In Vitro Assessment of Herbal Topical Ethosomal Gel Formulation for the Treatment of Acne vulgaris

Abstract

Anti-acne herbal formulations are utilized for the treatment of acne vulgaris with the additional benefit of not creating adverse effects, unlike synthetic drugs. Phytoconstituents present in methanolic extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. An approved UV spectrophotometer confirmed the presence of glycyrrhizin in these extracts. Extracts loaded with Carbopol 940 were utilized for the preparation of herbal drug-loaded ethosomal gel formulations (EF1, EF2, and EF3) at various times and followed the assessment of ethosomal gel formulation. The evaluation of ethosomal gel formulation done by pH, viscosity, spreadability, texture analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR spectral analysis, in vitro drug release study, and antioxidant activity against Propionibacterium acnes. Herbal ethosomal gel formulation demonstrated antibacterial potential and was additionally assessed for skin permeation by gamma scintigraphy utilizing hydrophilic radiotracer 99mTc-DTPA and lipophilic radiotracer 99mTc-MIBI. Significant permeation (1.3 μg/mg) was seen with a hydrophilic radiotracer named 99mTc-DTPA-PHF and this proposed that the formulation was equipped with sustained drug delivery for the treatment of moderate to an extreme type of acne.