PREPARATION, FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL CREAM FOR SKIN DISEASES USING EXTRACTS OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM), ACALYPHA INDICA, TRIDAX PROCUMBENS AND ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS

The use of herbal medicines for the treatment of skin diseases has gained increasing attention due to their safety, efficacy and minimal side effects. Medicinal plants such as Azadirachta indica, Acalypha indica, Tridax procumbens and Alternanthera sessilis possess significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. The present review focuses on the preparation, formulation and evaluation of herbal cream using extracts of these plants for the treatment of various skin disorders. The plant extracts contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and phenolic compounds which contribute to their pharmacological activities. Herbal creams are commonly prepared using oil-in-water emulsion bases containing stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, liquid paraffin and glycerin. The formulation is evaluated using parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, stability and skin irritation tests. The combination of these plant extracts in a topical formulation may provide effective treatment for skin infections, wounds, burns and inflammatory skin diseases. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of polyherbal cream and its importance in modern dermatological treatment.