LAUSR

BACKGROUND Antioxidants are widely used in cosmetic products as they have beneficial effects on skin and prevent skin from harmful effects of environment. Albizia lebbeck has a significant potential to be used in cosmeceuticals due to its antioxidant activity. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to formulate a stable and effective o/w emulsion based emulgel containing Albizia lebbeck bark extract which have considerable antioxidant activity. METHODOLOGY Antioxidant activity of Albizia lebbeck bark extract was determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. Emulgel containing 3% extract was developed by mixing o/w emulsion in Carbopol gel alongwith a placebo emulgel without extract (base). In-vitro evaluation of these emulgels i.e. liquefaction, color, phase separation, centrifugation and pH change; were carried out for a period of 8 weeks at different storage conditions i.e., 8ºC, 25ºC, 40ºC and 40ºC & 75 % relative humidity (RH). In-vivo evaluation of emulgels was carried out on 13 healthy female volunteers by measuring various parameters of skin i.e. melanin level, erythema level, moisture content, sebum content and elasticity at regular time intervals after applying emulgel (both base and test formulation) for 8 weeks. RESULTS Antioxidant activity of Albizia lebbeck bark extract was 84.7%. Both emulgels (base and test formulation) were stable at all storage conditions. Statistical analysis showed that test formulation produced significant effects (p<0.05) on melanin, erythema level, moisture content, sebum level and elasticity of skin. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that a stable topical emulgel containing 3% Albizia lebbeck bark extract has significant antioxidant effects on human skin.