FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYHERBAL WOUND HEALING GEL

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving series of coordinated cellular and molecular events. The present investigation was undertaken to formulate and characterize a polyherbal wound healing gel using medicinally important plants such as Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Carica papaya (Papaya). These plants were selected based on their traditional use in wound management and reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. Extracts were prepared using hydroalcoholic solvent (70% ethanol) by maceration. The polyherbal gel formulation was prepared using Carbopol 940 as the gelling agent. Four formulations (F1–F4) were prepared with varying concentrations. The gel formulation F3 (3% w/w extract) showed optimum physicochemical properties including appearance, pH (5.29), viscosity (4856 cPs), and spreadability (5.4 g·cm/sec). The formulation was found to be safe, non-irritant, and stable.