Acne vulgaris

Acne is a disease appearing simple but chronic in nature with multiple causative factors like bacteria, inflammation, harmones etc. The present study was conducted to formulate and evaluate the topical anti acne formulation of coriander aqueous extract. The antibacterial activity of aqueous extract against Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(S. epidermidis)  was investigated using disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by agar dilution method. The results showed that coriander aqueous extract showed the MIC values of 1.7 mg/ml and 2.1 mg/ml against P.acne and S. epidermidis respectively. The zone of inhibition exhibited by the aqueous extract was 21.5±1.4mm and 20.6±1.09mm against P. acne and S. epidermidis respectively. The topical formulations were developed using menthol as the penetration enhancer and tested for physical parameters, drug content uniformity, spreadibility, extrudability and in-vitro diffusion. It was reveled from the results that all the formulations showed the increased zone of inhibition for both of the bacteria. The formulations with the addition of penetration enhancer showed the increased drug content as well as the invitro release which increased with increase in the concentration of menthol. The formulation Fa11 showed the drug content (97.9%), invitro- diffusion (96.8%) and maximum stability among all the formulations.

The main anti-acne medicines including retinoids, systemic and topical antibiotics and hormones have several severe side effects. According to the literature, it is expected that Calendula officinalis, Rosa canina, Zataria multiflora and Trigonella foenum graecum which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, and Glycin max that have phytosterogenic property, heal the inflamed lesions of the disease. The purpose of the present study was to formulate and clinically evaluate an anti-acne cream using the extract of the above mentioned plants.A general formula of a cleansing cream containing bees wax, spermaceti, borax, liquid paraffin and water was considered and then corrected. The best formula was chosen according to its physicochemical properties. The stability of the formulation was evaluated. After diagnosis of acne vulgaris, the number of inflamed lesions and severity of the disease were determined. After two weeks of administration of the coded formulations, the process of improvement and possible complications were reviewed. If necessary, the treatment was continued for another two weeks. Finally, the patients were examined for the number of lesions and the severity again. The significance of data was analyzed statistically using SPSS. The final product was water in oil cream with suitable appearance and acceptable physico-chemical stability. Clinical trial results were significantly illustrated the effectiveness of the formulation mainly against papular and pustular lesions; disease severity and acne-induced inflammation, when compared to placebo. Previous researches have shown the presence of steroid saponins in Trigonella foenum graecum that make it a good anti-inflammatory agent. Also, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effect of the other above mentioned plants are reported. Considering the results of the present study, when compared with placebo, a formulation containing the mixed extract of the plants has a good efficacy in the treatm