Formulation Development and Evaluation of Herbal Nanogel for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

xx newlineABSTRACT newlineThe present thesis entitled Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Herbal Nanogel for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis . Authenticated Vitex negundo leaves, Ehretia laevis leaves, and Curcuma amada rhizomes were subjected to phytochemical and pharmacognostical evaluation and extracted by continuous hot Soxhlet extraction and maceration. newlineThe yields (%w/w) of methanolic extracts of Vitex negundo leaves, Ehretia laevis leaves, Curcuma amada rhizomes single and combined three drugs (1:1:1) were found to be 12.2, 13.36, 17.35 and 16.13 (respectively) for maceration and 15.12,17.3, 25.13 and 25.18 (respectively) for continuous solvent extraction (Soxhlet) extraction. Due to higher yield of the extract of combined three drugs (1:1:1) in methanol by soxhlation, it was selected for further studies. The total flavonoid and phenolic content of methanolic extract of combined three drugs was 31.32 mg/g and 41.78 mg/g respectively. The standardized methanolic extract of combined drugs demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. newlineThe polyherbal methanolic extract of combined drugs was loaded into Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) and evaluated for FTIR, particle size, zeta potential, FESEM, TEM and drug release. The optimized F9 batch of AgNPs were loaded in gel by using Carbopol-934 (gelling agent) and silver nanoparticles loaded gel formulation was evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability and drug content. newlineThe In-vivo antiarthritic activity was evaluated in Wistar rats. Arthritis was induced in Wistar rats using Freund s complete adjuvant (FCA) and the effect of polyherbal formulation (F2) (2 % w/v) was studied. The effects were compared with marketed gel newlinexxi newlineformulation containing Diclofenac Sodium (2% w/v). Blood samples were collected for biochemical and haematological analysis. Formulation F2, which contains 1.5% of Carbopol-934 and 2% of the AgNPs, demonstrated for the management of arthritis. The effectiveness of F2 formulation in patients with inflammatory joint are warr