Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Gel Containing Extract of Calotropis gigantea Leaves

Herbal medicine has become an item of global importance both medicinal and economical. Although usage of these herbal medicines has increased, their quality, safety and efficacy are serious concerns in industrialized and developing countries. Herbal remedies are getting increasing patient compliance as they are devoid of typical side effects of allopathic medicines. The present research has been undertaken with the aim to formulate and evaluate the herbal gel containing Calotropis gigantea mother tincture. The gel formulation was designed by using Carbopol 934, Calotropis gigantea mother tincture, Polyethylene, Sodium Sulphite and required amount of distilled water. The skin pH (6.8-7) was maintained by drop wise addition of Tri-ethanolamine. The physicochemical parameters of formulations such as pH, spreadability, viscosity and rheological studies, extrudability and drug content uniformity were determined. The results showed that the formulation containing Calotropis gigantea extract shows the drug content release which is above average. The pH of all formulations was found to be compatible with the normal pH range and so the chances of skin irritation are least.