Formulation and Evaluation of a Polyherbal Anti Acne Gel: Incorporating Dual Gelling Agent

The present research involves the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal anti-acne gel incorporating dual gelling agents—Sodium Alginate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC). The formulation integrates five medicinally significant herbal ingredients: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), and Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), selected for their established anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Herbal extracts were obtained using optimized extraction techniques such as cold infusion, decoction, and hot infusion to preserve phytoconstituents. The gel was formulated by combining the active extracts with the dual gelling system and evaluated for various parameters including pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, microbial load, and skin irritation potential. The developed gel exhibited ideal physicochemical characteristics with a pH of 5.84, good spreadability, and uniform drug content (97.4%). Microbial testing confirmed the product's safety, and no irritation was observed during patch testing, indicating its dermatological compatibility. The study concludes that the dual-gelled polyherbal formulation is a stable, safe, and effective topical preparation for acne treatment, offering a natural alternative to conventional therapies.