Development and Evaluation of a Herbal Anti-Eczema Ointment Containing Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract
Background and Purpose of Study: Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a large tree native to India and traditionally used due to its several properties, mainly to treat skin diseases, as well as its "herbicidal" activity. Its bark, leaves, seeds, fruits, and flowers are widely used in medicinal treatment due to the presence of active secondary metabolites with biological effects, mainly limonoids and tetranortriterpenoids, such as azadirachtin. Thus, A. indica was studied in a variety of conditions, such as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive agents, as well as a biopesticide. Furthermore, differentiated cell tissue in A. indica cultivation was reported to produce active metabolites for different purposes. However, only a few studies have been developed regarding its potential use in cosmetics. For instance, most studies explained the antimicrobial properties in health conditions, such as acne, dandruff, and personal health care. Here, we summarized not only the most common cosmetic claims to treat acne but also mitigating other skin disorders related to inflammatory and oxidant processes in recent in vivo studies and patents to aid researchers and industrialists to select A. indica derivatives as novel cosmetic ingredients.
Result and Conclusion: The purpose of the study was to prepare an antimicrobial herbal ointment using locally available plants. On the basis of antimicrobial efficacy, plants were taken and their ethanolic extracts were incorporated in the most effective ratio in an appropriate base. The final product readily spread on the skin surface, showed no irritant effect, and was stable at different temperatures.
