cassia alata. The herbal soap exhibited excellent antimicrobial effect in the in vitro studies as well as in the palm-washing studies on volunteers. The antimicrobial activity of the soap is predominantly against Gram-positive and opportunistic yeast. At a reduction time of 5 mins, the herbal soap recorded a significantly (P<0.05) lower mean viable microbial count of 2.12 x 104 cfu/ml (a reduction in microbial load of 94.78%) as against the 4.07 x 105 cfu/ml recorded before the application of the soap. The herbal soap formulated with Cassia alata demonstrated high potency against common pathogens of the skin and therefore a potential excipient in the production of antiseptic soaps. These findings have high medical, industrial and economic significance as extracts of Cassia alata could be harnessed in the formulation of medicated soaps.