FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF SUN PROTECTION FACTOR IN A POLYHERBAL CREAM

摘要

Sunscreens aid the body’s natural defense mechanisms to protect against harmful UV radiation from the sun. The present study involves the formulation of sunscreen cream with herbal active ingredients and evaluation for its effectiveness. Naturally occurring traditional substances are gradually replacing synthetic counterparts due to their effectiveness and absence of adverse effects. The herbal drugs selected for the study were roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (Yashtimadhu), Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. (Anantmul) and heartwood of Santalum album Linn. (Chandana). Creams were prepared with each individual herb and combination of all three herbs with varying concentration of herbal extracts. The evaluation included determination of Sun Protection Factor for all the formulated creams. The SPF was calculated using the spectrophotometric method and then applying the Mansur equation. The results of the study indicated that the 25% combination cream showed maximum sun screeening activity.