Development and Evaluation of a Polyherbal Oil Formulation from Vitex negundo and Selected Medicinal Plants for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim of this research work is to develop and evaluate a polyherbal oil formulation containing Vitex negundo (nirgundi) along with other traditional medicinal plants for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The formulation consisted of natural ingredients including Vitex negundo leaves, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (parijat), Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), and base oils like sesame, castor, and coconut oils, with camphor as an aromatic component. The extraction process was optimized to preserve the bioactive compounds, particularly the anti-inflammatory and analgesic constituents. Physicochemical evaluation tests like organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and preliminary skin irritation testing were carried out. The yellowish-green oil showed optimal spreadability with a pH of 5-6, suitable for topical application. The prepared formulation showed good physical stability with no skin irritation in preliminary testing. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of constituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes. It can be concluded that the developed formulation offers a promising therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis management, combining the synergistic effects of traditional medicinal plants in an optimized delivery system