Abstract

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL OINTMENT CONTAINING NIGELLA SATIVA AND ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS EXTRACTS FOR WOUND HEALING

Abdi Ahmed Ebrahim* and Dr. Vishvesh Kanabar

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Abstract

Background: The recovery of wounded tissues depends on the wound healing process, which calls for the use of efficient formulations to speed up the healing process. In our research, we incorporated herbal materials with established therapeutic qualities into topical formulations as ointment dosage form. Nigella sativa and Althaea officinalis have emerged as viable options for wound treatment. Although each is known to have specific therapeutic benefits, their ability to work in synergy in a combination formulation has not yet been investigated. With an emphasis on formulation development and evaluation of an ointment incorporating Nigella sativa (Black seeds) and Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) extracts, our project seeks to provide important insights into herbal-based therapies for wound healing. Objective: To incorporate the beneficial properties of Nigella sativa and Althaea officinalis as ointment dosage form to advance natural-based therapies for wound healing. Materials and Methods: Physicochemical analysis of drugs was performed. The ointment base was prepared by melting hard paraffin and cetostearyl alcohol on a water bath, followed by the addition of wool fat and white soft paraffin with gentle stirring for homogeneous mixing. The herbal ointment was then formulated by weighing Nigella sativa and Althaea officinalis extracts, separately measuring the ointment base, and triturating the active ingredients with portions of the base in a mortar using a pestle until a uniform distribution of the active ingredients was achieved. The formulated ointment was evaluated for various parameters. Results and Discussion: The prepared ointment had a smooth texture, a grayish-black color, a semi-solid consistency, and a characteristics odour. The pH values (i.e. 6.16±0.12-6.83±0.20) showed favorability of the formulation for topical applications. Spreadability results (i.e. 7.74±0.80-29.12±1.30 gm.cm/sec) demonstrated good spreadability. Extrudability results (i.e. 80.2±1.27%-95.8±2.10%) indicated ease of application. Viscosity measurements values indicated that as the concentration of hard paraffin decrease from F1 to F5, there is a corresponding decrease in viscosity. Stability study revealed that F2, F3, F4 and F5 were remained stable across various temperature conditions (i.e. 5±3 °C, 25±2 ℃, 37±2 ℃) over a four-week period. Conclusion: The project explored on the herbal-based wound therapy by using combined potential of Nigella sativa and Althaea officinalis extracts. The formulated ointment exhibited favorable physical properties, pH levels, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity, and stability. Based on the observed results, F5 appears to be the best ointment formulation. The results of this study pave the way for advancements in herbal-based therapies for wound healing.

Keywords: Herbal Ointment, Nigella Sativa (Black Seed), Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow), Wound Healing.