Formulation and evaluation of herbal cream containing extract of Ziziphus jujuba leaves for analgesic potential

Shikha Agrawal, Yogesh Shivhare*

Department of Pharmaceutics, RKDF College of Pharmacy, Bhopal (M.P.)

ABSTRACT:

The aim of this research was to formulate and evaluate the herbal cream containing petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba for analgeisc potential. The herbal cream was formulated by using petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba in various concentrations (5% and 10%) and evaluated by formulation properties, viscosity, pH of the cream and spreadibility. Further, formulated cream was assessed for analgesic activity on animal model. Obtained results stated the formulation of Ziziphus jujuba extract is safe and beneficial for treating to pain.

KEYWORDS: Ziziphus jujuba, Formulation, Cream, Analgesic

INTRODUCTION:

India has an ancient heritage of traditional medicinal system. Herbal medicines have been used since the beginning of civilization to maintain health and treat disease. Various literatures provide lots of information on the folklore practices in different parts of country and traditional aspect of therapeutically important natural products. Nowadays people increasingly prefer alternative to conventional medicines.¹ The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a multipurpose plant. Although it is unknown to most westerners, jujube is one of the world’s major fruit crops, and is cultivated in India, Russia, the Middle East, Southern Europe, and especially China. This remarkable plant merits even wider cultivation. The jujube provides strong wood, has medicinal properties, in addition to being a fruit.² Leaves are 3-6.3 by 2.5-5 cm,oblong or ovate,usually minutely serrulate or apex distinctly toothed, obtuse, base oblique and 3- nerved,nerves depressed on the glabrous shining upper surface, densely clothed beneath with white or buff tomentum. Petiole 2.5-10 mm long. Flowers are 3.8-5 mm diameter greenish in dense axillary tomentose cymes or fascicles 1.2-1.9 cm long. Fruits are 1.2-2.5 cm diameter, globose, first yellow then orange and finally reddish brown, containing a single stone surrounded by fleshy pulp.³ The plant contains Rutin, β-sitosterol, Maslinic acid, Heptadecanoic acid, Tetracosanoic acid, D-glucose as main active constituents. The aim of this research was to formulate and evaluate the herbal cream containing petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba for analgeisc potential.

EXPERIMENTAL:

Plant Material:

The fresh leaves of Ziziphus jujuba were procured from the local market of Bhopal (M.P.). Plant specimens were identified and authenticated in Department of Pharmacognosy, RKDF College of Pharmacy. The leaves were washed under running water to remove adhering dirt, shade dried and converted into moderately coarse powder by mechanical grinder.

Extraction of plant drug:

The powdered plant material (about 45 gm) was defatted and extracted with petroleum ether (60-80°C) in a soxhlet apparatus. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, which obtained a dark greenish sticky residue (yield: 3.4% w/w) with respect to dried plant material. The dried extract was stored in a desicator till further study.

Formulation of herbal cream:

An oil in water (o/w) emulsion-based cream (semisolid formulation) was formulated. The emulsifier (stearic acid) and other oil soluble components (White bees wax, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Mineral oil and petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba were dissolved in the oil phase (Part A) and heated to 75° C. The preservatives and other water soluble components (methyl paraban, propyl paraban, triethanolamine, propylene glycol and water) were dissolved in the aqueous phase (Part B) and heated to 75°C. After heating, the aqueous phase was added in portions to the oil phase with continuous stirring until cooling of emulsifier took place.⁴

Evaluation parameters of prepared herbal cream:

Formulation properties:

The formulation properties of the cream (state, colour, odour, appearance) were studied by visual appearance and characteristics.⁵

pH of the cream:

The pH meter was calibrated using standard buffer solution with a pH of 7.4 and 9.2. About 0.5g of the cream was weighed and dissolved in 50.0 ml of distilled water and its pH was measured.⁶

Viscosity ⁷

Viscosity of the formulation was determined by Brookfield Viscometer at 100 rpm, using spindle no 7.

Determination of spreadibility:

For the determination of spreadibility excess of sample was applied in between two glass slides and compressed to uniform thickness by placing 1000gm weight for 5minutes. Weight was added to the pan. The time required to separate the two slides, i.e. the time in which the upper

glass slide moves over the lower plate was taken as measure of spreadibility.⁸

S = m * l / t

Where, m = weight tide to upper slide, l = length moved on the glass slide, t = time taken.

Assessment of analgesic activity of formulated herbal cream:

Grouping of Animals:

For analgesic activity, animals of either sex weighed between 95 and 110 g was divided into following groups consisting of six animals in each as follows:

Group- I: Control (Cream base only)

Group- II: Standard (Marketed preparation)

Group- III: Formulated cream of petroleum ether extract (5%)

Group- IV: Formulated cream of petroleum ether extract (10%)

Eddy’s hot plate method:

The animals were treated with marketed preparation and formulated cream of petroleum ether in 5% and 10% concentration. After 30 min of treatment the rats were placed on a hot plate (55ºC) and the time interval between the placement of the animals and the occurrence of licking or shaking the hind paws was recorded as reaction time. The cut off time was set as 15 seconds.⁹

Evaluation parameter for assessment of analgesic activity:

Response time;

Response time is the time at which animals reacted to the pain stimulus either by paw licking or jump response, whichever appeared first. The cut off time for the reaction was 15 seconds.

Statistical analysis:

Data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and statistical comparison was done using Turkey Kramer multiple comparison test. Values of p<0.1, 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Formulation properties;

The formulation properties of prepared herbal cream of Ziziphus jujuba were studied by visual appearance and characteristics. The results were recorded into table 1.

pH of the Cream:

The pH of prepared herbal cream of Ziziphus jujuba was measured using standard buffer solution. The results were shown in fig 1.

Viscosity:

The viscosity of prepared herbal cream of Ziziphus jujuba was determined by Brookfield Viscometer at 100 rpm, using spindle no 7. The results were shown in fig 2.

Table 1 Formulation properties of prepared cream of Ziziphus jujuba

Formulation	State	Colour	Odor	Appearance
PFPZJ 1	Semisolid	Greenish brown	Characteristic	Homogeneous
PFPZJ 2	Semisolid	Greenish brown	Characteristic	Homogeneous

PFPZJ 1 = Prepared formulation of 5% petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba

PFPZJ 2 = Prepared formulation of 10% petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba

Spreadibility:

The spreadibility of prepared herbal cream of petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba was determined and shown in fig 3.

Assessment of analgesic activity of formulated cream:

In hot plate test, initial reaction times of all the groups were recorded and found significant when compared to control and standard groups. The results were recorded into fig 4.

CONCLUSION:

This formulation of petroleum ether extract of Ziziphus jujuba could be suggested as a safe and beneficial for the treatment of pain.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors Shikha Agrawal and Yogesh Shivhare would like to thank Dr. Neeraj Upmanyu, Mr. Prashant Soni, Mr. Vivek Jain, Mrs Anjana Bhardwaj and Ms. Vibha Mishra for their support to carry out this research work.

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Received on 13.10.2012

Modified on 17.10.2012

Accepted on 25.10.2012

Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Technology. 4(6): November–December, 2012, 320-323