Herbal Gel for the Treatment of Arthritis: Formulation, Evaluation, and Standardization

Abstract

Arthritis patients now have another option in the form of the Siddha and Ayurvedic therapy systems. Cardiospermum halicacabum and Vitex negundo are the two herbs most frequently used in conventional medicine for the treatment of arthritis.

Material and Methods: The mature fresh leaves of Vitex negundo and Cardiospermum halicacabum were procured from Palakkad, Kerala. The following substances were procured from Sigma-Aldrich USA: Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), diclofenac sodium, triethanolamine, propylene glycol, and disodium edetate. Carbopol 934 and Carbopol 940 were procured from Loba Chemie Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai.

Results: Physical appearance, net content, viscosity, extrudability, pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion profile, and primary skin irritation tests were conducted on a set of 12 herbal gel formulations made with 1.5% of gelling agents carbopol 934 (F1-F6) and carbopol 940 (F6-F12). Anti-arthritic activity was measured using the Freund's Complete Adjuvant induced arthritis method, and the stability of the topical herbal gel formulation was studied in accordance with ICH recommendations. Histopathological analysis, In vitro detection of blood biomarkers, and measurements of body weight and paw volume were also performed. Gel formulations were consistent, stable, and safe to use. The release characteristics of formulation F5 were the most favorable compared to the others.

Conclusion: An effective topical herbal gel for the treatment of arthritis was found to be the F5 formulation, which combines 2% CHME and 2% VNME with 1.5% carbopol 934. More clinical trials are needed to determine how effective this formulation is in treating inflammatory illnesses of the joints.