Cosmomedical Potentials of Black Mahlab Seeds Growing in Sudan

The seeds of black mahlab are used widely in the Sudanese traditional medicine as cosmomedical preparations for skin and mucous membrane disorders. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to verify this claim in scientific manner. Water and methanol extracts were tested against common pathogens for skin and mucous membrane infections. Assays were performed using extract concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200mg/mL, and agar well diffusion method was utilized. Results obtained, revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in inhibition zone diameters between bacteria and fungi used. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some phytochemicals which have been known to have antimicrobial and astringent effects. The findings from these studies provide evidences for the ethnomedicinal uses of the seeds for skin and mucous membrane disorders and beautifulness.