Formulatıon and in vitro evaluatıon of gels wıth Centella asiatica extracts for cosmeceutıcal purpose

Abstract

In this research study, eight Centella asiatica extract gels were formulated using different types and concentrations of polymers, namely sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Carbopol 940, chitosan, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. All gel formulations showed acceptable semi-solid consistency and uniformity, with no phase separation. There was no grittiness observed under forty times magnification under a light microscope. The pH values of all formulations fell within the range of 5.34±0.01 to 5.94±0.01 and all the gels were easily spreadable on the skin. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) studies showed that Centella asiatica extract was biocompatible with other excipients in each gel formulation. Besides, the viscosity of all prepared Centella asiatica gels ranged from 270.8 cPs to 3467.0 cPs. The rheological studies showed that an increase in the polymer’s concentration of the gel significantly increased the gel’s viscosity. In the antibacterial assay, only gels formulated with chitosan showed antibacterial activity. In conclusion, Centella asiatica extract gel with 2.5% w/w chitosan, was the optimal formulation as it possessed desirable features for cosmetic formulations.