Formulation of Entandrophragma utile into an Herbal Emulgel for the Management of Inflammation

Introduction: Globally, the incidence of inflammation and inflammatory disorders has continued to rise at an alarming rate. Entandrophragma utile is a species of flowering plant widely distributed in Africa and has been used for the management of sickle cell disease, rheumatism, ocular inflammation, duodenal and stomach ulcers. This research aims to formulate and evaluate an anti-inflammatory herbal emulgel using an extract from Entandrophragma utile stem bark (EUB). Method: Using a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of EUB the extract was assessed. The formulated Entandrophragma utile emulgels (EUE) were characterized, and their anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated, by utilizing diclofenac emulgel-treated rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model as the positive control group. Results: The emulgels formulated had characterization results within acceptable ranges; pH (4.25-5.80), viscosity (418.9-112.8 mPas), spreadability (25.00-31.82 gcm/s), extrudability (30.86-51.02 g/cm2), and a swelling index of (30-60%). The emulgel produced a concentration-dependent inflammatory inhibition with a peak effect (117.97%) at the end of the 4th week which was comparable to that of commercial diclofenac (127.19%). The phytochemical analysis led to the identification of saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins as active secondary metabolites. Conclusions: The stem bark extract of E. utile possessed noteworthy (p < 0.05) reduction in inflammation in comparison to diclofenac and its emulgel formulation showed enormous potential for treating inflammation and pain.

The Formulation and Evaluation of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel and Cymbopogon flexuosus Linn Essential Oils Emulgel for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

The global concern regarding the occurrence of antifungal resistance to synthetic conventional azoles used for treating vulvovaginal candidiasis, along with the associated side effects, is significant. Consequently, the pursuit for substitutes such as natural therapies has ensued. Essential oils, derived from plants, have been extensively researched and found to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. This study aimed to assess the antifungal efficacy of two essential oils, both alone and in combination, against Candida albicans. Essential oils were formulated into an emulgel separately and as combinations. The essential oils of Melaleuca alternifolia and Cymbopogon flexuosus were used in this study. The resulting emulgel formulations were characterized for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Physiochemical properties such as pH, viscosity, and appearance were also determined. The prepared emulgels were thereafter observed for stability over a period of 1 month. The MIC of Melaleuca alternifolia was seen to be 50 µL/mL while Cymbopogon flexuous was seen to be more potent at 25 µL/mL against C. albicans exhibiting strong synergistic effect at 0.4. The emulgel formed was white in color, smooth on skin, and had the odor of the essential oils, which is sweet to the nose. The pH of the formulations with the essential oils were acidic in the range of 3.70-3.83, making them suitable for vagina application. The emulgels had viscosities ranging from 4417.6 to 8968.7 mPas, owing to the thickness of the essential oils contained. The emulgel formulation with the combination of essential oils was more potent that the two with individual essential oils; furthermore, the one with Cymbopogon flexuous was more potent than the one with Melaleuca alternifolia. Based on the properties of the formulated emulgels and their activity against the test organism, the preparations have significant potential in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Evaluation and Formulation of the Methanol Extract and Oil of Nigella Sativa Linn into Suppositories with Potentials in the Management of Vaginal Candidiasis

Background:

A focus on the need to continue to develop alternative treatment protocols, especially from natural sources like plants to circumvent the antimicrobial resistance experienced with synthetic products has become imperative.

Objective:

This research focused on the evaluation of the antifungal activities of Nigella sativa; and the formulation of a vaginal suppository in a bid to provide therapeutic solutions to vaginal candidiasis.

Methods:

Antifungal activities of the methanol extracts of seeds and commercial oil from Nigella sativa were examined by the agar well diffusion method against ten clinical isolates of Candida albicans and one reference standard Candida albicans ATCC 3147. Clotrimazole was used as a positive control. Vaginal suppositories were formulated with 20% of the alcohol extract and commercial oil using cocoa butter and shea butter as bases. The suppositories were assessed for their physicochemical and in-vitro dissolution properties. Agar well diffusion method was used to examine the antifungal activities of the Nigella sativa suppositories.

Results:

The zones of inhibition of the extract ranged between 12.00 ± 1.73 and 32.33 ± 3.21 mm. After formulation, both cocoa butter and shea butter bases were found to be compatible with the extract. They exhibited relatively high disintegration time (8.56 ± 0.42 to 12.39 ± 0.98 min). The cocoa butter base gave stable suppositories and a faster release rate (56.95 ± 1.37 min) of the extract. The zones of inhibition of the suppositories incorporated with the extract ranged between 10.00 ± 1.00 and 23.67 ± 2.08 mm.

Conclusion:

These outcomes showed that the extract possesses antifungal activities and when incorporated into suppositories, activities vary according to the bases employed with the cocoa butter base being the more effective of the two bases.

Design, formulation and evaluation of Chasmanthera dependens Hochst and Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn based gel for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities

Background

The incidence of pain and inflammation in West Africa and in fact globally, continues to increase at an alarming rate. This research was conducted to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of leaf extracts of Chasmanthera dependens and Chenopodium ambrosioides; formulate and evaluate polyherbal gels from their combination in a bid to providing topical therapeutic solutions to pain and inflammation.

Methods

Pre-formulation studies (phytochemical analysis, in vitro analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities) were conducted on the methanol leaf extracts of Chasmanthera dependens and Chenopodium ambrosioides. Individual and polyherbal gels were prepared using polymer carbopol 940 (1%) at combination ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 Chasmanthera:Chenopodium. These herbal gels were evaluated for physical parameters, pH, viscosity, extrudability and spreadability. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of herbal gels were evaluated by their inhibitory activities (percentage inhibition) against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2 and compared with commercial diclofenac gel.

Results

The phytochemicals of the two extracts detected gave varied contents of major classes of secondary metabolites. The pre formulation inhibitory studies of the two extracts exhibited dose dependent inhibitory activities against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2. The physical appearance, homogeneity, and consistency of the herbal formulations were good. The herbal gels were spreadable with good extrudability. The pH of the herbal gels ranged from 4.5 ± 0.4 to 5.2 ± 0.4. The viscosity of the herbal gels ranged between 4.3 ± 0.2 and 4.7 ± 0.4 Pas. The herbal gels exhibited significant differences in inhibitory activities against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2 when compared with control commercial diclofenac gel.

Conclusion

The outcomes, including the inhibition of mediators COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2, confirm the use of the plant extracts under study, the individual and polyherbal gels formulated for the potential topical therapeutic treatment of pain and inflammation.

Evaluation of the antidiarrheal activity of the leaf extract of Parquetina nigrescens and formulation into oral suspensions

Purpose

Parquetina nigrescens (Pn) extract was evaluated for safety and antidiarrheal activity, formulated into stable suspensions, and characterized.

Methods

Acute toxicity of the extract based on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-423 guidelines was performed. The antidiarrheal effects of the extract on castor oil-induced diarrhea in four groups of Wistar rats were determined. The first and second groups received 5 and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract, while the third and fourth groups received normal saline (5 mg/kg bw) and loperamide (5 mg/kg bw) as negative and positive controls, respectively. Pn extract was used at 1.25% w/v to formulate structured vehicle (carboxylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and tragacanth) suspensions. The suspensions were tested for pharmacological activity and characterized.

Results

Acute toxicity gave a lethal dose 50 (LD50) that is greater than 300 and less than 2,000 mg/kg bw. A reduction in intestinal transit by 0.14 and 0.15% at 5 and 200 mg/kg of the extract was achieved as compared to an inhibition of 0.12% by 5 mg/kg loperamide. There was a dose-dependent decrease in the frequency of watery stool passed in castor oil-induced rats by 35.29% and 64.70% at 5 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. All the suspensions inhibited diarrhea, exhibiting a dose-dependent pattern and remained stable after 4 weeks. Their pH values ranged from 4.60±2.73 to 4.73±1.91, while viscosity ranged from 3.50±1.23 to 6.75±1.24 Pas at 60 rpm.

Conclusion

The results suggest that Pn possesses significant antidiarrheal activity. Suspensions of Pn were successfully formulated in structured vehicles and were effective in the control of diarrhea in Wistar rats.

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