Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Antioxidant Face Cream Containing Ethanol Extracts of <i>Psidium Guajava</i> and <i>Ocimum Gratissimum</i>

Abstract

Background: Aging is a natural progressive process that leads to aesthetic and functional changes in the skin. The aim of this research work is to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal antioxidant face cream using the ethanol extracts of psidium guajava and ocimum gratissimum.
Method: The ethanol extract of the herbs was incorporated at varying concentrations into six different emulsion bases. Antioxidant activity of the formulations was assessed using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. The formulations were evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability and microbial content. Accelerated stability tests were performed on all the formulations to assess stability at varying storage conditions.
Results: All the formulations showed good spread ability, good consistency, homogeneity, appearance, pH without phase separation occurring. Rheological tests showed that the all formulations exhibited non-Newtonian pseudo plastic flow. All six formulations also showed concentration dependent antioxidant activity. Ascorbic acid a potent antioxidant served as the standard for these tests. Formulation AFCR6 showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 80.1 μg/mL.
Conclusion: The polyherbal antioxidant cream containing extracts of Psidium guajava and Ocimum gratissimum have been shown to have excellent antioxidants properties. It can serve to protect the skin from reactive oxygen species created by UV radiation and environmental toxin, thus protecting the skin from photo aging.

Keywords: Anti-oxidant, Face cream, Psidium guajava, Ocimum gratissimum