Development of a topical gel containing dried extract of Ipomoea pes-caprae brasiliensis (L.) R. Br. (Convolvulaceae)

Gel formulations containing I. pes-caprae spray dried extract (SDE) at 0.11 and 0.18%, were developed with three types of polymers Ce = Cellosize® QP 100, Ca = Carbopol® ultrez, and Ar = Aristoflex® AVC. The pH, sensory characteristics, weight loss and the viscosity profile of gels were analyzed at times (t) t0, t90 and t180 (24 h, 90 and 180 days after their production, respectively), in ambient temperature (AT = 25 ± 2 °C), in the fridge (F = 5 ± 2 °C) and in the oven (OV = 40 ± 2 °C). Isoquercitrin assay were analyzed by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after 24h and 360 days (in AT and in the F). None of these formulations nor the spray dried extract (SDE) showed any level of cutaneous irritation in agarose overlay test. The greatest polymers were Ca and Ar in relation to their sensory characteristics and viscosity.   Key words: Ipomoea pes-caprae, gel, spray dried extract, stability, cytotoxicity.