Design, Optimization And Evaluation Of Polyherbal Cream For The Treatment Of Eczema Using 23 Factorial Design

Abstract

Eczema is the chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by itchy and dry skin, pruritis small rashes, blisters and infections. Despite the availability of conventional treatments like topical corticosteroids, adverse effects associated with long term use of these conventional treatment has demanded safer and effective alternatives. The aim of the present research is to formulate and optimize the polyherbal topical cream for the management of eczema by using a 2³ full factorial design approach. Total 8 formulations were prepared by varying the concentration of shea butter, coconut oil and Carbopol and these factors were evaluated at two levels. The responses studied were viscosity, spreadability, and in-vitro drug release. Out of 8 formulations, F7 batch containing 7% sheabutter, 6.5 % coconut oil and 1.5 % Carbopol, was identified as the best formulation as it exhibited desirable viscosity, good spreadability and optimum drug release. F7 exhibited a viscosity of 40,100 cP, spreadability of 18.2 g·cm/s and cumulative in vitro drug release of 94.4% after 7 hours. Stability studies indicated no significant changes over three months. The results indicated that the optimised batch may serve as the promising system for effective management of eczema.