FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL GEL FOR WOUND HEALING

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a herbal gel for wound healing using medicinal plant extracts. Wound healing is a complex biological process involving phases such as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Conventional treatments may cause side effects and delayed healing, creating the need for safer and more effective alternatives. Herbal medicines, rich in bioactive compounds like flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids, offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that promote faster tissue regeneration.

In this study, selected medicinal plants such as Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) were used due to their wellknown wound healing properties. The herbal extracts were prepared and incorporated into a gel base using Carbopol 934 as a gelling agent. The formulated gel was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, and stability.

The results showed that the formulated gels were homogeneous, non-irritant, and stable, with pH values suitable for skin application. The gel exhibited good spreadability and appropriate viscosity, ensuring ease of application and effective drug delivery. Stability studies confirmed that the formulation remained stable under different storage conditions.

Overall, the developed herbal gel demonstrated promising characteristics for wound healing, offering a safe, effective, and patient-friendly alternative to synthetic formulations. The study supports the potential use of herbal-based topical formulations in modern wound management.