FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF AN HERBAL WOUND HEALING OINTMENT USING SUNFLOWER SEED CAKE AND MARIGOLD WASTE

This study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an herbal wound healing ointment using sunflower seed cake and marigold waste as natural active ingredients. Sunflower seed cake, a by-product of oil extraction, is rich in proteins and antioxidants, while marigold waste contains flavonoids and triterpenoids known for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The ointment was prepared using suitable bases such as white soft paraffin, beeswax, and lanolin to ensure proper consistency and stability. The formulated batches were evaluated for physicochemical parameters including pH, spread ability, consistency, washability, and skin irritation. Results indicated that the optimized formulation showed good stability, acceptable pH, and excellent spread ability with no signs of irritation. The herbal ointment demonstrated promising wound healing potential due to synergistic effects of its natural components. This study highlights the effective utilization of agro-waste materials in developing cost-effective and eco-friendly pharmaceutical formulations.