FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLY HERBAL OINTMENT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS

Abstract

Background: Traditional system describes a vast array of herbs and herbal mixtures that are been demonstrated to possess efficacy in research investigations and this is termed as holistic system of medicine. Annona squamosa, Solanum nigrum, Azadirachta indica are the crude drugs evaluated for its role in anti-microbial and various skin diseases.
Objective: In the current study, to screen selected Indian herbs Solanum nigrum, Annona squamosa, Azadirachta indica for its cytotoxic effect against immortalized HacaT cell lines. To design and develop the new poly herbal formulation for the treatment of psoriasis and to minimize the occurrence of side effects.
Materials and method: Coarsely powdered plant material weighed accurately 500gm of individual plants were extracted with 50%v/v methanol for 24 hours by cold maceration process. Mixing all individual extracts of herbs in a glass beaker in 1:1:1 ratio for the preparation of Poly herbal extract. Mixed well with sufficient quantity of alcohol, concentrated, evaporated and stored. The resultant poly herbal extract subjected to preliminary phytochemical evaluation was done and further the poly herbal extract was screened by chromatographic analysis using TLC and HPTLC methods. The poly herbal extract free radical scavenging capacity was determined by DPPH assay method and the Invitro antipsoriatic activity of polyherbal formulation was carried out by MTT assay using HacaT cell lines. The weighed quantity of the poly herbal extracts were incorporated in the ointment base by trituration as per the requirement of the different formulations. Formulations PHF I (5%) and PHF II (10%w/w) showed a significant improvement in the control of keratinocytes in ultraviolet B induced photodermatitis rat model and the significant anti psoriatic activity of these formulations were also confirmed by the histometrical investigation.
Results and conclusion: The poly herbal extract showed the presence of alkaloids , terpenoids, tannins etc.. By TLC and HPTLC analysis the poly herbal extract showed the distinct spots of active constituents. The acceptable physic chemical properties was observed in formulated polyherbal extract ointment formulations PHF I and PHF II and the formulations were non irritant, anti proliferative activity in HaCaT cell lines and significant suppression of the keratinocytes in light induced psoriasis rat model as compared to marketed preparation. The formulations were showed the promising antipsoriatic activity.