UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Aim: The present study was aimed with the formulation of herbal micro-sponge gel to improve protection against UV rays and also blocks the UVA, UVB, UVC radiation from the sun.

Methods: Citrus sinensis (Family: Rutaceae) and Eucalyptus globulus oil (Family: Myrtaceae) were used for the UV protection activity. Extraction was performed using water by the hydro distillation method and screened for the presence of active components using phytochemical tests and GS-MS analysis. Six different herbal micro-sponge formulations were prepared using the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. By varying the polymer and drug ratios. The prepared herbal micro-sponges were evaluated for various parameters like particle size, Drug entrapment efficiency, % yield, SEM analysis, DSC analysis, and In vitro dissolution studies. From the above formulations, select the optimized formulation and incorporate it into gel. Here, the prepared herbal micro-sponge gel was evaluated for various parameters: pH, Viscosity, Spreadability, Drug content, In vitro diffusion studies, and in-vitro UV studies. Furthermore, for best formulation the skin irritation test was carried out in albino wistar rats model respectively were performed. A stability study was performed for the best formulation for 3 months.

Results: The best formulation (F2) was selected based on various physical parameters. F2 showed the particle size ranging from 129.3 to 149μm and also a spherical in shape. The zeta potential was found to be -31mV. In-vitro drug release of orange peel oil is 96.24% and also eucalyptus oil is 90.66% at 9hrs. F2 formulation showed the first-order release kinetics, and it’s a sustained release. SPF was calculated using an In vitro UV spectroscopic method. The highest SPF value was found to be 46.03. This herbal micro-sponge sunscreen gel blocks the UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. The F2 formulation was subjected to dermal irritation test, which showed no signs of erythema, skin irritation or redness at the end of the 24-hour observation period.

Conclusion: Citrus sinesis and eucalyptus oil base microsponges loaded in carbopol gel exhibited sustained drug release and showed potential as a safe and effective formulation. Thus, the extract of Citrus sinesis and Eucalyptus oil could be a potential herbal drug for the treatment against UV radiation, and the developed formulation strategy poses a suitable formulation to treat patients, addressing the need for safe and effective treatment. This result indicated that formulation F2 herbal microsponge sunscreen gel showed the highest SPF value. This outcome suggests that F2 formulation is safe for topical applications.