EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA FRUIT GEL AGAINST PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE INDUCED CONTACT DERMATITIS MODEL ON Balb/c MICE

Objective: The current study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the methanolic fruit extract gel of Phyllanthus emblica on Phthalic anhydride-induced contact dermatitis in Balb/c mice. Methods: The experimental protocol involved dividing Balb/c mice into six groups: a control group, a contact dermatitis model group, a 0.02% clobetasol propionate group, and groups treated with low-dose and high-dose methanolic fruit extract of Phyllanthus emblica. Contact dermatitis was induced by applying 5% Phthalic anhydride to the mice. Various parameters were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, including body weight, feed and water consumption, scratching frequency, histopathological examination, and immunohistochemical staining. Results and Conclusion: The results indicated that the methanolic extract of Phyllanthus emblica (at 2.5% w/v and 5% w/v) showed a decrease in inflammation and redness compared to the contact dermatitis model group. Histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical staining confirmed reduced inflammation and the presence of antioxidant activity in the treated groups. The study concludes that the methanolic fruit extract of Phyllanthus emblica has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making it a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of contact dermatitis. Further investigation and development of this Phyllanthus fruit extract gel are warranted.