Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Skin Cream for Wound Healing Activity

Creams are semisolid preparations intended for topical application on the skin, the surface of the eye, or for nasal, vaginal, or rectal use to achieve therapeutic or protective effects¹. They can also fulfill an aesthetic function. These preparations are used for the localized effects caused by the drug penetrating into the skin's or mucous membrane's underlying layer at the site of application. These devices aim to treat skin disorders, with their medication delivery systems designed to target the skin. Creams are available in two types: water-in-oil (which has a richer texture) or oil-in-water (which has a lighter texture). They provide active substances such as vitamins or anti-inflammatories, improving skin health and appearance. They are well-liked because they are easy to use, feel nice, and work well for different skin issues. Herbal creams, which are crafted from plant-based components, are becoming more popular due to their natural advantages.

(1) Natural and Herbal Cream: The growing demand for natural and organic products has resulted in the creation of herbal creams. These creams incorporate plant-based ingredients and botanical extracts, providing holistic skincare solutions that are perceived as safe and have a minimal environmental impact. Herbal creams offer effective natural treatments by fusing the wisdom of traditional medicine with contemporary scientific investigation. Wound and Wound healing: A wound refers to the disruption or loss of cellular, anatomical, or functional integrity in living tissue, usually caused by physical trauma, chemical exposure, heat, microbial invasion, or immunological reactions. The body has an intrinsic ability to heal wounds, which encompasses the regeneration of dermal and cutaneous tissues. To enable healing, this process necessitates cooperation among different types of tissues and cell lineages. Essential elements comprise angiogenesis, which is the development of new blood vessels; the replenishment of epithelial cells to seal the wound (re-epithelialization); modifications to the extracellular matrix; blood coagulation to stop bleeding; platelet aggregation; fibrin formation; and inflammatory response. These intricate mechanisms promote effective wound healing and restore tissue integrity.

METHODOLOGY: -

1. Collection and Authentication of Plant Materials

• Herbs used:
  • Aloe vera (leaf gel)
  • Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) – leaves
  • Curcuma longa (Turmeric) – rhizome
  • Acacia auriculiformis – leaves or bark

Procedure:    

Gather fresh and healthy plant materials from a reputable herbal source or botanical garden. Authenticate the specimens with assistance from a qualified botanist or a pharmacognosy department.
Wash thoroughly, shade-dry for 5 to 7 days, and grind into a coarse powder for extraction.

2. Preparation of Herbal Extracts

a. Aloe vera Gel:

• Peel fresh Aloe vera leaves, collect the inner gel, and homogenize.
• Filter and store under refrigeration at 4°C.

b. Extraction of Tulsi, Turmeric & Acacia:

• Method: Soxhlet extraction
• Solvent: Hydroalcoholic (70% ethanol or methanol)
• Duration: 6–8 hours (Soxhlet)
• Filter and concentrate the extract using a rotary evaporator or water bath at <40°C.
• Store the dried extracts in airtight containers at 4°C.

Evaluation of the Herbal Cream

a. Physicochemical Parameters

• Color, odor, texture
• pH: Measure using a digital pH meter (target 5.5–6.5)
• Spreadability: By slip and drag method
• Viscosity: Using a Brookfield viscometer

Literature Review: -

1. Manoj D. Jadhav et.al (2001)² —As medical science advances, the methods of treating wounds are subject to continual change. Due to numerous challenges, experts in wound care continue to look for the perfect dressing material. Due to the emergence of multi-resistant organisms and a decrease in modern wound care, wound care specialists have reverted to age-old healing methods by incorporating traditional and alternative medicine in order to manage wounds.
   antibiotic drugs. It is truly rewarding to witness the public's perception of traditional medicine. This study involved the creation of creams informed by an analysis of how effective plant extracts are in treating wounds. The herbal plants selected were Acacia auriculiformis, turmeric, tulsi, and aloe vera. Certain dried plant components are removed with alcohol. The product’s quality was assessed using different evaluation techniquesThe physical characteristics did not change, and the pH stayed within acceptable limits (around pH 7). Throughout the duration of this study, the formulations showed strong consistency, no evidence of phase separation, and good spreadability
2. Ms. Payal Janardhan Shelare et .al (2024) About 80% of people on the planet utilize herbal medicines for primary healthcare, mostly in underdeveloped nations. Wound healing agents speed up wound closure, lessen trauma and the chance of subsequent infections, and promote the body’s natural healing process. The present study was to formulate and evaluate the wound healing activity of developed polyherbal formulation in the form of cream by using extract of turmeric, neem, tulsi, Aloe Vera with excipients. Several researches revealed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties of these plants. Formulation of Herbal Skin Cream for wound healing was successfully developed that met the relevant pharmaceutical characteristics. The prepared formulations are then evaluated for parameters like physical properties, pH, viscosity, Spreadability and stability of the formulated cream. Anuj Kumar et.al The aim of this study was to create and assess an herbal cream for wound healing, utilizing natural plant extracts recognized for their healing properties. The chosen herbs included Centella asiatica, selected due to their well-documented effectiveness in fostering skin restoration and renewal. Herbal extracts were created with ethanol and water as solvents, and then standardized to guarantee uniform concentrations of active compounds. Designed as an oil-in-water emulsion, the cream base was optimized for pH, viscosity, and spreadability to ensure it is suitable for topical application. Comprehensive stability studies were conducted to assess the formulation's physical, chemical, and microbial stability. The wound healing efficacy was evaluated through in vitro scratch assays and in vivo studies using a rat model, demonstrating significant improvements in wound contraction and reepithelialization compared to controls. Additionally, dermal irritation tests confirmed the formulation’s safety for skin application.
3. Dwivedi AK et.al (2022) Plants have been utilized for centuries to treat and prevent a variety of human ailments. The present study utilized extracts of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Centella asiatica, and Hibiscus rosa sinensis to create a skin care cream with varying proportions of each extract. The formulations F3 and F4 have been selected for evaluation of wound healing study on the basis of preliminary evaluation results of parameter evaluated for Polyherbal cream.
   Keywords: Herbal ointment, Wound repair, Flavonoids, Phytochemical
4. Manisha. U. Mishra et.al Dill (Anethum sowa) has been recognized as an aromatic, medicinal, and culinary herb since ancient times. The extraction process of essential oil from dill seeds, the chemical makeup of these oils, and their applications as antimicrobial, insecticidal, antifungal agents, among others, are detailed. Aloe vera has been acknowledged for its skin care and medicinal benefits since ancient times. The plant is widely regarded as a treatment for rashes, dry skin, allergic irritation, skin aging, wound healing, psoriasis, dermatitis, and inflammation. Creams are semisolid formulations that include one or more active ingredients, typically combined with refreshing scents in a base designed for easy application on the skin. These products' effectiveness is partly determined by your skin type and the active ingredient. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a bacterium responsible for skin infections due to colonization of the skin; it is becoming more and more resistant to many commonly used antibiotics. The concentration of extract, whether used alone or in the cream, was directly related to the anti-bacterial activities.

Aim and Objectives: -         

1. To select and collect suitable medicinal plants
2. For the preparation of plant extracts
3. In order to perform a preliminary phytochemical screening
4. In order to create a stable formulation of an herbal skin cream
5. To evaluate the physicochemical properties
6. To assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity
7. To evaluate the in vivo wound healing activity
8. To compare the wound healing efficacy
9. To analyze the safety and skin irritation potential
10. To conclude the effectiveness and potential of the herbal skin cream

ADVANTAGES:

1. Enhanced Wound Healing
2. Antimicrobial Protection
3. Fewer Side Effects Compared to Synthetic Creams
4. cost-Effective and Economically Viable
5. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
6. Supports Traditional and Indigenous Medicine
7. Minimal Regulatory Hurdles for Topical Use
8. Showing following activity
9. Anti-inflammatory
10. Antimicrobial activity
11. Antioxidant activity
12. Analgesic activity

Herbal ingredients: -

1. 1. Aloe Vera

Fig 1 – Aloevera

Aloe vera is an important medicinal plant for treating and protecting the skin.It is extremely advantageous and safeguarding, proving miraculous for burns, sunburns, and various skin ailments (eczema, psoriasis, acne)³. Aloe Vera facilitates the healing of even the most sensitive skin injuries. In some instances of serious burns, though, aloe gel can impede recovery⁴.

Benefits of Aloevera: -

1. It has a cooling effect on rashes or

sunburns.

2. Its anti-inflammatory effects can reduce pain, swelling, and soreness associated with wounds or injuries.

3.  Essentials for skin hydration.

4. Stops early ageing from occurring.

5. Wrinkle and dark spot reducer for your face

2. Curcuma longa:

Fig 2 Curcuma longa:

Turmeric has been used both externally and internally: externally for healing wounds and treating skin sores, and internally for addressing various conditions such as indigestion, throat infections, colds, and liver diseases⁵
Especially curcumin, derived from Curcuma longa, demonstrates remarkable benefits for the skin. It has also been observed that curcumin demonstrates effective anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties^.6

Benefits of Turmeric

1. Skin health is improved.
2. Treatment of acne.
3. Potentia lrelief from psoriasis.
4. Clearing of the skin
5. Aiding in wound healing.
6. Antibacterial agent

3. Tulsi: -

Fig 3 – Tulsi

The wide-ranging antibacterial properties of Tulsi indicate its common use in mouthwash, hand sanitizers, and water purification, as well as in food preservation, animal husbandry, wound healing, and as herbal raw materials. This activity encompasses actions targeting various human and animal diseases.

Benefits of Tulsi leaf powder

1. Promote sheal thyskinageing
2. Eases skin conditions including eczema
3. Excellent for curing skin issues
4. Vitamin K is a good source
5. Anti-aging benefits
6. Acne prevention and stress reduction
7. Acacia Auriculiformis

Acacia auriculiformis:-

Fig 4 - Acacia auriculiformis

Acacia auriculiformis exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, including central nervous system depressant⁷, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-filarial, cestocidal, antimutagenic, chemopreventive, spermicidal, wound healing, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects. This is attributed to its high efficacy and low toxicity (LD50 = 3 741.7 mg/kg). Numerous phytochemical analyses also demonstrate the presence of the main components flavonoids (Auriculoside) and triterpenoid saponin glycosides (acaciasides- acaciaside A & B) in various portions of this plant.

Wound Healing Activity: -

The cream created from ethanol and aqueous extracts of Acacia auriculiformis leaves was evaluated for its wound healing properties⁸ using excision and incision wound models in Swiss albino mice. The hydroxyproline content was determined, and histopathological analyses were performed on the treated groups. The results showed that both formulations possess significant wound healing activity, evidenced in all treated animals by a reduced epithelialization time, increased wound contraction speed, enhanced tensile strength and hydroxyproline content, and greater granulation tissue formation and collagen fibre synthesis

Formulation of Cream: -

At 75 °C, heat liquid paraffin and beeswax in a borosilicate glass breaker (this is the oil phase). Methyl and borax using a water bath to keep the temperature at 75°C, paraben should be dissolved in distilled water in a different beaker. A glass rod should be used to stir the solution’s aqueous phase until all solid particles have dissolved. While continuing to mix, pour the hot aqueous phase into the heated oily phase gently. After the two stages have been combined, Aloe-vera extract, Tulsi extract, Acacia auriculiformis extract, and turmeric extract should be added immediately. Glass rod blending should persist until a smooth cream forms. Once the cream has formed, rose oil should be incorporated as a fragrance.

Formulation Table: -           

Table -1 – Formulation Table

Role of ingredients: -

Table 2 - Role of ingredients

Evaluation of Cream: -

To make sure the formulation is stable, safe, and effective, a number of factors must be evaluated when evaluating an herbal cream that contains Tulsi, curcuma longa, Acacia auriculiformis and Aloe vera as the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This is a thorough assessment test that covers a number of parameters that are commonly examined for this formulation.

1. Physical Appearance Evaluation: -

Objective: To assess the color, texture, clarity, and homogeneity of the herbal cream  

Table 3 - Physical Appearance Evaluation

1. Ph Measurement: -

pH stands for "potential of Hydrogen" or "power of Hydrogen." It is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of an aqueous (water-based) solution.⁹

• The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
  • pH < 7: Acidic solution
  • pH = 7: Neutral solution
  • pH > 7: Basic (alkaline) solution

The pH value is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions (H?) in a solution ¹⁰

Mathematical Formula for pH           

ppH=−log10?[H+]

Method: A 0.5 g sample of the cream is dispersed in 50 ml of distilled water, and the pH is measured using a digital pH meter.

Table 4 - Ph Measurement

3.Spreadability: -

The term "Spreadability" describes how easily a substance (such as an ointment, gel, cream, paste, or lotion) covers a surface with a little push^.11
It is a crucial rheological characteristic, particularly in:

Formulations for pharmaceuticals (ointments, creams) Cosmetic items (makeup, lotions)
Science of food (butters, spreads)
Coatings and paintsto guarantee an emulgel's effectiveness and user experience, its Spreadability must be measured.

Techniques to Assess Spreadability:

1. Parallel Plate approach: This approach includes inserting a sample of the emulgel between two parallel plates and measuring the distance it spreads.¹²

2. Slop Test: This technique measures the distance that an emulgel sample flows after being placed on a sloping surface.¹³

3. Spreadability Tester: A specialist tool for assessing topical compositions' spreadability¹⁴

Table 5 - Spreadability

4. Washability Test ¹⁵

 for Herbal Skin Cream To assess the ease with which the cream can be removed from the skin post-application, verifying that it does not leave a greasy or sticky residue.

Process:

Application: Use a small, calculated quantity (e.g., 0.1 g) of the herbal cream on a specified spot on the forearm or hand.

Observation: Let the cream stay on the skin for a specified amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) to mimic usual usage.

Washing: Clean the applied area with running tap water, avoiding any cleaning products.

Table 6 - Washability Test

Summary of Formulation: -

The present study focused on the formulation and evaluation of an wound healing cream for the effective topical treatment of wound healing . this cream is   a combination of  herbal excipients and other synthetic agents that enhanced wound healing activity, and controlled drug release, making them suitable for wound healing .

The formulation was developed using a suitable herbal wound healing agent (Tulsi,Curcuma longa , Acacia auriculiformis and Aloevera ),

Various evaluation parameters were studied, including:

• Physical characteristics (color, consistency, pH),
• Spreadability and extrudability,
• Viscosity, ensuring ease of application,
• Drug content to confirm uniform distribution,
• And stability studies to ensure product integrity over time.

Overall summery of Formulation: -

Table 7 - Overall summery of Formulation