Suman Shrivastava

The present investigation was undertaken to develop and assess a film-coated oral tablet of Epalrestat intended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Preformulation investigations, including solubility studies, melting point determination, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV spectrophotometric analysis, were carried out to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the drug and its compatibility with the selected excipients. Core tablets were formulated using the direct compression technique with appropriate pharmaceutical excipients. The prepared formulations were examined for key physicochemical parameters such as weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability, disintegration time, and drug content. Among the developed batches, formulation F6 demonstrated satisfactory evaluation results and was therefore selected as the optimized formulation for film coating. The coated tablets exhibited adequate mechanical strength, consistent drug content, and a controlled drug release profile. In-vitro dissolution studies indicated that more than 90% of the drug was released within 60 minutes. The findings suggest that the developed film-coated Epalrestat tablet possesses acceptable Preformulation and evaluation characteristics and may be suitable for oral drug delivery.

Background: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation may result in sunburn, accelerated aging, cutaneous damage, and potentially, carcinoma of the skin. While effective, synthetic sunscreens are frequently linked to dermal irritation and possible toxicity. Herbal sunscreens, formulated with natural, plant-derived compounds, present a more secure and ecologically sound alternative. Objective: To develop and evaluate a herbal sunscreen lotion utilizing plant extracts possessing established UV-protective, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties. Materials and Methods: Herbal extracts derived from Aloe vera, Watermelon, Sandalwood, and Turmeric were selected based on their photoprotective and antioxidant capabilities. The lotion base was prepared utilizing conventional emulsification methodologies. Physicochemical properties, including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and stability, in-vitro sun protection factor determined via UV spectrophotometry were evaluated for the formulated herbal sunscreen lotion. Results: The herbal sunscreen lotion exhibited acceptable spreadability, stability under diverse storage conditions, and an appropriate pH (5.5–6.5). Confirmation of effective UV-B protection was established by the moderate range (SPF 15–25) of the in-vitro SPF value. The presence of significant antioxidant activity suggested the potential for skin protection from oxidative damage. Conclusion: The herbal sunscreen cream exhibits potential antioxidant properties in conjunction with ultraviolet (UV) protection. It serves as a safe, natural, and efficient alternative to chemical sunscreens, demonstrating commercialization potential.

Background: Calendula, chamomile, and butterfly pea contain a high concentration of antioxidants that rejuvenate skin and provide relief from irritation. Based on this information, we can assume that extracts of these plants can be used to make a sustainable anti-aging cream as a natural alternative to existing skincare products. Objective: This research aims to formulate a topical cream using extracts of calendula, chamomile, and butterfly pea. The work also includes tests of the phytochemical profile and evaluation parameters of the cream. Materials and Methods: In this study, we assessed the content of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids by performing qualitative phytochemical screening on methanolic extracts of Clitoria ternatea, Calendula officinalis, and Matricaria chamomilla. Using standard methods, we emulsified the mixed herbal extracts to produce an oil-in-water cream. Once prepared, the cream formulation was evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, homogeneity, spreadability, and stability under a variety of storage conditions. Results: All three herbal extracts were shown to have significant quantities of phenolic compounds and flavonoids upon phytochemical analysis. Additionally, the formulated cream proved to have desirable organoleptic qualities that include a pH of 4.5- 5.2, stable viscosity, and good spreadability. It also proved to remain homogeneous with no evidence of phase separation or microbial growth over the duration of the 30-day stability study. Conclusion: Anti-aging cream formulation using butterfly pea, calendula, and chamomile extracts exhibited promising physical, chemical, and stability profiles. The phytochemical components support the viability of its use as a natural anti-aging formulation. Further studies to assess its biological efficacy are recommended.