Pharmacognostic evaluation and formulation of a coconut oil based herbal wound healing balm containing nigella sativa and tectona grandis

Medicinal plants have been widely utilized since ancient times for the treatment of wounds and various skin disorders due to their rich phytochemical composition and multiple therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-regenerating activities. The present study focuses on the pharmacognostic evaluation and formulation of a herbal wound-healing balm using Tectona grandis and Nigella sativa, aiming to develop a safe, effective, and natural topical formulation. Tectona grandis leaves were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, powdered, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using ethanol, whereas Nigella sativa seeds were processed to obtain volatile oil using a Clevenger apparatus. The obtained extracts were further subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of important bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins that are known to contribute to wound healing and antimicrobial activity. The herbal balm was then formulated using coconut oil as a base due to its excellent emollient and penetration-enhancing properties, along with beeswax to provide suitable consistency, and small quantities of clove oil and rose oil for additional therapeutic and organoleptic benefits. The prepared formulation was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters such as appearance, consistency, homogeneity, and Spreadability, and was found to be stable and suitable for topical application. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the formulated balm was assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the results indicated significant inhibitory activity, suggesting its effectiveness in preventing wound infections. Overall, the study demonstrates that the combination of Tectona grandis and Nigella sativa in a suitable topical base result in a promising herbal formulation with enhanced wound-healing potential, supporting its application as a natural alternative to conventional wound care products.