Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL NIOSOMAL GEL FOR PSORIASIS LIKE EFFECT

Shijila P.* and Gowtham M.

ABSTRACT

Herbal dugs are used widely to cure a variety of diseases due to its increased efficiency and lesser side effects. Novel drug delivery system is an emerging drug delivery system used widely now a days. So combaining the herbal drug delivery with novel drug delivery system may enhances the therapeutic benefits. Niosomal formulations are already proven its potential in treating various diseases. In accordance with the improved therapeutic efficacy of niosomes, herbal drug can be incorporated in to it to produce a synergistic effect. The two plants Wrightia tinctoria and Aloe barbadensis having potent anti-psoriatic activity and their synergistic action when incorporated in to niosomes have been studied. Niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration method and the drug extracts were incorporated in to it. Vesicle size of niosomes was analysed shows good results. Size and shape of niosomes formed, zeta potential was also determined. The Vesicle size and invitro- antioxidant studys were taken as criteria to optimize the formulation. Formula F3 was optimized having surfactant and cholesterol in the ratio of (2:1). The optimized formulation was converted in to a gel using carbopol 934 and various parameters like pH, viscosity, spredability, swelling index, invitro-antioxidant studies were evaluated. All the parameters showed better results. The gel formulated was then evaluated by invivo animal study. Skin irritation study was conducted and it shows the formulation was free from dermatological reactions. The anti-psoriatic effect was determined by PPD-induced psoriasiform rat model. The length of epidermal thickness, % orthokeratosis and drug activity were determined. From the result it shows that the herbal niosomal gel (F3) possesses significant inhibition in psoriasis which was comparable with that of standard dithranol gel.

Keywords: Herbal drug; Niosomes; Psoriasis; Wrightia tinctoria; Aloe barbadensis.