Formulation and Evaluation of an Anti-inflammatory Topical Polyherbal Gel

Inflammation is currently treated with NSAIDs. Unfortunately, these drugs increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Therefore, the development of potent anti-inflammatory drugs from natural products is currently being investigated. Natural products made from medicinal plants play an important role in curing many diseases associated with inflammation. Conventional anti-inflammatory drug available in the market has various side effects. Because of these side effects, there is a need to look for newer drugs with fewer or no side effects. The objective of the present study was to develop polyherbal gel containing hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis aristata root, Rubia cordifolia root and Boswellia serrata gum by using Carbopol 934 and Propylene glycol. The 32 factorial design was constructed using concentration of polymer (carbopol 934) and penetration enhancer (Propylene glycol) as independent variables while Viscosity (m.Pas), % in vitro release of Berberine, Rubiadin and AKBA as dependent variables, total 9 possible experimental runs formulate and evaluate. The optimized gel was selected by design of expert employing the overlay plot with desirability approach. Optimized gel showed 39568 m.Pas viscosity, drug content of Berberine 0.48 mg, Rubiadin 0.42 mg and AKBA 0.51 mg. In vivo and histopathology study revealed that prepared gel showed good anti-inflammatory activity.