Hydrogel for the Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Components from Extracts of Eupatorium glutinosum Lam. Leaves

This research reported a hydrogel loaded with the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Eupatorium glutinosum Lam. The E. glutinosum extracts were characterized by phytochemical screening, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and UV/Vis profile identification. This research also evaluated the pharmacological activity of the extracts using antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory assays prior to polymeric encapsulation. Results indicate that extracts inhibit the Escherichia colii DH5-alpha (Gram negative) growth; excellent antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ferric reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays, and extracts showed an anti-hemolytic effect. Moreover, the cotton and microcrystalline cellulose hydrogels demonstrate successful encapsulation based on characterization and kinetics studies such as FTIR, extract release, and swelling degree. Moreover, effective antibacterial activity was registered by the loaded hydrogel. The overall results encourage and show that Eupatorium glutinosum-loaded hydrogel may find a wide range of bandage and wound healing applications in the biomedical area.