Abstract

FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND STABILITY STUDY OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM) FRUITS EXTRACT

Dr. Lamia Abdalla Gadien*, Abdel Karim M. Abdel Karim and Eltayeb Suliman, Daoud Tajeldeinn Ahmaed and Ghada M.

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines have long history of use; they are renewable, cheaper source with better patient tolerance as well as acceptance. Wounding of skin is one of the common dermatological problems. Therefore, there is great need for new topical treatment that can speed up healing, minimize scarring and decreases induction of bacterial resistance. Neem trees as known they have an immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing promoting properties. Hence this study aimed to formulate, evaluate and standardize Neem ointment and Neem gel formulae and also to study their stability. The Dried Neem fruits were extracted and then the highest antimicrobial extract was formulated two formulae of polyethylene glycol ointment and carbopol gel with concentration 3% were prepared. All the quality control tests were done for the prepared Neem formulae such as appearance, pH, content uniformity, viscosity, spreadability, washability and antimicrobial activity. Accelerated stability study test was done. Crude Neem extract, ointment and gel were standardized using high performance liquid chromatography method. This study results shows that the Neem ointment and gel quality Control results complied with the requirements stated in the official American pharmacopeia. Also the stability test results indicate stable formulae with no significant change. Furthermore, the high performance liquid chromatography results indicate the presence of major Neem marker compound. The presence of the Neem chemical constituents such as tannins, terpenoids and flavonoids with its positive antioxidant activity results may support the wound healing activity of Neem.

Keywords: Neem ointment, Neem gel, Antioxidant activity, HPLC and stability study.