Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Gel Containing Methanolic Extract of Annonasquamosa 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 Annona squamosa leaf extract. The gel formulation was designed by using carbopol 934, Annona squamosa leaf extract, 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, drug content uniformity and drug polymer compatibility studies were determined. The results showed that the formulation containing Annona squamosa 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.