Due to the prevailing coronavirus crisis throughout the world, hand sanitizer dispensers and wipes are easily accessible at grocery stores, malls, offices, etc. Keeping our hands clean helps to keep check on the spread of disease and people are nowadays using hand sanitizer regulary [1]. Since it has to be applied many times a day, so the FDA has decided that the companies making hand sanitizers need to ensure more that those chemicals are safe for that exposure level mainly for pregnant women, old age and children. So it is essential to keep in mind the safety prospects related to health hazards as well [2]. Washing hands regulary with soap is far superior as compared to using hand sanitizer. Soap removes dirt, germs and oil from hands to give a better and hygienic cleansing. Soap and water are beneficial than hand sanitizers in removing certain kinds of germs, like novo virus and clostridium difficile [3]. Soap also removes pesticides and other chemical based residues left behind on hands [4]. Sanitizer works primarily through the power of alcohol. Alcohol can kill many types of bacteria and viruses by destroying their outermost layer [5]. Knowing that washing hands is way better as compared with sanitizers, but as it is not possible every time and in this prevailing arena of pandemic, no option remains apart from using sanitizers [6]. After analysing the sanitizers available and the effects produced by them, it has become necessary to formulate a sanitizer derived from natural ingredients, carrying full capacity to kill the Coronavirus after leaving hands soft and moisturized [7, 8]. Hand washing results in cracked skin that provides an entry for germs [9-11]. Hand sanitizers were also effective in reducing gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory and skin infections [12]. Some claimed hand sanitizers are not effective in decreasing microbial load on hands [13, 14].

Here are some of the dangers posed by overusing chemical-based hand sanitizers.

• These chemicals may cause dermatitis on a regular basis. With natural sanitizers, these issues are removed.
• FDA advises consumers not to use any methanol hand sanitizer [15, 16].
• People may not properly wipe off hand sanitizer before it has dried.
• Some are less effective as their alcohol concentrations are lower.
• The alcohol content can cause skin sensitivity.
• It can cause redness on hands.
• Hand sanitizers can also cause dryness and peeling of upper skin layers, as shown in Fig. (1) [17, 18].
• Hands become more sensitive to UV light This means that susceptibility for getting sunburn on hands increases. This side effect occurs as alcohol in the hand sanitizer dries skin, causing it to have thinner layers, allowing the harmful rays of Sun to penetrate deeper layer of skin of hands [19].
• Some hand sanitizers contain triclosan instead of alcohol. Triclosan is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents used as an essential for soaps and cleaning agents. It causes allergic reactions on entering the bloodstream [20, 21].
• Decreased effectiveness can cause bacteria and germs to be spread. Excess use of hand sanitizers makes our body more prone to certain infections [22, 23].

Therefore, we have to opt for some herbal alternatives, to sanitize hands in an utmost gentle manner. The natural ingredients used assure no side effects; one can apply them anytime, anywhere. Some common natural ingredients used are listed below-

• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera has hydrating and healing properties that reconstruct the skin and helps to retain moisture. It also helps in reducing fungal infection and skin allergies as it is a good anti-inflammatory agent. Its gel consists of antioxidants that act as skin protective [23]. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, sugars, salicylic and amino acids [24]. The main benefit of aloe vera is that it contains natural moisturizers that help to hydrate dry skin without leaving greasy residue. Aloe gel protects against damage caused to the skin by UV or other radiations. An antioxidant protein, metallothionein, scavenges hydroxyl radicals [25]. It prevents suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity caused by UV radiation [26-28].
• Tea tree: It is antimicrobial with instant disinfecting properties. It leaves skin smooth and clean. It regulates the activity of sebaceous glands, thereby controlling sebum production. It is a gentle moisturizer, it best hydrates oily skin with soft mattifying effects on skin [29, 30]. The anti-microbial activity of Tea Tree Oil is 11 times more than that of Phenol. The antiviral activity of its oil was first studied on tobacco mosaic virus and tobacco plants and was found to exert most of its antiviral activity on free virus [31, 32]. It exhibits a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity is mainly due to the presence of terpene as terpinen-4-ol [33].
• Evening primrose: Essential oil from the petals of Palma rosa is used for skin care [34]. It is well known for skin care in Ayurveda. Essential oils from the plant contain terpenoids, phenylpropanoids or benzenoids, fatty acid and amino acid derivatives. Essential oil of palmarosa exhibit potent antibacterial activity [35]. Linolenic acid rich oil of its seeds, as well as total phenolic and flavonoids contents, are responsible for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of extracts of evening primrose flowers. Acetone extract had the highest extraction yield, total phenol and flavonoids content also exhibit antioxidant activity [36].
• Glycerine: It is an emollient that softens and moisturizes the skin and decreases itching and flaking caused due to harsh chemicals. Glycerine increases hydrogen bonding and makes it difficult for ethanol to evaporate quickly. Therefore the minimal amount of it is required. The components of hand rubs or sanitizers are either bactericidal or bacteriostatic. Various phenolics, alcohols and quaternary ammonium compounds are important constituents of hand disinfection preparations [37-39].
• Vitamin E: It leaves hands feeling soft and refreshed, having both humectant and emollient properties, making skin softer and smoother. Vitamin E is an oil-soluble nutrient, heavier than water-soluble products. It restores moisture and is best for dry and damaged skin. Vitamin E may alleviate the dryness, itching, and flaking caused by eczema or atopic dermatitis [40, 41].

All the above contents were mixed in the appropriate amounts to prepare the formulation.

The present work was carried out to prepare anti-microbial plant-based preparation. The formulation was prepared with natural components that are compatible with any similar hand sanitization. It was evaluated on organoleptic norms to ensure the quality of the product.

Green colour of the formulation was inspected visually. The odour of the formulation was pleasant.

The viscosity was carried out by Viscometer. The results of the observation are shown in Table 1. The viscosity of Formulation was found to be the best for herbal hand sanitization. pH meter was used to measure pH, and was found to be 6.87.

3.2. Antimicrobial Studies of Herbal Hand Wash Gel

The screening of antimicrobial efficacy of the formulated polyherbal hand wash gel was aseptically performed on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella by using Dip well Agar Diffusion Technique described by Bauer et al., and demonstrated by Cakir et al., was employed for antibacterial bioassay. A well was prepared in the plates (containing 15ml of Muller Hinton agar medium) with the help of a cork-borer (0.85cm). 100μl of the test compound (herbal hand wash gel) was introduced into the well. The standard antibiotic discs like erythromycin, penicillin, streptomycin and ampicillin were used as a standard. The plates were incubated overnight at 37°C. Efficiency of hand wash gel was determined by measuring the diameter of zone of inhibition at 200μg ml-1, 400μgml-1 and 800μgml-1 concentration. (Table 4 and Fig. 1)

Concn of Drug (μg/ml)/

Organisms Zone of inhibition (diameter mm)

800 400 200 Control STD

E. coli 36 ± 2.0 32 ± 1.2 29 ± 1.5 0 32 ± 1.1

S. aureus 32 ± 1.8 30 ± 2.0 28 ± 1.9 0 31 ± 1.1

Salmonella Sp. 37 ± 1.2 30 ± 1.7 25 ± 1.5 0 20 ± 1.7

C. albicans 31 ± 1.6 28 ± 1.4 21 ± 1.5 0 28 ± 1.4

Fig. 1. Rough hands with chemical sanitizers.

Table 4. Questionnaire for patient’s knowledge score in percentage.

S.No	Knowledge	Positive Response (%)	Negative Response (%)
1.	What is sanitization?	55	45
2.	Do you know constantly elevated glucose levels can lead to dermal complications?	14	86
3.	Do you know other complications of unhygien?	56	44
4.	Do you know the relation between hygiene and infection?	45	55
5.	How infections can be prevented?	42	58
	Total percentage	42.4	57.6

Table 5. Questionnaire for patient’s attitude toward Hygiene in percentage.

S.No	Attitude	Agree (%)	Not Agree (%)
1.	Do you know post complications of frequent hand sanitization?	36	74
2.	Are your symptoms get worsen in winters?	52	48
3.	Do you know dry skin is caused by excessive use of sanitizers?	56	44
4.	Do you know that proper moisturization can prevent hand dryness from occurring?	54	46
5.	Do you know hand ulcers (open sores) are caused by poor medical care?	34	66
6.	Do you know dry skin on the hand can cause atopic dermatitis?	43	57
7.	Has your doctor ever told you that dry skin can lead to eczema?	35	65
	Total percentage	44.2	57.1

Table 6. Questionnaire for patient’s hygiene practice in percentage.

S.No	Practice	Appropriate (%)	Inappropriate (%)
1.	Are you performing proper hand care?	45	55
2.	Daily washing the hands?	64	36
3.	Keep the skin of hands soft to prevent dryness?	45	55
4.	Warning signs for which consultation is required?	37	73
5.	Drying the hands after washing?	34	66
6.	Trim hand nails straight with care?	42	58
	Total percentage	44.5	57.1

Table 7. Feedback on herbal Sanitizer designed.

S.No	Issue	Yes (%)	No (%)
1.	Is the sanitizer smelling good?	81	19
2.	Is the sanitizer sticky?	15	85
3.	Does it possess uniform spreadability?	80	20
4.	Does it absorb well?	78	22
5.	Does it cause any form of skin irritation as rashes, itching or swelling?	16	84
6.	Does it soften the skin?	82	18

The formulation prepared was found to be apt as per the considerations of physical parameters, stability criteria, since made with the combination of herbs, makes it skin friendly. The zone of inhibition was formed resulting from the herbal hand wash gel against different bacterial isolates, showed that the hand wash prepared with Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum and Citrus limon extracts had great activity. Statistical analysis findings in Fig 6 showed that herbal hand wash gel is the broad spectrum antibacterial agent with different responses for different bacterial kinds tested. From the investigation, it was clear that Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum and Citrus limon were equally effective against both groups of bacteria. Azadirachita indica produced the widest zone of inhibition against E.coli with a diameter of 3.2 cm, S.aureus 2.8 cm, Salmonella 2.4 cm followed by C.albicans 2.6 cm. Ocimum sanctum produced the widest zone of inhibition against E.coli with diameter of 2.8 cm, S.aureus 2.5 cm, Salmonella 2.0 cm followed by C.albicans 2.8 cm. Citrus limon produced the widest zone of inhibition against with diameter of C.albicans 3.6 cm, S.aureus 3.4 cm, Salmonella 3.2 cm followed by E.coli 3.0 cm. Formulated hand sanitizer produced the widest zone of inhibition against Salmonella 3.7 cm E.coli with diameter of 3.6 cm, S.aureus 3.2 cm, followed by C.albicans 3.1 cm. On the basis of the questionnaire made, participants were found to be optimum with respect to knowledge. As much awareness is required to be circulated among people regarding complications, infections caused due to improper sanitization. Unhygienic conditions can also enhance diabetic dermopathy and other issues of skin. The study suggested that participants with attitude as shown in Table 5 towards sanitization can help prevent infections in individuals significantly more than having knowledge of Sanitization as shown in Table 4. Thus, it can be concluded that participants with good sanitization practice can help eradicate post effects in individuals significantly more than knowledge of same in individuals when 42% of participants had good knowledge of sanitization. Similarly, the attitude of participants for being aware of damage caused on skin by excessive use of sanitizer, proper moisturization can prevent hand dryness and hand ulcers, and atopic dermatitis caused by poor medical care. It has been concluded that there is a difference in knowledge and attitude towards sanitization in the study population, while practice towards it was found to be similar in participants. Patient’s hygiene practices were found to be less as in Table 6 was appropriate in terms of consideration of proper hand care, daily washing and drying the hands, trimming hand nails. Application of herbal sanitizer showed no adverse effects in the present study, which indicated the safety of this formulation. Active ingredients present in this herbal formulation are known to possess anti-microbial and antiseptic actions, which aid in alleviating the increased infection due to improper sanitization. The formulation was found to be good smelling, non-sticky, with uniform spreadability, it gets easily absorbed by the skin, leaving it well moisturized and irritation-free, as also confirmed with feedback form as shown in Table 7.

Hands are the most common pathogen transfer means to people and proper hand hygiene can prevent infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is the need of the present scenario. It may be concluded from the above observations that Herbal based Hand Sanitizer has significant anti-microbial effects on many microbes. With the prevailing pandemic situation, it has become an urgent need to use sanitizer at regular intervals by everyone, keeping in view the hazards exerted by chemical based sanitizers, we can opt for a sanitizer based on herbs, as produced by Diabport Pvt Ltd with multiple benefits.

With current lifestyle and growing health issues, owing to the scenario of viral infections, there has been a constant need for prompt protection against all types of germs. At the current time, with the outbreak of COVID-19, the hand sanitizer market is in the thriving era, which had inculcated a sense of awareness for keeping ourselves sanitized. There has been the presence of hand sanitizer products in the market since long, still, Indian consumers are not using hand sanitizer on a regular basis. The use of plant-based sanitizer has become mandatory to keep ourselves protected.