Exploring the pharmacological potential of plant-based hand sanitizer composition: characterization, activity evaluation, and in silico assessment.

The rising incidence of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms underscores the urgent need for effective transmission control strategies, preferably using plant-based alternatives. Adherence to hygiene guidelines is essential for lowering contamination and infection rates. However, widespread use of chemical sanitizers worldwide has generated considerable concern, especially during the last 20 years, according to documented evidence. This emphasizes the need for safer substitutes. The study aims to create a natural hand sanitizer using beneficial plant compounds and to evaluate its physical and sensory qualities. Further, the formulation was characterized by phytochemical screening (FTIR, XRD, GC-MS, AAS-MS, and UV-visible spectrophotometry). The antimicrobial potential of the composition was assessed via ABST, MIC, fingerpad testing, Rideal-Walker, and Chick-Martin tests. The analysis of phytopharmacological properties and molecular interaction with bacterial target proteins was determined computationally to validate its efficiency and mechanism. The physicochemical properties of the prototype were found to be within the effective range accepted for sanitizers. The analytical characterization revealed the chemical compounds and functional groups responsible for antimicrobial efficacy, while the assessment of antimicrobial activity validated the effectiveness of the germicidal activity of the prototype. The analysis using ADMETlab 3.0 identified that the prototype did not violate any toxicity rules. The compounds identified in the prototype by GC-MS exhibited compliance with Lipinski's rule of five. Molecular docking analyzed the interaction between these compounds and target proteins, ClfB and OprF. The study demonstrated the potential of ST03 as an effective alternative to chemical-based sanitizers, with greater safety profile.