Formulation and characterization of ginger oil loaded polyherbal emulgels having extracts of Nardostachys jatamansi, Andrographis paniculata and Celaestrus paniculatus

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of joints with increased cellularity of synovial tissue. It is characterized by pain, swelling and stiffness of synovial joints. Allopathic drugs like NSAID'S, Celecoxib and Duloxetine have been used with adverse effects. To overcome these side effects herbal use of medicines has increased due to increased safety and efficacy. Herbal medicines have side effects like low bioavailability and low lipophilicity. Emulgels are one of the formulations to overcome these drawbacks.

The aim of present study is to formulate polyherbal emulgels and to characterize it by using various evaluation parameters.

Seven emulgels F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6 and F-7 were formulated according to the formula designed and were evaluated for characteristics of gels like physicochemical parameters, spreadability, extrudability and viscosity.

F-4 and F-7 was found to be optimized formulations comparative to other emulgels. Thus these emulgels can be further evaluated for in vitro and in vivo anti inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity respectively.