FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL EMULGEL CONTAINING RUBIA CORDIFOLIA AND MILLETTIA PINNATA FOR TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY

Topical drug delivery systems have gained significant importance in modern pharmaceutical sciences due to their ability to provide localized therapeutic action with minimal systemic side effects. Emulgel, a combination of emulsion and gel, represents an advanced topical drug delivery system suitable for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The present research work focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a herbal emulgel containing Rubia cordifolia and Millettia pinnata for enhanced topical drug delivery. Different formulations of emulgel were prepared using various concentrations of Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, and Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) as gelling agents. The prepared formulations were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as appearance, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, drug content, in vitro drug release, stability studies, and skin irritation potential. FTIR studies confirmed compatibility between herbal extracts and excipients. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated controlled and sustained release behavior, particularly in formulation F5, which showed superior drug release and stability characteristics. Stability studies indicated no significant changes in physical appearance, pH, or drug content during storage. The study concluded that herbal emulgel formulations containing Rubia cordifolia and Millettia pinnata provide effective topical delivery with improved stability, patient compliance, and therapeutic potential for dermatological applications.

Keywords: Herbal Emulgel, Topical Drug Delivery, Rubia cordifolia, Millettia pinnata, Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, HPMC, Controlled Release, FTIR, Stability Study.