Development, characterization and evaluation of poly-herbal ointment and Gel formulation containing Nerium Indicum Mill, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam, Murraya Koenigii Linn, Punica Granatum Linn

Objective: The objective of present study was the development, characterization and evaluation of poly-herbal ointment and gel formulations of Nerium Indicum Mill, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam, Murraya Koenigii Linn, Punica Granatum Linn extract. Plant derived substances and herbal medicines have recently attracted the great interest towards their versatile application. Medicinal plants are the richest source of bioactive compounds used in traditional and modern medicine. The ointment and gel formulation of plant extract has a sound approach, The poly-herbal ointment and gel formulation were evaluated for its physicochemical parameters like color, odour, pH, spreadability, extrudability, consistency, diffusibility, solubility, washability, non-irritancy and stability. Materials and methods: Extract of all four plants has been separated by the soxhlet extraction by 70% ethanol. Poly-herbal ointment and gel formulation has been prepared by mixing the extract of Nerium Indicum Mill, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam, Murraya Koenigii Linn, Punica Granatum Linn with carbapol 940 for Gel formulation and PEG 2000 & PEG 600 for ointment formulation. Results and conclusion: Physicochemical evaluation shows that the poly-herbal ointment and gel formulations fulfilled the criteria as herbal formulation and irritancy test also performed to indicate the effectiveness and efficacy of prepared ointment and gel formulations. The poly-herbal ointment and gel formulations were also evaluated for its stability at various temperature conditions which shows no change in the irritancy, spreadability and diffusion study. Thus it could become a medium to use the medicinal properties of extracts effectively and easily as a simple dosage form. Keywords:  Nerium Indicum Mill, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam, Murraya Koenigii Linn, Punica Granatum Linn, extract, ointment, gel.