Formulation And Evaluation of Herbal Gel from Drimia Indica for Herpes Zoster – Anti-Oxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Gel

Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, leading to painful vesicular rashes, inflammation, and potential postherpetic neuralgia. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the progression of this condition, making antioxidant-based therapies a promising adjunct for symptom management. (1,2) Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop, also known as Indian Squill or JangaliPiyaz, is a bulbous plant extensively used in traditional Indian medicine. 

This study aims to develop and evaluate a topical antioxidant gel incorporating Drimia indica extract for the management of herpes zoster. The gel was formulated using a suitable polymer base and evaluated for its physicochemical properties, spreadability, stability, and in vitro antioxidant capacity using DPPH assays (3,4,5). Preliminary results show that the Drimia indica gel possesses significant antioxidant potential and favorable topical characteristics. The integration of traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern phytopharmaceutical evaluation suggests that Drimia indica gel may offer supportive benefits in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin discomfort associated with herpes zoster. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to establish its safety and efficacy.(6)

Objectives

The objectives of reserach work under taken are as

• To perform polyherbal gel characterization.
• To formulate and evaluate the polyherbal gel containing anti-oxidant ,anti – inflammatory activity using gelling agentsand other ingerdients .
•  To formulate and evaluate the gel to treat skin disease like herpes zoster.

PLANT PROFILE

Drimia indica

Scientific Name – Drimia Indica (Roxb.) Jessop

Common name – Ran canda

Kingdom   - Plante

Family -  Asparagaceae

Sub family -   scilloideae

Genus – Drimia

Species   - Drimia indica                                                                                                    

Fig.no 1

Biological source -  

It is obtained from fresh leaves of Drimia indica

Phytoconstituents: Bufadienolide

MATERIAL S AND METHODS

Given formulation is developing with herbal extract as well the help of some synthetic ingredients which has necessarily use in the formulation of gel preparation.

Collection and preparation of extract 

Leaves are collected from plant Drimia indica belonging to Asparagaceae family. It is also known as Indian squill ( Ran canda). It is leafy plant , leaves are upto 30 – 40 cm . The leaves are collected and washed then  dried for 3 days in shedy region. Then make  fine powder of these dried leaves .kept herb for extraction by maceration process  for 7 days in enthanol in ration 1: 3 . After 7 days filter the extract .(7)

Ingredients other than active herbal extract:

These are the ingredients which has the different properties to formulating gel other than active extract. Example; thickening agent, gelling agent etc.

Formulation table

METHODS OF PREPARATION OF GEL :

1. 1. 1g of Carbapol 940 was dispersed in 50 ml of distilled water kept the beaker a side to swell the Carbapol 940 to form gel.
   2. Take 5 ml water  and dissolved the proper quantity of propyl paraben by giving heating water bath.
   3. After cooling of solution add glycol 400 and CMC in it .
   4. Further required quantity of extract was mixed to the above mixture and add this solution into the Carbapol 940 gel with continuous stirring.
   5. Triethanolamine was add drop wise to the Formulation for adjustment of required skin pH and to obtain the gel at required consistency.(8,9)

Fig.no 2

Fig.no 3

EVALUATION PARAMETERS OF GEL FORMULATION

1. Physical properties –

The gel were examined for their physical properties by visual inspection of color, odor, appearance, homogenesity etc.

1. 1. 1. Color –The color of the gel was observed by visual inspection i.e. light yellow.
      2. Odour –odour of the gel found to be characteristics.
      3. Consistency- The consistency was  checked by applying on the skin and it was jelly type.
      4. Greasiness – the greasiness was assist by the application on the skin  and slide.

2.  Stability study –

Stability study was taken by record the gel activity for month of time period and observe its changes .

3. Determination of pH –

Take 2 gm of gel dissolve into 10 ml of distilled water and used to check digital pH meter.

pH –  6.40

4.  Determination of viscosity –

Viscosity of the formulated gel was determined using viscometer. Speed 60 rpm at 25°c and reading to be noted.

Viscosity – 500p

5. Clarity checking – The prepared gel was evaluated in glass container and observed under glass.
6. Washability – formulation was applied on hand and observe under running water it is easily washable.
7. Irritancy test – The prepared gel was applied on skin and observed any lesions, irritation etc.(10,11)

H)  DPPH assay for evaluating the antioxidant activity of gel –

1. 1. 1. Antioxidant activity of test compounds was estimated for their free radical scavenging Activity by using DPPH (1, 1-Diphenyl-2, Picryl-Hydrazyl) free radicals.
      2. 1ml of different concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800, 1000µg/ml) were taken in a test tubes. 1.5ml of 0.1% methanolic DPPH was added over the samples and incubated for 30 minutes In dark condition.
      3. The samples were then observed for discoloration; from purple to yellow and read the Absorbance on colorimeter at 510 nm
      4. Radical scavenging activity was calculated by the following equation:

DPPH radical scavenging activity (%) = [(Absorbance of control – Absorbance of test Sample) / (Absorbance of control)] x 100

IMAGES OF ACTIVITY:

Graphical data –

Conclusion of the study

The antioxidant profile of compounds Herbal gel of Drimia indica was evaluated by Measuring the percent of inhibition against DPPH reagent via test tube method. The Compound Herbal gel of Drimia indica exhibited good antioxidant activity againstDPPH scavenging reagent and however the concentration increases also the antioxidant Activity of the compound increases as compared to the standard ascorbic acid.(12)

1. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity by Protein denaturation method

The reaction mixture (10 mL) consisted of 0.4 mL of egg albumin (from fresh hen’s egg), 5.6 mL of Phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 6.4) and 100 µL of different concentration sample.

Similar Volume of double-distilled water served as control. Then the mixtures were incubated at (370c ±2) inA incubator for 15 min and then heated at 70

Oc for 5 min. After cooling, their absorbance was Measured at 660 nm by using vehicle as blank. Diclofenac sodium at the concentration was used asReference drug and treated similarly for determination of absorbance. The percentage inhibition ofProtein denaturation was calculated by using the following formula,

         % Inhibition = C –T/ C

Where, T = absorbance of test sample

C = absorbance of control

Observation table:

Images of activity:

Graphical Data:

Conclusion of the study: