Formulation and Evaluation of Ficus Benghalensis Emulgel for its Anti- Rheumatoid Arthritis Effect

The current study focuses on the development and characterization of ficus benghalensis powdered aerial roots emulgel to avoid the first-pass effect and strengthen bioavailability while reducing dosage intervals and dose-related deleterious reactions. three formulations with the same concentration and different polymers were formulated. Ethanolic and petroleum ether extract of dried aerial roots of ficus benghalensis were prepared by using different gelling agents like  Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, and Xanthane gum was formulated. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their qualitative as well as quantitative tests, physical appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, consistency, homogeneity, moisture loss, and finally in vitro anti-arthritic activity. Depending on the outcomes, it was observed that to all the formulation, F1 formulation containing Carbopol 940 with 4.6% moisture loss, 3780.3±5.0 viscosity and 6.1±0.1 PH and 43.7±1.53 spreadability shows better activity then all the other. Herbal emulgel of ethanolic extract of dried aerial roots of ficus benghalensis line, when compared with diclofenac emulgel, confirms the anti-arthritic activity through invitro release method.