Formulation and Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Based Topical Antiseptic Gel

Medicinal plants are widely used as a primary source of treatment in many developing countries, including India. Many people rely on these plants instead of modern medicine. Various parts of plants, such as leaves, roots, stems, and flowers, have been used for treating different illnesses for centuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 80% of the global population depends on medicinal plants for healthcare.

The healing properties of these plants come from their natural chemical compounds, known as phytochemicals. These include flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, which can work individually or together to enhance medicinal effects. These compounds can help the body absorb and process medicine more effectively. Moringa oleifera, commonly known as moringa, is a highly valuable plant in india. Its leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins, and essential nutrients, making it useful in fighting malnutrition. Due to its high concentration of beneficial compounds, moringa has the potential to prevent and treat various diseases. Research has shown that moringa may help manage diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer. It also has strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Hydrogels are special gel-like substances that can absorb large amounts of water. They are widely used in medicine, including drug delivery, wound healing, and skin treatments. Hydrogels can help control the release of medicines, making treatments more effective while reducing side effects. Because of these benefits, researchers are exploring ways to combine moringa extract with gels to develop better treatments for skin diseases. The goal of this study is to create a herbal gel using Moringa oleifera leaf extract and evaluate its potential benefits, especially for skin treatments. Moringa oleifera, also known as the “tree of life” or “miracle tree,” is classified as an important herbal plant due to its immense medicinal and non-medicinal benefits. Traditionally, the plant is used to cure wounds, pain, ulcers, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation. This review aims to compile an analysis of worldwide research, pharmacological activities, phytochemical, toxicological, and ethnomedicinal updates of Moringa oleifera and also provide insight into its commercial and phytopharmaceutical applications with a motive to help further research. The scientific information on this plant was obtained from various sites and search engines such as Scopus, Pub Med, Science Direct, BMC, Google Scholar, and other scientific databases. Articles available in the English language have only been referred for review. The pharmacological studies confirm the hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts from the various plant parts. It was found that bioactive constituents are present in every part of the plant. So far, more than one hundred compounds from different parts of Moringa oleifera have been characterized, including alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, vitamins, glycosides, and terpenes. In addition, novel isolates such as muramoside A&B and niazimin A&B have been Identified in the plant and have potent antioxidant, anticancer, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and nutritional effects. The traditional and nontraditional use of Moringa, its pharmacological effects and their phytopharmaceutical formulations, clinical studies, toxicity profile, and various other uses are recognized in the present review. However, several traditional uses have yet to be scientifically explored. Therefore, further studies are proposed to explore the mechanistic approach of the plant to identify and isolate active or synergistic compounds behind its therapeutic potential.

Fig No. 1 Moringa Oleifera

Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers are widely used  traditional medicine, and the leaves and immature seed pods are used as food products in human nutrition. Leaf extracts exhibit the greatest antioxidant activity, and various safety studies in animals

Literature Review:

Ashutosh Pareek et al. (2023)

Moringa oleifera, often called the “tree of life” or the “miracle tree,” is a powerful herbal plant known for its wide range of health benefits. It has been traditionally used to treat wounds, pain, ulcers, liver and heart diseases, cancer, and inflammation. This review gathers information from scientific databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science directto provide a comprehensive overview of Moringa’s medicinal properties, chemical composition, safety, and potential commercial uses. Research confirms that Moringa has protective effects on the liver and heart and can reduce inflammation. Scientists have identified over 100 beneficial compounds in its leaves, seeds, bark, and roots, including alkaloids, flavonoids, vitamins, and terpenes. Some unique compounds, such as muramoside A&B and niazimin A&B, have strong antioxidant, anticancer, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Moringa is widely used in both traditional medicine and modern pharmaceutical products. However, while many of its traditional uses are well known, more scientific studies are needed to understand how its active compounds work. Further research could help unlock its full potential for medicine and nutrition.

Saima Muzammil et al. Molecules. (2023)

The delayed healing of wounds among people with diabetes is a severe problem worldwide. Hyperglycaemia and increased levels of free radicals are the major inhibiting factors of wound healing in diabetic patients. Plant extracts are a rich source of polyphenols, allowing them to be an effective agent for wound healing. Drying temperature and extraction solvent highly affect the stability of polyphenols in plant materials. However, there is a need to optimize the extraction protocol to ensure the efficacy of the final product. For this purpose, the effects of drying temperature and solvents on the polyphenolic composition and diabetic wound healing activity of Moringa oleifera leaves were examined in the present research.

Abdullah A Al-Ghanayem et al. (2022)

This study investigates the wound-healing potential of methanolic Moringa oleifera extract in diabetic rats with MRSA- or P. Aeruginosa-infected wounds. Phytochemical and GC-MS analyses identified its chemical constituents, while in vitro studies on hacatcell lines showed increased VEGF and TGF-β1 expression. The extract, formulated as an ointment, enhanced wound contraction, antioxidant enzyme activity, and collagen formation in MRSA-infected diabetic rats but was less effective against P. Aeruginosa. These findings suggest that M. Oleifera extract promotes healing in MRSA-infected wounds but requires further research for broader antimicrobial efficacy, especially against P. Aeruginosa.

Nurmaziah Mohammad Shafie et al. Molecules. (2022)

Wound healing is a natural process to restores damaged tissues due to loss of tissue integrity. Moringa oleifera (locally known as merunggai in Malaysia) has been traditionally used in various ailments, including for wound management. To evaluate the wound healing properties in M. oleifera, publications were searched and selected following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement with predetermined inclusion criteria. The databases searched for primary studies include PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CENTRAL. In total, 18 in vivo studies were included, which involved the leaves, while the remaining 5 studies involved other plant parts tested on excision, incision, dead space, abrasion, and burn-induced wound models. All studies reported significant wound healing abilities. Most studies used different topical formulations of aqueous leaf extract.

Materials and Equipment:

Materials and equipment are essential components for the Moringa oleifera based

1. Moringa oleifera extract
2. Carbopol 934
3. Propylene glycol
4. Glycerine
5. Methylparabn
6. Triethanolamine
7. Aloevera
8. Distilled water

Equipment

Methods :

Methods:-

Collection and Authentication of Moringa oleifera Leaves

Fresh leaves of Moringa oleifera were collected from a local botanical source in [Your Location]. The plant was authenticated by the Department of Botany, [Your College Name], and a voucher specimen was preserved for future reference.

Extraction of Moringa oleifera

The collected Moringa oleifera leaves were washed thoroughly with distilled water to remove dust and other impurities. The leaves were shade-dried for 8–10 days and then powdered using a mechanical grinder. About 500 g of the powdered leaves were subjected to solvent extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol (95%) as the solvent. The extraction was continued until the solvent in the siphon tube became colourless. The obtained extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and further dried using a vacuum desiccator. The dried extract was stored in an airtight container for further use.

Formulation of Moringa oleifera Antiseptic Gel

The gel base was prepared using Carbopol 940 as a gelling agent. A weighed quantity of Carbopol 940 was dispersed in distilled water with constant stirring and allowed to stand overnight for complete hydration. The Moringa oleifera extract was incorporated into the gel base with continuous stirring. Glycerine was added as a humectant, and preservatives like methylparaben and propylparaben were included. The pH was adjusted to 6.0–6.5 using triethanolamine. The final gel was mixed thoroughly until a uniform consistency was achieved and was then transferred into suitable containers for storage.

Evaluation of the Formulated Gel

The formulated Moringa oleifera gel was evaluated for the following parameters:

Appearance: Visual inspection for color, clarity, and homogeneity.

pH: Measured using a calibrated digital pH meter.

Viscosity: Determined using a Brookfield viscometer.

Spreadability: Evaluated using a glass slide method.

Extrudability: Assessed by applying standard pressure and measuring the amount of gel extruded.

Antimicrobial Activity: Tested using the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Forrmulation and Optimization of Gelling Agent

Carbopol is a water-soluble polymer that acts as a powerful gelling agent, suitable for making clear gels. To achieve desired gel consistency and spreadability, different concentrations of Carbopol 934, such as 1%, 1.5%, and 2% were used. Based on viscosity and spreadability tests, the optimized concentration was selected.

Formulation of Gel Base

The gelling agent was dispersed in a sufficient quantity of water. Propylene glycol, used as a humectant and plasticizer, was added along with other excipients like methyl paraben and propyl paraben. The mixture was stirred continuously.

The pH of the gel was adjusted using Triethanolamine (TEA) until neutrality was achieved. The total weight was made up to 30 g with purified water. The mixture was stirred with a propeller at 500 rpm for 2 hours to remove air bubbles. The gel was kept at room temperature for 24 hours to ensure consistency and stability.

Formulation of Moringa oleifera Gel (30 g):

To prepare 30 g of gel, 0.3 g of Carbopol 934 was dispersed in distilled water and allowed to hydrate. Then, 1.5 ml each of propylene glycol and glycerine were added as humectants. Preservatives, including 0.045 g of methylparaben and 0.009 g of propylparaben, were dissolved and added to the mixture. Afterward, 0.3 g of Moringa oleifera extract was incorporated as the active ingredient. Triethanolamine (1.5 ml) was added dropwise to adjust the pH to 6.8–7.0 and form a clear gel. The final volume was made up to 30 g with distilled water, and the gel was stirred until uniform and left to stabilize for 24 hours.

Formulation of gel

The formulation of a Moringa oleifera-based topical antiseptic gel involves several systematic steps to ensure effectiveness, safety, and stability. Initially, fresh Moringa oleifera leaves are collected, thoroughly washed, shade-dried, and powdered. The powdered leaves are then subjected to extraction using a suitable solvent such as ethanol or methanol through maceration The obtained extract is filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator to remove the solvent, yielding a semi-solid residue. This extract, rich in bioactive compounds, is then incorporated into a gel base. The gel base is prepared using gelling agents like carbopol 934 which are dispersed in distilled water with continuous stirring. A neutralizer like triethanolamine is added to adjust the pH and to form a clear gel. Preservatives such as methylparaben may be included to ensure microbial stability, along with other excipients like glycerin or propylene glycol to enhance skin hydration and spreadability. Finally, the Moringa oleifera extract is slowly mixed into the gel base under continuous stirring until a uniform, smooth topical gel is formed. The formulated gel is then stored in suitable containers

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract

Characteristics of Extracts

The ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves was evaluated for its organoleptic properties including physical state, color, odor, and taste. The observations are recorded in Table No. 7.

Table No. 7: Characteristics of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract

Phytochemical Investigation of the Extract

The phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaf revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, alkaloids, saponins, proteins, and glycosides. These compounds are widely known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Table No. 8: Phytochemical Constituents of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract