IJournals: International Journal of Research in Drug & Pharmaceutical Science (IJRDPS)

ISSN: XXXX-XXXX
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2017

Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal

Cream from Azadirachta Indica Ethanolic
Extract
Author: Himaja. N
Affiliation: Department of R&D Project management, TherDose Pharma Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad,
Telangana.
E-mail: himaja.k.rao@gmail.com

ABSTRACT harmful from long time for the youth as well as our
Herbal cosmetics are the preparations used to enhance environment. Various synthetic compounds, chemicals,
the human appearance. The aim of the present research dye and their derivative proved to cause various skin
was to formulate and evaluate the herbal cream for the diseases having numerous side effects. The value of herbs
purpose of moistening and nourishing the skin. in the cosmeceutical making has been extensively
Azadirachta indica is one of the most popular auspicious improved in personal care system and there is a great
and well known trees which are more extensively studied demand for the herbal cosmetics. Thus we are using
for its pharmaceutical and clinical properties. herbal cosmetics as much as possible. The basic idea of
Formulation of Oil in water (O/W) emulsion-based cream skin care cosmetic lies deep in the Rigveda, Yajurveda,
was formulated with Azadirachta indica extract. Extract Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathic system of medicine.
of Neem was obtained by using ethanol as a solvent. The These are the products in which herbs are used in crude or
herbal formulation showed good consistency, good extract form. These herbs should have varieties of
spreadibilty, homogeneity, pH, non greasy and no properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,
evidence of phase separation. The herbal extract emollient, antiseborrhatic, antikerolytic activity and
containing cream substantially increased skin elasticity, antibacterial etc. The word herbal is a symbol of safety in
hydration and decreased the skin melanin. contrast to the synthetic one which has adverse effects on
Keywords: Herbal cream, Azadirachta indica, human health. [1-6]
ethanolic extract, Oil in water, homogeneity, pH. The Azadirachta indica (Neem) is an evergreen tree native
1. INTRODUCTION to India, belonging to family Meliaceae were first used in
India to treat fungal infection, and skin diseases and it is
Cosmetic products are used to protect skin against
known as “the village pharmacy” because of its healing
exogenous and endogenous harmful agents and improve
versatility. Neem is the multifarious tree with immense
the beauty and attractiveness of skin. Cosmetics are not
potential possessing maximum useful non-wood products,
only developing an attractive external appearance, but
though in the study area Neem remains unutilized. And it
towards achieving long life of good health by reducing
has been used in Ayurvedic medicine from ancient years
skin disorders. The herbal ingredients present in skin care
due to its therapeutic properties. The tree is found in
products that supports the strength to the skin, integrity of
worldwide not less than 78 countries. There are
skin and texture, moisturizing, maintaining elasticity of
approximately more than 16.6 millions of neem trees in
skin by reduction of collagen and photo protection etc.
India. It has also been used from centuries as anti
This character of cosmetic is due to presence of
inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, anti tumor
ingredients in skin care formulation, because it helps to
activities. [7-11]
reduce the production of free radicals in skin and manage
The objective of present research work is to prepare Skin
the skin properties for long time. The cosmetic products
care Product that not only moisturizes and softens the skin
are the best choice to reduce skin disorders such as skin
but also helps in healing of skin lesions and skin cracks.
aging, skin wrinkling, hyper pigmentation and rough skin
An herbal cream that can give effective protection to skin
texture etc. The usage of synthetic products becomes very
and free from any toxicity or toxic residue or any irritation

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 IJournals: International Journal of Research in Drug & Pharmaceutical Science (IJRDPS)
ISSN: XXXX-XXXX
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2017

when regularly used and should also be cosmetically 3.3 Dye test
acceptable. The scarlet red dye is mixed with the cream. Place a drop
2. MATERIALS & METHODS of the cream on a microscopic slide covers it with a cover
2.1 Preparation of extracts slip, and examines it under a microscope. If the disperse
The shade dried and coarsely powdered (500 g) globules appear red the ground colorless. The cream is
Azadirachta indica was placed in Soxhlet extractor, using o/w type. The reverse condition occurs in w/o type cream
petroleum ether and then successively extracted with i.e. the disperse globules appear colorless in the red
ethanol. The extracts were then concentrated to dryness ground.
under reduced pressure and controlled temperature, 3.4 Homogeneity
respectively and then preserved in a refrigerator for The formulations were tested for the homogeneity by
further utilization. visual appearance and by touch.
2.2 Cream formulation 3.5 Appearance
Oil in water (O/W) emulsion-based cream (semisolid The appearance of the cream was judged by its color,
formulation) was formulated. pearlscence and roughness and graded.
The emulsifier (stearic acid) and other oil soluble 3.6 After feel
components (Cetyl alcohol, Almond oil) were dissolved in Emolliency, slipperiness and amount of residue left after
the oil phase (Part A) and heated to 75° C. The the application of fixed amount of cream was checked.
preservatives and other water soluble components (Methyl 3.7 Type of smear
paraban, Propyl paraban, Triethanolamine,
After application of cream, the type of film or smear
Propylene glycol, ethanol extract of Azadirachta indica
formed on the skin were checked.
was dissolved in the aqueous phase (Part B) and heated to
75° C. After heating, the aqueous phase was added in
3.8 Removal
The ease of removal of the cream applied was examined
portions to the oil phase with continuous stirring until
by washing the applied part with tap water.
cooling of emulsifier took place. The formula for the
cream is given in table 1. [12-13] 3.9 Acid value
Take 10 gm of substance dissolved in accurately weighed,
in 50 ml mixture of equal volume of alcohol and solvent
Table 1: Composition of Cream
ether, the flask was connected to reflux condenser and
S. No Ingredients Quantity (%)
slowly heated, until sample was dissolved completely, to
Ethanol extract of
1. 2 this 1 ml of phenolphthalein added and titrated with 0.1N
Azadirachta indica
NaOH, until faintly pink color appears after shaking for
2. Stearic acid 12
30 seconds.
3. Cetyl alcohal 3
Acid value = n*5.61/w
4. Almond oil 4
n = the number of ml of NaOH required.
5. Methylparaben 0.028 w = the weight of substance.
6. Propylparabens 0.029
3.10 Saponification value
7. Propylene glycol 4
Introduce about 2 gm of substance refluxed with 25 ml of
8. Triethanolamine Q.S
0.5 N alcoholic KOH for 30 minutes, to this 1 ml of
9. Water Q.S
phenolphthalein added and titrated immediately, with 0.5
N HCL.
3. EVALUATION OF CREAM Saponification value = (b-a)*28.05/w
3.1 pH of the Cream The volume in ml of titrant = a
The pH meter was calibrated using standard buffer The volume in ml of titrate = b
solution. About 0.5 g of the cream was weighed and The weight of substance in gm = w
dissolved in 50.0 ml of distilled water and its pH was 3.11 Irritancy test
measured. Mark an area (1sq.cm) on the left hand dorsal surface. The
3.2 Viscosity cream was applied to the specified area and time was
Viscosity of the formulation was determined by noted. Irritancy, erythema, edema, was checked if any for
Brookfield Viscometer at 100 rpm, using spindle no 7. regular intervals up to 24 hrs and reported.

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 IJournals: International Journal of Research in Drug & Pharmaceutical Science (IJRDPS)
ISSN: XXXX-XXXX
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2017

3.12 Accelerated stability testing 4.6 After feel

Accelerated stability testing of prepared formulation was Emolliency, slipperiness and amount of residue left after
conducted at room temperature, studied for 7 days. And the application of fixed amount of cream was found.
then the formulation studied at 40ºC ± 1ºC for 20 days. 4.7 Type of smear
The formulations was kept both at room and elevated After application of cream, the type of smear formed on
temperature and observed on 0th, 5th, 10th, 15 th and 20th the skin were non greasy.
day for the all Evaluation parameters. [14-17] 4.8 Removal
3.13 Spreadability test The cream applied on skin was easily removed by
Sample was applied between two glass slides and was washing with tap water.
compressed to uniform thickness by placing 100gm 4.9 Acid value
weight for 5minutes. Weight was added to the pan. The
The acid value results of formulation was shown in table
time required to separate the two slides, i.e. the time in
2, and showed satisfactorily values.
which the upper glass slide moved over the lower slide
was taken as measure of spreadability. [18]
4.10 Saponification value
The saponification value results of formulation was
Spreadability =m*l/t
shown in table 2, and showed satisfactorily values.
m = Weight tide to upper slide
Table 2: Test applied for acid value and saponification
l = length moved on the glass slide
value
t = time taken.
S. No. Parameter Formulation
3.14 Microbial growth test
1 Acid value 5.7
The formulated cream was inoculated on the plates of
2 Saponification value 22.3
Muller Hinton agar media by streak plate method and a
control was prepared by omitting the cream. The plates
were placed in to the incubator and are incubated at 37ºC 4.11 Irritancy test
for 24 hours. After the incubation period, plates were The formulation shows no redness, edema, inflammation
taken out and check the microbial growth by comparing it and irritation during irritancy studies. These formulations
with the control. [19] are safe to use for skin.
4. RESULTS & DISCUSSION 4.12 Accelerated stability testing
The formulation was kept both at room and elevated
4.1 pH of the Cream
temperature and observed on 0th, 5th, 10th, 15 th and 20th
The pH of the cream was found to be in range of 5.6 to
day for the all Evaluation parameters. The stability results
6.8 which is good for skin pH. The herbal formulation
showed that the formulation was good.
was shown pH nearer to skin required i.e pH 6.3.
4.13 Spreadability test
4.2 Viscosity
The spreadability test showed that formulation has good
The viscosity of cream was in the range of 28001 – 27025
spreadable property.
cps which indicates that the cream is easily spreadable by
small amounts of shear. The herbal formulation was 4.14 Microbial growth test
shows viscosity within the range. There were no signs of microbial growth after incubation
period of 24 hours at 37ºC and it was comparable with the
4.3 Dye test
control.
The scarlet red dye is mixed with the cream. Place a drop
of the cream on a microscopic slide covers it with a cover 5. CONCLUSION
slip, and examines it under a microscope. The disperse From above discussion it is concluded that the prepared
globules appear in red color and the ground colorless. formulation showed good spreadability, no evidence of
phase separation and good consistency during the study
4.4 Homogeneity
period. From the above study it can be concluded that it is
The formulation was tested for the homogeneity by visual
possible to develop creams with herbal extracts. The
appearance and by touch, appearance and touch was good.
ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica exhibited strong
4.5 Appearance antibacterial activity. The results of different tests of
When formulation were kept for long time, it found that cream showed that the formation could be used topically
no change in color of cream. in order to protect skin against damage. Natural remedies

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 IJournals: International Journal of Research in Drug & Pharmaceutical Science (IJRDPS)
ISSN: XXXX-XXXX
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2017

are more acceptable in the belief that they are safer with Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, 2nd ed., Germany,
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