Development and Efficacy Assessment of a Natural Anti-inflammatory Cream: An In vivo Study on Carrageenan-induced Paw Edema in Rats

Introduction: Inflammation is a physiological response that, when chronic, contributes to various disorders. The demand for herbal remedies is growing due to their fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate an herbal anti-inflammatory cream using natural ingredients with known anti-inflammatory properties. The cream was formulated using quercetin (a flavonoid), Vitamin E oil, calendula extract, beeswax, eucalyptus oil, almond oil, and aloe vera gel, chosen for their potential anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. The formulation’s effectiveness was compared with a standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. Methodology: The cream underwent comprehensive physicochemical evaluations including pH measurement, viscosity analysis, dye test, homogeneity, appearance assessment, irritation testing, accelerated stability studies, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to assess its stability and formulation quality. In vivo studies were conducted using 24 rats divided into four groups (n=6 per group, 250g each). Group 1 served as the control, Group 2 as the paw edema induction group, Group 3 received standard treatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg), and Group 4 was treated with the herbal anti-inflammatory cream. The carrageenan-induced paw edema method was employed to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, with paw volumes measured using a digital plethysmometer. Results: The herbal anti-inflammatory cream exhibited desirable physical and chemical properties, with no signs of irritation or instability. In vivo studies demonstrated that the herbal cream significantly reduced paw edema in treated rats, showing comparable efficacy to the standard drug indomethacin. Conclusion: The results indicate that the formulated herbal anti-inflammatory cream is effective in reducing inflammation, showing potential as a natural alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory medications.