Formulation and Evaluation of Betel Leaves (Piper Betel L.) and Jackfruit (Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam.) Extract as Antiacne Cream

Creams are topical products applied to the skin, consisting of viscous liquid or semi-solid emulsions of oil-in-water or water-in-oil types. Their consistency varies with oil and water proportions. They serve cosmetic purposes like cleansing, beautifying, protecting, and therapeutic roles, targeting localized effects to deliver active ingredients into deeper skin layers. Creams can be ayurvedic, herbal, or allopathic, catering to specific skin needs, and typically contain active substances in a suitable base. Types include cleansing, cold, foundation, vanishing, massage, and hand and body creams. Our project aims to develop a herbal cream that reduces acne and skin irritation, diminishes wrinkles, and enhances skin glow.

Types of skin creams:

They are divided into two types.

1. Oil-in-Water (O/W) creams: - These consist of tiny oil droplets that are distributed within a continuous aqueous phase. An emulsion where oil is dispersed as droplets throughout the water phase is referred to as an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion.
2. Water-in-Oil (W/O) creams: - These are made up of small water droplets that are spread throughout a continuous oily phase. When water serves as the dispersed phase and oil acts as the dispersion medium, the emulsion is classified as a water-in-oil (W/O) type.

Acne: - A skin condition referred to as acne leads to inflammation or infection in the oil glands. Skin blemishes typically manifest as red, infected areas that emerge from otherwise healthy skin. While it can occur on various parts of the body, it predominantly affects the face. Acne can take on different forms, but the most prevalent shape is circular, and depending on its cause and stage, it may appear red, black, or white. This condition can arise from bacteria infiltrating the oil glands and infecting the skin, or it may be non-inflammatory due to blockages in the oil glands. Acne is a troubling concern, particularly for teenagers and adolescents. According to global statistics, approximately 85% of the population will experience this skin issue between the ages of 12 and 25, with nearly 8% of adults aged 23-24 years old also affected, and only 3% of adults experiencing acne between the ages of 35 and 44. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus have been identified as contributors to acne, as these bacteria have been found in samples taken from acne patients. Additionally, the rising resistance of acne-causing bacteria to antibiotics poses a significant concern.

Types of Acne

Figure No. 1: Types of Acne

a) Non-inflammatory Acne

1) Whiteheads: Pimples that stay beneath the surface of the skin.

2) Blackheads: Appears in black colour. Rise to the skin's surface.

b) Inflammatory Acne

1) Papules: Leads to the formation of a small red bump on the skin.

2) Pustules: The top layer of the skin will be filled with pus.

3) Nodules: This is the severe form of acne. Leads to painful breakouts.

4) Cysts: Leads to the formation of scars. It is present deep in the skin and causes more pain.

Causes of Acne 

1. Hyperactive sebaceous glands (overactive lipid secretion). 
2. Hyperkeratosis (accelerated keratinization) at hair infundibulum.

Benefits of Natural Anti Acne Cream 

1. Fights the bacteria that cause Acne & pimples.
2. Reduce Breakouts, Whiteheads, and Blackheads.
3. Helps to Reduce Acne Scars.
4. Reduces the appearance of Blemishes and Dark Spots.
5. Penetrates Clogged Pores and helps to prevent future Breakouts.
6. Soothes & relieves irritated skin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: -

Active Ingredients: -

1. Betel Leaf

Figure No. 2: Betel leaf

Synonym: Paan, Nagvalli, Piper betle,

Biological Source: The betel leaf is a species of flowering plant in the pepper family Piperaceae.

Drug family: Piperaceae

Chemical constituents:  Terpinen-4-ol, Safrole, Eugenol, Hydroxyl chavicol, Eugenyl acetate, Allyl pyrocatechol monoacetate.

Uses:

1. Betel leaf is used for pain relief.
2. It is effective against skin fungal infection.
3. Used for treating inflammation and wound.
4. Betel leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties, making them useful in treating infections.

2. Jackfruit Seed

Figure No. 3: Jackfruit Seed

Synonym: Kathal, Panas (hindi), Kanthal (Bengali), palaa (tamil), Phanas (Gujrati & Marathi) & Chakka (Malayalam)

Biological source: The biological source of jackfruit is the tree species Artocarpus heterophyllus.

Drug Family: Moraceae

Chemical constituents:  Resveratrol (trans 3,5,4 trihydroxystilbene), polyphenol, Flavonoids, phenolic acid, carotenoids, Beta carotene and lutein, prenylflavonoids, sterol, hydroxycinnamic acid & glycosides.

Uses:

1. Jackfruit contains phenolic & flavonoids compounds that help reduce inflammation.
2. It shows antioxidant property, they protect cells from oxidative damage and aging.
3. Jackfruit seeds contain calcium & phosphorous, essential for bone health, improving digestion, it provides Vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and dietary fiber.

Extraction of plant material:

Piper betel leaf extract: A 20 g sample of coarse powder was placed in a sample tube with two ceramic chips. The setup included a condenser above a heating mantle, connected to a water pump. Ethanol was added until about 200 ml flowed through the siphon tube. The heating mantle was set to 70?C, and extraction continued for 3 hours until the siphon tube's ethanol was colorless. After extraction, the assembly was turned off, and the extract was transferred to a porcelain dish over a water bath for solvent evaporation. Once evaporated, the extract was dried and stored in an airtight container at 4?C for later use.

Figure No. 4: Piper betel leaf extract

Jackfruit seed extract: A 10 g Jackfruit seed powder was added into 200 ml distilled water and soaked (6 hr and 8 hr) at room temperature then stirred constantly. The slurry was filtered and filtrate stored in airtight container for further use.

Figure No. 5:  Jackfruit seed extract

Table No. 1: Formulation of Antiacne cream

Method of Preparation of Antiacne cream:

1. Heat liquid paraffin, Cetyl alcohol and beeswax in a borosilicate glass beaker at 75 ? and maintain that heating temperature. (Oil phase)
2. In another beaker, dissolve borax, Glycerine, methylparaben and distilled water and heat this beaker to 75 ? to dissolve borax, Glycerine and methylparaben and to get a clear solution. (Aqueous phase)
3. Then slowly add this aqueous phase to heated oily phase.
4. Then add a measured amount of aloe Vera gel, Betel leaf extract and Jackfruit seed extract and stir vigorously until it forms a smooth cream.
5. Then add few drops of Lavender oil as a fragrance.
6. Then put this cream on the slab and then add few drops of distilled water.
7. Then the cream mix in a geometric manner on slab to give smooth texture.

EVALUATION OF CREAM: -

1. Physical Evaluation: 

The physical parameters of cream like colour, odour, consistency, and state of formulation were used to further evaluate the formulation.

2. Measurement of PH:

PH of formulation was measured using a digital pH meter by diluting 1g of the formulation in 9 ml of diluted water.

3. Irritancy:

Make the area (1 cm²) on the left-hand dorsal surface. Then the cream was applied to the area and the time was noted. Then it is checked for irritancy, erythema and edema no. if any for an interval up to 24 hour and reported. The formulations pass the test.

4. Washability:

A small amount of cream is applied on the hand and it is then washed with tap water. The Antiacne cream of all formulation was easily washable.

5. Spradability:

The spread ability was measured in terms of the number of seconds it took for two slides to separate from the cream that was positioned between them when subjected to a specific load. It was recorded how long it took the slide to slip off.  The spreadability of formulations was found to be Good.

6. Phase separation:

Prepared cream was kept in the closed container at temperature 37⁰C away from light. Then phase separation was checked for 24 hours for 15 days. No any change observed in cream that is no phase separation.

7. Greasiness:

Basically, the purpose of this this test is to determine whether cream is greasy or oily. We can conclude from the results that none of the formulations were greasy. After applying the cream in the shape of a smear to the skin's surface and observing whether the smear was greasy or not, we can conclude that all three formulations were non-greasy.

8. FTIR Testing:

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) is a widely used method for identifying chemical constituents and elucidating compound structures, particularly in pharmaceutical analysis. It provides molecular-level information, allowing investigation of functional groups, conformations, and quantitative analysis. Common methods include attenuated total reflectance (ATR), diffusive reflectance, and microspectroscopy. The ATR-FTIR technique offers advantages such as low material requirements, quick verification, and high sensitivity. It is also used for rapid FTIR measurements of liquids, including oils and extracts, and for studying biological samples.

Discussion and analysis:

1. Betel leaf

Table No. 2: Discussion and analysis of Betel leaf

Figure No. 6: FTIR Spectrum of Betel Leaf

2. Jackfruit Seed

Table No. 3: Discussion and analysis of Jackfruit Seed

Figure No. 7: FTIR Spectrum of Jack Fruit Seed

Interpretation: Both jack fruit and betel leaves contains hydroxy, aliphatic, amide, and carboxy group presence of same group they show synergistic effect and due to presence of OH group in both the medicinal plant show antimicrobial property.

9. Microbial Testing:

Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus. aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis

Method Used: Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

Antibacterial Activity Zone of Inhibition in (mm).

(-) No zone of inhibition Interpretation.

Sensitive: Zone of inhibition in more than 12mm.

Moderately Sensitive: Zone of inhibition between 12-8mm.

Resistant: Zone of inhibition less than 8mm.

Figure No.8: Antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermis and Propionibacterium acnes