IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT OF COSMETIC POTENTIALS OF W/O EMULSION CREAM CONTAINING 2% PROSOPIS CINERARIA EXTRACT

摘要

In recent years, cosmetic research shifted towards natural products. Attempts are made to formulate stable topical preparations containing natural bioactive constituents but instability of topical emulsion is still a challenge for researchers. The aim of this study was to formulate stable W/O emulsion cream loaded with pre-concentrated 2% Prosopis cineraria extract and to explore its in vitro characteristics as compared to base (without extract). Moreover, stable W/O emulsion cream was applied to healthy human volunteers to assess its cosmetic potentials. The samples of base and formulation were placed at 8, 25, 40 degrees C and 40 degrees C at 75% RH (relative humidity) in different stability chambers. Stability parameters i.e.. color, liquefaction, phase separation by centrifugation, conductivity, pH were monitored for 28 days for both base and formulation by using mechanical instruments. Healthy human volunteers (n = 11) were used for panel test. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 15.0. It was found that both base and formulation were stable with respect to color, liquefaction and phase separation with time. Furthermore, zero conductivity was found by all the samples of base and formulation kept at 8, 25, 40 degrees C and 40 degrees C at 75% RH in different stability chambers for 28 days. The pH of base and formulation kept at 8 degrees C was 5.64 +/- 12.6 and 5.54 +/- 7.92, at 25 degrees C was 5.77 +/- 14.5 and 5.27 +/- 13.5, at 40 degrees C was 5.17 +/- 16.1 and 5.13 +/- 11.4 and at 40 degrees C at 75% RH was 5.8 +/- 7.3 and 4.92 +/- 9.2, respectively. Statistically significant panel test results were obtained. It is concluded that the formulation W/O emulsion cream is stable with respect to in vitro evaluation and results of panel test coined that it can be used cosmetically.