Keywords

Kachora, Herb, Cream, Crude drug.

INTRODUCTION

Now-a-days herbal extracts are used in the cosmetic preparations for augmenting beauty and attractiveness. Herbal cosmetics are classified on the basis of dosage form like- cream, powder, soaps, solutions, etc. and according to part or organ of the body to be applied for like; cosmetics for skin, hair, nail, teeth and mouth etc [11]. Creams are semisolid emulsions intended for application to the skin or mucous membrane. A low fat moisturizer that disappears into the skin is called as a vanishing cream. It softens skin, leaving nothing behind [5]. Vanishing cream are o/w emulsion based preparations containing aqueous phase and oil phase [6].

Depending on the proportion of water to grease, cream can be water miscible and washed away easily or be thick and sticky. It is perhaps the commonest prescribed topical medicament. As it is less oily, messy and sticky, most patients find it more user-friendly [7].

The traditional systems of medicine, evolved over centuries had been responsible for safeguarding healthcare of the world until the advent of allopathic system of medicine. As the latter system used knowledge of modern biology and chemistry, for both discovery and treatment, it found fast acceptability among the users and now it occupies predominant space in the area of health care. In spite of this, the contribution of the traditional preparations, which are normally polyherbal, is increasing because of the general impression that these products are safe; while the single-molecule based modern drugs used in allopathic system can have severe adverse effects [2].

The skin is the body’s first line of defense for external exposure. The signs of ageing are most visible in the skin. Although, ageing skin is not a threat to a person, it can have a detrimental effect on the psychology of a person1. Much of the premature ageing occurs as a direct or indirect result of skin’s interaction with the environment. Exposure to sunlight is a recognized as a major factor in the etiology of the progressive unwanted changes in the skin appearance [12]. Photochemoprotective agents are capable of preventing the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, which are caused by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species [9].

This herbal vanishing herbal cream consists of various crude drugs such as rhizomes of kachora plant or black turmeric (curcuma caesia, zingiberaceae), fruits of nagarmotha (cyperus scariosus, cyperaceae), fruits of long pepper or pimpali (piper longum, piperaceae), fruits of nutmeg (myristica fragrans, myristicaceae), jawas or linseed (linum usitatissimum, linaceae), wheat grains (triticum aestivum, graminae), cereals of urid and harbhara, rhizomes of turmeric (curcuma longa, zingiberaceae) [3].

Objective

The objective of this research work was to formulate the cream which does not cause any side effects or adverse reactions. The cream also acts as a fairness expert in day to day life by removing aging signs. It also possesses nutritional value which provided required nutrients to the skin.

MATERIAL

Raw herbs collection

All crude drugs were collected from Shabbat Ayurvedic medicine shop, Aurangabad.

Authentication

The plant material collected was identified and authenticated by Shweta S. Saboo, Assistant professor, Pharmacognosy department, Government College of pharmacy, Aurangabad [10].

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Steps carried out in the preparation of vanishing herbal cream were as follows [1].

Preparation of alcoholic extract of crude drugs

All above mentioned powdered crude drugs of 5gms were taken into the conical flask and then100ml. of ethanol was added to it, then the conical flask was capped with aluminium foil. Then this mixture was placed for maceration for 5 days.

Preparation of oil phase

Stearic acid (17%), potassium hydroxide (0.5%), sodium carbonate (0.5%) was taken into one porcelain dish and this mixture was melted at 70°c.

Preparation of aqueous phase

Alcoholic extract of crude drugs mentioned in step-1 (4.5%), Glycerin (6%), Water (71%) were taken into another porcelain dish and heated this mixture at 70°c.

Addition of aqueous phase to oil phase

The aqueous phase was added to the oil phase with continuous stirring at 70°c. Now, once the transfer was completed it was allowed to come at room temperature, all the while being stirred. Perfume (0.5%) was added at last just before the finished product was transferred to suitable container. Then cream was evaluated for various physical parameters.

Analysis of physical parameters

Determination of organoleptic properties

The appearance of the cream was judged by its color, pearlscence and roughness and graded [13].

Determination of pH

Accurately weighed 5 g of the sample was dispersed in 45 ml. of water. The pH of the suspension was determined at 27°C using digital pH meter [2].

Determination of homogeneity

The formulations were tested for the homogeneity by visual appearance and by touch [13].

Determination of roboutness

It includes following,

Determination of spread ability

Spread ability may be expressed by the extent of the area to which the topical application spreads when applied to the affected parts on the skin. The therapeutic efficiency of the formulation also depends upon its spreading value. Hence, it was found necessary to determine the spread ability of the formulation. For this purpose, ample (about 3gm) was applied in between two glass slides and they were pressed together to obtain a film of uniform thickness by placing 1000 gm weight for 5 minutes. Thereafter a weight (10gm) was added to the pan and the top plate was subjected to pull with the help of string attached to the hook. The time in which the upper glass slide moves over the lower plate to cover a distance of 10 cm is noted. The spread ability (S) can be calculated using the formula [2].

Where,

S – Spread ability m- Weight tied to upper glass slide. l- Length moved on a glass slide t- Time taken.

The determinations were carried out in triplicate and the average of three readings was recorded.

Determination of wetness

It was determined by applying cream on skin surface of human volunteer.

Determination of type of smear

It was determined by applying the cream on the skin surface of human volunteer. After application of cream, the type of film or smear formed on the skin were checked [8].

Determination of emolliency

Emolliency, slipperiness and amount of residue left after the application of fixed amounts of cream was checked.

Determination of viscosity

The viscosity determinations were carried out using a Brookfield Viscometer (DV II+ Pro model) using spindle number S- 64 at a 20 rpm at a temperature of 25°C. The determinations were carried out in triplicate and the average of three readings was recorded [2].

Determination of type of emulsion

Dilution test

In this test the emulsion is diluted either with oil or water. If the emulsion is o/w type and it is diluted with water, it will remain stable as water is the dispersion medium" but if it is diluted with oil, the emulsion will break as oil and water are not miscible with each other. Oil in water emulsion can easily be diluted with an aqueous solvent, whereas water in oil emulsion can be diluted with an oily liquid [2].

Dye solubility test

In this test an emulsion is mixed with a water soluble dye (amaranth) and observed under the microscope. If the continuous phase appears red, it means that the emulsion is o/w type as the water is in the external phase and the dye will dissolve in it to give color. If the scattered globules appear red and continuous phase colorless, then it is w/o type. Similarly, if an oil soluble dye (Scarlet red C or Sudan III) is added to an emulsion and the continuous phase appears red, then it is w/o emulsion [2].

RESULT

Appearance

The cream prepared was found to be of a yellowish green color and had pleasant odor.

pH

The pH of cream was found to be 6.1, which is acidic value.

Homogeneity

It was found that the cream was homogeneous and smooth and consistent in nature.

Ruboutness

It was found that the cream was easily spreadable and moisturizes the skin surface of human volunteer.

Type of smear

It was found that the cream produced non-greasy film on the skin surface.

Emolliency

After observation, it was found that cream not left residue on skin surface after application.

Viscosity

The viscosity of cream was found to be 27025cps.

Type of emulsion

The cream was found to be of the O/W type emulsion by dilution and dye solubility test.

CONCLUSION

The vanishing cream of crude drugs with the best properties and having nutritional value was to be prepared by simple methods and less equipments are required. The prepared herbal cream also has antioxidant and antibacterial activity due to this it retards aging signs and pimple formation on the face. Further studies are required for this vanishing herbal cream. It was found that this type of formulation of the vanishing herbal cream was not prepared earlier.

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