Enhanced anti-arthritic effect of mustard oil in nanoemulgel formulation: A comparative clinical study

Abstract

In the present study an effort was made to evaluate the comparative clinical significance of Mustard oil (Brassica juncea) and its nanoemulgel formulation in clinically diagnosed patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Different nanoemulsions were prepared on the basis of pseudoternary phase diagrams using aqueous titration method. The gel matrix was prepared using Carbapol 934 and optimized nanoemulsion was added to obtain the nanoemulgel. Wistar albino rats were used for skin irritation study of nanoemulgel. The mustard oil was prepared as per its traditional approach and the comparative clinical study of mustard oil and its nanoemulgel formulation was carried out. The formulation didn't exhibit any edema to exposed rat skin and found safe to be used for human skin. In clinical study, nanoemulgel was found to be significant (p<0.001***) in every parameter of assessment compared to oil. It had significantly reduced the joint pain, inflammation and stiffness. As far as hematological changes concerned, the nanoemulgel had lowered the raised ESR value significantly in all the patients but failed to modify other blood parameters. The results revealed that mustard oil nanoemulgel formulation can be used as a possible substitute to conventional formulation of oil with enhanced permeation characters for topical application.