FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL TOPICAL CREAM CONTAINING LACTUCA SATIVA AND CURCUMA LONGA WITH ANALGESIC AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal topical cream containing extracts of Lactuca sativa and Curcuma longa with analgesic and antimicrobial potential. Methods: An oil-in-water topical cream was formulated using beeswax and borax as emulsifying agents. Polyherbal extracts were incorporated into the cream base and five formulations (F1–F5) were prepared by varying excipient concentrations. The formulations were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as pH, spreadability, viscosity, homogeneity, washability, acid value, saponification value, and phase separation. In-vitro drug release was studied using a Franz diffusion cell. Results: Among the prepared 5 batches of herbal formulation, batch 4 exhibited optimal physicochemical characteristics, possessing pH 5.8, spreadability of 20gcm/sec, and a viscosity of 2500 cps, which lies within an acceptable limits with no phase separation, compared to other batches. Conclusion: The formulated polyherbal cream demonstrated acceptable pharmaceutical properties and potential therapeutic utility. In vitro study for drug release was showed good acceptance of optimized formulation. Further pharmacological and antimicrobial studies are warranted.