Formulation and Assessment of Topical Gel containing Cassia occidentalis Extract for Anti-Candida Activity

Inspite of extensive armamentarium available to treat fungal infections search of new compounds from herbal source is still on. Cassia occidentalis, also called as Kasunda, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is valued for its medicinal properties. These therapeutic effects are associated with existence of pharmacologically active components.

The objective of study to develop herbal anti-candida topical gel from ethanolic extracts of leaves of arid zone plant, C. occidentalis and assessment of its anti-candida activity in rats.

To formulate a topical plant-based gel using C. occidentalis leaf ethanolic extract and assess its anti-candida activity, phytochemical composition, physical and chemical properties, and various quality control parameters were performed.

The herbal gel formulation, having a pH value of 6.8±0.1, showed non- irritant behavior. The spreadability of the formulated topical herbal gel was found to be 23.61±1.7gm.cm/sec. showed acceptable diffusibility. The formulated gel showed an extrudability of 88.67%. The irritability score was zero, indicating its safety and suitability for topical application. HPLC confirmed rhein, an anthraquinone glycoside as major active constituent. The prepared formulation also exhibited acceptable stability as per ICH guidelines. Topical application of the gel formulation on rats infected with C. albicans demonstrated a noteworthy candida induced wound repairing characteristic.

Based on the findings, it was established that the formulated herbal gel containing ethanolic extract derived from C. occidentalis Linn. leaves exhibited optimal anti-candida activity, no irritancy, promising drug content, effective release properties and stable over a period of six months. Hence, it was concluded from the present examination that the leaves of C. occidentalis particularly ethanolic extract possessed good antifungal activity and may be explored for an alternative or supportive herbal formulation to existing antibiotic therapy.