Development and Partial Characterization of Emulgel Formulation Containing Pit-ta-phon Extract

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an emulgel formulation from Pit-ta-phon extract, to study its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, phenolic content, flavonoid content, antimicrobial activity and to evaluate the physical characteristics and stability of the emulgel product. The study found that the most suitable emulgel formulation was the emulgel formulation 3 (T3), which contained Pit-ta-phon extract (at a concentration of 10 mg/mL) at a ratio of 0.50%. This suitability was determined based on pH, product dispersion, product odor, emulsion texture or separation, sensation, and expert satisfaction. The partial characterization of the emulgel formulation 3 revealed that it had anti-inflammatory activity (with the % inhibition of nitric oxide production of 72.14 ± 0.67 %), and antioxidant activity (with the IC₅₀ values from DPPH assay and ABTS assay of 55.18 ± 2.23 and 87.26 ± 0.33 µg/mL, respectively). Its total phenolic content was 0.043 ± 0.002 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and total flavonoid content was 0.079 ± 0.002 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. It also exhibited favorable physical characteristics and stability within standard criteria, with no microbial contamination detected. However, this study is only a preliminary in vitro study. Therefore, further in-depth studies are needed to obtain information for consideration in developing it into a medicine or herbal product that can be used as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of chronic muscle pain in the future.