Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLY HERBAL LINIMENT CONTAINING CAESALPINIA CRISTA SEED EXTRACT AND ZINGIBER OFFICINALE OIL FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Dr. M. Senthil Raja, Mrs. K. Sojarna*, V. Dhileep, J. Niroshkumar, S. Pavithra, B. Sandhiya, D. Vinorithika

Abstract

The present study was carried out to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal liniment containing Caesalpinia crista seed extract and Zingiber officinale essential oil for the management of pain and inflammation. Caesalpinia crista seeds were collected, shade dried, powdered and extracted by cold maceration using 70% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. Two herbal liniment formulations, F1 and F2, were prepared using different concentrations of Caesalpinia crista extract and ginger oil. The prepared formulations were evaluated for organoleptic, physicochemical and safety parameters including colour, odour, homogeneity, consistency, skin feel, spreadability, washability, pH, specific gravity, solubility, stability and leak test. Both formulations showed satisfactory physical characteristics, good spreadability and washability, and a smooth, non-sticky feel on the skin. The pH values of F1 and F2 were 6.86 and 6.87, respectively, while specific gravity values were 0.94 and 0.95. Both formulations remained stable during the stability study and showed no leakage during the 24-hour leak test. Skin irritation testing showed no redness or irritation. The in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Caesalpinia crista extract was evaluated by the protein denaturation assay. The extract showed concentration-dependent activity, with inhibition increasing from 16% at 100µg/ml to 70% at 500µg/ml. The findings indicate that Caesalpinia crista seed extract possesses anti-inflammatory potential and can be successfully incorporated with Zingiber officinale essential oil into a topical herbal liniment.

Keywords: Caesalpinia crista, Zingiber officinale, Herbal Liniment, Anti-inflammatory Activity, Pain Management, Protein Denaturation Assay, Phytochemical Screening.