Anti-inflammatory Activities of Colocynth Topical Gel

Owing to the purgative effect of Colocynth extract when taken orally, the objective of this investigation was to prepare Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (5%) topical gel formulations containing 3% of colocynth extract, hydrolyzed extract, or acetylated extract and to study their release through cellophane membrane and their permeability through hairless mouse skin. Also, to study the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the different types of colocynth extract using the carrageenan induced paw edema model in albino rats in comparison with the commercial Voltarin Emulgel . The acetylated extract gel showed comparatively rapid permeability through hairless mouse skin, with low release rate through cellophane membrane. The pharmacological screening revealed that the percent reduction of edema produced by Colocynth extract was 45.39%, the hydrolyzed extract produced 54.11% inhibition and the acetylated extract produced 64.95%, while Voltarin Emulgel produced 63.35%. This means that acetylated colocynth extract can be used as an effective local anti-inflammatory agent.