Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A HERBAL GEL FOR TREATMENT OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS

Smita G. Patil, Varsha M. Jadhav* and Vilasrao J. Kadam

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to prepare and characterize herbal gel formulation of extracts of Emblica officinalis and Piper longum fruits for the local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Herbal gel formulation was prepared using ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis fruits and methanolic extract of Piper longum fruits using different polymers as gelling agent in varying concentrations. Gelling agents used in this study are carbopol 934, Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (SCMC) and Xanthan gum for preparation of different gel formulations. The prepared gels were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, viscosity, extrudability, spreadability, antifungal activity and in-vitro drug release study. Stability studies were carried out as per ICH guidelines for 3 months at different temperatures and humidity. It is observed that the gel formulated by Carbopol 934(C3) shows good antifungal activity and it was found to be best and stable among the prepared batches. It was inferred from the results that all the performed experiments confirm the applicability of herbal intravaginal gel for the local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Keywords: Emblica officinalis, Piper Longum, Antifungal, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Intra-vaginal gel.