|
Chetan Raj Singh
Tara Chand
Ashish Jain
Jaya Sharma
Swati Jaiman
Keywords:
Psoriasis; Aloe barbadensis; Azadirachta indica; polyherbal gel; Carbopol 940; factorial design; topical drug delivery; Franz diffusion cell; herbal formulation; stability.
Abstract:
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, erythema and scaling. Although several topical and systemic therapies are available, prolonged treatment may be associated with tolerability, adherence and safety challenges. Plant-derived bioactive compounds have therefore attracted interest as potential components of topical pharmaceutical formulations.
The present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a polyherbal topical gel containing extracts of Aloe barbadensis and Azadirachta indica using a systematic factorial formulation approach.
Authenticated Aloe barbadensis and Azadirachta indica materials were extracted by Soxhlet extraction. The combined herbal extract was incorporated into a Carbopol 940-based gel containing propylene glycol and other pharmaceutical excipients. A 3² full-factorial design was employed to investigate the influence of Carbopol 940 and propylene glycol concentrations on formulation performance. Nine formulations (AN1–AN9) were prepared and evaluated for appearance, pH, extrudability, spreadability, viscosity, grittiness, extract/drug content and in-vitro diffusion. Drug-release/diffusion behaviour was investigated using a Franz diffusion cell. Stability observations were recorded under different temperature conditions.
All nine formulations exhibited measurable and generally acceptable physicochemical characteristics. The pH values ranged from 4.15 ± 0.20 to 5.62 ± 0.04. Viscosity varied from 1211 ± 60.3 to 1516 ± 31.5 cP, while spreadability ranged from 34.66 ± 8.7 to 54.43 ± 5.6 mm. AN9 exhibited the highest reported drug/extract content (97.43 ± 23.5%) and diffusion value (96.16 ± 16.6%). At 600 min, cumulative release values ranged from 80.34% to 88.92% across the formulations. Stability observations demonstrated maintenance of the evaluated physical characteristics over the reported three-month observation period for the tested formulation.
The findings demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating A. barbadensis and A. indica extracts into a Carbopol 940-based topical gel using factorial formulation development. The optimized/candidate formulation exhibited favourable physicochemical characteristics and sustained in-vitro diffusion behaviour. However, the findings represent pharmaceutical formulation and in-vitro performance evidence and should not be interpreted as clinical proof of anti-psoriatic efficacy. Further pharmacological, dermatological safety, in-vivo and clinical investigations are required.
|
|
International Journal of Recent Research and Review
ISSN: 2277-8322
Vol. XIX, Issue 3
September 2026
|
PDF View
PUBLISHED
September 2026
ISSUE
Vol. XIX, Issue 3
SECTION
Articles
|
