GINGEL: Development and Evaluation of AntiArthritic Gel Containing Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Arthritis is a musculoskeletal system disorder which involves destabilization of normal mechanisms. Due to changing habits of living life, the number of arthritic people will increase rapidly. Currently, the existing anti-rheumatic drugs mostly show side effects like acne, blurred vision, high blood pressure and more effective to reduce pain and improve disease conditions but still, they do not treat the disease completely. Literature available indicates that most of the people seek complementary alternative treatments (CAM). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has empirically explored its use as an anti-inflammatory agent. Amongst others, the Topical route of drug delivery has built up popularity because it avoids first-pass effects, metabolic breakdown associated with oral administration and gastrointestinal irritation. Also, they are less greasy and can be easily washed off from the skin surface. The current study aimed to formulate antiarthritic gel containing ginger extract and to evaluate its drug release activity. The topical ginger gels were prepared using Carbopol 934 as a gelling agent with varying concentrations, i.e., 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % w/w. The gel was assayed to determine percent purity and cumulative drug release. Results indicated that the 1.5 % w/w concentration of carbopol in ginger gel exhibited an adequate drug release. In conclusion, an antiarthritic gel containing 1.5 % w/w of carbopol had a good consistency, acceptable spreadability, and showed a good drug release profile. The topical prepared herbal ginger gel is a simple, easily formulated, convenient and economical alternative that needs to be weighed in the treatment of RA.