DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL FORMULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACNE

Acne vulgaris is a most common skin disorder of pilosebaceous unit that affect areas containing the largest oil glands, including the face, back, and trunk. It is generally characterized by formation of seborrhea, comedone, inflammatory lesions. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. Staphylococcus aureus support to cause inflammation in acne. The present research work deals with formulation and evaluation of herbal gels against this etiologic agent of acne vulgaris. The ethanolic extract of Neem (leaves), Nutmeg (fruit), and Black pepper (fruit) were prepared and formulated into a topical gel. In vitro antibacterial activity was performed against P. acnes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus, using agar well diffusion method. The measured zones of inhibitions of the prepared formulations were compared with standard antibiotic (Clindamycin) and standard marketed topical herbal formulation. The prepared gels were evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability, stability, drug content, acute skin irritancy activity and in vitro diffusion. The results from the agar well diffusion showed that Neem, Nutmeg and Black pepper would inhibit the growth of P. acnes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus and the prepared polyherbal gels showed comparable antimicrobial activity against these bacterias with the marketed preparation. However, the standard Clindamycin was more active than that of prepared polyherbal gels, marketed herbal anti-acne preparation and extracts of Neem, Black pepper and Nutmeg.Taken together, our data indicated that Neem, Black pepper and Nutmeg had inhibitory and synergistic effect against P. acnes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus.