Cyanthillium cinereum Plant Extract Incorporated Body Lotion and Its Effect on Skin Microflora

Abstract

Medicinal plants play a vital role in treating various ailments. Scientific studies on the antimicrobial properties of plant components began in the late 19th century. Cyanthillium cinereum, an indigenous plant, is traditionally known for its medicinal properties. Its extract exhibits strong antibacterial activity, making it a promising agent with potential applications in the cosmetic industry. The local name for the plant is Poovamkurunnila (Malayalam), and it is one of the ten sacred flowers or ‘Dasapushpam’ with cultural and traditional significance in Kerala. The antibacterial activity was tested against skin microflora, which includes resident and transient microbes that may be harmless or pathogenic. Lotions are low-viscosity topical preparations intended for external skin application. Plant-based lotions are used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. The skin microflora, including Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus spp., was isolated and identified. Phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavones, volatile oils, phenols, and steroids. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Cyanthillium cinereum extract and a body lotion containing it, compared to a lotion without the extract, against the isolated skin flora. The plant extract showed antibacterial activity, producing a zone of inhibition of 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and 19 mm against Micrococcus spp. The lotion with the plant extract created zones of 20 mm and 17 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus spp., respectively. These results indicate that the body lotion containing Cyanthillium cinereum extract has greater antibacterial activity against skin flora than the control lotion.

Introduction

India has a rich cultural connection with flowers, which are used in religious ceremonies, weddings, traditional dances, and decorations. In Kerala, the ten sacred plants of Dasapushpam, including Cyanthillium cinereum (little ironweed), have both cultural and medicinal significance. Cyanthillium cinereum is used in Ayurveda to treat wounds, inflammation, skin diseases, and other ailments.

This study explored the antimicrobial potential of Cyanthillium cinereum against normal skin bacteria. Skin swabs from students were collected and predominant bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus sp., were isolated. Methanol extracts of the plant were prepared and phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavones, volatile oils, phenols, and steroids. Antibacterial activity was tested using the agar well diffusion method. The extract showed strong inhibition of both bacteria (21 mm for S. aureus, 19 mm for Micrococcus), and a body lotion containing the extract also exhibited antimicrobial effects (20 mm and 17 mm, respectively).

The study demonstrates the potential of Cyanthillium cinereum as a natural antimicrobial agent and its application in topical formulations like body lotions.

Conclusion

Transient flora from surface of skin was collected by swabbing method and was identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus sp by suitable morphological and biochemical characterization. These organisms was subjected to an antibacterial study by exposing to Cyanthilliam cinereum plant extract and the body lotion made with this plant extract. The antibacterial results showed that body lotion made with plant extract had significant antibacterial property against skin flora. Thus the study that body lotion with Cyanthilliam cinereum plant extract be recommended to daily usage and can be used without any side effects.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Nisy S, Dr. Binumol M, Athira M, Hemalatha S, Haritha P H, Ujjual S, Aiswarya M. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.